Kitty Gus - July 1996 - April 1, 2011 [Archive] - Diabetes in Dogs: The k9diabetes.com Forum

k9diabetes

05-06-2008, 02:26 PM

I've been concerned about our cat Gus (the autistic one) for about a month because of a limp and his pelvis feeling bony, like he had lost muscle mass there. We gave him a week on Metacam and he seemed more or less okay. I thought maybe he injured his leg.

But last week he looked rugged. This weekend my husband and I both noted his ungroomed fur and general look of not feeling well, plus he had lost still more weight in his hips, which are extremely thin and bony now, and is still favoring the right hind leg. I learned at the vet yesterday that he lost almost a pound in four weeks.

So we had bloodwork done yesterday, which showed high levels of calcium plus calcium oxalate crystals were in his urine.

He's in today being checked stem to stern with ultrasound and x-rays - most likely candidates are a parathyroid gland tumor or lymphoma...

We are waiting for word from the tests and then will pick him up this afternoon - he had to be anesthetized for the procedures as he's not cooperative, so he has to recover from that before we can bring him home.

I'm so worried about him... He's the gray one in this picture. His sister Katie is in the middle and Winky, who passed on in 2005, is on the right.

http://www.randomfierce.com/canines/thecats.jpg

Natalie

We Hope

05-06-2008, 02:47 PM

Natalie,

I remember Gus going in when you had to take Chris recently. Sure hope the tests say whatever's bothering him can be treated and that he will be back to 100% soon!

Get Well SOON, Gus!

k9diabetes

05-06-2008, 03:16 PM

The vet just called. They sampled some tissue from the spleen, maybe liver.... not sure where else. He says it isn't screaming lymphoma but there are some suggestions that it might be, like more lymphocytes than they would expect, and they are sending the samples to a pathologist to review. Gus should be ready to come home in about three hours.

The good news for Gus is he wants me to push calories.

Gus has been on a diet but seems not to be eating enough lately. So I'm to feed him as much as he will eat and hopefully we won't have to put in a feeding tube to get some calories back into him. He says he's seeing some fat in the liver, suggesting Gus has not eaten as much as he should.

I know Katie has been cleaning up the breakfast he leaves behind (and getting plumper) but I can let him free feed and I think he might eat more in the evening if it's available. And I'll drag out the canned food too.

We Hope

05-06-2008, 03:26 PM

From working on the wiki, I know just a bit about fatty liver in cats--it's quite a concern for those whose cats aren't eating, possibly because of their diabetes problems. Also know that if they won't eat enough on their own, the feeding tube has to come into the picture.

Hope that Gus will find something he likes a LOT and will stuff his furry face enough so he doesn't wind up being tube-fed!

BTW--perhaps you pass by some of the "Hammy Heavens" on your way to or from picking up Gus? Not sure if this would appeal to Gus or not, but know there IS someone at home who would find it GREAT! :D

Jody

05-06-2008, 03:27 PM

Aw Natalie - i'm sorry to hear this about Gus! :( Will keep good thoughts coming his way that he begins to feel better. How old is he? Our kitty Lacey is ten and in pretty good shape - other than she's on a diet - much too fat. Since Taffy is gone - we are spending quite a bit of time together and she is no longer deprived! ;) Let us know how things go! Jody

k9diabetes

05-06-2008, 08:20 PM

Gus is home. Still pretty groggy and can't manage his back leg coordination at all yet so has a way to go on recovering from the anesthesia. They left his catheter in so if he doesn't eat they can easily give him an IV. I'll take him back in the morning to have it removed.

But he came home with some canned IVD food and ate about half a can of the lamb version. And I put some of his kibble in his kennel where he's hanging out so he can eat that at will.

The vet's current thought is parathyroid tumor. He said one of the parathyroid glands is more than twice the size of the other one.

They are running two blood tests - "hypercalcemia of malignancy" (very expensive!) and "ionized calcium," which, as I understand it can determine whether there's lymphoma, parathyroid tumor, or, heaven forbid, both. And they did needle biopsies, guided by ultrasound, of the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes that will be reviewed by a pathologist in the next day or two.

Plus his doc is going to have a UCD radiologist review his x-ray.

(I really really like this vet - very thorough)

From what I was told, it's typical for the high levels of calcium to have damaged the kidneys, which does not seem to be the case with Gus. But if that's it, I think we caught it early. One of the vet's concerns is that the calcium level isn't high enough (13.2 with a normal range that tops out at 11.8) to explain how lousy Gus seems to feel.

The vet noted bowel inflammation as well, which could be a separate issue or related to lymphoma.

So we feed him as much as he will eat, take the cath out tomorrow morning, and await the various test results.

If it's a parathyroid tumor, that can possibly be either fried or removed surgically. If lymphoma, it's chemotherapy.

Natalie

We Hope

05-06-2008, 08:47 PM

Good to hear that even though he's still sort of groggy from being under, he ate some of the IVD.

I can see why he'd be thinking parathyroid tumor after seeing one so much larger than the other. That poor little guy sure went through the works today!

Hope they can get to the bottom of what's bothering Gus and that it's not a malignant problem.

Am just looking at all three of them and it's amazing when you know they're siblings because you don't see any "family resemblances" at all.

Hang in there, Gus--we're all thinking of you!

Denise

05-06-2008, 10:27 PM

Glad he is home and will be praying it's not lymphoma! How were his kidneys? Kidney cats get that bony rear end look and unkempt look.

I didn't know Winky was a tortie! I have 2 torties! Love them! (some call the dilute calicos?)

Fatty liver is one of my biggest fear with this many cats I figure I'll deal with it at some point.

k9diabetes

05-07-2008, 12:06 AM

Hi Jody!

Gus and Katie are 12. Mostly they've been healthy, which is fortunate since they're both terrible about the vet. From looking around on the web, it looks they may be all or mostly Maine Coons. Their bodies are very similar to each other's, kind of look like a set of salt and pepper shakers when they sit side by side. But Katie has stiff guard hairs and undercoat. Gus only has undercoat fur.

I knew Gus was sick when I saw how readily he let the vet handle him yesterday.

Winky was a tortie inside and out! She came to live with us when she was about 12 I think.... She was my stepdaughter's cat and had been living with my stepdaughter's mom, who decided to rehome her so we took her in. She was 19 when she died.

We already had Gus and Katie by then and Katie and Winky HATED each other. They fought constantly... I could almost hear an audible sigh of relief from Katie when she realized Winky wasn't coming back.... that's terrible, I know, but true.

Denise, amazingly enough, his kidneys are fine. And I was relieved to see that his fasting blood glucose was perfect - 85.

He put away 3/4 of a 5oz can of Lamb IVD and a handful of Whisker Lickins' treats. He's got kibble available but isn't interested.

I hope that's enough. Will check with the vet tomorrow about whether he needs more calories than that. And he's totally ignoring his wrapped catheter so I haven't had to put the e-collar on him.

It will be an anxious couple of days waiting for the test results. I guess we are all hoping for parathyroid... I'd prefer nothing but I don't suppose that's realistic. Parathyroid is more treatable as I understand it.

Natalie

rhodesian46

05-10-2008, 10:36 AM

Am thinking good thoughts for you and Gus!!! How is he doing today?

k9diabetes

05-10-2008, 05:16 PM

Gus has been doing okay, not really well and not really bad if you know what I mean. He's been allowed to eat as much as he wants, much to Katie's dismay. Fortunately, so far (knock on wood til my knuckles bleed!) the various foods haven't caused a digestive problem.

I haven't had a chance to discuss it with the vet yet but I got a faxed copy of the pathology report on the needle aspirates of the liver, spleen, and ileum (end of small intestine). I'm not 100% certain but I think it says basically what the vet was saying - looks like it could be early lymphoma but it's not certain. The blood tests that will help sort out the diagnosis will take another week to come back.

