sick kitty :(

GraySaturday

redrock wrote:

Duck! I remember my kitty with problems had duck stuff too - not chicken because for some reason that wasn't good, but duck was!

Yeah this food is supposed to be good, because of the grain free formula, and less filler. And duck is supposed to be good for them. Its only been a week on this new food. I know my other 2 cats think its pretty damn tasty!

redrock

GraySaturday wrote:

I know my other 2 cats think its pretty damn tasty!

My dad has the same problem with his cats. One of them has mega kidney problems and has to be on a special (and expensive!) diet. The other two cats like that much better than their stuff so now, after asking the vet just to be sure, the other cats eat the same real tasty food! Best fed cats in Belgium (where my dad lives)!

Stone Is God

redrock wrote:

It is actually quite 'common' in animals, cats in particular. Though the official name of the complaint is feline inflammatory bowel disease - that's what my cat had. I was lucky to have a vet that did offer holistic treatment, thus advising on the slippery elm bark, among other things.

I knew that cats urinary tracks and digestive tracts can be sensitive but I was unaware of that disease. Thanks for the enlightenment. It has been a few years since I've been out in the field.

worlie

Have they done an xray? Maybe her intestines are twisted or something? I have also heard that the inexpensive fish oil capsules (omega 3) is good for them, and they love it. Just dont kiss em. Haha.

My tabby and siamese are both on science diet, both love it, and are shiny and healthy, with the occasional furball.

edvedder913

GraySaturday wrote:

Thanks

See, the sad part is, she's young.. she'll only be 2 on Feb 2nd. It just breaks my heart. The good part is, she is still active, she is jumping and running, and not hiding from us, like she is sick.

you are breaking my heart. my favorite dog was put down at age 3 b/c he had cancerthat spread throughout his body. when they are so young it is really unexpected and extra heartbreaking.
last year i put my favorite kitty Matilda to sleep - she developed a tumor in her mouth and became so ill so fast - 3 weeks - no time to even grasp what was happening.
so i understand your sorrow.....
hopefully she is just in a bad phase and will be all better soon. it is apparent that you are doing your best to get her better.
chin up and good luck

redrock

Stone Is God wrote:

I knew that cats urinary tracks and digestive tracts can be sensitive but I was unaware of that disease. Thanks for the enlightenment. It has been a few years since I've been out in the field.

They're just like us! Stressed out and IBS! I never heard about rodent ulcers in cats until mine had one and it ate away at her lower jaw - like a tumour :( Found out humans can get something similar too. So basically, I guess what we get, they can have. I remember my vet telling me to put suncream on my calico's ears because they were white!

Drop The Leash 10

awww, sorry to hear about your cat. :( my cat eats 25% cat food and 75% animals she finds out side.


keep the faith.

Stone Is God

redrock wrote:

They're just like us! Stressed out and IBS! I never heard about rodent ulcers in cats until mine had one and it ate away at her lower jaw - like a tumour :( Found out humans can get something similar too. So basically, I guess what we get, they can have. I remember my vet telling me to put suncream on my calico's ears because they were white!

God, I love my industry! If we were talking about this stuff 10 years ago people would have though we were nuts.

Another rule of thumb to live by as far as pet foods are concerned is as soon as they are scooped up or bought out by a bigger company (i.e. Iams and Proctor & Gamble) their foods will go down hill. Cheapen the food + sell it at the same price = higher profits.

Was the sunblock SPF 30 or 50?

GraySaturday

Drop The Leash 10 wrote:

awww, sorry to hear about your cat. :( my cat eats 25% cat food and 75% animals she finds out side.


keep the faith.

Your post actually made me laugh. Thanks, I needed that.. Keep the faith.. haha!

RolandTD20Kdrummer

Just in case...but the obvious

http://www.google.ca/search?q=IBS+cats&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

in particular:
http://www.flippyscatpage.com/felineibs.html

lots of stories and remedies out there..

redrock

Stone Is God wrote:

Was the sunblock SPF 30 or 50?

