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Last night was terrible, cat freaking out
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Member Since:
2 October 2023
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8 November 2023 - 5:18 am
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She peed a little over night. She had onsior after surgery. I can ask about that. Watching her on the webcam during the day she's ok, sleeps, walks around, she even played with her toys a little yesterday.

I don't even know that she's in pain. She just seems terrified of us. I've moved her back into the spare bedroom so she doesn't have to be confronted with us when we're home. It upsets her so much just to be around us.

Her exploratory surgery was to identify and hopefully remove a lump on her leg. The lump ended up being Hemangiosarcoma and they couldn't remove it all because it was intertwined with her little tendons. That was 2 weeks prior to amputation, Sept 20. Amputation was October 3. 

Husband spoke to vet yesterday, they didn't have much to say other than up her gabapentin and give her time.

Michigan

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8 November 2023 - 5:59 am
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Onsior is good to have on hand, being a tripawd even without these particular issues. If they do indeed tweak something, it's gold; we have used it for Purrkins for that reason twice in his life, with our vet knowing, of course.

Im so relieved to hear she did have a good day playing and getting around fine on the camera and that she peed, too!👏🏻👏🏻 I know you are watching her closely, and you KNOW what you are seeing. She might need something behavioral then, like Prozac. I know it is used in many cats, I have zero experience to share on that. I know our kitty vet has her cats on it.

Im glad your husband called, and yes, stay on the 100 mg faithfully, ensuring she is getting her dosage one way or another, and it wouldn't hurt to ask on the onsior. If she doesn't readily eat it.  I know you can crush the pill (I asked our vet) and she said it was okay, I crushed it and added a little churu tube to syringe it to Purrkins. You could do your usual routine it would hide a lot easier. If she has some inflammation, it would help along with her Gaba.

Thanks for this info. The dear girl has been through a lot, but it is essential to remember that this was not only the amp surgery but the exploratory surgery, too.

I pray today is a better day for you all!
Thanks for the update & keep us posted, please
(((HUGS))))

💝💝💝

The Rainbow Bridge



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8 November 2023 - 12:11 pm
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How did it go last night? Really hoping she's feeling better and more cheerful today!

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8 November 2023 - 12:15 pm
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jerry said
How did it go last night? Really hoping she's feeling better and more cheerful today!

 

the same, hissing and growling anytime either of us approached her 🙁

Virginia



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8 November 2023 - 2:25 pm
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What the heck?  
I s it possible she relates being handled by you two for pill time?  For her that’s an unpleasant time so she’s telling you back off.

The fact that she did so well “on camera” with no one around is good.

So her amputation was due to hermangio sarcoma right!?  Wondering if she’s tender somewhere in her tummy and associates you coming to picking g her up to possible discomfort   Just throwing stuff out there.

Semdiing you 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!

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8 November 2023 - 2:33 pm
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benny55 said

I s it possible she relates being handled by you two for pill time?  For her that’s an unpleasant time so she’s telling you back off.

  

I don't think so. Up until this started she was taking her meds mixed with food with no complaint. We are now syringing her meds because she has refused her gabapentin laced fancy feast a few times. I'm going to try and give it to her that way tonight and see if she'll eat it.

Its really so strange; if move toward her at all, even just an outstretched hand she hisses and growls. But, if ignored she will eventually jump up on the couch or bed right next to me and wait till one of us moves towards her to his and run away. 

Michigan

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8 November 2023 - 4:20 pm
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Its really so strange; if move toward her at all, even just an outstretched hand she hisses and growls. But, if ignored she will eventually jump up on the couch or bed right next to me and wait till one of us moves towards her to his and run away. 

She is feeling threatened for whatever reason. Pain or? I wish we ALL knew the why. Ideally, the vet would give more insight, which is a bit frustrating. I would try to leave her be and not go towards her and let her come to you guys and see how things go back on the higher meds & duration. I hope she did well today: playing, resting, eating, and going potty. 
Hugs

The Rainbow Bridge



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8 November 2023 - 10:51 pm
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Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that. Dang. Are you able to talk to your vet to discuss a plan to find out what's going on? Sometimes in situations like this a vet pain specialist is necessary. This is out of the ordinary behavior as you know and generally, there is pain involved. If you'd like the name of a specialist ask your vet or PM me your location if they don't have one and I'll send you a clinic names to check out.

I'm so sorry, I know this is frustrating.

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9 November 2023 - 7:01 am
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So, she hissed at me and hid under the bed when I got home last night but ate her gabapentin laced Fancy Feast that I put under the bed with her. We left her alone and eventually she came downstairs and hopped up on the couch wanting treats. She was a little hesitant but ate some treats out of my hand and let me pet her. This morning when we got up she was in the bedroom but got scared and hissed and hid under the bed. I put her meds laced food under there hoping she would eat it but she didn't, tomorrow we'll start earlier so she has more time to calm down and remember she's hungry. I ended up having to fish her out and syringe meds into her, which I hate doing because it upsets her so much. Put her in the spare room and waited a while, then was able to go in there and hand feed her treats and give her a few pets before I left for work. Seems like progress, I hope. 