Everything he's been experiencing seems to be consistent with lymphoma from the intestine, if he has lymphoma at all. The blood test will determine whether the calcium is being raised by the parathyroid or by lymphoma.

Natalie

Pathology Report

Diagnosis:

1. Liver - Moderate to marked hepatocellular vacuolication with scattered neutrophils and lymphocytes. (I think this may be related to the concern about fatty liver from not eating enough)

2. Ileocolic - Neutrophilic, lymphocytic, and eosinophilic inflammation; possible lymphoma of small granular lymphocytes.

3. Lymph node - Atypical lymphoid hyperplasia; possible early small lymphoma of small granular lymphocytes.

4. Spleen - Lymphoid hyperplasia.

Comments:

The aspirate of the liver contains evidence of hepatocellular lipidosis. Excessive accumulation of lipid in hepatocytes may result in hepatic dysfunction. Feline hepatic lipidosis syndrome is most common in obese anorectic cats but may also be seen in association with rapid weight loss, nutritional imbalances, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, or metabolic liver disease. In many cases, no underlying cause can be identified (idiopathic hepatic lipidosis).

The splenic aspirate contains lymphoid cells as well as hematopoietic precursors. There are not features of neoplasia evident in the splenic aspirate, although there are many lysed cells.

In the aspirate from the bowel, there is a mixture of cells, including lymphocytes, eosinophils, and neutrophils. Some of these lymphocytes have a slightly increased volume of cytoplasm in which visible pale granules can be found. Similar cells are seen in the node aspirte. When more than 10% of the cells in the node contain these granules (as is suspected here), there is often associated lymphoma of granular lymphocytes. This type of lymphoma usually originates in the small intestine or mesenteric nodes in cats but may infiltrate other organs. Granular lymphocytes are thought to be cytotoxic T lymphocytes or NK cells. Historically, this type of lymphoma has been variabley responsive to chemotherapeutics.

We Hope

05-10-2008, 06:15 PM

It looks to me like what you think. FWIW, here's the wiki page on hepatic lipidosis--fatty liver:

http://petdiabetes.wikia.com/wiki/Hepatic_lipidosis

They seem to be saying that the signs are there for a possible bowel lymphoma, but that it isn't "absolute" but possible. Guess there's no "for sure" until the blood results come back. Sure hope if Gus HAS to have a problem that the parathyroid's the one!

Keep up the Good Work, Gus!

Denise

05-11-2008, 08:09 PM

I'm sorry you didn't get more definative answers yet. Those results aren't what I'd want to read as possibilities!

Hope you find out it's the parathyroid thing. I know people who've had this and it's not a big deal but makes a big difference in their health.

Will watch for your update.

rhodesian46

05-12-2008, 02:11 PM

Natalie,
Your report on Gus is to many big words for me!!!! Can you explain in laymans terms when u get the blood work back??:(

k9diabetes

05-12-2008, 09:50 PM

Marianne, I hope so but don't count on it!! I had to do a fair amount of looking up terms on the internet to make sure I was understanding it!

I'm relying on the inclusion of "possibly lymphoma" to take the meaning to be it's not a conclusive diagnosis. So I'm very very anxious for the blood tests to come back so we know what to do next. Still haven't talked to the vet - I think he may be waiting for the blood tests too.

Natalie

k9diabetes

05-15-2008, 02:58 PM

Just got off the phone with the vet now that all of Gus' test results are back. He also discussed them with the pathologist who reviewed the biopsies as it's kind of a muddy picture.

The hypercalcemia (high calcium level in the blood) has been diagnosed as idiopathic, which means they don't know why the calcium is high. The only thing to be done for that would be to give subq fluids to help flush the kidneys.

The test for parathyroid hormone came back in the normal range so that suggests there is no growth on the parathyroid gland.

The PTH-related hormone test came back negative, which says there's no raging lymphoma.

The vet says there is a gradient in cats from IBD to lymphoma. They believe that lymphoma often gets started with IBD and it may even be that most cats with IBD eventually will develop lymphoma.

So Gus' diagnosis is severe IBD and/or emerging lymphoma - that he's likely somewhere in the middle of that gradient.

He's being prescribed prednisolone (steroid) for the IBD and leukeran (low-grade chemo drug that's good at targeting lymphocytes).

And he's to stay on a novel-protein diet in case his diet is part of the IBD.

This is a cat who basically can't be pilled. Still working on a solution for that. The vet says it could be compounded into a single medicine but I'm going to try the pills first.

And will try to get him to eat the Lamb IVD.

Natalie

We Hope

05-15-2008, 04:33 PM

You go, GUS!!!!!!!!

Denise

05-16-2008, 06:21 AM

This is what I went through with Reba, lots of tests bt nothing that made it a clear dx showing we HAD to use Lysodren. Argh!

Steroids can be compunded into a creanm to rub on the ear, I believe, but I wouldn't think a chemo drug could. You have a pill popper? Saves your fingers but their claws still get your arms.

I've even ahd help with some cats and it can still be a chore! some of mine are famous for holding and spitting them out later.

IBD to lymphoma?

You might consider all meat food since some think that carbs feed cancer cells. I'm getting all mine switched over because of Bubba but it's going to take awhile, I have several kibble lovers and a couple that don't give a hoot about canned so....

How's he feeling now? Any signs of ANYTHING?

k9diabetes

05-16-2008, 12:46 PM

The IBD to lymphoma continuum was really interesting to me. I noticed that an article by Dr. Tam, who is an IBD expert, covered IBD and lymphoma in cats in one article. He didn't directly relate them but I can see where a chronic case of IBD could lead to lymphoma in the intestinal tract. I'm hoping to get a chance to research this a little.

The thing I "like" about that explanation is it makes sense of Gus' test results. He's not lymphomic enough to come up positive on the tests but there are also lymphoma signs in the ileum and lymph node.

Gus is about the same but doesn't want to eat the IVD.

I managed to get at least part of the prednisolone in him last night. It's syrup and he's wearing part of it on his cheek. The leukeran had to be ordered so will pick that up today. If it's a pill, I"ll try pill pockets but he may not eat them.

He and Katie both fight like kamikaze warriors when they need pills and they're very strong and muscular in the front legs... plus Gus is doublejointed, which makes him very very good at reaching around and snagging skin. I was thrilled that his last antibiotic was a tasteless liquid that could be put in canned food gray.... we shall see how it goes!

Natalie

k9diabetes

05-17-2008, 05:09 PM

For those interested in the IBD/Lymphoma link in cats, it didn't take much digging to find references to it...

http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2007&PID=18053&Category=2980&O=Generic

Feline Alimentary Lymphoma

One well-recognized, but poorly defined, example of inflammation-associated neoplasia is the proposed progression from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to alimentary lymphoma. This progression is documented in human patients with coeliac disease, and although reported in both the dog and cat, this appears to be far more of an issue in the feline species.

In fact, the distinction between IBD and alimentary lymphoma on histopathological examination of gut biopsies still provides one of the most challenging interpretations for the diagnostic pathologist. Determining whether a mononuclear cell infiltration of the intestinal lamina propria is reactive or neoplastic has now been aided by the techniques of immunohistochemistry and clonality testing. Immunohistochemical labeling for the expression of molecules restricted to T (e.g., CD3) or B (e.g., CD21, CD79a) lymphocytes can determine whether an infiltrate is mixed in nature or monomorphic--the latter being more likely associated with neoplasia.3

In a recent investigation, we reviewed 32 cases diagnosed as alimentary lymphoma by routine examination of HE-stained intestinal biopsies taken from cats with chronic diarrhoea.4 Immunohistochemistry defined these as predominantly T cell tumours, with fewer B cell or null cell lymphomas. Of greater interest, was the group of 5 cases in which immunohistochemistry was able to demonstrate a mixed infiltrate of morphologically-normal cells more consistent with chronic inflammation than neoplasia. The recent introduction of 'clonality testing' (at least in the United States) has provided a second means of making this distinction.5 This methodology determines whether the population of lymphocytes infiltrating the mucosa is monoclonal (i.e., carries a single type of T or B cell receptor) or polyclonal (i.e., a mixed population with numerous different T and B cell receptors)--the former associated with neoplastic transformation. Clonality testing has to date been most widely applied to blood samples or fresh lymphocyte suspensions, but can also be performed with fixed tissue biopsies.

k9diabetes

05-22-2008, 02:57 PM

Gus had his fourth chemo pill today and has been on the prednisolone daily, none of which seems to bother him. And by mushing up the Lamb canned IVD with water, I've convinced him to eat it fairly consistently, along with some kibble at times if he's really hungry.

