Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I have a feeling that maybe they didn’t have the pills for cats in stock. I do get nervous giving them to her. I’m afraid it will get lodged in her throat or the edges can do damage. I don’t know. It does say you can put it in a treat, so I was thinking about crushing it into a dab of delicious liquidity treat. I also thought about cutting it in half once more and putting them in her mouth one-by-one. I also don’t know if I’m over thinking it as I do freak out about things sometimes. I can’t tell how she’s been reacting to both the supplement and antibiotic, but she also just seems so out of it. It makes me so sad cause she’s been through a lot in the last few months.
The rehab specialist called me today cause during our appt on Wednesday, we went over the history of her liver blood work over the year. She spoke with her sister who owns a cat-only vet. Primarily to see what her rate was for an ultrasound if I chose to get one, but also a little more about her liver values. She didn’t have her recent test results, which I did call the vet to get it (I got all of P&P’s bloodwork results for the entire year) and I sent to her. She will see her sister over Christmas. It was good to have the results in hand, but in a way, scary. Her ALT levels were in the normal range right before her surgery. It is now over the normal range. Her ALP was above normal range in April, and then higher in Sept and then higher in Dec. Her gallbladder with normal in Sept and now above normal range. It’s a lot to take in, but I am just going to focus on getting the antibotics and supplements in the next few weeks and re-test and take it from there.
Aso for the video, she thinks she was just tired. I think so, too. I might actually give her a break from rehab and just do the exercises at home. If you see her now, she needs this break. Poor girl is getting so much put down her throat that she’s not a fan of. I told the rehab specialist that I’ll keep the appt just in case, and although they have a 24hr cancellation policy, she told me if I need to cancel the same day, that is okay. I definitely feel very supported there. But this is a time that I think Tuni should spend time at home without being taken anywhere. Over the last few weeks, she would start meow the moment we got out of the car to go to rehab. She didn’t do that for the first 4 weeks, where she was going twice a week. But her walking has been minimal cause the antibotics and such, but the walking she does do, it’s been looking good the last few days. I think she just a needs rest.
But this is a time that I think Tuni should spend time at home without being taken anywhere. Over the last few weeks, she would start meow the moment we got out of the car to go to rehab.
Petunia cert6 spoke her mind about the visits lately 😉
Aso for the video, she thinks she was just tired. I think so, too. I might actually give her a break from rehab and just do the exercises at home. If you see her now, she needs this break
You know Tuni better than anyone. You are with her 24/7 and you know every single nuance about her. So go with uour gut, along with the little "signals" she's sending you that a little R&R at home with you for awhile may be exactly what she needs . The both of you probably need to restore your normal routine, physically and emotionally. Senior hoomans snd senior cwts and dogs get upset opif their routine is topsy turvy. Goodness knows Tuni's routine has been interrupted big time!
Try not to read too much into the results of the reports the vet will be reviewing. Some levels may be higher than normal simply because of age. I really like that the rehab that is going to take all of this work up to her sister vet.
Wish there was an easier way to get the med i to her that didn't stress you or Petunia out.
I know uou hate giving her so many different pills, supple, etc. My guess is the a antibiotic may. ake her feel a little yucky and also mess 2ith her appetite. I k ow they act thst way some on hoomans,
One the g for certain, you are doing, and have done, and will do anything and everything in Tuni's best interest. Your bond with her is beautiful.
Now use some of this festive season to chill, eat junk food and jist enjoy having Tuni snuggling and sleeping by your side.
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!
The denamarin they prescribed is for cats and dogs, so don't fret, please. The ingredients are gold and will help get those levels down. As far as giving the denamarin with some food or treat- I know it is best to give it on an empty stomach. However, when Purrkins was throwing it up, I asked the vet if I could do it with some food and see if he could hold it down that way, and she said it was okay. It may not be as effective, but it would still help.
What antibiotic did they put Petunia on? Yes, ditto Sally, Many antibiotics can make them feel funky, and in humans as well.
Im glad rehab put your mind at ease and Petunia was tired. So she didn't feel it was the gaba at all? So, was no alternative pain medication suggested?
Brilliant, she is so lovely to take Petunia's labs and show the kitty vet. What a gift she is. Try not to focus on how far off the numbers are right now.
