View Full Version : My cat, Bibs.
mild2wild
01-01-2007, 09:50 AM
just a thought/idea ... would it be ok to give her kitten food? this maybe easier for her to digest and give more energy? Just an idea :S also have you thought of making a porridge kind of meal for her? you could combine some food and water and put it in the blender and get her to take that, that way you are getting her to eat/drink at the same time??
Lola Rose
01-01-2007, 10:51 AM
I've been following this closely, and I'm glad bibs is eating, even if it's just a tiny bit. Animals are really smart, they know when they're dying, so if she's still eating/ moving around, she still had hope. And hope is stronger then medicine or anything, and she's srrounded by love, from her amazing mommy, and so many of us here on SW. I know she's been in my prayers each day. Love, hope and faith are a powerful trio. :grouphug:
GoldCoastGirl
01-01-2007, 07:57 PM
mildwild: When I say force feed her I mean I am putting her can food which is rather runny/soft down her throat via syringe (as such). It is mushy. It is mixed with water. She won't eat it by her own will as whilst it is highly nutritous for her, she doesn't like it. I have tried giving her tuna to eat by herself however she won't eat that either (and it usually is her favourite).
So I'm sticking with the dry food ATM as I really want her to start drinking by her own volition. Will update later today in re: my conversation with vet.
lola rose: I do agree that her slight improvements (moving around more, purring more often it seems, keeping her food down, and even eating those few pieces of dry food) do say alot IMO. If she was ready to give up, she would be much more lethargic, less happy, and so forth. Granted, I won't start having true hope (as I don't want to delude myself in her living longer than she probably will) until she gets to a point where she has put on a decent amount of weight as well as eats and drinks by her own will.
Stay tuned.
aussiepunkshocker
01-01-2007, 08:11 PM
Glad she chose to eat!
If your interested theres info on cancer treatment alternatives for animals on this site. I keep coming across stuff about flax seed oil lately, maybe it would be worth trying.
Re: Disinfecting, remember Colloidal Silver can be used topically, it just takes 6 minutes to kill everything.
Lysondra
01-01-2007, 09:09 PM
Syringe feeding is very common.. it's not really 'forcing'... it's helping. I'm proud of V for syringe feeding her baby. I always do it when I snag rescues (as I have a soft hard for wild animals - 3 water dragons, 2 magpies and a miner bird later!) because they're usually a bit sick to eat but they're so hungry they beg me for food (one magpie followed me around like I was it's mum and honked a lot).
Syringe feeding is really good! :)
Vee - I'm tempted to get a liver and put in a blender to make paste and feed it to Bibs myself.. I bet she'd like that. :)
aussiepunkshocker
01-01-2007, 09:24 PM
I also found this book mentioned over at another forum - health promoting alternatives to pet food. I agree with LM that liver would be good, but ugh blending liver, lol. Good on ya LM, you hve a better stomache than I do (-:
Oh, someone else over there mentioned their cats liking fresh herbs and eating them straight out of the pot, so that may be worth looking into also. Ive read that all wild cats and dogs eat a fair amount of vegetation, berries etc not just animals.
Lysondra
01-01-2007, 09:28 PM
You can get the butcher to do it if you're really sickened by doing it... he'll put it in a container and there ya go. :)
I'm huge on promoting raw diets for pets.. or at least meat as the first 3 ingredients in dry food.
aussiepunkshocker
01-01-2007, 10:50 PM
I dont have pets, I am nowhere near responsible enough, but I agree about the raw thing. You might be interested in this article (I didnt give this to you before did I? Crap memory, I vaguely remember giving the link to someone...)
wrong link though also interesting, I mean to post this one...