This morning he tried to break into the Pill Pockets bag and help himself so those are working wonders for getting his meds into him. Which is cool, since the prednisolone is a lot cheaper as a pill than as a syrup.

Natalie

We Hope

05-22-2008, 03:38 PM

Keep it up, Gus!

Denise

05-23-2008, 06:48 AM

I've wondered about the pill pockets for cats as I have several cats that don't eat ANY treats. A friend with a thyroid kitty was having trouble pilling and I told her to try pill pockets and she was amazed at how simple that was! I hope he continues liking them! I've found things that work for awhile and then.....

I've always heard that cats take chemo really well compare to other species. I hope he stays well, keeps taking his meds and eating well!

eyelostit

05-25-2008, 10:43 PM

Nat, I hope Gus is doing better and taking his pills............:rolleyes:

k9diabetes

05-26-2008, 04:37 PM

So far, the pill pockets are working great.

Some days Gus looks pretty good, some days a little scruffy. Today is a scruffy day. He has put a little weight back on, which is good.

Not much news, which I guess is good news.

Natalie

Jody

05-28-2008, 05:24 PM

Thanks for the update on the Gus Boy! Nice to hear that he is taking this all in a stride - or at least that's what he wants you to think! ;) I'll have to remember to check on those pill pockets if I ever have to pill Lacey - gosh - I just know that would be a nightmare! Taffy was bad enough - but a cat? Yikes!:eek: Jody

k9diabetes

05-31-2008, 05:10 PM

I had happened to start giving him treats a few months ago in an effort to get him to socialize a bit more, which turned out to be very valuable now that he needs pills twice a day.

I'd sit on the bed and rattle the treat bag and he'd come running. I'd require him to pretty much climb into my lap to get the treat. He'd stay at least long enough for 3 or 4 treats, which was a big accomplishment for him.

Something about those treats they REALLY like and now they lap up the pill pockets too. Katie gets one every time Gus does.

Gus has a blood draw scheduled on Monday, I think mostly to check for anemia from the chemotherapy.

Natalie

k9diabetes

06-08-2008, 10:41 PM

Gus' blood panel came back with some good news and no bad news. It doesn't really tell us much about the IBD/Lymphoma but does suggest he's not having any serious problems with the treatment.

No anemia.

Calcium dropped into the normal range,
from 13.2 down to 10.5, normal is 8.2-11.8

ALKP improved, from 80 to 40, normal is 0-62.
ALT went up though, from 76 to 135, normal is 28-100

One weird thing - cholesterol went up, from 187 to 235, normal is 82-218.

He also gained some weight, from 12.4 to 13.0 pounds and it seems to be somewhat better distributed.

The vet wants to continue his treatment for another week or two before doing any major evaluations since there's no obvious problems or obvious improvement. Gus remains in the not-great/not-bad gray area, maybe a little better than pretreatment though he might have felt bad as much from the fatty liver issue as the IBD.

It's hard to really test the progress of the IBD/Lymphoma since it doesn't show up in the bloodwork other than the calcium level and that didn't seem to come from the intestinal issues in his case.

Some days he's looks pretty good. Some days he seems sluggish. And the vet said his own wife's cat, which has IBD, does the same thing.

Natalie

k9diabetes

07-05-2008, 02:47 PM

Tuesday they are gonna ultrasound Gus to see how his lymph nodes and intestine look. He's been on chemo and prednisolone for just short of two months. The chemo, the vet tells me, is a permanent thing since it's a low-grade approach.

The vet's also going to look at his jaw and see if there's a reason for Gus' weird chewing/eating habits.

The loss of hair on the back of his back legs and stomach are commonly either allergies, which seems unlikely given that he's been on a daily dose of prednisolone, or stress. So this weekend I begrudgingly put his cat box back into his kennel in my office. Lordy, I loved not having it in here but he was going to the box barely once a day, saving it all up for one trip out to the box in the garage, so I got the feeling that he really wasn't liking not having his own cat box. If only he wasn't so messy!!!

Natalie

k9diabetes

07-14-2008, 01:45 AM

Gus was a very expensive child on Tuesday. I'm still waiting for the lab results.

He has some changes in the fat in his liver, which the vet feels is benign.

They took some samples of the lymph nodes with needle biopsies and ran a blood panel.

Previous Results:
Calcium dropped into the normal range,
from 13.2 down to 10.5, normal is 8.2-11.8

ALKP improved, from 80 to 40, normal is 0-62.
ALT went up though, from 76 to 135, normal is 28-100

One weird thing - cholesterol went up, from 187 to 235, normal is 82-218.

July 8 Results
Calcium: 9.9 so dropped still further
ALKP: 54, higher but still within normal range
ALT: 464, quite a bit higher
AST: 204, up quite a bit from 84, reference range is 5-55

I can't remember what AST is... will have to look it up.

The vet wasn't concerned about these.

Then they sent a blood sample to Texas A&M for a special panel (code on invoice is Tli/Pli/Cobalamine/Folate... intended to give us some information on Gus' IBD. Will have to look that up too!

Have been so busy with Chris that I haven't had much chance to explore this new test.

The leukeran, chemo drug, is likely a permanent part of Gus' life.

k9diabetes

07-14-2008, 03:53 PM

If you're interested in testing for presence and/or location of IBD or pancreatic enzyme insufficiency...

http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/gilab/assays/cPLI.shtml

k9diabetes

07-22-2008, 10:12 PM

Gus' test results were good. The vet looked at the aspirates and didn't see anything he felt needed to be sent to a pathologist. Plus his Texas A&M GI Panel came out well also.

Cobolamin Test: 594 ng/L
- control range is 290-1499 = normal.

Folate Test: 9.6 microg/L
- control range is 9.7-21.6 =
consistent with proximal small intestinal disease (but not far off)

Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity (PLi): 6.7 microg/L
- control range is 4.1-12.9 = normal

Trypsin-like Immunoreactivity (TLi): 53.7 microg/L
- control range is 12-82 = normal.

So we're continuing his prednisolone/leukeran regimen. I can't tell if he feels any better but he doesn't seem to feel worse.

Denise

07-23-2008, 03:17 PM

I am wishing you are able to say Gus is feeling better one day soon!

I found out Bogie's calcium is a bit high but not sure what to make of that. I asked for the test after talking to you when we thought it was stones. He is 10.7 and normal is 7-9.7.

If Gus isn't any worse then he is dealing with his meds well. Praying for a turn in how he feels!!!

k9diabetes

07-25-2008, 11:05 PM

Gus seemed a little better the past couple of days, just about the time his poop issue developed. Today was all squirts and goo and he threw up once..... and apparently he wasn't too happy about it either cuz he bit the heel of my right hand... just to explain a few things to me. Apparently he didn't understand that I wasn't having the best day either.

Skipped his morning meal and meds and things have settled down so far.

Gus' system does this once in a while for no apparent reason. I'm hoping it's shortlived.

k9diabetes

08-25-2008, 12:09 PM

I took Gus in today to have the doc look him over.

