Please keep Cassie and her worried mom in your prayers. Cassie is a 4 year old sweetheart who is being evaluated for possible cardiac problems. She vomited food last night and has episodes of frothy vomit this morning. Just talked to her cardiologist at MSU and she suggest I get Cassie in to see what's going on. I'm hoping it's simply an upset tummy, but still want some answers.
Thanks, as always, for your kindnesses and caring. Cassie is the sweetest catgirl who only wants a warm lap and love. I hate seeing her so unlike herself.
Blessings
catmom5

Just read about your sick babies. I'm so sorry. Hope that they are all recovering. Do you live near a university vet clinic? Sounds like Inky might need something your own vet can't do. I'll keep you all in my prayers that you can get some answers and find a treatment that makes them all well.
Blessings
catmom5

That's exactly what happened to Dexter Louise, CJ's littermate. One morning she did some coughing and then could not move her back legs. The ER vet knew right away that she had a saddleback thrombis, blood clot. Dexie was only 7 and we had no clue that she had any kind of heart disease. That was one of the worst days of my life.  I hope I never lose another cat that way. And there is nothing they can give to cats to dissolve the clot because everything is toxic to them.
catmom5

Sounds like the majority rules ~ now we need to guess on the date? HMMMM, I'll go with March 5, just to be different from db.
catmom5  

I'm on for Molly getting a new family ~ it sounds like a match made in heaven. I said "NO MORE" 3 cats ago . . .

Thank you, alekO, for the education. I know about some research, mostly in the area of education, but hadn't heard the funding situation explained quite that well. I had an inkling from what I'd read since the pet food debacle that research results were pretty well controlled by the funding corporation ~ publish what supports our best interests, etc. However, I have never blamed the scientists doing the research.
I will continue to support scientists who do independent research without the use of unnecessary and cruel animal experimentation. You've made a good point that we need to have more of that and much less of the corporate sponsored "research".
As an educator and part-time faculty at MSU, I do realize that numbers can be . . . tweaked to prove whatever point you might wish to make. So, it was good to hear from a practicing independent scientist.

Weight has been an issue with CJ since she got sick. First she lost a lot, then gained and then lost when she had surgery. We also had to figure out calories when she had feeding tubes. The amounts on the bags tend to be . . . generous. CJ needs about 240 calories to maintain 12 pounds. That means she only gets about 1/3 of a cup of the prescription low residue. The bag directions say 1/2 to 2/3. So, about 20 calories/pound for an inactive cat is about what we figured. (My Australian vet is absolutely a fanatic about fat cats and it has been something we have discussed at length, and often.) As I said on another thread, I now put out 5 dishes of 1/3 cup in high places and the cats have to hunt and jump to find them. Then when CJ is in with me at night, I put out another 2 dishes for the others. They need 1/2 cup for their activity levels and weight. That's probably more than you wanted to know, though . . .

Thank you all for your support. It helps so much to not feel so alone. Most people simply don't get it ~ they don't understand this relationship CJ and I share (as well as the others . . . ). CJ seemed to be a bit more her old self this morning so I'm hoping that the food change (or un-change?) might be exactly what was causing her discomfort. I think I'll take the good advice to "leave well enough alone" from now on.
Again, you guys are the best!!

I am hoping for a too-much new food bellyache. CJ has been struggling with them a lot (more food changes) and it's horrible to know they hurt and not be able to do anything about it.
Blessings
catmom5

I'm sorry that things are so confusing for you and Socks. Don't know the relationship you have with your vet, but maybe it's time for another opinion. These seniors can get very complicated with many systems/organs being involved. I hope you can get some answers so you know exactly what you're dealing with.
Blessings
catmom5

I never should have said anything about the Wellness ~ I put all that up today and put down 100% low residue. She simply cannot handle anything else at this time and was having a terrible time. I couldn't touch her belly without her fussing at me, more loose poops, hiding, etc. It's just not worth it at this time. I did such a slow, careful job of mixing the two foods I thought it was going to work. So ~ at 50/50 she couldn't handle it. DANG!!

Thanks for all your information. She had the thyroid test when she was first diagnosed with the liver enzyme spike. CJ has had most every test that MSU could do on her. I had heard that before about the thyroid affecting the liver, so asked about it. We tried a milk thistle capsule that upset her stomach. I may need to order the liquid and give that a try. Thanks for the link.

Just want to get her digestive system back on track and then we'll see what happens. She felt so awful she just burrowed under the quilt and would not come out. Made me want to sit down and cry. She is now laying by the back door soaking up the sun. I'm just afraid to do anything more to mess things up. She has had more than enough to deal with these past 18 months! Seems like I'm the one having the problems with the prescription food . . .

catmom5

Guess it's been a while since I updated what's going on with CJ. Her appointment went well ~ most blood work is really good. Her kidneys are functioning beautifully, her liver is functioning even though a couple of enzymes are elevated (they've been stable for about a year), BUT her blood sugar is up a bit so she must lose some weight. (She now weighs 13#13 ounces which is about a pound a half too much for her.) I have started transitioning them all to Wellness Healthy Weight dry right now (without my vet's knowledge) with a bit of Wellness turkey with extra water at night. Her stools are formed but soft, so I have to go very slowly. I am "hiding" the food dishes in high places so the cats have to hunt and climb in order to eat.

Thanks for the information about natural, but CJ has numerous health issues besides the ARF a year and a half ago. She also has IBD and liver disease (likely). I am doing the best I can right now with the healthiest food I can get them to eat. They have eaten dry for so long that it's more than we can deal with to make any drastic changes. The Wellness has no by-products, corn, wheat or soy and is low enough phosphorus for the kidney issues and fewer additives for the liver to deal with. So, maybe it would be better to get them on a natural diet, but it's not going to happen for them . . . at least right now.

Thanks, again, for all of your interest and support.
catmom5

Also read that some of the petitions we are asked to sign, or "send this to your 5000 closest friends within 3 minutes" are simply ruses to get email addresses for spammers. GEESH, can't trust anybody anymore.

I love hearing your stories, Carol. He's such a special dogboy. Glad his appetite is still good and that he's hanging in there. Such a difficult time. I think the hardest part is not to be able to do something about the cancer. (Maybe that's a 'mom thing' to have to be able to fix things) I know with CJ being so sick, I felt so useless just waiting to see what would happen . . .

Hope you all have a very good week off and that the weather cooperates. Harry, be a good boy and keep eating! And, Carol, thanks for sharing Harry (and Lucy) with us here.

Blessings
catmom5

Just read about a wonderful 9 month old colt who was left outside in the Duluth area to freeze to death during those bitterly cold days early in February. If you are interested in reading a story of courage and love, please go to www.raindancefarmsusa.com. This little guy can use all the help we can give him. I know what a compassionate group of folks you are, so please offer any prayers you can for this beautiful horse and the people who are working so hard to save his life.
Blessings
catmom5