Lysondra
01-01-2007, 11:07 PM
lol...same one sweety. :D
aussiepunkshocker
01-02-2007, 02:57 AM
Lol - you know I even noticed that when I posted it and it didnt register ;D
Heres the other one, lol
kittenkat
01-02-2007, 04:12 AM
Raw foods are good choices for some cats- but IMHO, not for cats with compromised immune systems. The benefit/risk balance tips too much into the risk phase for me. My vet treated a cat with a severe case of salmonella from a raw diet- it was an older, geriatric cat, and he didn't have the immune system to properly handle raw meat. Animals do get sick, catch parasites and die in the wild from eating raw. Those that do wildlife rescue and tell you the same. The old cat with salmonella unfortunately died as a result of his diet. For young, healthy cats- it's an option worth investigating and trying. For cats that are older or in less than tiptop health, I would steam the meat and add "freshness" to the food by adding raw, pureed veggies. That's just my experience and opinion.
GoldCoastGirl
01-02-2007, 06:49 PM
The vet said I should be feeding her one can of that nutritious food he gave me last week a day however (as I told him) she just can't take that much without getting to a point where she starts throwing it up.
It is bad news. I have now officially given up hope of her getting better. The cancer is winning and will win in the end. She weighed at 3.19kg today.... so instead of gaining ANY weight from her previous 3.39kg ... she went BACKWARDS. She is nearly 2kg for goddess sake! How is THAT good?!? Plus the vet had a "feel around" as such and the cancer seems to have spread and is even hardening in places such as her stomach and that would be a good reason why she can't eat alot.
*heavy sigh* :'(
As for the B.A.R.F diet, I am all for it! I have always been a big supporter however it was a little too late for Bibs to get started on it and I am doing my best to have the other cat, Puddy (he's diabetic so you have to take that into consideration), on it as well.. he still gets raw chicken every so often, pasta every so often, and plenty of vegies (I steam vegies and share them with him - he loves brocelli).
I asked about the sub-Q however he said it wouldn't really be of any true assistance to her in the end as she is so close to death at the moment (whilst she seems happy, she is loosing weight and still not drinking.. hasn't actually GONE to the toilet in over a week, etc). If she was going to be getting better in any way, shape or form.. she would have gained weight during the past week instead of loosing it.
He also gave her a multi-vitamin shot which should last her two weeks at least (if she lives that long) .. hopefully that will be of some assistance.
All I can do for now is keep syringe feeding her, offering her the dry food to see if she eats it and syringe her liquids.....
So whilst it was looking good there for a moment... it isn't in the end. Unfortunately, as I predicted sometime last month (earlier in this thread?), she may see in 2007 yet I don't think she will last longer than a month... maybe two.. before she will have to go to the vet so she can transition.
There is nothing more I can do now for her. She is too far gone. All this information will be of assistance at least for my next cat and hopefully for someone else ....
Lysondra
01-02-2007, 08:39 PM
Question: You keep saying 'nutritious food' your vet gave you. You never say what brand. Most vets lie and say Science Diet is 'nutritious' when it's not really just fr the marketing... what brand is it?
kittenkat
01-03-2007, 01:50 AM
I am so sorry, GCG. I have gone through similar situations several times, and it never gets easier. Just spend as much time with her as you can, and feel free to pm me if you need to.
*Hugs*
MishaBliss
01-03-2007, 02:05 AM
This is so sad. You're stronger than I am :'(
mermaidnz
01-03-2007, 02:27 AM
Question: You keep saying 'nutritious food' your vet gave you. You never say what brand. Most vets lie and say Science Diet is 'nutritious' when it's not really just fr the marketing... what brand is it?
isnt nutritious the brand? wait, no its called nutrious? something like that... actually, i have no pets, i have no idea.
hang in there vee!!! still thinking of you every day.
Lola Rose
01-03-2007, 09:50 AM
You are doing an amazing job keeping her as content and comfortable as possible. You are both at the top of my prayer list.
GoldCoastGirl
01-03-2007, 10:21 PM
As for brand, I have no idea anymore. I bought the cans and then dumped all the food into an air-tight container and syringe it from that ... it might be one of those brands that you mentioned. If it isn't nutritious then what is ?? I don't want to keep feeding her something that isn't actually highly nutritious for her.
I may give that Tranfer Facter by 4Life a go. Whilst I have given up on any hope of her getting better, I am not going to be a bad "mother" as such and stop feeding her. I will keep feeding her, keep giving her the CS and BFRs until the day I no longer need to do so.