I genuinely understand and have had the same concerns and freakouts on labs. ((((HUGS)))You are doing something about those NOW; that is all you can do, and be thankful. Yes, you can do something about these labs, and HOPE!!! Try to get back into your routines and know the therapies can help.
Just going to focus on getting the antibotics and supplements in the next few weeks and re-test and take it from there.
Precisely, and all you can do, Samantha, that is A LOT!!! Thank heavens, you can do something right!!! Work on making the meds and supplements less stressful for you both!! Do lots of treats and love before and afterward, and I want you to TRY to change your thoughts. This is going to help Petunia; this is her magic potion. Not going to her to medicate with the thoughts of UGH, here we go again, more torture. Petunia 😬🥺!
Petunia is in tune with you and will pick that vibe up. I tell Purrkins it's time for our magic potion, buddy. I make a big deal over it with excitement, not dread, and give treats before and afterward and then give him all kinds of kisses; we even clap and say whoo hoo, Purrkins. IT HELPS us both try it and see if it doesn't help. I BET YOU it DOES!!!
As far as rehab, I can only ditto Sally's wise words. As always!!! You know Petunia, and if you feel a break is needed, do it and quit torturing yourself on all of this. Try anyway.
You have a plan, you are doing it, and the results of those plans will be in a few weeks. That is all any human can do!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to update !!
HUGS and scratches, smooch to Petunia and Possum, please
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😘🫂
Merry Christmas everyone!! I hope you all have been enjoying the holiday! Sorry it took me a minute to reply Holly, just spending some time with the fam. 🙂
I am not concerned about what’s in the denamarin chewables I received as they are the same as what the pills that are prescribed for kitties. It’s the size of the 1/4 chewable tablet and it possibly being a choking hazard s allowed whole. And then because of the size, I get nervous about the edges possibly scraping against her throat. Now I know this may be all in my head, the worries that is, but I think with all I’ve been through mentally these last 3 months, it may have made me a little more paranoid. I had trouble yesterday giving it to her, and I eventually gave up cause the fear of her choking on it became a lot in that moment. But from skipping a day, I did see what the possible effects it has on her. This morning she was more “awake” that she has been since starting this supplement and antibiotic, and she attacked her food like CRAZY! It’s been a hot minute since she has been that much into her food, as if I haven’t fed her in days. I do wonder if if does make her nauseous, but not to a point where she would throw up. I gave it to her again, and she just seemed out of it. I don’t know. I also have been giving her a 1/2 of a 3oz can of Fancy Feast lately cause I know she will eat upon giving it it her. And I really need her to eat to take this antibiotic (which is Clavamox). I’ve also been really focusing of doing her therapeutic exercises throughout the day, especially when she’s been laying around for a bit - get her legs moving a little. I am afraid she has lost some muscle over the last few weeks. I think I’m going to cancel her rehab appt this week, but keep the others the next 3 weeks and cancel as I seem fitting. I have the tools to keep her active and get her stronger. I actually added up all the vets bills and rehab from this past year between my two cats and it totaled 8k. Every penny spent is so worth it, but I don’t know how much more hits I can take, especially that it’s only me taking care of the bills. I don’t want to feel like I’m failing her, and I hope I have given her a lot at this point. And I will continue to do so, but I think she needs a break from rehab/vet. And I’m not saying this cause I think you feel I can do more, I just wish I can give her everything plus more! You, Sally, and Jerry truly have been the best Christmas gift I could have ever gotten, that started almost 3 months ago! My focus has solely been on Petunia in those months, and the support was so needed. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Samathana Petunia, and Possum
I hope you all had a lovely day surrounded by love and family.
Oh, gotcha on the tablet size. I understand; since it is chewable, have you tried pulverizing it into a powder and putting it in a treat tube? It's an idea. I thought Purrkins was getting sick on it cause he had an empty tummy, but for him, anyway, it was not the case. And it appears most animals DO tolerate it with NO issues. If you have further problems, they are other options. Our integrative vet had us use Standard Process Feline Hepatic Support But Purrkins would not eat it. The tablet was too soft for me to pulverize and get it into a syringe, so after consulting with both vets, we agreed on the Pet Wellbeing Milk Thistle and have been using it since. It knocked Puirrkins levels back into range. It is a liquid I put in a churu tube and syringe for Purrkins. Simple, but do inquire with your vet if Petunia is not feeling well on it.
