Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So Petunia hasn’t been eating much. She definitely has not eat the turkey anymore, and although she has been for weeks, I thought maybe she was over it. I had some chicken cans and she did eat some for a few times. I feel like she has a better chance of eating tuna, but is it true that it’s bad to feed her only tuna for a period of time? These last two days I’ll give her a treat tube to get something in her. Not sure what’s going on, but I am just so frustrated. I just would love a few month’s consecutively where it’s normal. And it hasn’t been that for the last 4 months.
A part of me is hoping it’s because of her low T4 levels and I try telling myself just give it a week for her levels to increase with the slight decrease of the meds.
Yes, give it time for the levels to creep back up. I'm not surprised being hypo. She was sleeping more than the norm, too. Purrkins did the same thing and did not get up for his meals etc. He did not go as low as Petunia still same thing. It took a week or so, and he was 100% back. Entice in any way you can. If that means a balanced food with tuna, so be it. FOOD is life. Warm her food few secs in micro too can help.
It takes time and patience; yes, it is frustrating, tiresome, and a lot of worry. But now that you are with the new clinic, this will not be an ongoing issue as they will keep closer tabs on the girls and their levels. (now you know the signs to watch for too) yes its all a learning experience none of wish to have!
Unless you are able and willing to send them off for I-131 this is life meds and testing and the hope to get dialed in and stay dialed in for some time.
💝💝💝
Yeah Petunia definitely seems a lot more tired than usual. I feel like she doesn’t get up from bed at all when I’m sleeping cause she’s in the exact spot when I wake up (which is curled up to my body 🥰). We just had a cuddle session and she was purring, so as long as she is still purring, I’m feeling hope.
Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers always does the trick. I know it’s probably so bad for kitties, but I was desperate. She wasn’t eating the tuna pate I tried to feed her. I even tried hand feeding her, but it got so messy. I hope this doesn’t last long. 😔
Have to chuckle a little bit. I think Miss Petunia has learned how to turn her nose up at any food she finds tiring, knowing you'll eventually give her some "bad for kitties" food!😉
Not sure what all is in the Fresh Pet for Cats (in refrigerator section), but something you might try also. My dogs go nits over it, especially Frankie. He literally throw tantrums if I dont give him some after his regular kibble. He will bark at me non-stop, give me the stare, then go over to a table and knock stuff off, take pillows of the sofa, k ock the tavlet out of my hand and on and on until I give in. Of course, I give in
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!
Haha Sally! I am hoping she doesn’t expect Salmon Gravy Lovers from here on out. She didn’t eat the chicken again. So after Possum’s appt, I picked up some more of that food. She ate some of it. Better than nothing. I’m just glad she’s into *something.*
I did a FULL bloodwork panel on Possum this AM. Vet said she’s dehydrated, but I know she’s drinking a lot of water. She’s curious what her glucose level is at. She also took a urine test, which hasn’t been done for a year. She’s weighing 7.5lbs. I’ll get the results on Monday. The vet who saw Petunia will call me with the results, so we can also talk about what’s going with her this past week.
When our cats do not want to eat, eating ANY food is better than none. YEP. Always keep that in mind and shuffle those other thoughts away on those days. I would give Petunia what she wants and what she loves!!!😽 Fishy foods are not the best with thyroid, BUT our vet has even said if they are being fussy and not eating & they WILL eat a fishy food, FEED IT. You will see changes in a week or so and can return to YOUR preferred food. But occasionally, treat Petunia & Possum to their favorite foods; you want to avoid that regret.
You must have seen the other vet today. I hope you like her as well. I would try to keep one for both the girls find out when one or the other is on and their schedule and hopefully it will work with yours. It's so much easier dealing with one vet and two kitties. Not so many questions etc you might have an idea already if you prefer one.
Excellent on the full panel & I am super glad to hear glucose with the change in food. No fluids today if she is dehydrated? Likely from her throwing up before the course of the Cerenia. Labs will provide a better picture.
Love & Scratches to both the girls, please😻😻
hugs
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Even though Petunia ate her food this morning, it wasn’t a lot. I stringed her water earlier too. Gonna give her more soon. She had a few licks of a treat tube, but then stopped. I’m getting really nervous. I have a feeling when I feed her in a little bit, she won’t even eat her food. She really looks tired and I’m wondering if she’s actually in pain. Pain where the gaba doesn’t help it. She almost fell off the stairs that goes into the ramp. I had to catch her. I’m getting really worried about her now.