I am not being strong. Last night, whilst she was lying on top of me (I was lying on my back) in bed I was a crying sobbing mess. She also curled up with me most of last night (lots of contact) and I am going to miss that... miss that so bad.
:'( In a way I wish she would hurry up and die as it hurts so bad right now seeing her waste away. Reminds me too much of the experience I had with my mother (I also saw my mother literally wasting away and be nothing but skin and bones before she transitioned from this life as well due to cancer).
jaizaine
01-04-2007, 06:57 AM
:'( In a way I wish she would hurry up and die as it hurts so bad right now seeing her waste away. Reminds me too much of the experience I had with my mother (I also saw my mother literally wasting away and be nothing but skin and bones before she transitioned from this life as well due to cancer).
Oh this sounds so familiar. Before my dog zaine passed away 2 weeks ago i found myself wishing he would. It's just cruel how they can get so weak and suffer so much but they keep going. My dog's vet told me that she thinks when pets are so well loved that's all that keeps them here - the love they receive from u, they can feel it so strongly.
One night he managed to climb up onto my bed and snuggled up to me and i whispered to him "let go baby, u have fought long enough, i love u".
I wish he could have passed away then and there instead of at the vets. But at least I was there holding him while he went.
I believe GCG u ARE being very strong. crying is a release but u are being there for Bibs and showing her love while she goes through this - it's the greatest gift u could give her and that shows all the strength in the world IMO.
Victoryx0x0
01-04-2007, 08:55 AM
ayy GCG I just want to give you you a huge hug... I know exactly how your feeling right now, im sorry hunny
GoldCoastGirl
01-04-2007, 04:20 PM
I wish he could have passed away then and there instead of at the vets. But at least I was there holding him while he went.
YES! I keep having the many many thoughts that I would much rather wake up one day with Bibs having transitioned in her sleep whilst being snuggled up near me (as much as she likes being on top of me these days when I go to bed it is rather uncomfortable so I have to move her to my side) than having to make the decision as to when to help her transition.
I don't want to make that decision. I just want the Universe to take her when it feels it is the right moment for her to go (not the right moment for me just the right moment according to the Universe).....
I'm not going to buy that Transfer Factor. I'm pretty much going to just try and make her life as comfortable as possible whilst she is here with me instead of trying to fight it as it is obvious now to me that she doesn't want to fight it .... and just enjoy her last moments on this earth.
I am taking it day by day at the moment. Not looking forward to the day when finally she will no longer be in in my life. I just can't picture it. Even now as skinny as she is... I still can't picture not having her around the house... fuck this.
:'(
The other cat is just not the same. He is entertaining and great in his own way however he is not her (naturally - okay state the obvious lol) ........ if you get my meaning/drift ?
I am definately not going to purchase another cat when she does transition. I'm going to purchase a rat. Seen them in the shops and realised it is time to move onto other animals in my life not just cats (as much as I adore them).... I would love to get a small dog however that is a committment I'm not ready to have at this stage in my life.
I'll stick with something that has a short lifespan and is rather easy to keep.
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/4076/index32.html plus I don't mind what rats represent in re: animal totems
GoldCoastGirl
01-09-2007, 12:16 AM
Okay. Went to vet today with both cats. Bibs was first :)
She weighs 3.09 kgs .... plus she was trying to poop then eventually did thanks to the vet on the table :laughing: Dignity? What's that? She has none anymore. Anyway, I'm now giving her some laxative to help her poop as there is still alot more in her system that has yet to come out and she wants to poop.
Good news about the sub-Q !! She now has her own "bag" that I bought at the vet and since I'm such a wuss in doing it to her (it's stressful enough for me to have to force feed etc her that I rather someone else be the bad guy as such) I am going to be bringing her in every 2 days or so so that they can "fill her up" as such. They won't charge me now that I've bought the "bag" so it is no trouble for me as the vet is down the road.
She is only eating by her own will once a day. She isn't drinking anything so the subQ will be helping her there until her liver totally dies (it's on its way out). She is pee-ing still and now that I am giving her some laxative she will poop (hopefully) without much trouble as well.
