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#1
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Latest Update on Tortle
It's been about a month since Tortle was diagnosed with acute renal failure
and I am so pleased with her progress. She has gained almost a pound since I brought her home from the hospital--from a little under 7 pounds to almost 8 pounds. She is on Cyproheptadine for her appetite and it's been great for her. She had blood work done 4 or 5 days ago and her Creatinine is down to 2 (from over 11 at the highest point) and her BUN is in the high 30's (down from over 100). Her phosphorus is normal now so she doesn't need phosphorus binders (yeah!). I'm now giving her sub-cutaneous fluids every 3 days, instead of daily, for which we are both grateful! She absolutely hates the sub-Q fluids--she yowls and growls and struggles the entire time. It's major trauma time. I was so spoiled with Molly who was a dream to work with. We have another vet visit in a couple of weeks and I hope eventually that we'll be able to discontinue the fluids. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Azodyl. It's a probiotic that is supposed to help with azotemia. My vet (actually her partner) put her on that shortly after I brought her home and I think it has really helped with Tortle's blood values. The only drawback as far as I can see is that it is a large capsule and is supposed to be administered in capsule form (as opposed to sprinkling it over food). Tortle has been amazingly easy to pill but I think it would be hard to give to many cats. This whole experience has been pretty traumatic for Tortle (actually for all of us). Tortle was so sick and then Molly had to be put to sleep and they were such close buddies. And I'm either poking pills down her throat or sticking her with a needle. She's more withdrawn than she was but I can't say I blame her--she's been through a lot! I'm just pleased to have her home and healthy--will be delighted when she can be medication free! Bonnie |
#2
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Latest Update on Tortle
"22brix" wrote in message ... Hi Bonnie, It's been about a month since Tortle was diagnosed with acute renal failure and I am so pleased with her progress. She has gained almost a pound since I brought her home from the hospital--from a little under 7 pounds to almost 8 pounds. She is on Cyproheptadine for her appetite and it's been great for her. She had blood work done 4 or 5 days ago and her Creatinine is down to 2 (from over 11 at the highest point) and her BUN is in the high 30's (down from over 100). That's fantastic! I'd bet the Azodyl had a lot to do with the dramatic improvement. Her phosphorus is normal now so she doesn't need phosphorus binders (yeah!). I'm now giving her sub-cutaneous fluids every 3 days, instead of daily, for which we are both grateful! She absolutely hates the sub-Q fluids--she yowls and growls and struggles the entire time. It's major trauma time. I was so spoiled with Molly who was a dream to work with. We have another vet visit in a couple of weeks and I hope eventually that we'll be able to discontinue the fluids. You might want to speak to your vet sooner about discontinuing the sub-q's. If her creatinine is only 2.0 mg/dl and her BUN is 40 mg/dl, she probably doesn't need fluid therapy- unless she's dehydrated. Using fluids as a form of dialysis is ok only on a short-term basis as in a uremic crisis because it improves renal parameters quickly. But on a continuing basis, fluid therapy can do more harm than good because it makes the kidneys work harder. Once the uremic crisis has passed, fluids should only be given to correct or prevent dehydration. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Azodyl. It's a probiotic that is supposed to help with azotemia. My vet (actually her partner) put her on that shortly after I brought her home and I think it has really helped with Tortle's blood values. I've used Azodyl in a couple of ARF cats and a few CRF cats. The renal parameters improved in all but one ARF cat- because I think we got to him too late. I can't say with absolute certainty that Azodyl was soley responsible for the improvement- but I'm pretty sure it helped. The only drawback as far as I can see is that it is a large capsule and is supposed to be administered in capsule form (as opposed to sprinkling it over food). That's because Azodyl is designed to work in the small intestine. The capsule has an enteric coating to protect the live cells from being inactivated by the low pH of the stomach before it reaches the small intestine where the pH is higher. However, I spoke to a vet at Vetoquinol- the manufacturer, who told me Azodyl can be mixed in the food if the cat is absolutely impossible to pill. Although the benefits won't be as good- they're still acceptable- providing the cat eats all the food. Tortle has been amazingly easy to pill but I think it would be hard to