Ellie -Mae still not well....

[carole]

well i don't know about the filtered water theory, i don't even drink filtered water myself,not really an affordable commodity for me, or the kitties, but thanks for the suggestions, i will still keep it in mind, she is eating really well again today, i still notice some redness in her gums though, but for now she is holding her own, will just keep very close eye on her for any signs of discomfort and whip her in to the vet if need be,keeping a positive mind about it all and hoping for the best.

[Medusa]

well i don't know about the filtered water theory, i don't even drink filtered water myself,not really an affordable commodity for me, or the kitties, but thanks for the suggestions, i will still keep it in mind, she is eating really well again today, i still notice some redness in her gums though, but for now she is holding her own, will just keep very close eye on her for any signs of discomfort and whip her in to the vet if need be,keeping a positive mind about it all and hoping for the best.

A Brita water pitcher is very inexpensive, Carole. I can't recall what I paid for mine but it was really affordable. You put tap water in it and it filters the water, so you don't have to fuss w/water filters on your tap, etc.

[carole]

Yes Mary I have often wanted one for ourselves, not sure our budget will allow it, and really not sure it will make a difference, i am not dismissing the idea, but will think upon it,i guess i have to be able to justify an expenditure,by knowing it will make a difference, as we are on a pretty tight budget.

However i do really appreciate everyone's ideas, advice and concern, be sure of that.

[carole]

just thought i would give you all an update, Ellie is doing much better now, she is very hungry on those steroids, but rather fussy all the same, but much improved eating today and her gums look pink rather than bright red, so i guess all the treatment is doing something, she will be on steroids permanently though i expect, which i am not too happy about,however if it is the only way we can keep her mouth from being sore, it is what we have to do, there is another drug but it is just way too expensive, and there is no guarantee it is any better, it is like over 4 dollars a day, where as the steroids are only 13.80 per 3mths.

Anyhow progress has been made, so let us all hope it she continues to get better.,fingers and all paws crossed.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear that she's doing better already and I hope that the pred will continue to help her.

[Catty1]

I hope she continues to heal; it's great that she can enjoy her food more.

[carole]

I was talking to the lady at the cats protection league who had dealt with chronic gingivitis problems many times, the news was not good, i already knew the condition was really difficult to treat, but she said often the steroids and injections work for a while then begin to loose their effectiveness, and usually the cats have to be PTS,although they can live some years.

I was in complete shock hearing that, and i will be asking my vet, there is no way i want to loose my Ellie in a few years time, she is only 9 yrs old, and i cannot bear the thought of that , it is bad enough dealing with the knowledge my Old Ash has limited time with us.

Can anyone enlighten me, i feel very upset knowing this, i just thought we could go on treating her for years until she reached old age, and as long as she was on treatment she would be ok,and taking the whole lot of her teeth out is not an option i am going for, as she said they had done that , and it never worked.,if there were guarantees it would, i would do it.

She also said that a lot of ginger cats tend to get it, Ellie has ginger in her, but she is my calico in the my siggy.

She does have a lot of experience with cats, dealing with them for years in the shelter and helping them, so i do respect that and i have to think that what she is saying is correct, but i fear that it is.