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Update on Abby
Hi,
It's good to be back. To all my friends here, I am PK, but because I completely forgot my password and email address I had to create another account. It's the mommy brain! I just wanted to say Hi. I have missed this place so much.
My cats are doing fine. Abby, as always, keeps giving me scares. I found out last year that he has a heart murmur. He seems fine and I am just keeping an eye on him for now. He had UTO back in September by the way. Had to be hospitalized an entire week. Had to be unblocked twice while he was at the vet's office. With him, there is no smooth sailing and there are no breaks! By he way, he is 6 years old. Unbelievable! Never thought I'd see him turn 6 really.
How's everyone else doing up in here? Also, has anyone had a cat with a heart murmur? What should I expect?
It's good to be back. To all my friends here, I am PK, but because I completely forgot my password and email address I had to create another account. It's the mommy brain! I just wanted to say Hi. I have missed this place so much.
My cats are doing fine. Abby, as always, keeps giving me scares. I found out last year that he has a heart murmur. He seems fine and I am just keeping an eye on him for now. He had UTO back in September by the way. Had to be hospitalized an entire week. Had to be unblocked twice while he was at the vet's office. With him, there is no smooth sailing and there are no breaks! By he way, he is 6 years old. Unbelievable! Never thought I'd see him turn 6 really.
How's everyone else doing up in here? Also, has anyone had a cat with a heart murmur? What should I expect?
Hey PK, that is some good news about the IBD! I'm glad it's under control now. Have you been feeding him anything special that's caused it to go away? Maybe something he was eating before aggravated his bowels. Anyway, it's gone and that's something to be happy about!
Did the vet mention a special diet for the urine crystals? I think there are 3 types of crystals-struvite, oxalate, and one other one that is made out of calcium(I think). There are different diets for the oxalate and the calcium crystals. It is worth asking the vet about which one Abster has.
Has Ab had an ultrasound of the heart to see what's going on? Does the vet have any theories as to what's going on w/ it?
Did the vet mention a special diet for the urine crystals? I think there are 3 types of crystals-struvite, oxalate, and one other one that is made out of calcium(I think). There are different diets for the oxalate and the calcium crystals. It is worth asking the vet about which one Abster has.
Has Ab had an ultrasound of the heart to see what's going on? Does the vet have any theories as to what's going on w/ it?
Guys, thank you so much for your replies. It's so comforting to read your comments!
Jade, my dear Jade, yes you cna call me PK. I'm not used to this nickname anyways. UTO is Urinary Tract Obstruction. He could not pee...and E. noticed that, not me. He told me Abby was sick and I immediately freaked out, called the vet, and the vet saw him the very next day. The entire 7 days he was there she kept calling me to give me updates. She even went to see him on a Holiday and called me to let me know he was doing fine but she was expecting another blockage. It indeed happened the day after. I'm sorry Jade has IBD. No words can describe how I feel when I find out about another IBD cat. Brings me back to those days when my frustrations wouldn’t go away due to Abby’s issues with food. I remember her issues with vomiting often : ( But, I am glad you are taking all the necessary steps to ensure she is happy and healthy. Sounds like you got it, hon!
ZQ, I can’t remember if they did a test on the crystals. The vet gave me so much information it was information overload every time she called me during that week and after. I know she dissolved them and kept him well hydrated with IVs and free of pain. She gave him pain meds and an anti-inflammatory. His IBD is gone. He is so furry I wanted to give him a haircut but cannot be put under anesthesia due to his heart murmur. But, it gives me peace of mind to know that Skunkie had it and she lived many happy long years with it with no issues. It’s so good to read your comments hon…so good!
Later.
Jade, my dear Jade, yes you cna call me PK. I'm not used to this nickname anyways. UTO is Urinary Tract Obstruction. He could not pee...and E. noticed that, not me. He told me Abby was sick and I immediately freaked out, called the vet, and the vet saw him the very next day. The entire 7 days he was there she kept calling me to give me updates. She even went to see him on a Holiday and called me to let me know he was doing fine but she was expecting another blockage. It indeed happened the day after. I'm sorry Jade has IBD. No words can describe how I feel when I find out about another IBD cat. Brings me back to those days when my frustrations wouldn’t go away due to Abby’s issues with food. I remember her issues with vomiting often : ( But, I am glad you are taking all the necessary steps to ensure she is happy and healthy. Sounds like you got it, hon!
ZQ, I can’t remember if they did a test on the crystals. The vet gave me so much information it was information overload every time she called me during that week and after. I know she dissolved them and kept him well hydrated with IVs and free of pain. She gave him pain meds and an anti-inflammatory. His IBD is gone. He is so furry I wanted to give him a haircut but cannot be put under anesthesia due to his heart murmur. But, it gives me peace of mind to know that Skunkie had it and she lived many happy long years with it with no issues. It’s so good to read your comments hon…so good!
Later.