If you saw her, it would break your heart. She is so skinny. Skin and bones literally. Another reason why I rather take her to the vet for the subQ than do it at home is because she is so "delicate" as such. Plus if anything goes wrong... I'm in the right place already :)
As for the other cat, Puddy, he put on weight... 100 grams or so. He wasn't meant to do so however nothing we can do about that... his pee and blood tests both confirmed that he is diabetic.
Unlike us humans cats can "cure" themselves of diabeties if it is caught and treated early enough. My flatmate is going to have to borrow money off me next week due to the up-front cost of treatment etc with his cat. That's okay, it isn't the first time he has done it and I have borrowed money off him so there is absolutely no risk to me I will get my money back. Plus even tho' the cat isn't "mine" ... he is part of my life and thus I do care about this cat so I have no troubles helping my flatmate out with the costs of his cat.
We both will also be taught by the vet how to give insulin injections as he will need them once every 12 hours after his initial treatment and observation period next week (he will be going in to the vet for 3 nights as they need to do tests and observe him over three nights so as to adjust the insulin injections for this cat's specific needs).
My cat is still dying. She is comfortable as she can be for now. I am just taking it day by day. That is all I can do.
Lola Rose
01-09-2007, 12:38 AM
GCG you are so strong. I'm sorry this process has been so painful and drawn out, but it shows how bonded you and bibs are. She really loves you! Just wanted to post to show my support and love :hug:
GoldCoastGirl
01-09-2007, 06:53 AM
:thanx: ^^ it is always appreciated ... believe me! I may appear strong "on the outside" however it is hurting me deeply to see her die.... i know that I've already said this however it is a big of deja vu for me... I saw my mother gradually waste away and eventually be "put to sleep" as well... and now the same thing is happening with my cat.
Okay, technically my mother wasn't "put to sleep" (euthanised) however before she transitioned the doctor made a house call and up-ed her morphine to a point where she was kinda comatose yet hopefully in a place where she wasn't in pain at that point yet could still "hear" us to a certain extent even tho' she didn't respond outwardly.
To this day, even tho' I always had a troubled relationship with her (I realise why now... it's because our personalities clashed and she also was going thru her own shit and I probably just reminded her too much of herself or something... anyway) I still wish I was in the room when she actually transitioned. I have yet to really "see" death as such.
In a way to I'm in major denial. It's a coping mechanism. Even tho' I can see that she is ill by her appearance and some of her behaviour.... because she is still walking around and is still HERE (alive)... my mind is in some sort of denial about her inevitable transition.
Ah well. At least I know the vet will be able to refer me to a crematorium who is good (won't mix her ashes with those of other animals). It may cost more however the vet already knows thru my past (and kinda present) actions that money is of no object to me in re: her.
I am definately getting her cremated. Get a small pot ... mix her ashes with the soil in the pot... and plant a cactus... it won't be a big pot nor cactus however as far as I am aware (unless someone can tell me otherwise) they are a hardy plant that will last years and years ... and some of them can flower at certain times of year as well... so there is that bonus.
colleen
01-09-2007, 08:35 AM
Vanessa, I am so sorry about your cat. I have 3 of my own whom I love dearly. Just hang on and do what you can for her.
I have seen quite a few people and animals die. If you want to know what it looks like, go ahead and PM me. It's not very bad, really.
GoldCoastGirl
01-10-2007, 09:40 PM
Bibs is basically going into the vet every two days now for her subQ injection. I have no problems paying for it as it is such a low low fee and I feel that if anything goes wrong whilst I am there I don't have to worry as I'm already in the right place.... yes I could do it at home for cheaper yet it won't be as hygenic and if anything goes wrong ... it's a 10-20 minute (depending on traffic) trip to the vet and that might be too long a wait as such............if you get me?
So I rather pay the small fee I'm paying to have them inject her with the subQ every two days for my peace of mind than do it at home to save a dime. Not only that.. she gets weighed and checked over every time so we all know what's really happening and going on.