Get some Tiki Cat Baby Thrive https://tikipet.....ken-liver/ or Gerbers baby food stage 2 chicken and gravy, turkey and gravy. Tiki thrive is 25 calories a tiny sachet. Gerbers stage 2 baby food is 80- 90 calories a small jar. This is why I have it on hand; we went through the same thing. All I can tell you is try all you can with all smelly, yummy foods, warm foods and IF none work, syringe feed Petunia.
Please be careful syringing water. It is so easy to aspirate them. A sure way to NOT aspirate them is to use a treat tube like the above or any treat tube (churu) and add water to the tube. Slurp the tube water mixture up the syringe to syringe Petunia.
Ensure she gets her calories daily by syringe feed or otherwise and know it will improve. We understand how stressful it is when our cat/cats don't eat. I found if I syringed fed, it took the stress off of me (freaking out he is not eating), and I knew Purrkins had enough calories for the day one way or another. Purrkins NEVER minded me syringe-feeding him. It worked for us both, and we got through it. If Petunia minds, it's a different story, and you MAY need an appetite stimulant. The vet is calling on Monday tell them what is going on.
a fyi note - Purrkins and I are on auto time out (25 minutes). We cannot sign out of the site properly - If it appears we are on, we may not be. I have to run, but I will check back when I am able.
Hugs
If you feel something more is going on you with Petunia, You know what to do and who to call.
Do work on syringe feeding IF needed.
(((HUGS))
I went out and bought the Tiki Cat baby treat. And a 10mL syringe. I put in a bowl and added water to it, but failed getting it in the syringe. I’ll start with some, but when I put it down, it squirts out. So not sure if I’m doing it right. So I just put the bowl in front of Petunia and she ate it. How many of these should I do a day if she continues to not eat?
GREAT JOB!!!
Take each meal as it comes! If she ate the tube, that's a great sign. THANK YOU TUNI!👏🏻😻🙌🏻 25 calories a tube, they are golden!!! They are not a balanced food but EXCELLENT for times like this.Remember that she is not moving or active and sleeping a lot, so she needs fewer calories right now. Im unsure how many calories she usually gets in a day. I would aim for 180- 200 calories without knowing how much is her norm.
Regarding syringing and treat tube/water - by your description, it sounds like you put too much water in it. Her hydration should be okay if she eats treat tubes and some wet food.
If you need to syringe - add a few drops of water to the tube, mix it, and slurp it up to the syringe. Watch the video we made on the milk thistle it is the same idea. LESS liquidy is the key to NOT aspirating. That is the last thing you or Petunia needs,
Hang in there. It is VERY LIKELY the hypo, and you know we are not vets and not diagnosing, merely sharing our own experiences.
Breathe; you have one more day and are prepared to handle this. If you feel differently, you know what to do.
Try to get some rest with the girls.
(((HUGS)))
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So I gave her a delectable treat tube, and then realized it’s only 7.5cal. I thought it would be more. I ended up taking the syringe apart and putting food in it and then fed her some. It’s manageable, but she was definitely squirmy. I have leave at 5:30am and won’t be back til noonish, so I was desperate to get something in her. It wasn’t a lot, but it was something. Gonna give her more before I leave (it’s 3:30 am 😕). When I first woke up at 1:30am, I took her to the litterbox and she did pee and poop out a little bit, so I am happy she did cause that’s one less thing I have to worry about when I’m gone since she seems like she doesn’t really want to get up. I am going to block off the back room to prevent her from going back there cause I worry about her climbing that ramp/stairs since she almost fell off going down. I just hope she’ll be okay while I’m gone.
It’s gonna be a very exhausting day especially that I woke up hrs before I needed to, but plan on just cuddling with her the rest of the day once I get home. She has been loving cuddling up to me, so that makes me happy.
Yes, stick with the Baby Thrive. It's the biggest bang for the buck. That little bit is a whopping 25 calories. It is one thing I think all cat owners should have on hand for aging kitties. They make a senior formula, too, but taste, is not the same, says Purrkins anyway;)
Rest when you get home with the girls. You can better handle all this when you have sleep.
The Vet MIGHT have you alter the meth dose further (i doubt it but who knows) We had to suffer thru it. Don't alter her dose alone; wait for their guidance because labs will tell the tale. You are working on fine-tuning Petunia's dose, and like it or not its the only way for the Vet to see what her dose should be.
We hope today proves to be a better day for you all!
Hugs
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