Help for Shannon
Re: Help for Shannon
All my love and prayers are with Shannon and Peg, please tell her to keep us informed, and if you can, reiterate that the buprenex or some other med might be interferring with appetite. Another option is a temporary course of metacam, which can help alleviate the pain of the arthritis.
..........Traci
Re: Help for Shannon
Continuing to sending healing prayers and thoughts Peg's and Shanon's way. My heart goes out to them both..
(((HUGS)))
Lisa
(((HUGS)))
Lisa
Lisa, Angel Smokey and little Caz
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Sue and Kids
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 8:39 pm
- Location: Custer, South Dakota
Re: Help for Shannon
Hi everyone. I have been talking with Peg about Shannon. Traci, I passed on your information to Peg.
Shannon is a little better. Peg had more tests done. The vet reported that Shannon's kidney values were a little high and her pancreatic values were a little high also. But the vet felt they were very slight elevations that didn't require treatment at this time. The tests came back negative for cancer or any other serious illness.
Shannon is now eating on her own and going to the litter box. The arthritis and the weakness in her back legs appear to be the main problem now. Shannon has been through a lot of tests and several long road trips and is getting a fair amount of medicine. It seems to Peg that she is just worn out and needs to rest. However, Shannon, being your typical cat, wants to get up and move around as usual and becomes tired quickly.
Do any of you know of some kind of brace or equipment that could help Shannon? I've tried to Google since Peg's computer went down. But most equipment seems to be made for dogs. If anyone knows of something that could help, I know Peg would really like to hear about it.
Shannon amazes me. She is such a little fighter. Despite her problems, she wants to live and is doing her very best. Any advice and all prayers are greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much.
Sue (And Kids!)
Shannon is a little better. Peg had more tests done. The vet reported that Shannon's kidney values were a little high and her pancreatic values were a little high also. But the vet felt they were very slight elevations that didn't require treatment at this time. The tests came back negative for cancer or any other serious illness.
Shannon is now eating on her own and going to the litter box. The arthritis and the weakness in her back legs appear to be the main problem now. Shannon has been through a lot of tests and several long road trips and is getting a fair amount of medicine. It seems to Peg that she is just worn out and needs to rest. However, Shannon, being your typical cat, wants to get up and move around as usual and becomes tired quickly.
Do any of you know of some kind of brace or equipment that could help Shannon? I've tried to Google since Peg's computer went down. But most equipment seems to be made for dogs. If anyone knows of something that could help, I know Peg would really like to hear about it.
Shannon amazes me. She is such a little fighter. Despite her problems, she wants to live and is doing her very best. Any advice and all prayers are greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much.
Sue (And Kids!)
My kitties Shadow and Tank enable me to enjoy my existence and brighten my world. And may my angels, Nikki, Sparky, Buster, Frosty, Snowball, Leo, Foghorn, and Humane Society kitties be playing in the sunshine at the Rainbow Bridge.
Re: Help for Shannon
Can you also ask Peg if blood/urine glucose testing was done? (and complete urinalysis as well)? Sometimes, diabetes can cause these problems too, as in hypoglycemia and neuropathy. The vet should keep an eye on the kidney and pancreatic levels, as these can rapidly alter during stress and pain.
Short of that and as far as certain mobility products, I think braces would be more prohibitive than helpful in Shannon's case. A sling however, fashioned by the vet to ensure proper lifting might help for Peg's use at home. A simple towel will do as long as she places it in the correct area and can lift Shannon very gentlly using the sling - might be helpful for early morning rising and helping her when she tires etc. Slings must be used gently and carefully so as not to raise the body upward too far, and so as to not pinch skin under the abdomen or force too much pressure on the abdomen/groin area. The owner has to also be patient, willing to use the sling/lift as the pet walks, and walking in baby steps. Slings can be helpful for immobile pets, for helping them rise and walk so that pressure on the joints and limbs are limited when walking.
Perhaps puppy piddle-pads in the litterboxes instead of litter, since most casts instinctively want to bury in the litter, so having a piddle pad might encourage Shannon to not have to paw and extend movement in the box. Make sure the box is super-low with low sides.
A warm, fluffy kitty bed is important for arthritic joints, warmth helps soothe tired and achy joints, and a fluffy soft pillow-y bed helps joints from getting too stiff. The bed is only a partial relief however.
The pain meds are the major part of the care. While the buprenex is effective in some cases, it really shouldn't be used long term. Metacam, in very small doses can be affective for managing pain but it's long-term use is not labelled for cats so the vet would be using it off-label. There are favorable reports of good results for pain management in cats using metacam, but in older cats, the liver/kidney lab values must be monitored closely.
Lastly, very very gentle massage might be helpful especially in the mornings when Shannon gets up for the day. Short sessions in the morning, afternoon or evening might be helpful, as long as Shannon tolerates it and does not appear to dislike being massaged or indicates it is too painful for her. Have Peg ask the vet about it, and have her ask the vet about heat packs applied gently and for very short periods at a time (the heat packs should never be allowed hot, but rather, warm).