Gus had had several bouts of diarrhea related to food changes in July and August but has been getting his old diet for the past week.

That got rid of the diarrhea, which I very much appreciated... but he's hacking up a little clear fluid again, which is what he was doing just prior to his IBD/lymphoma diagnosis. So I think we will eventually have to change foods. Will tackle that after a brief trip we are taking next month.

The prednisolone for the IBD is making Gus Cushinoid... his hair hasn't grown back at all after the ultrasound in July and his belly needs a tomcat bra...

I don't like how much the meds seem to slow him down - doesn't play, doesn't want to be touched - so we're going to try reducing the prednisolone to every other day, alternating it with the leukeran to see if that perks him up any.

Also have to find a way to feed him without Katie stealing it. Gus is too thin and Katie has blimped out from stealing his food. He tends to pick at it throughout the day.

For his weepy eyes we are giving some idoxuridine (anti-viral) drops. Have some left over from Chris' viral eye problems. His eyes have been caking up constantly with reddish brown discharge.

Poor little guy's kind of a mess.

rhodesian46

08-27-2008, 05:28 PM

NAtalie,
You have your hands full helping us and Gus. You are a saint!!! Pebbles sends Gus a smooch as she thinks smooches will make him happy!
Marianne and Pebbles

Denise

08-29-2008, 09:37 PM

Poor Gus!

I saw a product today that was an additive to use when you change their meals, enzymes, probiotics etc. to help with the new food adjustment.

I don't remember what you are feeding him but on the Feline Diabetes board they have listed the Fancy Feast foods that are the lowest in carbs and lots of them feed it. Enough variety, he might eat more?

Still praying for Gus. Hope the pred reduction helps!

When my FIV gets steroid shots he gets very antisocial and blah!

k9diabetes

09-18-2008, 12:23 PM

Gus was pretty well behaved while we were gone... saved the explosive diarrhea until I came home! ;( I think he probably just had a few too many treats while we were away.

For now, I've put him on baby food (turkey and beef). First to deal with the diarrhea and now for the short term because he laps up as much as I will give him. That should help put a little more weight on him (he was stable between vet visits) and prevent Katie from snarfing up the other food, which he picked at. I had been putting some beef/gravy wet food over the Felidae dry and he would eat it but not sit down and just consume it the way he does the baby food.

After that... not sure. Fancy Feast is one possibility... both Gus and Katie have bad reactions to many foods so it's never easy to change what they're eating.

His fur is very thin over his back. A month ago the vet said we could cut the prednisolone back to every other day twice a day and on Monday he said we could go ahead and cut him back to every other day once a day. The first cut allowed him to grow a tiny bit of peach fuzz on his bare spots so I'm hoping another reduction will reduce his induced Cushings status enough that he can grow some fur back. He's pretty pathetic looking.

But no masses felt and no weight loss at the vet this Monday so that's good.

Natalie

Denise

09-18-2008, 09:21 PM

I'm glad he is eating well and getting some hair and getting to reduce meds is always great!

They DO get to look pathetic, bony, thinning hair....just plain old.

I am feeding Bubba (cancer cat) a can of Fancy Feast every day with his meds in it, figure it keeps his calories up a bit and also doing this for the FIV cat. They won't eat the chunky or sliced ones though, learned that quickly.

How is he about wanting attention an how active is he? What does a good day look like for him?

k9diabetes

09-19-2008, 11:20 PM

He's still somewhat lackluster but the first cut in the prednisolone dose helped and I think the second one will help even more. Plus he was pretty unhappy about the whole explosive diarrhea thing (for some reason, Gus doesn't do plain diarrhea, only explosive, splatter the... never mind!)

Active? Well, prediagnosis Gus had to be picked up out of his bed and deposited on the opposite side of the house so he would have to walk a little. That's still the case. So it's very difficult to measure changes in his zero activity level. He was very subdued at the vet but I think he feels better now that his system is back on track. I put some kibble in his kennel today after his baby food and he ate a fair amount of that too.

We had a canine visitor today at the front door and apparently Katie was NOT happy. She didn't run away, which is her usual response to strange people. Instead, she stood her ground, arched her back, and hissed.

It was one of our neighbors who used to always hear Chris bark in the backyard and came over to check because she hadn't heard him in so long. I wasn't home but she talked to Jeff and got the news of Chris' passing, just as she feared had happened. Her dog, Hairy, is a flat coated collie and was a buddy of Chris' when she came down to our driveway to get the mail.

Natalie

k9diabetes

07-02-2009, 12:33 AM

Wow, I can't believe how old this thread is...

Poor Gus has been having problems with diarrhea since the beginning of May. In mid-June he had a really bad attack and we put him on an additional IBD med, Sulphasalazine, for five days. Seemed to help at first but then the diarrhea came back. Put him back on the Sulphasalazine but didn't seem to help this time.

He had a very bad episode on June 27th... wow, what a morning... Gus with diarrhea and throwing up (he does that after bad diarrhea attacks). Then Katie threw up (hairball) and then Jack threw up and had some loose stools... I about packed it in that morning!

So Gus goes back to the vet tomorrow. I think he may do an ultrasound. He saw him May 28 and didn't feel any masses or other causes for concern. It's strange because except for the diarrhea Gus seems pretty happy. We just can't seem to get that back on track.

Natalie

k9diabetes

07-04-2009, 07:17 PM

The vet agreed that Gus looks really good and gained a quarter of a pound so the diarrhea's persistence is a bit of a mystery. We changed him over from turkey baby food to Royal Canin Limited Ingredient Lamb Diet (canned) to see if perhaps he has started to react to the turkey.

Somewhere along the way, Gus finally learned how to eat loaf-type canned food and has been scarfing it up all weekend so I hope it works.

Like I told the vet, we strenously avoid changing foods because the cats get explosive diarrhea, which Gus already has... so we have nothing to lose by trying it!

Natalie

k9diabetes

07-06-2009, 10:05 PM

Three days on the lamb food and Gus is producing honest to goodness, shaped poop! So there's our answer - the turkey was the culprit.

Trick will be to keep him eating this food. He picked at all day today.

eyelostit

07-10-2009, 07:41 PM

Hoping for good poo's from now on.:)

k9diabetes

07-10-2009, 10:10 PM

He went from diarrhea straight to constipation! :o But I think this is at least in part because he's out of the habit of drinking water. The baby food had so much water in it that he really didn't need to drink any.

Have mixed some lamb baby food into the canned Lamb food and he's eating a bit better and getting some additional water into his system, which seems to help.

He toddered around the house this evening so seems to feel better.

Natalie

k9diabetes

09-02-2009, 10:47 PM

Mr. Gus has been driving me crazy! He's doing well on the lamb as far as diarrhea - that's gone! But he's having some constipation AND he keeps picking his meds out of everything I bury them in AND he's lost a lot of weight.

He will eat the Royal Canin Limited Ingredient lamb food but I don't think he's going to eat enough of it to gain weight. So as of today I'm adding more lamb baby food, which is good for the constipation and to get more calories into him. He's down from 11.9 to 10.25 pounds, which is awfully skinny for him.

We had a work-in vet appointment yesterday because he was straining and screaming and throwing a fit... apparently just from the constipation as nothing was blocked or badly built up. But he was obviously really uncomfortable and unhappy. Every time he finally forced something out he let out a half dozen blood curdling screams...

I got some clear empty capsules from the vet and sometimes I can get get him to not pick his prednisolone out of his food. The pred tastes bad and is a crumbly pill that very easily falls apart in anything with any liquid to it. The clear capsules keep him from tasting it but still he leaves them behind.

He's been IBD - lymphoma for over a year now. If I can just get his pills in him better and more calories in him, I think he will do okay. But he's not making it easy for me.