Michigan

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9 November 2023 - 12:15 pm
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Can you block Discovery from going under the bed? Thats the worst for YOU to have to fish her out of and typical place for our cats to go when afraid or trying to escape. Im sorry things are not 100% yet.

Have you thought about getting the gaba in a different liquid flavor? They can make it in a fishy taste, and she MAY lap it up. You can ask your vet what they have in a compounded form or see where they recommend. I would look into an easier route for you and Discovery that is less stressful for you both.

I use a liquid-flavored med for one of Purrkin's meds and a transdermal for his hyperthyroid, im not sure if you knew they were options, so just in case you are not aware. I also second the pain specialist, they would get to the root of the issue and treat in multiple ways, likely do dry needle acupuncture. I know the money is tight and why its not been mentioned. The second option would be a feline practice that would look at all aspects. I highly suggest the feline  practice for care based on our own experiences, going from a traditional practice and switching to feline-only. There is no comparison. Just know there are other options if you need them and finances allow for. 

Glad to hear there is progress. Another idea you could try to help reduce the stress level is a diffuser, like FELIWAY Classic Cat Calming Pheromone Diffuser.

Thanks for keeping us updated I hope today is a good day for you all! 🙏🏻🤞🏻Discovery is pain free and less reactive when you get home. 

(((Hugs)))

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9 November 2023 - 12:39 pm
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Can you block Discovery from going under the bed? 

Have you thought about getting the gaba in a different liquid flavor? 

Glad to hear there is progress. Another idea you could try to help reduce the stress level is a diffuser, like FELIWAY Classic Cat Calming Pheromone Diffuser.

  

I'm going to work on blocking under the bed tonight.

I don't think its a flavor issue, I just think that in the moment when she's super fearful she doesn't want to eat anything at all. Syringing the meds is easy enough, I just hate holding her against her will. Taking meds in food on a schedule difficult right now because it doesn't allow for cool down time after she gets afraid. I worry about giving her food with a dose of meds and her snubbing it for an hour or two effectively leaving her unmedicated during that time.  Trying to work around that and give her meds/food before she has a chance to be scared. Like this evening when I get home I'll crack the door to her room and put her meds/food in there with her; she'll be hungry and I'm confident will eat it up right away. Then in the morning I'm going to have her fancy feast and medicine with me on my night stand so I can mix it up and give it to her before we actually get out of bed and give her a reason to be scared. 

We have a Feliway Diffuser in the spare room with her. I do think it helps, husband thinks its bs. 

On camera, she's been sound asleep all day. She did pee and poop yesterday though!

Michigan

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9 November 2023 - 12:59 pm
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I'm going to work on blocking under the bed tonight.

This is not an easy task- I have done it.  It is doable but not 100% jamming all sorts of stuff under the bed she will find a way in there. It's still worth a try; it does help main thing is the middle where she is hardest to reach.

Putting the mattress on the floor solves this issue, but it is a heavy pain in the rear. It's a sure thing: problem solved.

You are not laying on the floor, reaching as she scoots further away before work; the stress on you both is no fun! If you have boxes to break down, you could try to make a skirt. Taping it to the base. You will have to test it, poke, and see if you can get in. It has to be secure and flush to the floor. I know this is all a pain in the arse been there & done that.

Great, you have the diffuser, and I'm sorry I giggled on the husband;) Yes, I think it's a helpful tool.

Im happy to hear Discovery has popped and peed yesterday and sleeping peacefully!👏🏻

Best of luck blocking under the bed

💝💝💝

Michigan

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9 November 2023 - 1:11 pm
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We did this Under Bed Blocker for Petson one of our beds, and I have to say it was ridiculous to put together, but it has been 100% effective its been there for over a year with no issues. Its cardboard. 

IMG_0580-scaled.jpegImage Enlarger

 

IMG_0598-scaled.jpegImage Enlarger

The other bed, I have pillows and a memory foam mattress topper under, and Purrkins can still wiggle in there. I thought I would share it here. I plan on doing the other bed one of these days.

Let us know what works for you.

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9 November 2023 - 1:22 pm
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Thanks!! Gonna shove all the spare blankets and pillows under there and see if that fills the space well enough. If needed I'll put cardboard over the gap between the bed and the floor sealing it with duct tape. If I can just get her to a point where she's not afraid when I approach her we'll be good. 

The more I think about it I feel like she's probably traumatized from the night a month ago when we had to take her back to the vet. That night I ran to stop her from running up the steps and had to hold her still when she ripped the cone off so she didn't strangle herself with the gauze tie. When all this stared Monday night she was afraid because of the argument and I moved toward her to comfort her and I think that triggered her. She just needs to feel confident that when we reach for or move toward her she's safe. 

Michigan

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10 November 2023 - 3:22 am
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You are welcome! I hope your were successful and Discovery and you all had a good evening.

I had another thought and wondered if you purchased or started the CBD? I thought if so, thats new, and also, if you have not started, it MIGHT help. I would not stop the gaba, and PLEASE let your vet know about the CBD before beginning.

💝💝💝

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