She lost 100 grams of weight in two days. Not good. The vet has given me some powder which is similiar to gatorade/powerade powder... it has electrolytes etc within it to help keep her hydrated etc since she isn't eating alot and definately not drinking.
I still will give her the laxative as she has yet to really poop and needs to poop (she has poop just that it isn't coming out).
Whilst she is gradually declining... she does still seem rather happy. Damn her.
I have definately made up my mind that I will look into foster-ing animals at the local shelter since I now have the experience of having to force feed animals etc with me. Plus I will soon be taught and have the experience of having to inject insulin into a cat (thanks to my flatmate's cat being diabetic).
I don't want all of Bibs's suffering to be in vain. I want to be able to use some of these skills that I have learnt after she has left my life........
As for pets, I still will consider a rat. I'll make sure the cats I'm fostering won't eat it. lol.
Lola Rose
01-10-2007, 09:55 PM
Have you considered planting her ashes in an aloe plant? It's very hearty(you pretty much can't kill it) and it has amazing healing properties. You can use it for burns, fevers..... that way she'll still be with you is form, when you're not well.
aloe is related to cactuses I believe, it's a succulent.
<uses of aloe vera
GoldCoastGirl
01-10-2007, 11:45 PM
I need something with spikes so as to keep the other cat (and any foster animals) away from it. Whilst he aloe plant would have benefits, it can't defend itself as such. I don't want anything to piss or poop in that pot plant! I figure spikes would help with that defense.
Lysondra
01-11-2007, 05:57 PM
As for brand, I have no idea anymore. I bought the cans and then dumped all the food into an air-tight container and syringe it from that ... it might be one of those brands that you mentioned. If it isn't nutritious then what is ?? I don't want to keep feeding her something that isn't actually highly nutritious for her.
I may give that Tranfer Facter by 4Life a go. Whilst I have given up on any hope of her getting better, I am not going to be a bad "mother" as such and stop feeding her. I will keep feeding her, keep giving her the CS and BFRs until the day I no longer need to do so.
I am not being strong. Last night, whilst she was lying on top of me (I was lying on my back) in bed I was a crying sobbing mess. She also curled up with me most of last night (lots of contact) and I am going to miss that... miss that so bad.
:'( In a way I wish she would hurry up and die as it hurts so bad right now seeing her waste away. Reminds me too much of the experience I had with my mother (I also saw my mother literally wasting away and be nothing but skin and bones before she transitioned from this life as well due to cancer).
Vets do this VERY often with Science Diet if it's the brand. I'd say 9 in 10 vets do... the other 1/10ths actually checked the ingredients list!!
Most nutritious - Raw
Second (only in America, but shippable to Australia) - Wellness
Third (and feasible to get in Australia) - Royal Canin.
There is a canned food form of all of them... I believe Royal even has one for sick/aging cats that's really beneficial.
Either way, the very very very best thing to do would be to get off-cuts from a butcher ($6-8 a kilo), grind them up into a paste and then add her medicines and vitamins for sickness into it. Since she's sick, a kilo should last a very long long time... and if grinding meat makes you sick, I'll come over and do it. :P
GoldCoastGirl
01-11-2007, 08:46 PM
I think it was Royal Canin and I know how to get some for her....... there is a home deliver supplier on the gold coast. At the moment, she is eating kitten dry food -- Purina One is the brand. The other cat, Puddy, the diabetic is eating Hills Prescription Diet food at the moment (with one of his meals a couple of times a fortnight being raw chicken wings/drumstick).
As for the off-cuts and grinding them up... no it doesn't phase me... just that whatever I make has to be really liquidy in form or else the syringe I use to feed her and hydrate her (Lectade is what the stuff is called that I am currently using to keep her hydrated here at home between subQ "treatments") won't be able to suck it up as such.
The syringe is the only way I can get anything down her throat these days. She is really really good at spitting out anything else...