Im tickled Petunia scarfed down her food. It is hard to know which is the cause since you started both simultaneously, and Clavamox can also mess with the tummies. Plus putting meds in food can make her not want to eat and ruin meal times. Give Petunia the Fancy Feast if she loves it and scarves it. Life is too short; give her what she loves!
I don’t want to feel like I’m failing her, and I hope I have given her a lot at this point. And I will continue to do so, but I think she needs a break from rehab/vet. And I’m not saying this cause I think you feel I can do more, I just wish I can give her everything plus more!
Never doubt you have been doing all you can do plus for the girls. You are doing an excellent job and continue to do so.
I'm glad we three could help you and Petunia. You are very welcome!🫂
Chin scratches to the kitties, please
(((HUGS)))
💝💝💝
Absolutely doing EVERYTHING possible for Petunia and far more than many could...or would!!! We are in awe of your commitment and loving devotion.
♥️♥️♥️
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!
Merry Pawlidays!
Never feel bad for scaling back what you are spending on rehab. Everyone here gets it. $8k is a lot of money to me as well, and pretty much anyone here, and yes, you are right, now that you have the tools to help her, its in your hands. You've got this!
So I called the vet and requested to get the tablet form. I hate spending the extra dollars but today I had a freak out moment when I gave Tuni the 1/4 chewable tablet, I thought maybe it got stuck in her throat. I went to give her water and she couldn’t even stuck her tongue out. I can tell she was struggling. She is okay, but that was a scary moment. My anxiety has been way too high giving it to her. I even tried putting it in a little bit of Fancy Feast, but I think she can smell it cause she won’t go near it. They have been a few days that it was missed because the attempts went bad and my anxiety that she’s gonna choke was too much. And I can’t be having her miss any dosages. I just wish I got this option before I spent the money on the first tablets.
Ohh I'm glad everything worked out. Sounds like maybe it got stuck on the roof of her mouth? Cats are so tricky when it comes to pilling. The trial and error thing gets expensive. I hope the tablets work out.
Yes, it's not coated to go down easy. I wouldn't be comfortable, either.
I'm glad all is okay. You will have to use the pill gun with the tablet, too. It's a little big, FYI, and it is coated.
Hugs, give the girls a chin scratch for us, please
I’m curious if they are as big as the 250mg Famciclovir antiviral tablets. Those were MASSIVE! But I split them two and the pill gun worked great with them. If they are just as big, I might still split them.
Definitely interesting that the coating was mentioned. Because one thing I was concerned about the chewables was that I can imagine it getting stuck when saliva gets in contact. I feel like maybe if I started off crushing it in a little bit of food, she would have taken it. But now I think she associates the smell of the chewables with the struggle I had trying to give it to her that she won’t touch it. I even tried to mix it in one of those delectable squeeze treats that I recently introduced her to and that she loves, and that didn’t even work.
I will get 30 days worth of these, and maybe by the end of it, I could think of a way to give her the crushed chewables so I can continue it. But for right now, all I care about is her getting this supplement in for the next few weeks before we re-test.
I did have to order it from my vet’s online pharmacy, so it won’t be here until 3-5 days. Until they arrive, I’ll find a way to get her the chewables. Keep me in your thoughts that I don’t panic. 😂 😂
If I had one, I would snap a picture. I threw ours away. You are not supposed to cut, or crush these because of the coating. They go down with our pill gun. You could have ordered on Chewys too just fyi.
I liked the idea of yours better because it does not have the blue dye and stuff, but if you can't get it in, it's not going to help. I AGREE get it in and working.
Have you ever syringed Petunia? Since the one you have, you can crush, crush it, mix baby food or a tube treat, and then syringe that to her. I don't know how well that crushes into a powder. Thats what you would want it to do to syringe it. I have all sorts of oral syringes on hand, so it's easy for me to say. Any chance you have an oral syringe 10 ml is great for this. If you go that route use something tasty but know you might sacrifice that treat as in its now med syringe treat. That is how I always give supplements. It is not a choice, and it's not horrible either.
The above is what I use, and they last. Unlike most, you use it once or twice, and you toss it.
Well, attaching the link is NOT working. I'll just add it here psc=1
SCRAP that too - that doesn't work either🙄; I will pm you in case you are interested. hmm, something is broken!
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