Natalie

eyelostit

09-09-2009, 01:30 AM

Sorry to hear this Nat,

I don't have much experience with cats, all I can think of is fish, seems Gus has other issues with food so I guess Gus cannot eat Tuna etc, no doubt he would pick the pills out anyway, must be very frustrating.

We Hope

09-09-2009, 09:11 AM

Natalie,

Would prednisone oral solution help?

http://www.drugs.com/cdi/prednisone-solution.html

Kathy

k9diabetes

09-09-2009, 02:53 PM

It would have to taste good... actually, he's back as of about five days ago to accepting his pills in salmon cream cheese and since the pred is protected with the capsule so he can't taste it, I don't think he will reject the cream cheese again. The cream cheese sticks to the capsules better than his canned cat food too.

I just can't get him to eat enough of the canned food. So lately I've been feeding him mostly bably food. We are having a very difficult time getting him to regain his weight and the question is whether it's just that he doesn't eat enough or whether the IBD/lymphoma has started up again. He does not look good... not nearly as good as he did a month or two ago. But he also wasn't getting his meds consistently.

So I'm trying to get as many calories a a day into him as I can and consistent meds and give that a week or two to have an effect. If he still hasn't gained any weight and doesn't look any better, we will have to consider that we may have lost containment on his disease...

Natalie

k9diabetes

09-17-2009, 03:56 PM

After a bout of diarrhea a couple of days ago and Gus still being way too skinny despite eating three jars of baby food a day (he used to maintain his weight on two), we put him into the shop today for a full working over.

Tried to get blood on Tuesday so we could have the results today but Gus wouldn't produce enough from where he would let them take it.

So today, while he was under, they took blood and urine, did an abdominal ultrasound with possibly some aspirate biopsy samples, and looked over his whole mouth and decided to go ahead and do a quick cleaning of some grungy teeth while they had the chance.

Good news from the ultrasound - no changes for the worse,,, or the better but that's not the point! ;)

I suspect the blood and urine panel may show some declining kidney function as his output seems to be a lot greater than his input.

Thank goodness for the empty capsules - I have gotten his meds into him every single day for two weeks, including some extra prednisolone to see if we could get him doing better.

They are considering trying a totally different diet approach - to something geared more for sensitive stomachs than for unique single protein sources. It seems like the diarrhea is from something other than a food reaction.

I've got to go pick him up in a half hour or so and sign away the checkbook! ;)

Natalie

k9diabetes

04-17-2010, 02:47 PM

Gus is hanging in there. I talked with the vet about his really annoying tendency to poop in his bed lately... :( The vet thought it might be arthritis pain and I mentioned to him that Gus' sister Katie was diagnosed years ago with hip dysplasia.

So he took x-rays and sure enough Gus has some pretty significant hip dysplasia plus arthritis in his knees in the back.

We started Gus on Adequan injections six weeks ago and they seem to be making him feel a lot better. Not sure if it's actually resolved the problem we originally tried to solve... but Gus looks brighter and walks better so I think he feels better.

Guess I should probably get Jack started on some glucosamine. Gus and Katie are starting a glucosamine supplement as we finish up Gus' Adequan treatments.

Natalie

Patty

04-17-2010, 05:51 PM

I'm glad the injections seem to be making him feel better. :) Gus and Katie are 14 now?

CarolW

04-17-2010, 05:55 PM

Adding my good wishes for Gus!

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:54:59 (PDT)

k9diabetes

04-17-2010, 07:17 PM

They will be 14 in August. Katie was diagnosed with mild hip dysplasia in 2004.

k9diabetes

09-08-2010, 09:17 PM

Wow, it's been a while since I updated about Gus.

We have spent a lot of time considering his situation because he started refusing to take his meds in June and by early July he just flat out refused them. So he went two months without his prednisolone and leukeran. I was very worried about him but also unwilling to force the meds into him. He would fight to the death to keep them out and to spit them out and his life, which is already less than great, would be daily torture.

At the end of August, I decided I needed to talk to somebody about the prospect of his IBD...Lymphoma going untreated. Decided to do a consult with an IMS. One of the two I'm pretty familiar with was out on medical leave and the other was doing only admin work. So I asked the vet I love who knows Gus' issues inside and out and dragged him in for an appointment (he mostly does ultrasound work now and is semi-retired from general practice). We talked through everything that's been happening with him - the meds, the difficulty finding something he will eat consistently, his arthritis, the IBD...Lymphoma.

Vet decided to re-evaluate him - took blood and urine samples, did a new ultrasound, and retook x-rays of his arthritic back, hips, knees, and wrists!

His feeling, in looking at the ultrasound after almost 2 months of no meds was that he may never have crossed over to the Lymphoma side of the spectrum and only had IBD and that it does not seem to be any worse without the medication.

He gave us some Flagyl to give him... but one drop of the 2.5 mls he was supposed to have caused him to scream and foam at the mouth! Very bitter I understand. So I haven't given it to him.

We both think the bigger problem for Gus is his arthritic back end - that it causes him a fair amount of pain, is behind his loss of muscle mass in the back, and is why he struggles with normal stools.

The vet prescribed two weeks of Metacam and thankfully he is willing to take that mixed in with baby food. So he's a week and a half into that to see if we can relieve some of his pain and inflammation.

I've been able to get him to consistently eat baby food (ham if I can get it as that's a novel protein compared to commercial cat foods, beef, or turkey) and very low sodium tuna fish every day for the past two weeks so he's getting consistently good nutrition and adequate calories. And reasonably decent in terms of a novel protein source. He never ate fish much in his earlier days and most foods were chicken.

He actually looks pretty good right now. Since stopping the pred, he pushed out a dry flaky coat and has a somewhat healthier albeit short one now that I'm hoping will fill out even more over time.

At this point, my feeling is no extreme measures. We do what we can for him that doesn't torture him and hope for the best. Maybe I will post a picture I took of him the other day - have to retrieve it off my phone. It's a little misleading as he looks better in it than he actually looks. But he does look okay. He seems to feel better in many ways without the meds.

Natalie

Patty

09-09-2010, 07:36 AM

That's encouraging to hear Natalie. I do hope the Metacam can control his pain for a while.

Patty

ozzi

09-09-2010, 07:47 AM

Aww...poor Gus. I hope he's feeling a bit better soon and the metacam makes a difference for him. Regarding flagyl, I don't know about the bitterness (although I wouldn't doubt it at all!), but it can also cause a metallic taste for humans who take it in pill form, so I have no reason to believe it wouldn't do the same in animals. Flagyl is a very good medication for what it treats, however I've never personally been a fan of it because of the potential nasty side effects, mostly GI, (at least in humans).
Kevin

peggy0

09-09-2010, 10:12 AM

I'm so glad they've moved away from lymphoma. Its evil. Flagyl does leave a nasty taste in your mouth. I had to take it for my stomach for 3 weeks and preferred the stomach issue myself.

ozzi

09-09-2010, 01:24 PM

LOL Peggy...you're killing me here! You are too funny! :D
Kevin

k9diabetes

10-14-2010, 11:54 AM

Gus is doing really well - shockingly well. His fur is much improved since going off of the pred and his main problem seems to be pretty severe arthritis. He's now eating some baby food and some Nature's Variety Prairie Homestyle and some of his soy-based kibble. The Prairie Homestyle comes in beef and lamb, so not too bad as far as novel protein.

Right now he's screaming at me for food as I've cut back his rations. He got a little pudgy, which his arthritic back doesn't need.

We are still doing Adequan injections every couple of weeks and they seem to really improve his mobility.

Katie, his sister, is hyperthyroid and has been on meds a few months now. She is doing well too. She wasn't very symptomatic but it improved the quality of her fur.