It is so great to see you back on the forum, PK!!! =)
Wow, poor Abby. I can't believe he's getting blockages now. Did they do a test on the crystals to see what they're made of? Once they test that, you can alter his diet to help prevent this happening again.
I wouldn't worry too much about the heart murmur, unless the vet is worried about it. Skunkie had a heart murmur for 11 yrs and that is not what finally got her. Her heart murmur never got any worse either. Maybe for peace of mind, you could get an echocardiogram for Ab. What has the vet said about the murmur? Is it possible that the terrible liver episode caused it?
How has his IBD doing? Do you have good control over it? I do have to say that Abby looks great! His hair looks nice, thick, and shiny and he looks comfortable(laying on his back w/ his paws in the air). A cat that's in that position is feeling pretty dam good!!! =)
Love Ya, hon!!! Soooooo great to see ya!
Wow, poor Abby. I can't believe he's getting blockages now. Did they do a test on the crystals to see what they're made of? Once they test that, you can alter his diet to help prevent this happening again.
I wouldn't worry too much about the heart murmur, unless the vet is worried about it. Skunkie had a heart murmur for 11 yrs and that is not what finally got her. Her heart murmur never got any worse either. Maybe for peace of mind, you could get an echocardiogram for Ab. What has the vet said about the murmur? Is it possible that the terrible liver episode caused it?
How has his IBD doing? Do you have good control over it? I do have to say that Abby looks great! His hair looks nice, thick, and shiny and he looks comfortable(laying on his back w/ his paws in the air). A cat that's in that position is feeling pretty dam good!!! =)
Love Ya, hon!!! Soooooo great to see ya!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi PK!! Omg, I'm so happy you're back!! I'm with Opus, hard to believe it's been 4 whole years! Seems like yesterday you were pregnant, and getting ready for Noah. Wow.
I am so very sorry to read Abbey is having more issues. Man, that time he went through liver failure, I will never forget. I am trying to figure out what UTO stands for?
I'm sad to say, Jade is now an IBD kitty, also. She has lost weight, and keeping her eating can be a challenge some days. She has always had issues with vomiting if you recall, then last year she quit eating completely prompting us to do a full body xray, something else (I forget), then finally an u/s which clearly showed ulcerations leading to the IBD dx.
We haven't had a biopsy done (money is tight), but it looks like she has Squamous Cell Carcinoma on her nose now. The black area comes and goes, but is looking especially angry at the moment.
Due to the IBD, she gets a B-12 shot each month. We are also putting forth our best effort to change her food to a grain free brand (mostly in vain, but lately she has been accepting a tiny bit of the new food mixed in with the FFeast) as long as it is covered in FortiFlora (a pro-biotic that she loves) along with a sprinkling of PUREBITES on top. Otherwise, she seems happy, has lots of energy, and is just as playful as always.
Anyway, honey, it's just wonderful to have you back!! We look forward to your helpful posts as your time allows. :)
I am so very sorry to read Abbey is having more issues. Man, that time he went through liver failure, I will never forget. I am trying to figure out what UTO stands for?
I'm sad to say, Jade is now an IBD kitty, also. She has lost weight, and keeping her eating can be a challenge some days. She has always had issues with vomiting if you recall, then last year she quit eating completely prompting us to do a full body xray, something else (I forget), then finally an u/s which clearly showed ulcerations leading to the IBD dx.
We haven't had a biopsy done (money is tight), but it looks like she has Squamous Cell Carcinoma on her nose now. The black area comes and goes, but is looking especially angry at the moment.
Due to the IBD, she gets a B-12 shot each month. We are also putting forth our best effort to change her food to a grain free brand (mostly in vain, but lately she has been accepting a tiny bit of the new food mixed in with the FFeast) as long as it is covered in FortiFlora (a pro-biotic that she loves) along with a sprinkling of PUREBITES on top. Otherwise, she seems happy, has lots of energy, and is just as playful as always.
Anyway, honey, it's just wonderful to have you back!! We look forward to your helpful posts as your time allows. :)
my gosh...little Noah is almost 4 wow...I can so remember your pregnancy..and his birth, seems like not that long ago..I bet he is a real handsome little man, you'll have to post some photos of him too..saw the furbabies already:))
my boys are good, I remember all the diet help you gave me with my Nemo back than, he has been on a homemade diet now for a few years and very healthy..no more crystals!!!
Sami has/had allergy issues, but no matter how hard I try he refuses the homemade diet...but with a change of protien he is now doing great too.
you'll have to post a journal and tell us all what you've been up too....working and being a mommy sure does change ones life. but do hope you can drop in on us OFTEN....just so happy to hear from ya!!
my boys are good, I remember all the diet help you gave me with my Nemo back than, he has been on a homemade diet now for a few years and very healthy..no more crystals!!!
Sami has/had allergy issues, but no matter how hard I try he refuses the homemade diet...but with a change of protien he is now doing great too.
you'll have to post a journal and tell us all what you've been up too....working and being a mommy sure does change ones life. but do hope you can drop in on us OFTEN....just so happy to hear from ya!!
