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I’m wondering if I should stop giving the probiotic (benebac plus)? Could that be causing inappetence?
His furless skin around the wound is also very itchy: loves it when i rub it and any chance he gets licks it raw. Anything I could safely apply to soothe it?
Hard to say about the inappetence, but I haven't heard of a probiotic causing this issue. Sounds like it could be just a combination of everything, the collar, the wound issue, etc. I think when that wound is healed you'll see his sparkle come back. What are the vet's reasons for waiting on whether or not to stitch the remaining section of the incision back together? Is the skin possibly necrotic?
Ask your vet about an anti-itch spray for the rest of the wound. I would check with them since that remaining section is causing some issues, you wouldn't want anything to get in there and make it worse.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I agree hard to say why his appetite is not back even with an appetite stimulant. If he is off his meds, something is amiss and good; they are investigating the high eosinophil levels. What is the vet saying about the appetite at this point? I'm sure they are monitoring his weight at each visit.
Refusal to eat or not to eating his average amount?
I would keep trying different types and flavors and add in toppers: as we have said before, the stinkier, the better for most cats. Ask the vet about Forti-Flora probiotic you can sprinkle on Kaju's food wet or dry. It has something that grabs their senses plus the benefit of the probiotic. Crack for cats. The Forti Flora would be a twofer for Kaju.
Have you tried bonito flakes, liver powder on his foods? Also Gerber baby food stage 2 meat and gravy based? It's not balanced, but it is helpful for times like this.
I second Jerry's ask the vet what is safe to use around the incision to help with the itchy since Kaju already has healing issues.
Thanks for the update; we continue to send healing vibes your way.
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝
I've been taking cone off when I give him food but he either does not eat or eats too little. So the cone has to go back on. With appetite medicine he will eat little quantities throughout even with cone on (it's a cloth ring which doesn't prevent him from.eating or drinking).
The vets feel that the wound is healing on it's own albeit slowly so any interventions using general anesthesia and oral antibiotics again should wait. Also i think most of the necrotic tissue has sloughed off and then they cut out the internal stitches they commented on the red tissue inside saying it's healthy. I think Kaju does poorly with too much interventions so I'm reluctant to ask them to stitch it so the wound can heal faster. I think the vets want the wound to close as much as possible on it's own before stitching given the tension in that area and a chance for the stitches to rupture like last time, possibly because the scapula is there, making it not enough skin to pull together. But I will ask again.
They are thinking the stomach issues might be due to parasites or something else so to wait till we get the stool report back.
He's also ocassionally coughing and sneezing but the vets say his lungs are clear. And there's no discharge from his nose. He's uptodate on all vaccines as well.
Unfortunately Kaju doesn't like human food at all. And choices are limited in terms of cat food or toppers. Gerbers baby food isn't available and the baby food that is available (heinz) is all fruit based purees. I can't find liver powder either but I will buy fortiflora and bonito flakes and try them.
Thanks again for your patience in answering all questions. Love from me and the cats 💖
Ohhh that makes a lot of sense about waiting on the incision. I can see their point. Waiting is so hard though, isn't it?!
Those bonito flakes might be magical for him, I can't wait to find out. And the Fortiflora would be beneficial, I know it's helped our Wyatt's digestion issues.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Kaju has a scheduled restitching next Friday. While the vets feel the best course would be to dress the wound and let it heal normally, Kaju is getting tired of the collar and I will also have to go away end of November so we decided to opt fpr restitching. I have a final consultation with the surgeon on coming Friday to discuss and weigh pros and cons. But hoping the restitching won't lead to further complications but faster healing. Send kaju your healing vibes please!
Sending lots of healing vibes your way! Did you get the results of the stool sample?
My boys love the bonito flakes... they will follow me around the house for them, lol.
Keeping fingers, toes, tails, and paws crossed for you!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Glad to see you posted for Dr.Pam's insight! Restitch surgical wound or wait?