Natalie

Patty

10-14-2010, 12:38 PM

So glad he's doing well Natalie, and Katie too! I can imagine he's not so happy about the reduced food. :(;) My mom's cat is just as vocal about meal times.

k9diabetes

11-28-2010, 05:23 PM

Gus continues to do well without medication for the IBD. He's gettin Adequan injections every two weeks and has been good about eating a mixture of Prairie Homestyle canned, Prairie dry, and a bit of his soy-protein Royal Canin kibble, which he has decided he likes again.

His weight is perfect. His hair has filled in a lot better after being off the prednisone for quite a while now. It's still shorter than it used to be but there's more of it. And he's stopped pooping in his bed most of the time and is using the cat box.

I think he experiences a fair amount of pain from the arthritis but there's just no getting meds into him. So we have to rely on the Adequan, which definitely seems to improve his mobility.

I want to know how cats can sleep 23.5 hours a day and NOT get bed sores!

Natalie

peggy0

11-29-2010, 07:10 AM

I have one that sleeps like that; he's only 10 but he is the laziest cat i've ever seen. he sleeps in the top of his kitty tree and gets up to eat, drink , litter box or when i'm cooking chicken :) other than that, he's snoring away in his comfy little box

Patty

11-29-2010, 07:26 PM

I'm glad the Adequan helps some Natalie. Sounds like he's doing well otherwise :)
Patty

k9diabetes

02-25-2011, 11:17 PM

Just a quick note - nothing new on Gus, who will be 15 in July. He's still off meds. Sometimes he seems to have some irritable bowel symptoms but there's nothing to be done about it as he absolutely refuses to take any meds. We have at least got his bowel movements so they mostly land in the cat box and he's cleaner and more comfortable. He's gotten pretty good about his every two-three week car ride for an Adequan injection. They leave him in his carrier and he's reasonably cooperative.

This is a fairly recent picture of Gus in his kennel when, for an hour or two, it was really really clean. He has two 4 foot by 2.5 foot kennels put together in an L-shape with his cat box at the far end. It's his own little world and where he's happiest.

http://www.randomfierce.com/k9diabetes/Gus2010x200.jpg

peggy0

02-26-2011, 06:18 AM

He is adorable!!! love the wall paint color

Patty

02-26-2011, 07:20 AM

He's gorgeous and looks so soft :)

k9diabetes

03-06-2011, 05:30 PM

Crud, we have officially lost control of Gus' IBD... Friday night he had some diarrhea with a fair amount of bright red blood, followed by a regular stool that was also covered with blood and bloody mucous. It didn't look to me like there was any blood inside the stool but saved a sample.

I dropped out the hypoallergenic soy kibble and the canned food and went back to plain old baby food. Haven't seen much product since then to see if it has improved much.

He can exist on baby food alone but the amount of water in it goes right through him and he winds up with diarrhea constantly.

He has a vet appointment tomorrow but I'm not sure why. There's really nothing we can do for him that I haven't already done by putting him back on baby food.

He won't take the meds in anything - he's picky enough about what he will eat without smelly bad tasting medication in it and we gave up on the meds last July. He will fight pilling to the death and I won't put him through that every day to accomplish what is not an ideal quality of life already.

He's eating, drinking, and urinating. Over the course of all of this, he has gotten quite thin and bony. I think the prednisone combined with the inflammatory process of his arthritis. I've been giving him as much baby food as he will eat to see if I can put some more weight on him.

Perhaps the baby food will be enough to get him back on track. But if it winds up causing nonstop diarrhea, it will not be an improvement for Gus.

Natalie

k9diabetes

03-06-2011, 05:33 PM

Oh, Peggy, I wish that was paint... that's cardboard! Because Gus does not always honor borders when doing his business. His set-up is quite a hodge-podge aimed at protecting the walls and the furniture his kennel sits on top of... if his kennels were cleaner right now, I'd take a picture and post it.

However, his kennel is a very spiritual place thanks to the many nonprofits that send us little gifts along with requests for donations.

He has paper Tibetan prayer flags at one end and a cheap cheesy dreamcatcher above his bed. ;) He likes to rub his head on the dreamcatcher.

Natalie

Patty

03-06-2011, 07:21 PM

Oh Natalie,
I feel for you on this. Poor Gus. I don't have any wisdome to offer just thinking of you both. :o
Patty

CarolW

03-06-2011, 08:34 PM

Things aren't sounding promising for Gus; so sorry, Natalie. But he absolutely could NOT ask for a better set of Human-Parents!

I have total confidence that whatever decision you make, whenever, it will be the right decision. Hope Gus enjoys the rest of his life, and I'm quite confident that he has been doing that, and will continue doing it!

Expecting your report after tomorrow's vet trip.

BIG hugs!

Sun, 6 Mar 2011 19:33:33 (PST)

k9diabetes

03-07-2011, 07:25 PM

Gus got a cursory exam today and tolerated things for quite a while. But since they want a better look than they can get with Gus conscious, they are coordinating with the semi-retired vet who has worked the most with Gus, including all of his ultrasounds, and we will take him back, probably this week, to have him put under anesthesia and given a comprehensive going over with the vet who knows him best. Concentrating at first on the front end as far as his teeth and his back end.

Gus' frame is so much heavier than Katie's. At 11 pounds, he's too thin while Katie's pretty good at 9.5.

He had another blast of bloody diarrhea last night so the bleeding hasn't stopped. She gave me a couple of cans of the ZD to try as we haven't ever tried that food with him - it's the one with hydrolyzed protein to be invisible to the immune system. I don't think he'll eat it but we will try it just in case.

So probably the end of this week, Thursday or Friday.

Natalie

Patty

03-10-2011, 06:37 PM

Let us know how the z/d works out Natalie. I've had vet after vet want me to try it with Ali as they didn't know what else to recommend. I have to say I never did. Curious to know if it helps Gus.

k9diabetes

03-10-2011, 09:07 PM

Looks like it will be at least next week before Gus goes back to the vet - they have to work it out with the retired vet's schedule plus one of the other vets had a family emergency so they have been short-staffed.

He had a totally liquid bowel movement today but there didn't seem to be any blood in it.

As for the ZD...

He ate some last night and some today after I mushed some water into it. Out of the can, it's the consistency of stiff jello and Gus isn't going to dig into something like that on his own. So certainly not inspiring him to eat but he will take some. He hasn't eaten a whole lot since he got back from the vet. He had a few pieces of the Royal Canin Hypoallergenic kibble and a tiny bit of baby food. Didn't touch the baby food today.

The vet says most cats really like the ZD since they changed it to this minced texture. But Gus has never been much for canned foods with any kind of pate texture.

Natalie

k9diabetes

03-15-2011, 11:20 PM

Gus is not eating... I've tried baby food, the ZD, chicken, soy kibble and tuna. He licks each once or twice and then refuses it. I'll be trying to track down the vet arrangement tomorrow.

Natalie

Patty

03-16-2011, 06:53 AM

Oh Natalie, I so sorry to hear it. I'm sure his digestive track/back end is so inflammed too. Poor guy. :(

pgcor

03-16-2011, 08:24 AM

I'm sorry to read this Natalie....I'm also hoping it's just temporary. Hopefully Gus is still drinking water. He's such a beautiful cat, it's hard to believe he's sick.

k9diabetes

03-17-2011, 10:48 PM

Gus had a very thorough workup today because he has basically been refusing to eat for a few days. He had an ultrasound, x-rays because of an odd breathing pattern, and blood and urine samples sent to the lab for the regular panel plus a full GI spec blood panel sent.

The news is not good but I don't know yet how bad it is.

He has a mass encircling part of his colon that is undoubtedly making it difficult for stools to pass and is probably the source of the blood on his stools last week. The vet said it was highly focal... I think that means that it may not be malignant or maybe hasn't metastisized.

He also had some fluid in the abdominal cavity - not a good sign. And some kind of internal lipoma that was causing the odd breathing pattern - I think the vet said it's pressing against his diaphragm. And his IBD / lymphoma condition is back full force.