GoldCoastGirl
01-12-2007, 06:13 PM
GREAT NEWS HAPPY UPDATE: She is 2.94kg and hasn't lost any more weight since her last visit ... that is great news as it was concerning for the vet and myself she was loosing weight and so quickly. Plus she seems to be eating just that little bit more by herself and drank my her own will yesterday as well. I am thinking the regular subQ injections as well as the Lectade and maybe the steriods that she was syringed the other vet visit is helping her.
So she is happy and therefore I am happy. She won't be cured yet at least her quality of life has definately improved. She seems to want to stay around for a little while yet whilst I keep up my end of the bargain as such. lol.
So some happiness in an otherwise not so happy thread ;D
GoldCoastGirl
01-14-2007, 07:09 PM
ANOTHER GREAT HAPPY NEWS UPDATE
Bibs's weight has stablised! She has been at 2.94 kg for the last week now. She has also been eating twice a day - morning and late afternoon - her dry food (it's kitten food as it has what she required within it). I'm still giving her the Lectade a few times a day and her tablets of an afternoon. She still dispises the tablets. lol.
I'm hoping that during the time that my flatmate's cat is at the vet for observation (due to his cat's diabeties) will help her eat more as now she can "graze" (aka nibble) throughout the day without fearing the other cat wanting her food or "breathing down her neck" wanting her food (as Puddy does).
She has gone thru her first subQ bag. I will buy another one at the next visit on Wednesday. She is getting so used to the vet visits and being really good about everything. Bless her.
kittenkat
01-15-2007, 05:42 PM
OMG that is great news.
GCG, I've been looking for a smaller size of the stuff I promised. I'll try to have it out to you ASAP.
*hufs and hang in there! bibbs is fighting hard for you!*
Hello_Kitty27
01-15-2007, 05:45 PM
YAY! I logged on just now specifically for this thread .... I thought of it as I was about to feed my cats. I'm glad to hear the happy news.
GoldCoastGirl
01-17-2007, 11:09 PM
She has another vet visit tomorrow - 10am (usual time). I'm not holding out for a good report card as she weighed 10g less on her last visit (wednesday morning).... and today she has yet to eat anything and has only had the lectade solution.
in other news, the insulin injections that the other cat (puddy) is receiving has been of immense help. he seems "normal" now. he isn't as naughty as he used to be and is just seems more calm and at peace now. pretty much had this change in behaviour after his first injection. i'm doing the morning one at 9am and my flatmate does one of an evening around 9pm.
aussiepunkshocker
01-18-2007, 12:09 AM
Good, good, good! (-:
aussiepunkshocker
01-18-2007, 12:09 AM
Good, good, good! (-:
GoldCoastGirl
01-18-2007, 07:07 PM
UPDATE!
She now weighs 2.90kg so that means she gained 1g ! :laughing: Nothing much else to report with her otherwise as it is just a case of counting and enjoying the days until she eventually can no longer function anymore. I know they are numbered as she is starting to get weak on her back legs (sometimes she trips over herself or can't walk properly etc due to how weak she is in her back legs). Otherwise, she is still eating (grazing more than having two big meals now). Still not drinking so I am giving her the Lectade throughout the day at different times.
Update on the other cat - Puddy -- He is doing much better now that he is on insulin injections. I do the morning (9am) one and my flatmate does the night (9pm) one. He is a much calmer and seems happier feline due to it. Doesn't hurt him at all since it is over and done with so quickly and the needle isn't that long. He isn't due back for another vet visit for another week or so (not this Monday, next Monday) to see how he is going in re: his diabeties.
There have been cases where cats have cured themselves of diabeties so it doesn't necessarily mean that this is a "lifelong" thing for him. His body, due to the regular insulin injections, may correct itself. Tho' he may also have to stay on it for the rest of his life however long that may end up becoming.
Sorry to hear she's not going to pull through. Get in as much quality time as you can. Hope she goes in her sleep.
GoldCoastGirl
01-19-2007, 01:56 PM
Believe me I hope she goes in her sleep whilst she is laying on top of me. I would be in sock initially yet ultimately it is the most loving way she can transition.
She has developed a habit of sorts where if I lay down on the bed on my back she will come over and either get on top of me or half on/half off or curl up next to me. This has been happening for the last couple of weeks where she has initiated the contact and I don't mind ;D
I'm really hoping I'm not at work when she does decide to transition.
