[Forester]

My limited knowledge of digital skills are all just picked up as I go along,like you I missed the "computer age"in early years

I tried to find a trigger for Meeko's vomiting but as I say he appears to be able to eat most foods without changing his vomit patterns.It is the vomiting its self that doesn't seem to have a pattern.He can go for a couple of weeks with no vomiting and then be sick every 3/4 days for a while all on the same food
We are on day 2 of a "don't want to eat" phase at the moment,he would,I'm sure eat some dry food if I give it to him (which I have resisted so far)but I don't want to risk starting up his urine problems again

Oh buffie, Dylan's vomiting is bad enough but it must be horrendous having to worry about Meeko's urinary tract problems as well.

I am lucky in that I've never allowed Dylan to have more than a few pieces of dry food just as a treat. If Meeko continues to refuse his wet food could you try crushing just a tiny bit of dry and sprinkling it on his wet in order to tempt him. I've never tried it myself but I understand that the smell of dry food is absolutely irresistible to cats . I know that Dylan would wake from a deep sleep in another room if the door to the treat cupboard was opened. Do you have any fortiflora?. I understand that is extremely good at tempting a reluctant eater?

I have a range of Ropocat sensitive foods in Dylan's cupboards of which I would be happy to send you a can or two for Meeko to try if you think that might help. I'm fairly sure that I have chicken, lamb and rabbit.

I understand your situation completely regarding Meeko being able to eat a specific food on one day but not on another. Dylan usually seems o k on a food for a few days only to then have a reaction. Its not surprising that we are confused, my vet say's that Dylan's system just doesn't seem to behave as it should.

I don't want to supply TMI but this morning we have evidence of blood from high up in his system in his poo. On reflection I think that he has had this for a while. When I collected him on Wednesday I left a message for my vet that I had a suspicion that he may be passing digested blood so I will discuss this with her on Tuesday, hopefully.

Dylan is eating well now, despite the rejection of scrambled egg, and has not been sick since Monday afternoon. He's just come down from his bed in response to the smell of cod steaming so I'll see if that gets a more favourable response than the scrambled egg.

Best wishes to all IBD cats and slaves.

 

[buffie]

Do you think the blood may have been as a result of the "sore bit" in his stomach ,hope he continues to keep his food where it should be
Thanks for the offer to send some food but to be honest I really don't think it will go down well.
Nicola sent some Kangaroo and although his initial response was good it didn't last,she did offer some "horse" but like you my conscience wouldn't let me.
We had a Palomino mare for 30+ years she was PTS at the grand age of 37 (I think) daughter still works with them so feeding Meeko horse meat was a no no.
As for sprinkling crushed dry on top,tried it,it doesnt fool him
Crushed Thrive dried treats/Dreamies sometimes help, Fortiflora does work ,usually but I have to be careful as it sometimes makes him a bit "loose" :tongue_smilie:

 

[Forester]

Do you think the blood may have been as a result of the "sore bit" in his stomach ,hope he continues to keep his food where it should be
Thanks for the offer to send some food but to be honest I really don't think it will go down well.
Nicola sent some Kangaroo and although his initial response was good it didn't last,she did offer some "horse" but like you my conscience wouldn't let me.
We had a Palomino mare for 30+ years she was PTS at the grand age of 37 (I think) daughter still works with them so feeding Meeko horse meat was a no no.
As for sprinkling crushed dry on top,tried it,it doesnt fool him
Crushed Thrive dried treats/Dreamies sometimes help, Fortiflora does work ,usually but I have to be careful as it sometimes makes him a bit "loose" :tongue_smilie:

I'd like to think that the blood is merely a result of Wednesday's intrusion into his stomach however I have a sneaking suspicion that he's been passing it for a long time without me realising. Neglectful slave !.

WARNING :GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF STOOLS TO FOLLOW !
I've always thought that his stools were quite dark but then stools do contain hair and Dylan is black. They are a similar colour to those provided by Dylan's predecessor Eric however just before he passed he was suspected of having a gastric ulcer to go with his kidney disease. Dyl's offerings are darker on the outside than they are inside ( sorry if TMI ) but I have put this down to the result of internal lubrication. I started to worry that there might be " old" blood on the outside and told the nurse when I collected Dylan on Wednesday. She was going to pass the message to my vet.