The semi-retired vet... I love that man so much... did all of the exams.

He has sent an aspirate of the mass and a sample of the fluid in the abdominal cavity for cytology to determine what the mass is and whether there are cancer cells in the fluid. As I recall from Winky's cancer, if there are cancer cells in the fluid then the cancer has presumably spread. In Winky's case, she had massive amounts of fluid building up so perhaps Gus' mass is not so advanced as hers was when it was discovered.

He's not especially worried about the IBD - the mass is much more concerning.

They did the main blood panel in case the cancer is contained to the mass on the colon and could be removed surgically. If it is fully contained to that local tumor, that might be worth trying.

Gus really doesn't look all that bad... but neither did Winky until the fluid started building up so quickly.

I have gotten him to eat a little bit of Fancy Feast beef with gravy - will get some more of that tomorrow. And then we wait for the results of his tests.

I don't think his chances are very good. I was as prepared as one can be for this news. I'm going with "expect the worst" and will be happy to be wrong.

Natalie

CarolW

03-18-2011, 05:26 AM

So glad you were able to get your semi-retired vet to do this work, Natalie.

Holding you in our hearts and arms, wishing you and Gus the best. I agree, not looking promising. Gus is a lucky kitty, though, to have you! I just can't emphasize that enough!

Love and hugs,
Fri, 18 Mar 2011 04:26:35 (PDT)

buddingartist

03-18-2011, 06:47 AM

I so feel for you Natalie.

Gus looks beautiful and so healthy and it is hard that he is going through all that.

I can sure empathize with <expect the worst and hope for the best<.

Take good care
Louise

pgcor

03-18-2011, 09:11 AM

I'm with Carol and Louise Natalie. I'm sorry to read this, but am hoping for the best outcome. Just so you know, if I were on life support, I would trust you completely to know when to "pull the plug". You are an excellent advocate for man and beast. Don't forget that as you go through this, okay?

Love and hugs,

Pam and Pip

Margaret Boyle

03-18-2011, 01:34 PM

Natalie,

Sorry to hear this about Gus just to let you know you and Gus are in my thoughts and prayers.

I will be following your thread Natalie.

Hugs

Margaret

k9diabetes

03-18-2011, 02:29 PM

Some of Gus' test results are back. Mostly, they don't look all that bad. The kidney numbers are normal and there's no elevation in the liver enzymes. The ALT is significantly low and I haven't sorted out exactly what that might mean yet.

His blood count has the worst values. RBCs are slightly low. Hemoglobin, HCT and MCV are more seriously low. Neutrophils are very high. Lymphocytes are very low.

RBC - 5.61 LOW Normal Range 6.0 - 10.0
HGB - 5.3 LOW Normal Range 9.5-15
HCT - 21.5 LOW Normal Range 29-45%
MCV - 38 LOW Normal Range 41-58
Neutrophil Seg - 93 HIGH Normal Range 35-75%
Lymphocytes - 4 LOW Normal Range 20-55%
Absolute Lymphocytes - 508 LOW Normal Range 1,500-7,000

The Fluid Analysis didn't find any cancerous cells. Instead it contained blood and a clot.
Interpretation of the Fluid Analysis

Moderate mixed neutrophilic histiocytic, mild lymphocytic inflammation; no organisms, inclusions, or exfoliated neoplastic cells noted.

Comment: Considerations include penetrating trauma, migrating foreign body, pancreatitis, ruptured internal abscess, torsed, perforated or ischemic viscera, and erosive enteropathic disorders. No overtly neoplastic cells are noted, but underlying erosive occult neoplasia is not ruled out. Culture should be considered.
The vet's ultrasound analysis was that the mass is obstructing the bowel so it could be potentially twisting or perforating it. So I think that would match up well with the results of the fluid analysis.

The SpecIPL for pancreatitis came back just over into the range for elevated:
3.7.

Normal range is 0-3.5, increased but not diagnostic for pancreatitis is 3.6-5.3. 5.4 or above is consistent with pancreatitis.

It seems there are lots of indications that there's some bleeding going on, probably from the mass.

Still waiting for the results of the needle aspirate of the mass itself and I am not sure exactly what the high neutrophil / low lymphocyte levels mean.

Natalie

CarolW

03-18-2011, 07:50 PM

Natalie - thanks for the report. Keep us posted! Hope you find your way through this in one way or another!

Hugs,

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:49:57 (PDT)

jjefferjo

03-18-2011, 09:50 PM

Natalie
Ed and I are thinking of you and Gus

k9diabetes

03-19-2011, 12:16 AM

I've been trying anything and everything to get Gus to eat. Apparently, he's in a junk food mood because he gobbled up some Friskies kibble. It's not that he's not hungry. He is hungry. But any food he's eaten before he now refuses. The Friskies may be rejected tomorrow. I bought eight different flavors of Fancy Feast to try to stay ahead of his rejections.

I presume that the answer as far as what the next step is, if there are any more steps, will come with the cytology on the sample from the mass.

I'm trying not to think about it too much between now and then.

Natalie

Margaret Boyle

03-19-2011, 07:34 AM

peggy0

03-19-2011, 09:06 AM

I can buy the best cat food and the world and mine come running for fancy feast. My yorkshire terrier looks it when he's not feeling well for some reason. I have to feed the kitty in another room to keep them away from it. Hope gus is ok

HarrysMom

03-19-2011, 10:41 AM

I am so sorry to hear about Gus. I really hope that the mass is something benign. My cats like tuna juice mixed with their food - perhaps this is something you could add?

Yunhee

k9diabetes

03-19-2011, 01:19 PM

I talked to the vet this morning about the aspirate of the tumor. It is a carcinoma and was classified as "more aggressive" - he wasn't sure what criteria they used and I don't have a hard copy of it yet. He was calling me from out of town and apparently received the results while on a plane. He hadn't seen the fluid analysis yet so I was able to give him that information.

The upshot is that he thinks best case scenario is a successful surgery that might buy Gus six or eight months.

BUT... the location of the tumor at the far end of the colon means it might not be operable. He said he would have to consult a surgeon. And it would require at least two weeks of daily antibiotics for Gus afterward, which we will never be able to get into him. And he will still have IBD shading into lymphoma and severe arthritis in his hips and knees.

Without surgery the bowel will eventually obstruct and/or he will starve because he won't eat enough. And there could be more fluid in the abdomen. More bleeding.

The vet suggested that we think it over through the weekend and call him Monday. Which we will do. But right now... I don't think the surgery is a good option for him. Too much trauma, we will never get the antibiotics into him, and he will still have the other serious problems in the absolutely BEST case. There's just not enough quality of life to be bought with it.

My gut feeling is that we are at the end of the road and would be best to keep him as comfortable as possible until we have to let him go. He really doesn't look all that good right now.

Natalie

Patty

03-19-2011, 01:25 PM

Natalie,
I so sorry you are at this crossroads. I know whatever decision you make will be the right one but wish it was easier. :(
Patty

HarrysMom

03-19-2011, 02:10 PM

Natalie,
I am sorry about Gus. It is so heart breaking seeing these creatures suffer. I hope Gus stays comfortable. My heart breaks for you.

pgcor

03-24-2011, 06:52 AM

Natalie - I can only reiterate what Patty said. I'm sure we were all holding out for a better outcome. How are you all doing today?

Pam

k9diabetes

03-24-2011, 07:19 AM

Gus is doing okay - eating some and reasonably decent stools - so I have just tried to mentally set the issue aside for a while as I have so much work to do this week that I can hardly think straight.

It is hard to give up and at the same time I don't think surgery is a good choice. We knew we could get to this point when it was no longer possible to medicate him for the IBD.

Natalie

buddingartist

03-26-2011, 07:22 AM

My heart goes out to you as I know it is not easy, what with Jack's problems as well.

