Friday, February 28, 2014

Carmine Goes to the Vet

Today, we went back to the vet for Carmine's weigh-in.  He has been on Prednisone for two weeks, and we started to taper his dose after one week.  The vet is trial-treating him for IBD before we have to spend $350 on a tummy ultrasound for him (so praying this works!!).

I had noticed Carmine felt pretty light, but I had hoped I was wrong.

Unfortunately, I wasn't.  Carmine lost 3 more ounces in the past two weeks, which is clearly not good.  He is down to 8 pounds, 10 ounces.  This is the least he's ever weighed.

Sorry I don't have a new picture of Carmine.


Our vet is so great about trying to work with my financial limitations.  She said that it's best for us to put him back on one pill of Prednisone in the morning and one-half a pill at night.  Thank God Carmine likes Greenies pill pockets, unlike Jewel.  She also gave us some Prozyme to try in his food as well.

We are also trying B12 injections for the next month - once a week for 4 weeks.  We had initially skipped this because it stresses Carmine so much to go to the vet, but our vet recommended that we do everything we can for IBD before the tummy ultrasound.

In addition to that, I asked her if Carmine could be taking on Jewel's symptoms, and she said it is possible that he's picking up her distress (from the CRF) so we now have a calming collar on him to see if that helps any, too.

She says if this does not work, we can try one other med for IBD, but if that doesn't work, either, we have to get him a tummy ultrasound.

We are also changing his food from Hill's Prescription c/d to Royal Canin s/o.  I've noticed Carmine doesn't eat nearly as many kibbles as Jewel and Lita.  The vet said s/o is tastier, so maybe he'll eat more of those kibbles and gain some weight.

I am verry worried about my little baby.  I just want him to be healthy; he's already got so many medical things to deal with.


27 comments:

  1. I am really sorry Carmine is not doing well. I do hope he is able to be helped soon. I know how much of a worry it is. Sending many purrs and hugs to you. Caro and Austin xox

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  2. Carmine we are rooting for you fella and hope that the prednisolone works wonders on your appetite and you can gain back some weight.

    Your Mummy and the vet are working very hard to help you.

    Love and rumbly purrs
    Mungo & The Ape xx

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  3. We hope Carmine will start to eat more. Lucy often used to be sick in the night but now we both get Royal Canin chicken and rice at bedtime as it is easy on our tummies. Mum's happy too as she gets her sleep.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  4. Continued purrs to Carmine.

    Can he not get Prednisolone directly? Prednisone has to be converted to Prednisolone in the body, be it cat, dog or even human, so it's often easier/better to give Predsniolone directly. (This from the vet, btw.) Also, Nicki's was given as chicken-flavoured liquid, which he enjoyed. I just had to hold his head for the syringe, didn't have to force it into him. LOL.

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  5. We're sorry to hear Carmine is not feeling better. But it sounds like you and your vet is trying to help him all you can. Have you thought about switching Carmine to wet food? Or a mix of both wet or dry? Wet food is supposed to be better for kitties. Just a thought...

    Purrs for Carmine.

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  6. We are so very sorry. It is hard to see our babies have health problems. We agree with The Island Cats--have you considered trying wet or even raw food?

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  7. purrs to all of you and hope this works for him....

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  8. First, we are so distressed to learn Carmine lost weight. Second, I eat mostly wet food because I have bladder issues if I eat only dry. And I only can have prescription kibble forever says my vet. I luvluvluv my Royal Canin which is s/o I think. I like it for a treat...I get it three times a day as my snacks...measured amounts but I luv it. Purrs for Carmine and Jewel

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  9. We're purring loud and hard for Carmine. We hope he's feeling better soon.

    The Florida Furkids

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  10. Purrs and prayers headed your way for sweet Carmine. He is in the best possible hands.

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  11. Sending a hug for you and purrs for Carmine.

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  12. Poor Carmine! We are going through the very same thing with Rocky! Let me email you on FB and let you know what we're doing. - Alana.

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  13. Oh dear. Poor Carmine. We are purring hard!

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  14. I am sending lots of purrs Carmine's way! I had to take Prednisone recently, and I have to say, the Prednisolone I had last year worked way better! I also had to take B-12 shots last year, and the vet actually gave my human pre-loaded hypodermic needles so she could do it herself at home. She was not very good at it, though, even though she was shown the way to do it - I was glad when that series was over!

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  15. dood...sorree yur ree port wuz knot sew good....purrhaps ewe can try coconut oil, it helps with weight gain or GNC mega calorie boost? noe matter what werks for ewe, we hope ya get ta feelin WAY better N hope yur new foodz help with yur weight....and hope everee one haza one fish two fish red fish blue fish kinda week oh end !!

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  16. We're sorry to hear that Carmine doesn't feel well. We send him tons of healing purrs and wish that all the new drugs and food work well for him. Purrs

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  17. We are all sending our very best purrs and prayers to you Carmine.

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  18. Aw, poor Carmine! We're sending purrs and prayers and hope he feels better soon!

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  19. Sending purrs to you guys, we're glad you have a good and understanding vet.

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  20. I am so sorry Carmine has lost weight. I am confused as to why they are giving Prednisone for IBD? (I am so not medically savvy though). I know when Cody takes Prednisone (actually Prednisonol for allergies) he has to eat pumpkin as well because it caused a bowel blockage. That's why I am confused as to why they are prescribing that but once again I don't know much medically.

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  21. We know how frustrating it is to find the correct diagnosis and treatment plan. Every vet has a different approach and sometimes a second opinion is warranted. We're just home from our holistic vet and learned a lot. Listen to a vet you trust and not arbitrary opinions. It's one step at a time. Purrrrrrs from us fur boys.

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  22. I am sorry that Carmine is losing weight and send purrs to him.

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  23. I know how hard it is… Lucy and I are praying really hard...

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  24. Sending purrs and prayers for Carmine. Have been through this and I know how hard it is. Giving B-12 shots at home is easy, so have your vet or the tech show you how to fill a syringe and inject it subcutaneously. I have done sub-Q fluids on a few of my cats because if they are not feeling well and are dehydrated, they won't eat. Sometimes fluids will perk them up a bit. I will admit that the first couple of times I had to do it I was scared witless--ditto for shots! Also, if Carmine is having diarrhea issues, Metronidazole can help--just do not use it for more than 30 days at a stretch. Budesonide has fewer side effects than Pred.--you might want to ask your vet about it. My first Somali had IBD and he was under the care of several internal medicine specialists and I learned quite a bit. (I also spent $14,000.00 within a 23-month timeframe--yes, that is not a typo). Try some different diets on him too, because I found that some of the prescription diets actually made it worse! Sometimes you have to really be creative and experiment with diet--my housecall vet had me cooking for my cat for several weeks and he did get better on chicken and organic baby food (peas and carrots). Have you tried any appetite stimulants? There are several options available. Hope some of this helps--if you have any questions, let me know and I will try to get some more information for you.

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  26. Meow O My we are sending purrs to both Carmine and Jewel.
    Really hope the medication works
    Purrs
    Timmy

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