I had a feeling that Meeko might be too bright to be fooled by dry food sprinkled on top of wet!

I also had a feeling that my food offer might not be any use but it stands if you ( or Meeko ) should change your mind.

Dylan was not impressed with the steamed cod, in fact he spat out a piece which managed to get into his mouth through trickery. He's eating quite well today but is very, very quiet. At least there hasn't been any more vomiting. Cod is now on the human menu.

Your mare lived to a grand old age:thumbsup:She was obviously cared for with the same dedication that is afforded to Meeko. I take my hat off to you. I lost my previous horse at 30 when he broke his pelvis and my current mare is late 20's but suffers from chronic laminitis as well as RAO. She has been a field ornament for the last 12 years since proving that she was unsafe to ride due to previous mistreatment . I was off work for a year following the fall but I could never ever part with her. Apologies for digressing.

 

[buffie]

Paws crossed there is a simple explanation for the dark coloured poo,Meeko's offerings are quite dark too but not in a "blood" way,at least I don't think so.
That must have been a sad day losing your horse with a broken pelvis,losing them to illness /old age is hard enough
Your mare sounds a bit like Tequila was, she was a field ornament too for many years, more because she was a walking A&E advert ,she was forever getting stitched back together.
She suffered from lamimitis and cushings for nearly 2 years before she had to be PTS .She was a stubborn old bag,just when you thought she had had enough she would improve again until one morning Laura found her down in her stable unable to get back up so the vet was called and she was helped on her way.Sad day for all that was

 

[Forester]

Buffie, I was " lucky" when I lost Pepsi - there was no decision to make. There was no other option.. I had dreaded having to make the decision. I had already decided that he could not go through another summer, he had become laminitic at 25 so March to November was the worst time as you obviously know. It was quick. He fell during the night and went after an enormous breakfast - his last treat.

 

[nicolaa123]

Sorry for mentioning horse

Also sorry for not being round as much this week..not been feeling very well, last night I was in bed by 9.30

If you suspect blood in the poo, next time you get one you can ask the vet to sample it to make sure. Did they check the organs for any irregularities, if so were any found? Defiantly worth asking your vet about that's for sure. When Riley was very poorly his stools were very dark, I took photos for my vet . They are now the same colour of the kangaroo food

Riley continues to do "ok" but..his hunger has increased tho this could be due to the fact it's been cooler so I'm not starting the count again just yet!

True ibd is not affected by food or food in sensitivities as such. Yes they can do better on grain free and some proteins are more easily absorbed and passed than others. Unfortunately the problem is the body sees the food as a not good thing to have inside it so rejects the best way it can.

I think along the similarities with chrones now when I think of Riley..stress has to be managed, routine has to be managed, food portion has to be managed, temperature of food. The reason why I think this is because the amount I've read about food really being the only way to control the condiiton, yet if food "fixes" it then surely it's a food intolerance.

Forgive my rambling I have a temp

Sylv ask if you are not happy about steroids ask your vet about immunosuppressant drugs. It has been a life saver for Riley..

 

[buffie]

Buffie, I was " lucky" when I lost Pepsi - there was no decision to make. There was no other option.. I had dreaded having to make the decision. I had already decided that he could not go through another summer, he had become laminitic at 25 so March to November was the worst time as you obviously know. It was quick. He fell during the night and went after an enormous breakfast - his last treat.

No matter how or why it is always a gut wrenching thing to have to do,if only they would just go to sleep and not wake up.

 

[Forester]

Sorry for mentioning horse

Also sorry for not being round as much this week..not been feeling very well, last night I was in bed by 9.30

If you suspect blood in the poo, next time you get one you can ask the vet to sample it to make sure. Did they check the organs for any irregularities, if so were any found? Defiantly worth asking your vet about that's for sure. When Riley was very poorly his stools were very dark, I took photos for my vet . They are now the same colour of the kangaroo food

Riley continues to do "ok" but..his hunger has increased tho this could be due to the fact it's been cooler so I'm not starting the count again just yet!

True ibd is not affected by food or food in sensitivities as such. Yes they can do better on grain free and some proteins are more easily absorbed and passed than others. Unfortunately the problem is the body sees the food as a not good thing to have inside it so rejects the best way it can.