give to many cats. Wow! She's a terrific cat! The capsule is about a #1- just a tad smaller than a #0- IOW, a horse pill! This whole experience has been pretty traumatic for Tortle (actually for all of us). Tortle was so sick and then Molly had to be put to sleep and they were such close buddies. And I'm either poking pills down her throat or sticking her with a needle. She's more withdrawn than she was but I can't say I blame her--she's been through a lot! Some people say cats know we're trying to help them when we give them medications--- I kinda think they don't care either way and just don't like us sticking our fingers in their mouths. I'm just pleased to have her home and healthy--will be delighted when she can be medication free! I think that day will come soon! Best of luck, Phil |
#3
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Latest Update on Tortle
On 4 May, 05:24, "22brix" wrote:
It's been about a month since Tortle was diagnosed with acute renal failure and I am so pleased with her progress. She has gained almost a pound since I brought her home from the hospital--from a little under 7 pounds to almost 8 pounds. She is on Cyproheptadine for her appetite and it's been great for her. She had blood work done 4 or 5 days ago and her Creatinine is down to 2 (from over 11 at the highest point) and her BUN is in the high 30's (down from over 100). Her phosphorus is normal now so she doesn't need phosphorus binders (yeah!). I'm now giving her sub-cutaneous fluids every 3 days, instead of daily, for which we are both grateful! She absolutely hates the sub-Q fluids--she yowls and growls and struggles the entire time. It's major trauma time. I was so spoiled with Molly who was a dream to work with. We have another vet visit in a couple of weeks and I hope eventually that we'll be able to discontinue the fluids. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Azodyl. It's a probiotic that is supposed to help with azotemia. My vet (actually her partner) put her on that shortly after I brought her home and I think it has really helped with Tortle's blood values. The only drawback as far as I can see is that it is a large capsule and is supposed to be administered in capsule form (as opposed to sprinkling it over food). Tortle has been amazingly easy to pill but I think it would be hard to give to many cats. This whole experience has been pretty traumatic for Tortle (actually for all of us). Tortle was so sick and then Molly had to be put to sleep and they were such close buddies. And I'm either poking pills down her throat or sticking her with a needle. She's more withdrawn than she was but I can't say I blame her--she's been through a lot! I'm just pleased to have her home and healthy--will be delighted when she can be medication free! Bonnie Hi Bonnie, It is simply nice to hear you around again. I am absolutely delighted that Tortle is doing so well. You went through a really rough patch a while back there, & I really did feel for you, but there wasn't very much that I could do for you, other than be there. As I certain you must already be aware, I am not very knowledgeable about the medical side of cats, but it does sound like Phil is pleased with Tortle too, so I am taking this as a very good sign that you will be off the meds in the not too distant future. what more could we ask for? I'm more than pleased for you, this is the news that you needed..... My Lilac is just coming into blossom *Now*, & I can't but help of thinking about our old Jasper. It used to be his favourite sunning spot before he died last year, so that is where we buried him, so that he could always watch the sun rise & also go down every day. My sadness is still there, but I no longer weep as I pass it anymore. It's good to know that his spirit runs free whilst we care for his mortal remains.... Hearing wonderful news like this also raises another sheer grin of pleasure.. the sort that won't wipe itself off of your face, even if you try?!!I bet she is feeling 100% better to the way she was feeling a while back too, & what more could we possibly ask for? I have a very busy home today. All of our kittens have just come home as well as their foster mother and her 2 kittens as well. Their guardian has gone into hospital to have her kneecap replaced tomorrow, so we have them all here for the next 14 days or so, by which time it will nearly be time for their 1st injections.. My time seems to fly, doesn't it? Best wishes to you Bonnie & to Tortle too of course!! S;o) |
#4
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Latest Update on Tortle
On May 4, 12:24 am, "22brix" wrote:
It's been about a month since Tortle was diagnosed with acute renal failure and I am so pleased with her progress. She has gained almost a pound since I brought her home from the hospital--from a little under 7 pounds to almost 8 pounds. She is on Cyproheptadine for her appetite and it's been great for her. She had blood work done 4 or 5 days ago and her Creatinine is down to 2 (from over 11 at the highest point) and her BUN is in the high 30's (down from over 100). Her phosphorus is normal now so she doesn't need phosphorus binders (yeah!). I'm now giving her sub-cutaneous fluids every 3 days, instead of daily, for which we are both grateful! She absolutely hates the sub-Q fluids--she yowls and growls and struggles the entire time. It's major trauma time. I was so spoiled with Molly who was a dream to work with. We have another vet visit in a couple of weeks and I hope eventually that we'll be able to discontinue the fluids. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Azodyl. It's a probiotic that is supposed to help with azotemia. My vet (actually her partner) put her on that shortly after I brought her home and I think it has really helped with Tortle's blood values. The only drawback as far as I can see is that it is a large capsule and is supposed to be administered in capsule form (as opposed to sprinkling it over food). Tortle has been amazingly easy to pill but I think it would be hard to give to many cats. This whole experience has been pretty traumatic for Tortle (actually for all of us). Tortle was so sick and then Molly had to be put to sleep and they were such close buddies. And I'm either poking pills down her throat or sticking her with a needle. She's more withdrawn than she was but I can't say I blame her--she's been through a lot! I'm just pleased to have her home and healthy--will be delighted when she can be medication free! Bonnie This is great news! I'm so happy for you and Tortle! Lis |
#5
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Latest Update on Tortle
"22brix" wrote in message ... It's been about a month since Tortle was diagnosed with acute renal failure and I am so pleased with her progress. She has gained almost a pound since I brought her home from the hospital--from a little under 7 pounds to almost 8 pounds. I'm so glad she is doing well. |
#6
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Latest Update on Tortle
"sheelagh" wrote in message oups.com... On 4 May, 05:24, "22brix" wrote: Hi Bonnie, It is simply nice to hear you around again. I am absolutely delighted that Tortle is doing so well. You went through a really rough patch a while back there, & I really did feel for you, but there wasn't very much that I could do for you, other than be there. You've through your share of rough patches, too! It was really hard to lose Molly in the middle of Tortle's illness--it is nice to know there are people out there who understand how we feel about our cats and how attached we get to them. As I certain you must already be aware, I am not very knowledgeable about the medical side of cats, but it does sound like Phil is pleased with Tortle too, so I am taking this as a very good sign that you will be off the meds in the not too distant future. what more could we ask for? I'm more than pleased for you, this is the news that you needed..... Tortle will be happy, too, when the only attention I give to her is good attention! One of the worst things about this whole thing is how it's affecting her personality. She still trusts me for the most part but seems to know when we're about to give her fluids. She doesn't run away or hide but tries to get smaller and hunches away from me and just looks pathetic. After we give her the fluids (and it's a BIG struggle) she is withdrawn the rest of the day. At least now it's only every third day but when we were doing it daily she never seemed to emotionally recover from it. And it's hard for her not to have Molly around--Molly was her comfort and that was taken away from her. My Lilac is just coming into blossom *Now*, & I can't but help of thinking about our old Jasper. It used to be his favourite sunning spot before he died last year, so that is where we buried him, so that he could always watch the sun rise & also go down every day. My sadness is still there, but I no longer weep as I pass it anymore. It's good to know that his spirit runs free whilst we care for his mortal remains.... I know--I still find myself in tears at weird times thinking about Molly. I never saw her as a young cat and she was pretty sedate by the time I got her. I like to envision her playing without pain from creaky old joints, eating good, normal, nonpresciption food and enjoying it, sleeping curled in the sunlight, healthy and happy. Hearing wonderful news like this also raises another sheer grin of pleasure.. the sort that won't wipe itself off of your face, even if you try?!!I bet she is feeling 100% better to the way she was feeling a while back too, & what more could we possibly ask for? I have a very busy home today. All of our kittens have just come home as well as their foster mother and her 2 kittens as well. Their guardian has gone into hospital to have her kneecap replaced tomorrow, so we have them all here for the next 14 days or so, by which time it will nearly be time for their 1st injections.. Oh my--you are going to be busy (and crowded!) Sounds like fun! My time seems to fly, doesn't it? Best wishes to you Bonnie & to Tortle too of course!! S;o) Thanks! Take care, Bonnie |