Total block - like for babies! SPF 50 or 60

given2fly78

Awww, I'm so sorry to hear about your poor kitty! Not only is it stressful on the poor gal, but you as well! I know, I've been there and it's terrible.

I definately agree on the second opinion. Talk to another vet. Get a copy of her current records, any tests and take it to another doctor. You never know and it's better to have someone else take a fresh look at your poor kid.

Did they suggest any vet food? Any other holistic approach? We went through a terrible experience with my poor cat who had struvite crystals backing up and after 4 terrible bouts of UTI's and almost kidney failure we finally got a new vet to refer us to a surgeon who did a PU and also recommended prescription Royal Canin for UTI health and an acelytator for PH balance. So far so good! Almost a year has gone by (as well as close to $10k!) but he's healthier than he's ever been and I swear happier! But it took us pursuing a few different vets AND being extremely persistant that he needed something other than being unblocked/liquids/catheter, ect.

It was sooooo stressful so I can definately relate to your pain and worry. During last bout of UTI then surgery we just worried, cried, worried, cried. For a few weeks. But it's all good now and I hope for the same outcome for your poor kitty!

eyedclaar

GraySaturday wrote:

I know, I know, there will be someone who says something crude about "sick kitty" but please. I'm serious with this thread:

Anyways, as some of you know, I have three cats. Madeline, Aubrey, and Caitlin.

Aubrey is special needs, as she has IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). She spent the first 5 months of her life living in a glass box at Petsmart. I adopted her, from a shelter who was renting out space at Petsmart to show their cats. Anyways, they were feeding her some generic cat food for months, and she was subject to people starring at her all day, and people bringing dogs in, and such. When we first took her home, we noticed that there were blood spots on the floor. They were little round drips. Nothing like pools of blood. So I took Aubrey to the Emergency Vet. right away. Needless to say, I was told that she has IBS. She has to have special food, for the rest of her life. So I found the right food, I put all of my cats on it, so I wouldn't risk Aubrey eating anything bad for her.

So for months, she seemed to be doing well. Then that pet food recall hit, and lo and behold the one kind of Natural Balance cat food that was recalled was the special kind. So I researched, and came up with a new food that was comparable to the other kind. So, I put Aubrey on that. A few months passed and I started to see the blood spots, but this time they were a lot more frequent. It got so bad, that I refused to keep her on this food. So I called Natural Balance and they told me they released a new food that was the same formula as the old stuff.

Okay fast forward a week. Aubrey has been on the "semi-new" food for a week now, and the blood is still there, and now she is throwing up. It makes me sooooooo sad to see her like this. The doctor tells me this is how its going to be. For some reason I just can't accept that. She leads a stressful life. My other cats sorta pick on each other, but they both love Aubrey and they don't bother her. She never goes outside, ever. And she receives tons of love from us. But my heart breaks for her. She's getting skinny too.

I need some support or something. I don't know what to do for her.

Damn, I can make a smartass remark out of anything (punching infants especially) except a sick cat. I have a cat that is healthy but she's a puker. Doesn't matter what we do, what we feed her, she still goes through cycles where she throws up just about everything. We've talked to vets about it and they say some cats are just that way and they lead an otherwise totally normal and healthy life. I hope that is what is up with your cat. Good luck.

mookie9999

I'm sorry to hear about your kitty. If there was the food that helped before the recall, I'm sure there's another kind that would help with her digestion. Poor kitty. Hope she gets better.

ACCBootlegGoddess

Sarah...I think a second opinion could be in order here.

I did that with my cat once...they told me he needed $1000 eye surgery...went to another vet (eye specialist) and found out he only needed drops.
Think of it like when you go to the doctor...if you aren't comfortable with a diagnosis what do u do?? Second opinion right? Same thing goes for yer babies.

