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My Cat, Sequoia

AliceR

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Hello,
Would like some help with my cat, Sequoia, age unknown, one vet said 8-13 years. I've had him 3 years. He has CKD. Creatinine was pretty consistently 4.2, in May it went down to 3.6.

June 30: I noticed he looked overweight. Since May, I had started feeding him extra food, because I thought with the kidney disease, he will lose weight, so I fed him a little extra. On the 30th, I notice 2 large bulges on either side of his stomach.

I started cutting back on his food - canned various, have fed him some raw,he wouldn't eat it.

July 7: Weighed him and he had gained about 1/2 lb. Called my long time Holistic vet, they didn't return my call, then found out that my vet was retiring! Also realized I hadn't seen any stools from him. He also wasn't eating all his food, unusual for him.

July 9: Took him to another holistic vet (tho she doesn't know anything about homeopathy)-she did a thorough exam, looked at his bloodwork from May, did a Wave? test to check for FIP, thought one of the numbers on bloodtest may indicate pancreatitis, tho other vets didn't mention this.
She thinks constipation, did an enema, and instructed me to give Miralax for a week in addition to other supplements I give. Also he was on 200ml fluids 2x a week, she said to up it to everyday for a week.

Since then, he's had stools on 4 out of the 5 days and even though he ate well yesterday morning, would not eat much at night and again this morning. Also noticed vomit where he had been laying. It looked watery, maybe brownish. He is drinking a little water, but not as much. She said once he passes all the stool, the stomach should resolve and I can keep him on slippery elm instead of the miralax.

If he doesn't improve, the next step is an X-ray. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Alice
 

Dr. Jeff

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Hi Alice-

It sounds like your next step is to see a veterinary specialist in internial medicine to get an accurate diagnosis:

Gaining weight and CKD don't really go together.

In fact, one of the biggest causes for death of euthanasia of CD kitties is wasting away from not eating.

Here's more info about ACVIM, vet specialists and a detailed cat vet article about CKD:


 

Dr. Christina

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You may want to first go back to your new holistic vet for a re-exam. If she palpated stool the first time, she will have a reference to how he feels now. She could also do an X-ray. If she does chiropractic, that can sometimes help if it is just constipation. If she is not clear what is happening, she should be able to refer you to a specialist.

I agree that increased weight does not go with kidney disease, however the weight may have been from being full of stool. Vomiting can occur with kidney disease and severe constipation, as well as other possibilities.

When through this episode, be very creative about encouraging to eat fresh food.

Dr. Christina
 

AliceR

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Thank you Dr. Jeff and Dr. Christina.

After a week of some stool, but not daily, I had more bloodwork done- the results pointed to something going on with the pancreas and alb was low also. His kidney values had gone down, but I did not get the exact numbers.
My vet wanted an X-ray or ultrasound to see if there was a mass.

I had an ultrasound done on Thursday. They found fluid in the abdomen. They said to go see my own vet that day and have her pull out some of the fluid and possibly have it tested.

When I got to my vet (new holistic) she had received the complete report. Because of the amount of fluid in the abdomen, and the blood test results, they suspect either pancreatic cancer or severe acute pancreatitis- I agreed to the biopsy on the fluid to check for cancer cells. Results will be back next week.

My vet adjusted his fluid schedule. She pulled out 250mls of fluid from the abdomen.

He still isn't eating very well-I'm giving him small amounts throughout the day. Not sure where to go with either diagnosis.

Thank you,
Alice
 

AliceR

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Hello,
I haven't heard back yet about the results of the biopsy.

Having a hard time getting Sequoia to eat. This morning, not very interested, and though I know little about homeopathy, gave him a bit of Nux Vomica in water. After that, he ate more on his own and was very perky and watching and moving around.

Is it ok to use Nux like that? I don't know if it was a coincidence but it was definitely a difference.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. The vet mentioned that if it was pancreatitis that Sequoia would have to be on an anti nausea medication. Could I use Nux vomica or some other remedy?

Thank you,
Alice and Sequoia
 

AliceR

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I also want to mention that Sat and Sun, Sequoia's abdomen was very hot and today it feels like the rest of his body.
 

AliceR

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Hello,

I took Sequoia to an internal med specialist and she reviewed his case and prior ultrasound. She strongly believes he has carcinomatosis, where the cancer carpets the inside of the abdomen and causes fluid to accumulate. She said it is hard to get a firm diagnosis through cytology or fluid.

She gave me mirtazapine for his appetite and he has started eating.

This diagnosis may be too dire to treat with homeopathy, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Alice
 

Dr. Jeff

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Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear about Sequoia Alice.

But I'm so glad you pursued a diagnosis, so now we know what he is up against.

Yes, use Nux to improve all of his BEAM symptoms (not just his appetite).

In fact use it first before any drug. If Nux dosing is not helping, that's when you can reach for the mirtazapine.

Don't give up!

Where there's life there's hope!

Sequoia is a relatively young kitty.

Now's a good time to work on curative treatment with a vet homeopath.
 

AliceR

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Thank you for responding, Dr. Jeff.

He only ate a couple of tsps. of food today. I gave him a minute amount of mirtazaprine, before I read your response. He is drinking water and using the litterbox.

How often should I give the Nux vomica?

If you are willing to work with us, please let me know. I am feeling discouraged, the fluid has gone into his back legs. The cancer has spread to the mesothelia also.

I know you have a lot to do with the seminar going on this weekend, so if you want to wait until afterwards to respond, I understand.

Thank you,
Alice
 

Dr. Jeff

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Regaring dosing, that depends on the potency that you are using.