#7
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Latest Update on Tortle
----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil P." Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats.health+behav Sent: Friday, May 04, 2007 3:34 AM Subject: Latest Update on Tortle "22brix" wrote in message ... Hi Bonnie, It's been about a month since Tortle was diagnosed with acute renal failure and I am so pleased with her progress. She has gained almost a pound since I brought her home from the hospital--from a little under 7 pounds to almost 8 pounds. She is on Cyproheptadine for her appetite and it's been great for her. She had blood work done 4 or 5 days ago and her Creatinine is down to 2 (from over 11 at the highest point) and her BUN is in the high 30's (down from over 100). That's fantastic! I'd bet the Azodyl had a lot to do with the dramatic improvement. Actually, her lab values dropped dramatically at the hospital but had started creeping up again after I brought her home. I really do feel that the Azodyl helped though. Do you know if this is something she could or should be on indefinitely? She has only one functioning kidney (with stones visualized on x-ray). Her phosphorus is normal now so she doesn't need phosphorus binders (yeah!). I'm now giving her sub-cutaneous fluids every 3 days, instead of daily, for which we are both grateful! She absolutely hates the sub-Q fluids--she yowls and growls and struggles the entire time. It's major trauma time. I was so spoiled with Molly who was a dream to work with. We have another vet visit in a couple of weeks and I hope eventually that we'll be able to discontinue the fluids. You might want to speak to your vet sooner about discontinuing the sub-q's. If her creatinine is only 2.0 mg/dl and her BUN is 40 mg/dl, she probably doesn't need fluid therapy- unless she's dehydrated. Using fluids as a form of dialysis is ok only on a short-term basis as in a uremic crisis because it improves renal parameters quickly. But on a continuing basis, fluid therapy can do more harm than good because it makes the kidneys work harder. Once the uremic crisis has passed, fluids should only be given to correct or prevent dehydration. I think the vet wants to see how she's doing without as much fluids before she takes her off completely. She doesn't seem dehydrated to me and she is drinking. I bought a drinkwell fountain which she seems to really like. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Azodyl. It's a probiotic that is supposed to help with azotemia. My vet (actually her partner) put her on that shortly after I brought her home and I think it has really helped with Tortle's blood values. I've used Azodyl in a couple of ARF cats and a few CRF cats. The renal parameters improved in all but one ARF cat- because I think we got to him too late. I can't say with absolute certainty that Azodyl was soley responsible for the improvement- but I'm pretty sure it helped. I feel the same way--not sure if it was the only reason her kidney values improved but I think it made a difference. The only drawback as far as I can see is that it is a large capsule and is supposed to be administered in capsule form (as opposed to sprinkling it over food). That's because Azodyl is designed to work in the small intestine. The capsule has an enteric coating to protect the live cells from being inactivated by the low pH of the stomach before it reaches the small intestine where the pH is higher. However, I spoke to a vet at Vetoquinol- the manufacturer, who told me Azodyl can be mixed in the food if the cat is absolutely impossible to pill. Although the benefits won't be as good- they're still acceptable- providing the cat eats all the food. Tortle has been amazingly easy to pill but I think it would be hard to give to many cats. Wow! She's a terrific cat! The capsule is about a #1- just a tad smaller than a #0- IOW, a horse pill! She's funny--she just sort of melts when I pill her--she doesn't struggle, just looks at me piteously, lets me drop the pills in and then swallows. And she fights like heck when we give her fluids. This whole experience has been pretty traumatic for Tortle (actually for all of us). Tortle was so sick and then Molly had to be put to sleep and they were such close buddies. And I'm either poking pills down her throat or sticking her with a needle. She's more withdrawn than she was but I can't say I blame her--she's been through a lot! Some people say cats know we're trying to help them when we give them medications--- I kinda think they don't care either way and just don't like us sticking our fingers in their mouths. LOL! Have to agree there! I'm just pleased to have her home and healthy--will be delighted when she can be medication free! I think that day will come soon! I hope so!! Best of luck, Phil |
