Monday, December 14, 2015

feeling off

Buddy could use some purrs. He's been feeling a little off lately. He acts like he wants food, but not the food we're serving. I've opened countless cans of Friskies hoping one would appeal to him. Sometimes he'll eat a few bites and other times he'll down about quarter of a can. He's also been letting his grooming go, which has resulted in quite a few mats and looking a bit grungy. Sadly, he doesn't smell like Buddy either.

On Saturday I took him to see the vet.

Waiting at the vet's office
He's lost about 0.75 of a pound since last visit (in the Spring.) The vet was concerned about the weight loss, because he doesn't have the weight to lose. Temperature was normal.


His purr motor and meow are working just fine.

tummy rubs while waiting
After a thorough inspection, the vet wasn't sure what's going on. She also noticed his smell was odd. In the absence of anything obvious, we ordered some comprehensive blood tests in hope they would provide more diagnostic info.  My vet arranged for Sunday emergency vet to call me with the results just in case something needed immediate attention. The test results showed a few things that were slightly off but nothing massively out of whack. I was pleased with the absence of horrible results. The vet thought it would be best to have my regular vet call me when she returns and then we could decide the course of treatment.


For now, I'll keep trying different foods to try to entice him to eat more. Buddy's not the only one feeling bad, Nahum's been more subdued, and has decreased interest in food, which is highly unusual. In the six years I've had Nahum, I don't think he's ever been ill. If you have some spare purrs, we would appreciate sending some Buddy and Nahum's way. Thanks.

18 comments:

  1. Oh, purrs for them and for all of you! We'll keep the paws crossed for Buddy and Nahum to get better a.s.a.p.

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  2. This sounds very similar to what I just went through with Carmine... Did your vet happen to test for pancreatitis or Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in those blood tests? If not, it might be a good idea. Carmine's pancreatitis blood test result was only slightly elevated, but upon ultrasound, the internal medicine vet specialist diagnosed chronic pancreatitis. For *months* we could not figure out what was wrong with him. He lost nearly 2 pounds in 4-5 months, and he did not have the wieght to lose, either. Pancreatitis makes kitties quite nauseous and have a hurt tummy, and that is what was making him not want to eat or eat very little. Like you, I tried just about every kind of food and flavor out there to get him to eat!

    It could also be IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease). Unfortunately, there are no blood tests for that. They have to do a biopsy to test for that, and it is invasive (which is why we didn't opt for one for Carmine).

    I would discuss an anti-nausea and/or pain medication with your vet to see if that helps at all. You might want to consider the additional blood work or ultrasound as well. I know they are expensive (believe me, I do!). If you need help paying for them I'm sure people in the CB would be happy to contribute (they did for my Carmine baby). People in the CB are quite generous!!

    Carmine is now on Prednisolone 10mg and Cerenia (anti-nausea med that also works on GI pain) (Cerenia as needed) and is eating SO MUCH BETTER!!! I hope that you and your vet can figure out what is bugging Buddy and that it is easily treated. Please keep me posted, ok? Sending lots o fpurrs, prayers, and love. <3

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  3. Sending purrs and POTP for both kitties! Hope nothing serious is wrong and it's easily remedied!

    Hugs, Sammy and Mom Pam

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  4. Yikes. Purrs and purrayers to them both, that it's just a blip and that they'll both be fine soon.

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  5. Sorry to hear that both Buddy and Nahum aren't feeling quite well. It does sound like nausea may be the reason they seem interested in food but can't bring themselves to eat. When our senior cat was struggling with nausea that was related to CRF, our vet recommended giving him a quarter of a Pepcid tablet twice day (not Pepcid complete) and they helped restore his ability to eat. Definitely his weight loss needs to be investigated further by your vet, but in the meantime the Pepcid may help him to feel like eating. By the way, are you seeing Buddy licking his lips as though he's salivating for some food or treat?? If so, that it means he is nauseated and has nothing to do with anticipating food or treat. I will keep both Buddy and Nahum in my thoughts and send positive thoughts and prayers your way.

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  6. Purrs for both boys! My Charlie has been through a long bout of stomach issues and I switched to Hills Diet sensitive stomach food and it has helped. Charlie is 17 so issues at his age are expected but not wanted. Lots of hugs for all.

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  7. What excellent advice here and certainly Fur Everywhere has covered the bases I would have. I had quite a time trying to help Admiral and I hoe the right combination can be found for dear Buddy. Love and purrs his way and prayers too.

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  8. Maybe they got into something they shouldn't have.

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  9. Purrs and warm, healthy vibes for Nahum and Buddy! Please keep us informed on their progress.

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  10. lots of purrs your way. we had a couple of days last week when Tim and then Mozart were acting off but they seemed to bounce back. hopefully this is just an off week

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  11. guys....bee for we offer St Francis' blessings, may we pleez say, if de vet findz...."infectionz"....we beg oh ewe... due KNOT...let them give ewe convenia......we iz troo lee seer ee uz bout thiz ....

    now...sending purrz a plentee & de blessingz oh St Francis two ewe both buddy & nahum....we reel lee hope ya both just hada case oh de blahz...N bye now yur thinkin....perch ???.... bring...it....on......R plates ♥♥♥

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  12. Dang, purrs and more purrs from all of us too. I sure hope the all better shows up soon.

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  13. He is so adorable, I love the pic with his head popped up out of the carrier! I hope they both feel better soon :)

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  14. We are sending purrs and prayers! Hope that the vet is able to figure out what is going on.

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  15. I will be praying for both of them. It seems like a lot of kitties I read about on blogs take pepcid which helps them feel well enough to eat. You could ask the vet if that may be worth a try if nothing can be found as to the cause.

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  16. I'm so sorry you are facing this.. to have one off is bad enough, but two. Sending you lots of purrs and hoping that they are feeling better by now

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  17. Purrs to you and Buddy. His issues sound similar to those of Skootch. I hope he starts to feel better.

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