Bottom line...

[susandennis]

"Is that right now surgery is really contraindicated"

Isn't that a fun report??!! 3 hours in the vet's office 2 of them in a tiny airless room with biggie in his carrier squirming and whining and squirming and whining. It felt like I was there for a year.

They took pix but the vet couldn't see any issues. She did see that he reacted painfully when she poked around his stomach so she sent the pix off to the high priced experts and then we waited for them to report back.

They reported back that they couldn't see anything either. There is one area small that they couldn't see clearly but would be where it would be if it was passing through. No one thought it was time for surgery. We go back tomorrow for a new set of pix. The vet said that she's do another fluid under the skin thing and give him some anti-nausea medication. But when the tech brought him back to me she said that he was having exactly ZERO interest in any fluid under the skin. They managed to get the anti-nausea medication in him but, apparently, just barely.

So now I have kitty tranquilizers to give him 2 hours before we go in tomorrow. The tech (not the one afraid of cats - did not see her) asked if I wanted pills or liquid. I said pills. But, after I left, I saw she gave me capsules! That's going to be fun. Also she gave me 10 of them! I think I'll double check with Google on the drug name.

Anyway we are home. Not at the horrible vet hospital. At least not yet. He was thrilled to get out of the carrier. And sniffed around everywhere. He even went outside and up into his tree for a bit. Now he's chilling where his food used to be. His food is shut up in the half bath. I'm to serve him a small amount at 6 pm and take any left away at 8.

"So you think that his current symptoms might be his just trying to pass it and he might just pass it and recover?" "Yes, that's what we think right now."

That works for me! I can't wait to try and get him into the carrier tomorrow. Hopefully I can get one of these capsules into him and he'll chill.

Meanwhile, in real life, we beat Boston last night (sorry, not sorry rsc and jwg) and we need to do it again. But before that, I need to do laundry and finish the closet reorg - the ordered bits just arrived.

-----------

As I sat in that tiny vet's room for what felt like half my life, it was enormously comforting to read all the comments of support and sympathy. Thanks, guys. So much.

Comments

[jwg.livejournal.com]

Our plan is to beat you tonight. And we will be at the game — a bit too cold.

[susandennis]

I remember. I'll be watching for you.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

I doubt very much that you saw us; we were in grandstand row 10 (which means a good 25 rows from field level, way under the roof) on the third base side of home plate.

[galebird.livejournal.com]

We do that medication! I crack those bitches open and sprinkle it on a highly beloved wet food and make sure it's a small enough amount that he eats it all but large enough amount that he misses the taste of it. If he's off his food though then that's not really helpful is it. It makes my guy so sweet and dopey and cuddly. lol Edited to note the liquid version is a nightmare. Sticky, hard to get in them and tastes even worse than the solid forms.

Biggie. Shit it out already. This isn't childbirth get a move on, poor guy.

[mairi-dubh.livejournal.com]

"Sticky, hard to get in them and tastes even worse than the solid forms."

Sounds like liquid lactulose.
Knew a vet who follows a rotating or floating schedule around this state who informed us one day that she though that if she was prescribing or administering medication she ought to know what it tastes like, so she did taste it.
I was appalled when she told us she had done this with various meds at various times. Could be hazardous to her health, don't ya know!
Other than that she was a good veterinarian and a lovely person, but that to me was questionable judgment on her part.

(Oh. Er...you're not that veterinarian, are you? )

[galebird.livejournal.com]

I own a very complex cat that's as close as I get. I get that she wants to give patients a full picture but that's a little shocking! Lactulose is prescribed to humans too at least. It is nauseatingly sweet, sticky and absolutely nasty. My grandmother had to take it when dealing with end stage liver cancer 20-odd years ago and when she would fuss I threatened to make it popsicles.

We had to find humor somewhere.

The medicine for Biggie in liquid form is that same stickiness but it smells very, very bitter. My cat was ready to throw claws over it and foamed at the mouth for 30 minutes over what little I did get into him. We'll do pills only from now on please and thanks!

[mairi-dubh.livejournal.com]

" Lactulose is prescribed to humans too at least. It is nauseatingly sweet, sticky and absolutely nasty."

The big male cat has to have it (administered by mouth, using a needleless syringe), so for a few years I've been aware of its stickiness. I haven't EVER attempted to taste it. Because I looked it up when it was first prescribed for this cat, I've also been aware of its application in human medicine.
Still " Yuck."

In fairness to the medicine-tasting vet, she said she only tasted, just a teensy-weensy bit on her tongue, and didn't swallow.
I"m still considering this an ill-advised action; can be dangerous to take any prescription medication not prescribed for you, and no matter how it tastes if the cat has to have it the cat has to have it and taste buds be hanged.

Poor Biggie!

[mairi-dubh.livejournal.com]

My wee tortie and the big male tabby send Biggie all their best.

They also wonder if you would be allowed to sprinkle the contents of the capsule onto a small amount of food: that's how they get their supplements and I'm grateful they're willing to do that because I don't need for they and me to end up battered and bloodied which we surely would if I had to "pill" these cats.

[lenine2.livejournal.com]

Biggie, please remember how awful you feel right now, with the tummy ache and the vomiting and worst of all the vet visits. Next time you see something that doesn't smell like cat food, leave it alone. Your fans can't take this kind of drama. And your poor mom, who has spoiled you rotten, even getting you your own watchtower on the balcony.

[msconduct.livejournal.com]

Oh my God! Thanks to the vagaries of Livejournal I didn't see any of this as it was happening- I'm so sorry to hear about it! Poor poor Biggie. This must seem, with no surgery so far and the back and forth, like it's been going on forever. Of course it will be worth it if he manages to avoid a fourth surgery, but meanwhile I suggest you administer the tranquilisers on a "one for you, one for me" basis. Very best wishes and all fingers crossed for both of you.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs}}}

[terri gordon (from livejournal.com)]

Glad to hear Biggie may not need surgery! I can relate to all the time sitting in airless vet rooms. Our Himmy has had one issue after another this week. We went every single day this week except for today to our regular vet or the emergency vet. We just cannot figure out what is wrong with her. Another appointment tomorrow. And another next Tuesday.

Praying Biggie just lets his latest conquest pass right through him! ❤️🙏

[susandennis]

OMG that sounds horrible in every single way. So sorry to hear it and hope you get a solution soon.

[richaarde.livejournal.com]

Why would anyone become a vet tech if they're afraid of cats?

[sparky955.livejournal.com]

You are a good and conscientious cat mom. I’m so sorry he did this again!

[stainsteelrat.livejournal.com]

Sending good thoughts for Biggie!

[rsc.livejournal.com]

sorry, not sorry rsc and jwg

Back atcha, for last night.

Both of these games were too long – and that unexpected scare in the 9th didn't help – but at least we're even so far. (Sunday's weather doesn't look encouraging, but we'll see.)

[susandennis]

Interesting about the length. I felt like both games were about average. Maybe our games are just longer than yours. And, yeah at least we brought the 9th inning drama :)

I saw about Sunday's rain. I do not approve.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

Oh, our games are often that long or longer. But that doesn't mean that they're not too long; a baseball game shouldn't run much over 3 hours, in my opinion. (Especially when the temperature is in the mid-50s.) It would help if pitchers would throw strikes.