Yet I won't totally worry myself over that yet as she is still "kicking" as such ! ;D Still very much alive and not in any pain as far as I can tell (she still gets about) for now.
GoldCoastGirl
01-20-2007, 01:30 AM
I am not meaning to break anyone's heart here by posting the below attached image however I figured it was time for me to post a visual of what she looks like these-days. Just so you can see why I do not want visitors over at my place.
You have been warned. You may cry due to the images. No one is forcing you to view the attached image.
GoldCoastGirl
01-21-2007, 08:29 PM
UPDATE: Current weight 2.80kg
Yes she lost weight and was really dehydrated when I took her in today. Why? Summer has decided to finally show itself here and the weather has been rather hot lately (not so much humid, just hot). I can only hydrate her so much and even the vet said it was like I was fighting a loosing battle so all we can do is keep bringing her in every second day.
Puddy doesn't have his vet visit until next week around 8am. He gets checked in re his diabeties then and we are all hoping he has lost some weight by that time... and if he has lost a certain amount of weight... get this... the vet told me that I should think about entering him into the Slimmer of the Year competition one of the pet food brands (Hills?) is currently holding. :laughing:
That's all he needs... more ego fodder! He already knows he's a pretty boy and pulls everyone by his looks. :laughing:
Nothing much else I can do for Bibs. Just playing it day by day now.
GoldCoastGirl
02-10-2007, 04:27 PM
UPDATE
Her weight hovers now around the 2.5 to 2.9 mark. Some days it is up and other days it is down usually the days when it has been rather warm/hot/humid thus making her lethargic (humans too!) and hence not eating as much.
Right now as of this post she is around the 2.9 mark and has been gaining weight from being around the 2.5 mark a week ago. Her apetite is back. Little Miss (as I call her sometimes) is being treated well by being given tuna in springwater not just normal can food plus her kitten dry food (as kitten dry food is the type of food she needs to eat). She still isn't drinking by her own violition from ANY of the water bowls.
I am now pretty much in the habit of going to the vet every second day for her subQ fluids as well as general check up. She is still weak in her back legs (and has been for awhile now) due to loss of muscle mass/strength. The same is now happening with her jaw as she makes a special kinda grating sound when she chews something and sometimes makes this sound even when she is not eating.... when she does it when she's not eating it is usually a sign of nausea.
She's still on the tablets that I have to give her each night. These days I crush all the tablets up and mix it with water and give her a dosage each night as this is easiest and quickest.
So yes, she is still very much around. She is still "kicking" and making sure we KNOW she is around (she's become more vocal esp. about the other cat).
As for the other cat, he is diabetic. His twice a day (9am and 9pm) dosage has been up-ed slightly. He is still as naughty as ever and causes me no amount of grief when he wants to "play" with Bibs.
I think he is confusing Bibs still being around with Bibs being healthy. She isn't. She is still rather skinny and whilst the cancer hasn't spread (the chemo worked in that it stopped it spreading any more as it was rapidly growing at the time) it is still very much there.
Oh yeah.. I forgot... she is also starting to loose strength to have a crap. She still pees but only to pee the subQ fluid out... the "having a crap" is something she requires assistance with tho' whenever she does want to "go".
It is now only costing me $15AUD each vet visit as she pretty much has half a bag (which costs $30AUD in total) each visit nearly... so I'm only being charges for the subQ fluids and not the service since I'm there so often.
Since I usually have three visits a week. $45 per week to help keep her quality of life intact.
I have stopped with the Collidial Silver and Bach Flower Remedies for the pure reason that it got expensive on top of the vet visits and not to mention fuel costs and taxi fares whenever I can't use my car (or more so when my flatmate has to take her in for me).
GoldCoastGirl
03-04-2007, 08:57 PM
***UPDATE***
She has been 'steady' over the 3 kg mark now for near on a fortnight ;D YAY!!!
