Nakita's Health Update - **The saga continues...update..post #146**

[Russian Blue]

Just an update since I had a vet visit yesterday.

We've decided to hold off on the allergy testing for the moment. We're going to get her teeth cleaned up first. They're not bad, but she has some gingivitis so we want to take care of that.

We're also going to try to move Nakita over from 1/4 pill of Prednisone every other day to every two days. I tried skipping her dose last Wednesday and Thursday - no itching or throwing up! I'm going to try this for a two week period and see if either the itching or vomiting reoccur. If they do, we'll go ahead with the allergy test.

She's been on the Prescription Duck and Rice for 8 weeks now so maybe that did the trick? We're also supplementing with Wysong's Duck canned only wet food. We're looking at changing the food to Rabbit and Pea since the Duck and Rice still seems to make her constipated. As a last factor, we also took away the Swheat Scoop litter a month ago.

Come on Nakita! Keep up the improvement so my wallet can finally be at rest.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks for the update. I sure hope that she'll continue to improve and won't need to have the allergy test. I also hope that everything goes well with her teeth cleaning.

[fragrancehound]

I'm glad to hear things are finally improving! Keep us posted.

[RedHedd]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear the beautiful emerald eyed beauty is improving.

[Bengalz]

Good to hear there is some improvement. Hopefully the new diet is a better balance for Nakita. As with hoomans, it takes some time for the body to adjust; perhaps this is the case. All paws and claws are crossed here for better days for our special Emerald Girl

She is such a dear little cat - I can't bear the thought of Nakita's discomfort

Hugs and kitty kisses

[Barbara]

Wallet at rest would be a positive side effect but heart at rest would be even better Way to go girl!

[Cataholic]

Keep up the good work, Nakita! Maybe a half pound weight gain, too? I can send you a pound or two if you need it....

[Russian Blue]

I guess I spoke too soon. Nakita threw up both yesterday and today. This was after skipping her second dose of Prednisone.

She also has a reduced appetite. She is supposed to eat 1/2 cup of prescription food but now she barely eats 1/8 cup. Last night I broke down and gave her some California Natural dry to see if she just didn't want to eat the prescription food or if her stomach was irritated and therefore the reduced appetite. Nope, she hoovered the California Natural (she loves her chicken, but doesn't like the rabbit or duck or venison prescription food). I can't have her loose any more weight, otherwise it gets critical since she's so small.

I'm going to continue giving the Prednisone every 2 days and keep her on the California Natural. We have the teeth cleaning scheduled for next Monday. If she starts itching up a storm, then I'll know it's the re-introduction of the chicken. I'm even thinking she may be allergic to chicken liver, since I have read that it can be an allergen. Chicken liver is a common ingredient in most dry and canned foods.

Can I scream in frustration now? One step forward, two steps back...

We're also going to try to move Nakita over from 1/4 pill of Prednisone every other day to every two days. I tried skipping her dose last Wednesday and Thursday - no itching or throwing up!
.....
She's been on the Prescription Duck and Rice for 8 weeks now so maybe that did the trick? We're also supplementing with Wysong's Duck canned only wet food. We're looking at changing the food to Rabbit and Pea since the Duck and Rice still seems to make her constipated.

[Russian Blue]

Keep up the good work, Nakita! Maybe a half pound weight gain, too? I can send you a pound or two if you need it....

Thanks for the offer, but I'm already in line to donate...

[jenluckenbach]

Poor Nakita. Such a delicate flower to have such troubles.

All I can do is pray for a solution.

[wolflady]

Thanks for the update on Nakita. I can imagine how frustrating it is trying to identify an allergy...and what type of allergy it is.
If she's doing well on the Duck/rice food, would it be possible to add a little cod liver oil or fish oil to the food to help with constipation? Sometimes an egg can help too. I'm not sure if that would affect her allergy problem though, but I thought I would mention it.

She is a tiny delicate thing, so I certaintly hope they can pinpoint the problem soon! If she's down for the teeth cleaning, could you get the allergy scratch test done at the same time. Two birds with one stone, you know?

Prayers and purrs from my house to yours!

**hugs**

[jennielynn1970]

I have two cats with severe digestive disorders, and they throw up everything EXCEPT for the California Natural. Of course it's only available in one store in my entire area, but oh well, lol. The vet I had talked to recommended it because there are no additives to it. It's chicken broth, rice, and chicken meal. He said a lot of times the ones made by SD and others for sensitive stomachs have too many additives. My others love the lamb and rice Nutro, and sometimes the sensitive ones eat that as well and they don't have too many issues (I still make them eat the Cal.Natural).

[Russian Blue]

I have two cats with severe digestive disorders, and they throw up everything EXCEPT for the California Natural.............. He said a lot of times the ones made by SD and others for sensitive stomachs have too many additives.

That's good to know! Actually, that's why I'm currently trying California Natural because it's the most simple food on the market. Plus, I want to determine if it's the chicken or chicken liver that's causing her allergies. I don't think it's the rice at this point.

Thanks for the info on what's working with your crew. This is day 4 on California Natural and so far so good. And she's eating it! I'm so happy to see her actually go to her food bowl and eat like a champ.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kass, I'm so glad to hear that Nakita is eating better and also doing much better too.
I've been having some issues with Starr for quite a while now. He's been having some runny poop and diarrhea problems off and on. He'll also sometimes use the carpet instead of the litterboxes. After reading about how well other cats have done on California Natural Chicken and Rice Formula, I've decided to try it. I bought some tonight and 2 small cans of wet food. I'm going to try feeding it to Pearl because she has some skin issues, Ziggy because she's been throwing up some of her food lately, and Starr because of his runny poops and diarrhea problems. I hope that it'll work for them.

[heidiv]

Nakita I was so hopeful that you meowmie had you all fixed up....... Poor sweetie.

Now Meowmie I had a himalayan and she had many of the same symptoms as Nakita and she was on prednisone until she passed... (Nothing to do with prednisone!) She was doing real well with it. She actually gained weight when she was on it. So being on it might not be all bad?????

I still think she is the most wonderful steel blue green eyed beauty I have EVER SEEN!! You already know that.