weight loss

[slvrwhispr]

I had a dream about you and your kitty last night... and in my dream, she made a full recovery! I must've been thinking about it right before bed. But you're definitely getting all the prayers we can muster!

[Memphisbelle049]

Traci,Thank you for your response. We went to see her this morning and the Vet said she is improving slightly. He wants to make sure she is eating before we bring h er home, and I agree. The only problem is that while we were with her, she vomited. The Vet is a little concerned about the vomiting, this is the first time this has happened. I know she wants to come home so very badly, and we want her home, but as I said in my previous post we do not want to do anything to jeopardize her recovery. So, it looks like she will definately be staying through the weekend. I am concerned about the vomiting also. Hopefully, this is not a set back. Every day she seems to be getting a little stronger, however, the poor thing does seem depressed. I am also worried that we are upsetting her with our visits. I'm afraid she is getting upset everytime we visit because she doesn't understand why we leave her and don't take her with us. I just don't want her to feel abandoned by us.

[Memphisbelle049]

slvrwhispr; Thank you for your post on your dream. That really made me feel good.

[Traci]

The vomiting may be a result of nausea or dehydration, ask how your vet is addressing that. Is she still on IV fluids? They are probably trying to introduce bland food, slowly and small amounts at a time to see if she'll keep it down. Your vet may need to give her an anti-nausea medication or continue IV fluids. Ask also if he's giving her pain medications. Remember, she had an invasive intestinal surgery, so she'll be nauseated, painful, and may not show direct interest in food for a couple days post-op, this is the reason IV fluids should be maintained, and medications to manage pain, pain could be preventing her interest in food.

Don't stop visiting her. Owners who visit their pets in the hospital are encouraging healing for the pet. I'm sure she enjoys the visits, and she needs encouragement to heal. Visit every chance you get, and for as long as the vet allows you to stay. The hospital is a stressful environment, but necessary at this point. As soon as she starts eating on her own and keeping it down, the sooner she can come home.

[Memphisbelle049]

Traci,
You have been a Godsend! Thank you so much for your support, empathy and much appreciated professional advise.
Yes, she is still on IV fluids and he does have her on pain medication. He said that she was sniffing around the food when it was introduced to her, b ut hadn't eaten yet. He was going to offer her soft, can food while we were there today to see if she would eat with us present. But, when the vomiting happened, he was hesitant to offer until the nausea subsided.

I'm so glad to hear that you agree with our visits. I didn't want to stress her out, but we can't bear not to be with her for awhile everyday, so we will continue our visits. I just want her to feel loved and to fight to get well so she can come home with us. I fear we are becoming a huge pain in the @ss for the Vet, lol.

The so-called third eye is very pronounced, will that subside as she improves? I wonder why that wasn't present when we took her in to the Vet. We are constantly checking her out looking for signs of a healthy cat, clear eyes, no nasal discharge, etc, checking out her coat, and if it wasn't for the sudden weight loss, there was no indication that anything was wrong. This came on so very suddenly, I have to wonder how long this tumor existed.

So, we still continue our vigilance, praying for her recovery. Everytime the phone rings, my heart stops, for fear it is the Vet bearing bad news.

Thank you again Traci, and God Bless.

[Memphisbelle049]

Sorry, I meant to say "advice", not "advise". It is 1:00 in the morning and I have just come home from work. Very tired, my mind is trying to verbalize one thing and the printed word comes out as another.

[Traci]

You can ask your vet about the third eye-lid, if it's only one eye, it's probably not a concern, but do ask him.

Was surgery Thursday or Friday? By tomorrow, she really should be showing at least some interest in food. Your vet has prescription diets available (either a recovery diet or a gastrointestinal diet that is easy on the intestines) he can try for her. If you could visit her first thing tomorrow, and given that your vet feels she's doing much better, perhaps you can try to feed her there. Pets often will eat more readily for the owner as opposed to the staff. Your vet is being cautious, he really doesn't want her to vomit due to discomfort and pain from her abdominal area. It is also a good indication of recovery when a pet can hold down small amounts of food. Depending on the type of pain medication she is on, he may want to slightly adjust it in the event it's making her drowsy and contributing to her disinterest in food. Talk to him about that.

Hang in there, and don't be afraid to ask questions of your vet, he knows how concerned you are. Post an update when you can......

Edit to add: Ask your vet about Hill's kitty I/D, or senior formula turkey and rice, either Science Diet or Iams brand (canned), I've usually had good luck getting surgery kitties to eat with these, small amounts at a time. The senior diet doesn't put out a strong smell, surgery patients don't like to be presented with strong-smelling foods (this sometimes increases nausea and prompts vomiting). If your vet has liquid enteral diets available, like Clini-Care, this might also be a good tempter.

[Memphisbelle049]

Traci,
Surgery was Thursday and it is both eyes that are exhibiting the third eyelid. I talked to the Vet today and he said that Cheddar is getting stronger and he was able to get her to eat a little bit of soft food. He says she should be even stronger by tomorrow (Moday) and he may see about us bringing her home and see how she does at home. Soooo, still waiting and hoping.
Why would it be a concern if both eyes exhibited the third eye lid over just one eye?

[Traci]

When the third eyelids are covering the eyes (both), this is indicative of illness, that the cat is not feeling well and is lethargic. In Cheddar's case, it could be due to pain, or dehydration, or even pain medications (keeping her mildly sedated, or taking the edge off the pain). Since she was probably nauseated and dehydrated to some degree post-op, this may be why the third eyelids are extended. Ask your vet to keep an eye on them to see if there is improvement. With each day, she should appear healthier, eyes bright and responsive, gaining weight (although weight gain could take some time). Four days in the hospital wouldn't be unusual for this type of surgery, but your vet does want to ensure her vitals are normal, that a physical exam is normal, that she is more responsive and feeling better before he releases her.

I'm happy to hear she is eating a little, and keeping it down, this is good news.

[kk]

Is Cheddar home? I hope you were able to bring her home. I know how much it helps you to be able to love on her and take care of her, plus for her to be at home where she is so happy and loved.
kk