Plus she is still pooping and pee-ing well enough for her. She is also drinking tho' I am doing it in a sneaky way by adding water with her tuna meals. She eats the kitten dry food in the morning and of a night mainly. Tuna through-out the day.
Due to all this she is only needing to go to the vet once or twice a week
WOO HOO !!!!!!!!!!!
Plus she is now (because it is March) going onto Month Number 3 with the Pallative Care. The cancer is still there (the vet checks her out each time she goes to see if the 'lumps' are still there) yet it doesn't seem to be doing much now.
Damn this cat is a fighter ;D
Just going to make it all the harder for me when she does want to stop trying to fight the inevitable. For now, she is back to 'normal' in that her personality is and has been back for awhile now. Back to her old self personality wise at the least.
If she ever gains one more kilo she will be back to normal 'healthy' weight for a cat yet that won't happen. It took her ages to get to and stay over the 3kg mark.
Lola Rose
03-04-2007, 09:10 PM
I'm glad she's doing so well! :D
how did you like the flower remedys? they're great for me, I love them. You can likely order them online if you want to continue with them.
GoldCoastGirl
03-04-2007, 11:58 PM
Now I am not continuing them as I can't (at this moment) afford to do so plus she seems okay enough without them. Not to mention the alcohol that is used as a preservative within them is not making me purchase them right now as I need to keep her hydrated and alcohol (as we all know) dehydrates.
Even the small amount in the BFRs I don't want to give it to her as she may be doing well yet she is not (and will never be) back to full health.
Ooops... not to mention she is fussy. I can't add it to her 'tuna water' as she will smell it and rather go hungry than have it... so the only way to give her the BFRs is directly and .. well.. that's a stress I don't want to put her and me thru alot.
GoldCoastGirl
04-15-2007, 05:10 PM
If you havn't been following Bibs on my twitter page here is an update.
Before I went to Darwin she was at 3.44kg and holding as such. She was doing great. Her back legs seemed to work better with the weight gain and she seemed happy and well.. she seemed okay.
I go to Darwin for three weeks.
First week I am in Darwin (she is only going to the vet once a week now) her weight drops to 3.33kg.
Second week I am in Darwin her weight drops to 3.22kg.
Third (final) week I am in Darwin her weight drops to 3.03kg.
Her next vet appointment is Wednesday.
I am home today (Monday) as it was a red eye flight (always is) from Darwin.
I am deeply saddened by her current state. I will elaborate more later as I need to run some errands etc right now.
madmaxine
04-15-2007, 05:14 PM
We're thinking of you both & sending warm thoughts. :hug:
flickad
04-15-2007, 09:14 PM
I really hope your kitty is okay and, though I'm agnostic, I did say a prayer for her.
GoldCoastGirl
04-16-2007, 06:40 PM
Prayer isn't a religious thing at all ! I see it as a way to focus and send energy just like you would in a spell. "God" need not come into it and thus I really appreciate it.
She slept on top of me most of the night last night .. I was lying on my back and she was lying on top of me (my chest and stomach region). Due to it, I didn't sleep continuously yet I slept happily. I will really miss this about her when I do have to finally make the decision to help her transition.
Today she seems a bit better. She still is having troubles walking due to the weight loss she would have also lost some more muscle mass in her hind legs. :( Thus she trips over herself nearly all the time now.
She also seems to be able to walk further now thus I really honestly do think she lost the weight due to her missing me whilst I was away. I'm really hoping she puts on SOME weight and doesn't loose anymore by the time of her vet appointment tomorrow.
I'm not calling quits on her yet. She doesn't seem to be asking for me to do so as yet... even tho' it was heart wrenching to see her yesterday. After all her gains.. after all the improvements over the last three months... she lost alot of it in the span of three weeks.
*sigh*
I just got to keep an eye on her. As soon as she looks like she is ready to transition... as soon as she seems to have given up the fight... I will aid her yet until that time... I will just keep enjoying her.
Photos I took today - you can see how skinny she has become :(
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/GoldCoastGirl/GoldCoastGirl-com/000_0408.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/GoldCoastGirl/GoldCoastGirl-com/bibs-17april06.jpg