AmentsChick

I'm so sorry. I know how hard it is. Pets are like family.

vedderfan10

Hey Gray Saturday....This is awful news about your kitty Aubrey! You were supportive to me when my Meow-Meow Kitty was sick just before Christmas...and now you're going through a tough time with one of your own....

It does sound like a second opinion is needed...yeah, it costs more $$ but it might be worth it in the end. Our local vet here misdiagnosed our pooch a few years back and wanted us to pay for all these super expensive treatments...took her to another vet who said that she was even exhibiting symptoms of what it was she was supposed to have. In fact, her blood work was normal...Saved us a few thousand, that did...

Anyway, I truly know you're worried. Meow-Meow was the same - wasting away, not eating, but still playing and acting normally otherwise...so make sure your Aubrey isn't yellow! Apparently, when they stop eating - that feline hepatic lipidosis can come on fast!

My thoughts are with you and your kitty....

PS. How is your brother doing?

GraySaturday

Vedderfan10 wrote:

Hey Gray Saturday....This is awful news about your kitty Aubrey! You were supportive to me when my Meow-Meow Kitty was sick just before Christmas...and now you're going through a tough time with one of your own....

It does sound like a second opinion is needed...yeah, it costs more $$ but it might be worth it in the end. Our local vet here misdiagnosed our pooch a few years back and wanted us to pay for all these super expensive treatments...took her to another vet who said that she was even exhibiting symptoms of what it was she was supposed to have. In fact, her blood work was normal...Saved us a few thousand, that did...

Anyway, I truly know you're worried. Meow-Meow was the same - wasting away, not eating, but still playing and acting normally otherwise...so make sure your Aubrey isn't yellow! Apparently, when they stop eating - that feline hepatic lipidosis can come on fast!

My thoughts are with you and your kitty....

PS. How is your brother doing?

I remember!! Poor Meow meow! Aubrey is actually doing a lot better.. she is eating her new food, and hasn't had an upset stomach since I posted, go figure right?

She was happy as a clam today.. silly girl. Today she let Madeline give her a bath. She is sitting here trying to watch me type, but she keeps falling asleep sitting up. I think she had a rough time getting used to the new food, but it seems to be kicking in. No blood today either. Makes me feel much better.

She might be getting a new baby sister too.. we shall see. !!

And my brother, bless you for asking, he's doing MUCH better! He went back to school after the christmas holiday for the first time. He is slowing gaining back the 30lbs he lost. He is already back on the slopes snowboarding, and his skin healed amazingly! He has some scarring right now on his arms, but it should all fade together. I cannot BELIEVE he looks like he does after the shape he was in. He was his fiesty self when I saw him over the holidays. 16 year old boys.. quite the age! He will make a full recovery. And within a year will have NO signs that he had this at all.. AMAZING. Thank you again for asking!

vedderfan10

That is so great about your brother! I remember it was touch and go there for awhile, but if he's back snowboarding, well...to be 16 again...

And also very glad to hear Aubrey is doing better! Meow-Meow was dripping blood and urine here there and everywhere last week....this time we took her to our regular vet (not the same as the ones last time)...and yeah, she had at urinary tract infection...(probably from the catheter used at the previous vets)...so he gave her a shot of antibiotics that lasts two weeks, and a shot of pain killer that also lasts two weeks! No pills to shove down my somewhat combative kitty...

So now she's all perky and meow-meowing all over the place, demanding food, demanding to be cuddled, smacking the dogs...she's actually quite annoying! Be warned - cats WILL do anything for Wiskas treats....like start kneading your face at 3am or scratching the wallpaper off...

Jeanie

AllNiteThing wrote:

....I've found a lot of them really push Science Diet though, which I've read a LOT of bad stuff about. SD funds a lot of Vet schools, so that always rubbed me the wrong way.....

So glad you mentioned that. I felt like I was going mad when every other vet would foist the bloody stuff on me at exhorbitant prices like it was the be all and end all of dog food. Lukin's been off it for a while now, I am happier because it's not costing nearly as much to feed him AND he is so much healthier without it.