I think along the similarities with chrones now when I think of Riley..stress has to be managed, routine has to be managed, food portion has to be managed, temperature of food. The reason why I think this is because the amount I've read about food really being the only way to control the condiiton, yet if food "fixes" it then surely it's a food intolerance.

Forgive my rambling I have a temp

Sylv ask if you are not happy about steroids ask your vet about immunosuppressant drugs. It has been a life saver for Riley..

Nicola, I have no problem at all with your suggestion of horse. It was a valuable contribution. It could be a solution however I don't think that I could resort to it unless absolutely everything else had been tried and it was needed to save Dyl's life.

I'm sorry that you have not been well and hope that you are feeling better today. I am sure that Riley will give you lots of purrs and cuddles to lift your spirits.

Unfortunately I haven't managed to speak to the vet yet as she was going off on leave for a few days. She was kind enough to stay on during the afternoon just to operate on Dylan. I think that she rang me after I got home however I was helping my elderly neighbour at the time and had taken the answerphone off in preparation for her call. I was told before I collected him that everything appeared normal on the x rays.

My concern with Dylan's stools is that they appear slightly darker on the outside than they do inside. Sorry if TMI. I know I need to get a life! When I speak to the vet I will ask her if she would like a sample.

I have just plugged a Feliway in just in case it might help. Clutching at straws comes to mind but it can't do any harm.

I'm expecting the vet to suggest something to protect Dylan's stomach lining but she won't prescribe until the biopsy results are back. I will go with what she suggests other than full thickness biopsy. My own ideas have not been very successful so far. I was initially very against the Sensitivity Control food . I didn't like the cereals, sugars and low meat content but he does seem to have been better on that than on anything else.

Since going back on the SC ( late Monday) he hasn't been sick at all. He's been very, very quiet but today seems much more lively.

No matter how or why it is always a gut wrenching thing to have to do,if only they would just go to sleep and not wake up.

I couldn't agree more. Every loss I've ever had has haunted me ever since. I've always been left thinking " was there anything else I could have done ?

 

[nicolaa123]

Thanks Hun, I am feeling a bit more like normal again..

How is Dylan today?

 

[Forester]

Thanks Hun, I am feeling a bit more like normal again..

How is Dylan today?

Fingers crossed that you are now over the worst and will soon be completely back to normal. Message to Riley : Please look after your mum and please, please don't need any laundry done.

Dylan is very quiet this morning. He's asleep on top of a wardrobe where he goes when he doesn't want to be sociable. He is however eating quite well and hasn't been sick since Monday. The poo is a little better than its been for a while but is extremely dry and hard. I wonder if the firmness is making his upper intestines sore. I don't know where in the G I tract the fecal matter starts to become solid.

I'm feeling more positive than I was at the start of the week. On Monday I was worried that we were going to lose him.

 

[nicolaa123]

Fingers crossed that you are now over the worst and will soon be completely back to normal. Message to Riley : Please look after your mum and please, please don't need any laundry done.

Dylan is very quiet this morning. He's asleep on top of a wardrobe where he goes when he doesn't want to be sociable. He is however eating quite well and hasn't been sick since Monday. The poo is a little better than its been for a while but is extremely dry and hard. I wonder if the firmness is making his upper intestines sore. I don't know where in the G I tract the fecal matter starts to become solid.

I'm feeling more positive than I was at the start of the week. On Monday I was worried that we were going to lose him.

Not sure I will ever be completely normal but am feeling less like death!

Riley is of course being a great nurse..not! But he is still "ok" coming up to 4 weeks now..not that in counting or saying anything other than he is ok so ok is good for me!

Pleased to hear Dylan hasn't been sick since Monday..hopefully you will get results back this week..fingers crossed and positive vibes being sent xx

 

[Forester]

Not sure I will ever be completely normal but am feeling less like death!

Riley is of course being a great nurse..not! But he is still "ok" coming up to 4 weeks now..not that in counting or saying anything other than he is ok so ok is good for me!

Pleased to hear Dylan hasn't been sick since Monday..hopefully you will get results back this week..fingers crossed and positive vibes being sent xx

O K is great!:thumbsup:

All cat slaves are " normal" its the other people who aren't quite right.

