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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Michigan

Member Since:
11 July 2016
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29 January 2024 - 6:55 am
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Thanks for explaining! It could be, yea, because crushing makes it bitter if you popped the ht pill (methimazole) in the gel cap (if you are not). That would also help further.

I do not do the oral, so I'm unsure of the size of the pill. but you can cut pills and or crush pills & put them in gel caps, and there are different sizes. The 5, 4 & 3 are nice sizes. reminder: the sizes are opposite, so going DOWN is bigger. Five, being the tiny one. but the other are still nice for cats!!!

I am glad things are going better for Possum, and you will get a plan for Petunia today. 

I look furward to hearing how it goes today!
Hugs

💝💝💝

Illinois
Member Since:
11 September 2023
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29 January 2024 - 9:10 am
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OH MY GAAAAAWWWWDDDD! I truly am kicking myself for not going to this cat vet a long time ago. You were right, Holly. I got more detailed explanations than ever. We ended up getting blood work done to see where she’s at since her last blood draw. He said that there can be many reasons for her liver values to go up, and the fact that she has been on all these meds the last 4 months, could be the reason. He said that although we always want to take things serious when we see the levels go up, her values doesn’t mean that there is something REALLY serious going on. He said that he’s seen cats in the 1000s. I wish I knew that they go that high, and maybe I wouldn’t have been freaked out by her levels. But it made me feel sooooo much better that he said that it could be a variety of things. The other vet basically said that if the liver supplement and antibotics doesn’t work, the only other option is an ultrasound cause it is most likely cancer or liver disease. I just like that he wants to look at the whole picture. He made me feel better that liver values can go down on its own. Cause is it a coincidence that she has been on all these meds and suddenly get liver values are up? I feel like not. But, I will get the bloodwork results tomorrow. 

Also, got the Solensia shot. When I was checking out, and got the receipt, I looked at the cost of Solensia. My mouth dropped! Outloud I was like, “IT IS ONLY $67?!?! I WAS PAYING $125 AT THE OTHER VET!!!” Blown AWAY!!! It’s nearly two for the price of one! 

I do have to work right now since I missed the first 1.5hrs of work, but I wanted to give you some kind of update. I will have another tomorrow when I get a call from the doc with the results AND to discuss a plan!!! A PLAN!!! 😀😀😀 I am so happy! 

Michigan

Member Since:
11 July 2016
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29 January 2024 - 9:27 am
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SO HAPPY FOR YOU ALL, SAMANTHA! I, too, have a weight lifted off of me, knowing you are now in great hands.

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No need to kick yourself. We don't know what we don't know until we KNOW. YAY.smiley_clapsmiley_clapsmiley_clap

We know a few things about cats and cat care for the good and the bad.😊 The cat clinic was the best decision we ever made and we hoped it would be for you as well!!!

Yes, I have heard the same from one of our vets on liver values! Yes, we don't know the cause and with any increase and 'trends"   you at the very least keep a close eye on the levels and supplement to see if you can get those down. Stress alone can cause elevated numbers, but yes, many things can and not always the C factor and this is yet another reason to move on from the other clinic, they served you for years that's awesome but needs are different for the girls so onward we go. Also yes we noticed the cost differnce in things you have posted. Im sorry, move Possum next. 

Thanks for the quick update I was HOPING to hear exactly this!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😍. Go back to work and we look forward to hearing the rest tomorrow. 

Will keep tripawd power and positivity and prayers for better labs.

HUGS🤸🏼🤸🏼🤸🏼🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

💝💝💝

Illinois
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11 September 2023
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30 January 2024 - 11:10 am
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LIVER VALUES WENT DOWN!!!!!

ALT from 245 to 183

AST from 183 to 156

Still high but PROGRESS!!!!! I am so happy!

The vet went through everything with explanations, not just what values were out of normal. That was a first for me.

T4 actually went significantly down to 0.7 (from 1.8) in just over a month! So we are going from 1 pill in a day (1/2 AM, 1/2 PM) to 1 pill/day (1/2 AM, 1/2 PM) on odd days and 1/2 pill/day (1/4 AM, 1/4 PM) on even days. I’m so glad I asked to get that checked again.

 

He said it’s possible with the low T4 values that could be weakening her muscles. Her walking is still bad, but hopefully with the HT med adjustment and Solenia doing its magic, she’ll get stronger.

Her EOSINOPHIL values went up significantly, from 931-2040. They will have her poop results tomorrow to see if maybe she has parasites that would cause this issue. He said it also can possibly be that it is response to the HT meds and her body doesn’t react to it well. (I actually might be confusing myself exactly what the eosinophil values might be affected from so don’t really quote me on this last paragraph 😂 He gave me A LOT of info on the call! 😅 )

Everything looks great, kidneys are great, RBC/WBC are great!

I am so relieved! I’ve been so mentally exhausted with the whole liver supplement that it’s nice to get a breath.

 

He said he will also be calling me in a few weeks to check up on how the new HT dosage is going. I smiled so hard when he said that! It’ll be the first time ever a vet will call me to check up on my kitty! My heart feels so warm. 🩷🩷

Illinois
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30 January 2024 - 11:20 am
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This is me cuddling with Tuni right now, giving her kisses after hearing the improving liver results!