#8
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Latest Update on Tortle
On 4 May, 16:36, "22brix" wrote:
"sheelagh" wrote in message oups.com... On 4 May, 05:24, "22brix" wrote: Hi Bonnie, It is simply nice to hear you around again. I am absolutely delighted that Tortle is doing so well. You went through a really rough patch a while back there, & I really did feel for you, but there wasn't very much that I could do for you, other than be there. You've through your share of rough patches, too! It was really hard to lose Molly in the middle of Tortle's illness--it is nice to know there are people out there who understand how we feel about our cats and how attached we get to them. As I certain you must already be aware, I am not very knowledgeable about the medical side of cats, but it does sound like Phil is pleased with Tortle too, so I am taking this as a very good sign that you will be off the meds in the not too distant future. what more could we ask for? I'm more than pleased for you, this is the news that you needed..... Tortle will be happy, too, when the only attention I give to her is good attention! One of the worst things about this whole thing is how it's affecting her personality. She still trusts me for the most part but seems to know when we're about to give her fluids. She doesn't run away or hide but tries to get smaller and hunches away from me and just looks pathetic. After we give her the fluids (and it's a BIG struggle) she is withdrawn the rest of the day. At least now it's only every third day but when we were doing it daily she never seemed to emotionally recover from it. And it's hard for her not to have Molly around--Molly was her comfort and that was taken away from her. My Lilac is just coming into blossom *Now*, & I can't but help of thinking about our old Jasper. It used to be his favourite sunning spot before he died last year, so that is where we buried him, so that he could always watch the sun rise & also go down every day. My sadness is still there, but I no longer weep as I pass it anymore. It's good to know that his spirit runs free whilst we care for his mortal remains.... I know--I still find myself in tears at weird times thinking about Molly. I never saw her as a young cat and she was pretty sedate by the time I got her. I like to envision her playing without pain from creaky old joints, eating good, normal, nonpresciption food and enjoying it, sleeping curled in the sunlight, healthy and happy. Hearing wonderful news like this also raises another sheer grin of pleasure.. the sort that won't wipe itself off of your face, even if you try?!!I bet she is feeling 100% better to the way she was feeling a while back too, & what more could we possibly ask for? I have a very busy home today. All of our kittens have just come home as well as their foster mother and her 2 kittens as well. Their guardian has gone into hospital to have her kneecap replaced tomorrow, so we have them all here for the next 14 days or so, by which time it will nearly be time for their 1st injections.. Oh my--you are going to be busy (and crowded!) Sounds like fun! My time seems to fly, doesn't it? Best wishes to you Bonnie & to Tortle too of course!! S;o) Thanks! Take care, Bonnie I understand what you mean about random tears. I can say that I never cry, because I do. Time is a true healer though, & also the best one. As time passes, you begin to remember the good times far more than the bad ones..believe me.... Indeed, we are full to the brim.. I can't say it is awful though. It's great fun actually;o) The kittens have just reached that brilliant stage where they are everywhere & into everything. I thought I was ready for them yesterday, but it didn't take me long to realise that I was no where near prepared, lol... The trouble started when we could only find 2 of the kittens... MASS PANIC MODE Ross had left the bottom of his divan base slightly open, so the kittens jumped into his sleeping bag & and underwear draw for a nice pleasant snooze in there. Mummy, (Tahnee was in the wardrobe rubbing her face all over his sneakers- we call this portable scent emitters, LOL) , & the rest of the girls downstairs "Know" someone new is around & spend most of the day congregating @ the living room door, just waiting for the unprepared idiot who opens it wide enough to let them through so that they can investigate personally..so far I am winning & hope that it stays that way. today, to avoid that problem, I have put Tahnee and all of the kittens into one of the Penn's so that they have privacy, fresh air & loads of fun pouncing on each other. I must say that Tahnee is very sedate about it all, even when they are nibbeling her ears!! Life is good right now , & I know it. I love it when life is trouble free.. S;o) |
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