We are relieved to hear you are getting on Friday. I would also want it restitched, and hopefully, there is enough skin to do so.
Let us know how the consult and surgery goes. please
More healing vibes are coming and will continue.
Scratches to Kaju and the other kitties, please.
Hugs, Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝
Healing vibes coming your way! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I saw dr pam's advice and I will discuss it with the surgeon. If he thinks there's any chance that the skin is too tight I will not opt fpr surgery. I'm just very anxious about healing given that I have to leave sometime in early December at the latest. Unfortunately honey bandages are not available here. But cold laser therapy is available at one vet clinic. But yeah I will discuss with the cat specialist and the surgeon. They both listen with empathy and offer advice so keeping fingers crossed.
Also thanks to kaju's routine of shrieking bloody murder the moment a vet appears and that he's unusually big (compared to thai cats) has made him famous throughout the hospital. And it's a really big hospital with at least 20 attending vets and at least double that vet assistants, and vet students and other staff. Today a veterinary intern who was helping bandage kaju tried with different treats to win him over but kaju was very miffed amd refused to acknowledge him! They're really very nice to him and I wish they would see his goofy side!
His stool results were normal with no parasite. But the vet recommended deworming anyway as it has been 3 months since last round. He was deqormed yesterday and is receiving a supplement with lysine as he was sneezing and coughing for a few days. He got his lubg xrayed on Friday and everything looks okay. He's eating better than before without bonito flakes and has gone back to eating his prescription diet (i really hope I'm not jinxing this!).
Hearing how Kaju reacts to those mean Vets was too funny! He clearly makes his displeasure known!!
Glad you saw Dr. Pam's reply. You have a lot of information now for the "pros" and "cons" . One way you may want to look at this......IF you were not having to travel in a month or so, is there o e path forward you would take over the other with no hesitation (or with as little hesitation as possible anyway)?
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
I realize I am a bit late again with my response, but for what it is worth ...
No guarantees of healing seed time, but based only on my experience with Tuxedo's wound healing speed and Kaju's wound pictures, I would guess you are 1-2 weeks away from not needing to bandage the area. So if left on your current path and no restitching, the cone likely won't be needed for too much longer.
Since Kaju's area is his shoulder, perhaps you could make some modified onsies or tee shirts to both cover the area, be washable, and eliminate the need for the cone? Just change the onsie when the bandages are changed. There are several posts on here detailing how to make and their use on front leg tripawds.
Hugs and best wishes,
-Dawna, Tuxedo, Lilly, & Dazzle
Thanks for sharing Dawna! You are not late at all, your insight is much appreciated!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello all. Thanks for the very useful advice. Sorry about the late update but I was dithering a lot with my decision but have more or less decided with the vets to not operate as the wound is getting smaller. So if I'm gone before it fully heals I've roped in a friend who can take Kaju to the vet for weekly dressing change. Tjis is not ideal but I'm trying to be positive that he will heal before my departure date. Currently he's getting the wound examined cleaned and dressed with topical antibiotic and haemoglobin spray. The surgeon checks once a week amd removes dead tissues or subcutaneous fat if he feels these are slowing the healing process. He uses tweezers or a solution with hypochlorous acid to remove.
It really does sound like Kaju is healing and surgery is not necessary and that is great news!! After reading Dawna's post on Tuxedo, it really does seem like you are on the right path. And Dr Pam helped with her insight too. I hope you got some reassurances from those posts.
The care you and the Vet are giving Kaju really is exquisite.. You have a good plan in place to continue with the Vet visit through your friend. Obviously you would like it completely healed before your trip, but even if Kaju requires a few ,more visits to ensure complete healing and no backsliding, you can at least start to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Okay, paws crossed for continued healing !
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Awww we are staying pawsitive and optimistic too. Kaju has all kinds of great people looking after him and your backup plan with your friend is terrific. Hopefully you won't need to do that but if so at least your bases are covered. Good job!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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