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Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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30 January 2024 - 11:25 am
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SCREAMING YAAAAAAAY SO LOUDLY I'M SURE YOU CAN HEAR ME!!!   

   YAAAAAAAAY!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👍👍👍

Love the picture!  You both look so relaxed, as you should be!!!

((((((((((HUGS))))))))))💖💖💖

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!

Illinois
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11 September 2023
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30 January 2024 - 11:36 am
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Ah! ALP, not AST! Oh I forgot to mention that the results were emailed to me right when he called me! 

 

Thanks Sally!!! I can hear yoooouuuuu!!!! 😀😀😀

Michigan

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30 January 2024 - 2:06 pm
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I am delighted to see the liver values have come down some! They are still high, but they will take anything in the right direction.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I'm so glad you got the t-4 rechecked, and I hope for a follow-up in a month after the med change and it's back in a reasonable range. You WILL see a different Petunia in a few weeks!! She was hypothyroid, and you did hear correctly and are not confused! They are on it all, so we can ALL breathe easier!!

It makes ALL the difference having vet support and explanations and follow-ups and, yes, plans, so whoo hoosmiley_clapsmiley_clapsmiley_clap (you will learn SOOOO much from this clinic)
love to both the girls please
(((hugs)))

💝💝💝

Illinois
Member Since:
11 September 2023
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31 January 2024 - 9:42 am
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So poop results are negative, so that’s good! But I suspect Possum has diarrhea this morning. It was outside the litterbox (behind it) and it looked like throw up from pate food, however I saw a tiny bit of urine, so I am thinking that it might be diarrhea. She did spend time in the box this morning (this is before I got out of bed - one good reason my mattress is on the floor in the front room cause I can hear litterbox activity better than if I was in my bedroom).  She did have a normal poop, but it was very light brown, which I haven’t seen before. I made an appt this Sat at the cat vet for her. Wiped up the diarrhea with a paper towel and bagged it. 

It’s seriously never ending with these two! 😭 

The Rainbow Bridge



Member Since:
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31 January 2024 - 10:37 am
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Woohoo for negative poop! poopiconsmiley_clap

Hey Possum, you're going to give your mom a heart attack! No more scares OK? I hope you don't need the vet Saturday (good move to have an appointment ready just in case).

LOVE that picture of you and Tuni!

Michigan

Member Since:
11 July 2016
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31 January 2024 - 2:17 pm
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Great news on negative poop!

You are in the best of hands now & it is excellent to move Possum, just sooner than you had anticipated. You MAY want to get her t4 rechecked, too.
hugs
Love to both the girls

💝💝💝

Illinois
Member Since:
11 September 2023
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1 February 2024 - 5:53 pm
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So Petunia’s walking has been improving. She still struggles, but compared to last week … I know everyday the solensia will continue to do its magic a little more. Thank goodness that this came out now when she really needs it!

So the other day I remembered I had this pad that I bought for my knees when weeding. I decided to repurpose it and place it in front of the litterbox to make it even more of an easy access. 

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Illinois
Member Since:
11 September 2023
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1 February 2024 - 6:18 pm
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I was just randomly looking around the other forums on this site, and I found the post about the top questions to ask before amputation. A part of me kinda wishes I did more thorough research on amputation, but in the end, I do feel like I got lucky. I came across the link to find local AAHA-accredited hospitals, and the vet that did it was on the list! I did ask how many they have done, and it was 10. Not sure if that is considered a lot, and not sure if “10” was the number of times they performed the surgery since the vet tech I asked has worked there. Petunia doesn’t seem to display phantom leg pain , which I am so grateful for. I consider her still on gaba to more so help control pain on her only back leg, opposed to the amputation site. I know this post is super random, but it has been on my mind a lot, and it was nice to see my vet on that list. I do think I consider myself lucky that it worked out that way. Again, random post and thoughts, but I just am amazed the amount of resources I continue to find on this site that will especially help those who are doing research prior to their fur baby’s surgery. 

 

Michigan

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2 February 2024 - 10:39 am
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Good job on the repurposed pad!!smiley_clap It will help Tuni!!!
Yes, there are tons of resources here💝 and Jerry will be able to comment on the number of amps a clinic does, i.e. ten amps.

There is no reason to think about that now other than yea being grateful all went well, and you did have an AAHA vet.
Best of luck tomorrow with Possum!

Give both the girls a chin scratch from us, please.

💝💝💝

The Rainbow Bridge



Member Since:
25 April 2007
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2 February 2024 - 10:46 am
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That knee pad outside the litterbox is BRILLIANT! One less way for her to trip, and it adds traction too. smiley_clap

I'm so happy your vet is at an AAHA clinic! We've never had a bad experience at an AAHA clinic, and while they are not inexpensive, it brings me a sense of relief to know that the practice is meeting the highest standards in care. Non-AAHA clinics can be great too, there are plenty of great ones out there. But the reassurance of meeting the list of AAHA standards just makes me feel better. I love telling people about it because when you're trying to decide about amputation, you need all the reassurance you can get right?!

As for the number of amputations in a clinic, it really depends on the size of the practice. I'd feel good about the number 10, as long as they were done within the last few years and not ten years ago. Sounds like you chose really well!

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