Furry friends across the world are keeping their paws crossed for the best outcome.

Take good care of yourself Natalie
Louise

k9diabetes

03-28-2011, 10:21 PM

Thanks Louise. I still need to call the vet back. Was supposed to do it a week ago and I just haven't been ready to have that conversation. I am sure he knows why he hasn't heard from me.

Natalie

CarolW

03-29-2011, 12:30 AM

Holding your hand as best I can across the ether, and marshaling the Forces of the Universe in your favor - and Kitty Gus's. And Jack's, too.

Big Hugs!
Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:30:18 (PDT)

eyelostit

04-01-2011, 01:05 AM

Aw Nat,

I'm sorry your Gus is not well, its hard for me to say anything.

Dolly

k9diabetes

04-01-2011, 12:11 PM

Gus passed away at 10am this morning.

He had been declining in energy the past couple of days and when I picked him up last night his abdomen was full of fluid. The vet checked this morning with ultrasound and there was a lot of fluid and he was so lethargic that she assumed that some or all of it was blood.

It was time - the spark in his eyes was gone...

Natalie

Soaphie & Sydney's Mom

04-01-2011, 12:18 PM

OH Natalie...I am just so sorry for your loss.

We are here for you...

Tami, Soaphie and Syd

CarolW

04-01-2011, 12:25 PM

Oh, Natalie, I am SO sorry to read this!

My heart goes out to you in your loss. No cat could have had a better Human CatMom than you. I know you were right that it was time.

Kwali and Kumbi from the Bridge, and Camellia and I from lowly Earth, send our deepest and warmest condolences.

Go forth in great peace, Kitty Gus!

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 11:24:12 (PDT)

Patty

04-01-2011, 12:43 PM

I'm so very sorry Natalie.

Thoughts and prayers....
Patty

diggydog

04-01-2011, 12:49 PM

So sorry for your loss Natalie xx

buddingartist

04-01-2011, 01:07 PM

Natalie, I am so very sorry for your loss

I know just how you feel and my heart goes out to you.

Prayers and a big virtual hug your way

Louise

jjefferjo

04-01-2011, 01:09 PM

Natalie sorry fro your loss.

It is interesting at times how circumstances here parallel each other

On wednesday 530pm, My 13 yr old long haired torty "Quincy Jones Jefferson"
Went to sleep in my arms at my vets, all the same issues, by Wednesday she was full of fluid as well confirmed by Ultrasound. Her energy was gone, that Melodic meow gone, I too knew it was time.

Just way too sad to post about it, didn't want to upset Ed, they grew up together and just loved each other to pieces.

I loved her dearly, she was a rescue, found under some stairs and had many psycological going ons until she learned to trust, hence the reason she had her own room for the past 13 yrs- can't bear to go in just now and clean it out door closed
A very shy and very sweet girl, I will post her pic later
I always said that she was the sweetest cat I know

bgdavis

04-01-2011, 01:17 PM

Natalie,

I'm so sorry for your loss. But Kitty Gus is thankful that he had you to take care of him and notice the spark was gone from his eyes.

Hugs,
Bonnie and Angel Criss

pgcor

04-01-2011, 01:20 PM

Hi Natalie - I've been afraid to ask about Gus lately knowing that you were probably wrestling with "that question" again.

It's a hard road we have to take when we have pets that we outlive. I've often run those moments through my brain requestioning my decisions. Having said this, I will also say what I told you before....if I could pick someone to be at my bedside answering for me, you'd be one of the people I would choose.

You are so diligent and focused in your care for Chris, Gus and Jack (these are three I know of) that they couldn't possibly have had a better caretaker - or one more knowledgable.

Still, I know you miss him, and my heart goes out to you. But Gus had a very good life with you! What more can we ask?

gail

04-01-2011, 01:33 PM

Naltalie, so sorry to hear about your loss. Gus was a very lucky guy to have you as his mom. We all know you are the best. Gail

k9diabetes

04-01-2011, 01:49 PM

JJ,

I'm so sorry to learn of Quincy's passing... Torties are special. Our tortie Winky passed away about five years ago under very similar circumstances. That was sweet that Quincy had her own room and extra special that, after hard times, she found a home where she was deeply loved.

Sharing your sadness,

Natalie

Soaphie & Sydney's Mom

04-01-2011, 02:05 PM

I will also say what I told you before....if I could pick someone to be at my bedside answering for me, you'd be one of the people I would choose.

Is that option available to us? To have Natalie be our healthcare proxy? Sign me up!!!!!

eileen

04-01-2011, 05:34 PM

Oh Natalie, I'm so sorry to read of Guss' passing.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

hugs

ozzi

04-01-2011, 05:49 PM

Natalie,

I was so sad to read about Gus' passing today, and I am so sorry for your loss. I wish we could keep our little ones forever. I do know you did everything possible for Gus for as long as possible, and nothing more could have been done. Your constant oversight and dedication to Jack and Gus have been an inspiration to us all, from which we have all drawn strength to provide the best care we can for our animals. For me, that will be Gus' legacy. Please accept my very deepest condolences, and know that we all understand how difficult this is for you.

All my love,
Kevin

HarrysMom

04-01-2011, 05:50 PM

Natalie and JJ,
As a mom of two 20 year old cats, I can totally sympathize. I am so sorry that you are going through this, but your cats could have asked for better care and love. They were so lucky to have you as their loving parents.
Deepest sympathies and prayers. Definitely, the hardest part of pet parenthood is seeing these innocent creatures suffer and letting them go. I am hoping when my turn comes, I come out as strong as you and still have capacity to care for others in need.

Yunhee

BestBuddy

04-01-2011, 05:51 PM

Natalie,

I am just so sorry to read that Gus has passed away. Any animal lucky enough to reside with you has always gotten the best of care and love. It's hard but regardless of how much we love we just can't get that extra time with them.

Thinking of you

Jenny

Dollydog

04-01-2011, 06:34 PM

Hello Natalie....I'm so sorry to hear of Gus' passing.
It's strange....because I was thinking of you within the last two days and wondering how things were going with you and Jack....so I came to check and found this about Gus. I know that you did the very best for him and letting him go was your only option.
(((HUGS)))
Jo-Ann

Bichonluver3

04-02-2011, 12:02 AM

OMG, Natalie, I am so sorry to hear about Gus. You have always been here for me and I would give anything to make everything better for you. Please know that my love, prayers and healing energy go out to you.
To Gus: Roll happily in the catnip fields of heaven, little guy, with all your new friends across the Rainbow Bridge. Watch over your Mom and all of us still fighting all these battles down here. May sunshine warm your face and gentle breezes be at your back. Until we all meet someday at the Bridge......
Godspeed and God Bless, our precious Gus,
Carrol & Sparky

Margaret Boyle

04-02-2011, 09:11 AM

Natalie,

I am so sorry to hear about Gus.........but there is one thing that is certain Gus was well and truly loved.

You and Jeff did everything you possibly could for him. He is resting in peace now Natalie free from pain...........It hurts so much but you know within yourself it is a happy release for Gus.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hugs

Margaret

peggy0

04-02-2011, 09:46 AM

Natalie

I'm so sorry to hear about poor Gus. He was lucky to have you and I know he is waiting at the bridge with chris for you.

peggy

rhodesian46

04-02-2011, 01:28 PM

Hey Nat,

I know how much you cared and loved Gus. God knows you did everything possible for your boy. As a matter of fact you did more than most pet owners would have done. He was lucky of had you as a Mom. You weren't thinking of your pain you were thinking of his. The most important thing consider is the quality of life of an animal. When there isn't any quality it is time. I think you knew this. Doesn't make it easier does it? It still hurts like heck. I am sorry. Hugs to you, your family and to Jack and Katie. Transfer your love to your others. It helps with the healing process. So sad Nat. So sad :(

Marianne