However, reqardless of potency, you can give 1 dose when he seems nauseus or doesnt want to eat then save the cup.
 

AliceR

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Hi Dr. Jeff,

Would you be willing to work on Sequoia's case? I wasn't able to respond during the seminar, because I'm a computer klutz and couldn't figure out how to send the chat, when I figured it out, it was over.

Sequoia didn't eat much today, maybe a tbsp-will call vet tomorrow about giving fluids, originally it was every other day, 100mls, but since the fluid is going into his back legs and he hadn't absorbed the fluid when I went to see the specialist, she said to try to gauge when he needs fluids,.

There is a tent, but gums are not tacky.

Thank you,
Alice
 

Dr. Jeff

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Sure, I'm happy to help however I can.

Until we speak (did you already submit a new patient form?), you can ask any questions or upload any recent blood work, pictures, videos, etc. into this forum thread.
 

juliewaite

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Oct 6, 2017
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Hello,
Would like some help with my cat, Sequoia, age unknown, one vet said 8-13 years. I've had him 3 years. He has CKD. Creatinine was pretty consistently 4.2, in May it went down to 3.6.

June 30: I noticed he looked overweight. Since May, I had started feeding him extra food, because I thought with the kidney disease, he will lose weight, so I fed him a little extra. On the 30th, I notice 2 large bulges on either side of his stomach.

I started cutting back on his food - canned various, have fed him some raw,he wouldn't eat it.

July 7: Weighed him and he had gained about 1/2 lb. Called my long time Holistic vet, they didn't return my call, then found out that my vet was retiring! Also realized I hadn't seen any stools from him. He also wasn't eating all his food, unusual for him.

July 9: Took him to another holistic vet (tho she doesn't know anything about homeopathy)-she did a thorough exam, looked at his bloodwork from May, did a Wave? test to check for FIP, thought one of the numbers on bloodtest may indicate pancreatitis, tho other vets didn't mention this.
She thinks constipation, did an enema, and instructed me to give Miralax for a week in addition to other supplements I give. Also he was on 200ml fluids 2x a week, she said to up it to everyday for a week.

Since then, he's had stools on 4 out of the 5 days and even though he ate well yesterday morning, would not eat much at night and again this morning. Also noticed vomit where he had been laying. It looked watery, maybe brownish. He is drinking a little water, but not as much. She said once he passes all the stool, the stomach should resolve and I can keep him on slippery elm instead of the miralax.

If he doesn't improve, the next step is an X-ray. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Alice
HI Alice-

Why are you giving him Slippery Elm? Could it be stopping him up? I've learned that alot of water should be drank while taking the slippery elm because it swells and could cause problems.
 

AliceR

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104
My vet said to give Miralax or slippery elm- I switched to slippery elm after the cancer diagnosis.
 

AliceR

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Jun 7, 2019
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104
Hello,
Here are some of the recent test results for Sequoia.

Thank you,
Alice

IMG_0777.JPG

IMG_0778.JPG

IMG_0779.JPG

IMG_0780.JPG
 

Attachments

  • Roszczewski,Sequoia,IdexxResult,7-17-19.pdf
    328.8 KB · Views: 1

AliceR

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Hello Everyone,

Dr. Jeff and Dr. Christina, if you have any input, it would be greatly appreciated. Sequoia has pancreatic cancer, now a carcinomatosis.

Sequoia is being treated by a homeopathic vet and she prescribed Apis 6c, every twelve hours. Today is the 4th day of treatment.

The first day, he did pretty well, Sunday, he did great, very alert, and ate quite a bit for him. Then Monday and today no appetite.

Hasn't had a stool since 27 July. Not giving the Miralax or slippery elm because of his eating issues. Is on Mirtazapine, doesn't seem to be helping.

He is alert, likes to sit outside, but I mainly carry him to places because of fluid settling into his back legs. He also loves to be brushed and petted.

I decided not to have fluid removed as it didn't really seem to have an effect when I had it done after the ultrasound. I also think it would be harder on his body.

I stopped fluids as last 100mls went into his front leg. I believe the Apis helped resolve this.

Shall I try to syringe feed, do something about the congestion and lack of stool?

Thank you, Alice
 

Dr. Jeff

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Yes, support him with syringe feeding.

Please allow him to walk as much on his own rather than carry him.

Walking and your massaging promotes fluid drainage from the legs.

I'd also recommend your watching Gail Pope's hospice course (it's in your member resource area) then reaching out to @gailpope for more great support tips.

You can also reach her at gail@holisticactions.com or gail@brighthaven.org

Best of luck with Sequoia. This is a difficult time, but your focusing on a great quality of life for him every day and keeping an upbeat attitude will be very helpful.

Feel free to post in this thread or tag me or Gail if you have any questions.
 

Dr. Christina

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Alice,
You are doing the very best anyone can do.
You are evaluating each treatment and making a decision if it is helping Sequoia or not.

Gail can certainly be of great help to you at this time. Maybe a weekly call to check in with her decades of experience.

If he is not straining to have a stool, there is no reason to worry. When not eating much, the body is absorbing almost everything, so little stool is produced.

Fluids can improve energy and outlook, so once all are totally absorbed, you may want to try with a small amount, maybe 20cc (as long as it is not a struggle to give them).

Sequoia is so grateful for having chosen you to live with.
Be grateful for every moment!

Dr. Christina
 

AliceR

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104
Hello,
Just wanted you to know that Sequoia died on Aug. 9th. I did try certain remedies but I know the cancer had spread throughout his body.
Thanks,
Alice
 

Dr. Jeff

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Oh no!

I'm so sorry to hear about Sequoia.:confused:

Can I help in any way?
 

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