My good ol' Opus, I'm so glad you are still here!. Thanks for the advice. I will look into Dr Piersons site. The website you posted, catinfo.org is one of my faves!
How are your kitties doing? I remember them..so furry and beautiful! I hope I'll get to chat with Jade. ZQ emailed me a while ago and I know she is doing well. I was so glad she emailed me! Pip perhaps doesn't remember PK. PK certainly has not forgotten Pip! :)
After I gave birth almost 4 years ago life changed. Everything changed. I am just getting back into my old routines. I am a lot busier than before but I'll try to stick around! This community has always been a place of comfort.
How are your kitties doing? I remember them..so furry and beautiful! I hope I'll get to chat with Jade. ZQ emailed me a while ago and I know she is doing well. I was so glad she emailed me! Pip perhaps doesn't remember PK. PK certainly has not forgotten Pip! :)
After I gave birth almost 4 years ago life changed. Everything changed. I am just getting back into my old routines. I am a lot busier than before but I'll try to stick around! This community has always been a place of comfort.
WOW....talk abt a blast from the past...welcome home PK...God we've missed you and the kitties here.
I wouldn't be too concerned abt the murmur....my old boy Opus had one and saw specialists that weren't concerned, they treated him for high b/p only. just watch in the event symptoms start like you say. If he should have to have surgery at some point than it becomes a little more risky...be sure he has a surgeon than does IV therapy to keep his fluids up is one thing I remember, will have to look into it more for you, its been awhile.
poor Abby sure has had a go of it in his 6 short years, but he looks healthy and I'm sure he'd let you know if he didn't feel well.
have you read Dr Piersons site? ( think you have...) anyway will send it again, abt blockages...my gosh the pain!!! read down to Opie's story...love this Vet, she is so full of good advice
http://www.catinfo.org/?link=urinarytracthealth
Jade and Pip are still here, ZQ drops in often too.....soooo hoping you stay with us. we have some really great new members too like CML that replied to you
I wouldn't be too concerned abt the murmur....my old boy Opus had one and saw specialists that weren't concerned, they treated him for high b/p only. just watch in the event symptoms start like you say. If he should have to have surgery at some point than it becomes a little more risky...be sure he has a surgeon than does IV therapy to keep his fluids up is one thing I remember, will have to look into it more for you, its been awhile.
poor Abby sure has had a go of it in his 6 short years, but he looks healthy and I'm sure he'd let you know if he didn't feel well.
have you read Dr Piersons site? ( think you have...) anyway will send it again, abt blockages...my gosh the pain!!! read down to Opie's story...love this Vet, she is so full of good advice
http://www.catinfo.org/?link=urinarytracthealth
Jade and Pip are still here, ZQ drops in often too.....soooo hoping you stay with us. we have some really great new members too like CML that replied to you
Hi!
Yes I used to be part of the gang. And I have missed them all so much I just had to take a peek and see how things were doing. These folks here are great, let me just tell you that. And they love kitties very, very much. I was very fortunate to have been part of the cat community.
Well, Abby has some MC in him but he is a living mess. Vet did say larger cats tend to get heart murmurs. He seems fine. I'm not doing anything unless I see the symptoms but as of today I honestly don't see the need to take him to a cardiologist. His breathing is perfect. But again, I'm not sure I'm doing the right thing. He always puzzles me. IBD, Anorexia, Liver issues, UTO, and now this. I wonder if I am being fair in letting him like this?. My other cat on the other hand is so healthy and active. I am not sure Abby is happy....
Yes I used to be part of the gang. And I have missed them all so much I just had to take a peek and see how things were doing. These folks here are great, let me just tell you that. And they love kitties very, very much. I was very fortunate to have been part of the cat community.
Well, Abby has some MC in him but he is a living mess. Vet did say larger cats tend to get heart murmurs. He seems fine. I'm not doing anything unless I see the symptoms but as of today I honestly don't see the need to take him to a cardiologist. His breathing is perfect. But again, I'm not sure I'm doing the right thing. He always puzzles me. IBD, Anorexia, Liver issues, UTO, and now this. I wonder if I am being fair in letting him like this?. My other cat on the other hand is so healthy and active. I am not sure Abby is happy....
Hi Dande,
I am new here , so am not familiar with your gang. Just wanted to say Abby, is one handsome little man. Well actually he is rather large--Maine Coon?
Know very little about heart murmurs, but my Mia has just about everything else. She will was just 9, and like you never thought she would be here that long. Guess that is because I spend my spare time at her Vets .
Anyway Welcome back--I love this place and love seeing the Kits' pictures.
CML
I am new here , so am not familiar with your gang. Just wanted to say Abby, is one handsome little man. Well actually he is rather large--Maine Coon?
Know very little about heart murmurs, but my Mia has just about everything else. She will was just 9, and like you never thought she would be here that long. Guess that is because I spend my spare time at her Vets .
Anyway Welcome back--I love this place and love seeing the Kits' pictures.
CML
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