Vibes most appreciated.

 

[sharonchilds]

Sylv, had a couple of gins cos its my week off..yay
Pleased to hear nothing sinister going on with the gorgeous Dylan, but still confusing for you. Sending hugs to you all.. xx

 

[Forester]

Sylv, had a couple of gins cos its my week off..yay
Pleased to hear nothing sinister going on with the gorgeous Dylan, but still confusing for you. Sending hugs to you all.. xx

Aww Sharon, Have another gin for me

We're awaiting biopsy results but he's much better in that he's keeping his food down now. I'm a bit concerned about the digested blood but we'll see what the vet has to say once she's back on duty.

 

[sharonchilds]

I'm happy to read that Dylan is keeping his food down, must be so awful for him and you.. Fingers crossed that the biopsy comes back with good results. xx

 

[bluecordelia]

Hi sorry not a about thanks to Nokia. Forrester glad nothing bad came up and fingers crossed. Poke me if i have missed anything. Hope all kits are holding out in the heat. I am adding water all the time as water bowl isn't going down x

 

[Forester]

Hi sorry not a about thanks to Nokia. Forrester glad nothing bad came up and fingers crossed. Poke me if i have missed anything. Hope all kits are holding out in the heat. I am adding water all the time as water bowl isn't going down x

Its good to see you back bluecordelia though I hope that its for social reasons rather than through any kitty health problems.

I trust that the added water is having a positive effect. I'm considering boiling up some chicken wings to try to make broth. I've heard that apart from keeping fluid levels up it can also help with gut healing.

 

[bluecordelia]

I had Nokia software issues! Water I feel added to all wet keeps the gut hydrated and aids pussums bowels in getting waste out ie no straining or constipation. Blue is enjoying getting out and had got brave chasing after pheasant...

Hope e everyone ok x

 

[Forester]

Best wishes to all - feline and human.

Dylan's biopsy results are back.

As buffie correctly predicted. . . . " everything is normal ". I'm not sure whether I should laugh or cry. My vet was unable to tell whether his intestines are inflamed as she did not do an ultrasound.

The " sore patch " in his stomach is non existent. It seems that the vet's description got " lost in translation" on its way to me . There was no patch but the lining of his stomach bled in contact with the endoscope. We've discussed his poo , at length :frown2: and she doesn't think that it contains digested blood.

Dylan had been gradually improving over the last week however today he's vomited and has since been subdued.

The current plan is to try Hills z/d for a short while to see whether it has any effect . We'll then try steroids then antibiotics if no improvement. The vet is still wanting to do a full thickness biopsy but I've said that I will only consider that as an absolute last resort. After all, what would that achieve?

 

[buffie]

Best wishes to all - feline and human.

Dylan's biopsy results are back.

As buffie correctly predicted. . . . " everything is normal ". I'm not sure whether I should laugh or cry. My vet was unable to tell whether his intestines are inflamed as she did not do an ultrasound.

The " sore patch " in his stomach is non existent. It seems that the vet's description got " lost in translation" on its way to me . There was no patch but the lining of his stomach bled in contact with the endoscope. We've discussed his poo , at length :frown2: and she doesn't think that it contains digested blood.

Dylan had been gradually improving over the last week however today he's vomited and has since been subdued.

The current plan is to try Hills z/d for a short while to see whether it has any effect . We'll then try steroids then antibiotics if no improvement. The vet is still wanting to do a full thickness biopsy but I've said that I will only consider that as an absolute last resort. After all, what would that achieve?

So pleased the biopsy showed up nothing sinister although that leaves you wondering(in a good way) just what the hell is going on
Meeko's pinch biopsy did show pinkish coloured tissue consistent with inflammation if I remember correctly,which the ultra sound confirmed.
Unless your vet has a very good reason for doing the full thickness biopsy I agree with you it is far too invasive at this stage.
Good luck with the Hills ZD Meeko just about tolerated the dry(for about a week) but there was no way on this earth he was going to eat the pink jelly wet version :arf:
Sorry to read that Dylan has been sick again but unless I missed something that is around a week since he was sick last.
Meeko is still being sick but it is nearly always hair balls now very little food .not sure why that should be other than we know frequent hairballs are not normal.
Hope everyone else is still keeping as well as can be expected.