Short of that and as far as certain mobility products, I think braces would be more prohibitive than helpful in Shannon's case. A sling however, fashioned by the vet to ensure proper lifting might help for Peg's use at home. A simple towel will do as long as she places it in the correct area and can lift Shannon very gentlly using the sling - might be helpful for early morning rising and helping her when she tires etc. Slings must be used gently and carefully so as not to raise the body upward too far, and so as to not pinch skin under the abdomen or force too much pressure on the abdomen/groin area. The owner has to also be patient, willing to use the sling/lift as the pet walks, and walking in baby steps. Slings can be helpful for immobile pets, for helping them rise and walk so that pressure on the joints and limbs are limited when walking.
Perhaps puppy piddle-pads in the litterboxes instead of litter, since most casts instinctively want to bury in the litter, so having a piddle pad might encourage Shannon to not have to paw and extend movement in the box. Make sure the box is super-low with low sides.
A warm, fluffy kitty bed is important for arthritic joints, warmth helps soothe tired and achy joints, and a fluffy soft pillow-y bed helps joints from getting too stiff. The bed is only a partial relief however.
The pain meds are the major part of the care. While the buprenex is effective in some cases, it really shouldn't be used long term. Metacam, in very small doses can be affective for managing pain but it's long-term use is not labelled for cats so the vet would be using it off-label. There are favorable reports of good results for pain management in cats using metacam, but in older cats, the liver/kidney lab values must be monitored closely.
Lastly, very very gentle massage might be helpful especially in the mornings when Shannon gets up for the day. Short sessions in the morning, afternoon or evening might be helpful, as long as Shannon tolerates it and does not appear to dislike being massaged or indicates it is too painful for her. Have Peg ask the vet about it, and have her ask the vet about heat packs applied gently and for very short periods at a time (the heat packs should never be allowed hot, but rather, warm).
..........Traci
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Sue and Kids
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 8:39 pm
- Location: Custer, South Dakota
Re: Help for Shannon
I'm sorry I wasn't able to get back here yesterday. I have spoken with Peg. I'm very glad to report that Shannon is improving!
Thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts. I know they help so much.
Traci, in response to your post, Peg has had Shannon thoroughly tested. Shannon has had both the blood and urine tests done twice. She does not have cancer or any other serious disease. Her kidney and pancreatic levels are slightly high, but the vet said they were not serious enough to be concerned about right now. Shannon will be monitored on a regular basis.
Shannon is now eating well and getting around on her own (hooray!
). It's Peg's feeling (and the vet's) that Shannon had experienced a hard two weeks, with road trips, shots, X-rays, sonograms, blood and urine tests, medication, etc. She probably was stiff and sore from fighting the vet personnel administering the tests, as well as her arthritis.
Now that she's had some time to rest, Shannon is getting back to her old self. Peg had bought her a big, soft bed but Shannon won't use it. Shannon uses her upper body strength, front legs and claws to get up, and it seems she has a harder time on a softer surface. Peg has put out multiple food dishes and low-sided litter boxes around the house for her, so Shannon doesn't have to walk so far.
Shannon is a little survivor and has a lot of spunk. Traci, Peg appreciates all your input and suggestions and all the prayers everyone else have sent. Her computer should be up and running soon, and I'm sure Peg will post here herself.
Take care, everyone!
Sue (And Kids!)
Thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts. I know they help so much.
Traci, in response to your post, Peg has had Shannon thoroughly tested. Shannon has had both the blood and urine tests done twice. She does not have cancer or any other serious disease. Her kidney and pancreatic levels are slightly high, but the vet said they were not serious enough to be concerned about right now. Shannon will be monitored on a regular basis.
Shannon is now eating well and getting around on her own (hooray!
). It's Peg's feeling (and the vet's) that Shannon had experienced a hard two weeks, with road trips, shots, X-rays, sonograms, blood and urine tests, medication, etc. She probably was stiff and sore from fighting the vet personnel administering the tests, as well as her arthritis.Now that she's had some time to rest, Shannon is getting back to her old self. Peg had bought her a big, soft bed but Shannon won't use it. Shannon uses her upper body strength, front legs and claws to get up, and it seems she has a harder time on a softer surface. Peg has put out multiple food dishes and low-sided litter boxes around the house for her, so Shannon doesn't have to walk so far.
Shannon is a little survivor and has a lot of spunk. Traci, Peg appreciates all your input and suggestions and all the prayers everyone else have sent. Her computer should be up and running soon, and I'm sure Peg will post here herself.
Take care, everyone!
Sue (And Kids!)
My kitties Shadow and Tank enable me to enjoy my existence and brighten my world. And may my angels, Nikki, Sparky, Buster, Frosty, Snowball, Leo, Foghorn, and Humane Society kitties be playing in the sunshine at the Rainbow Bridge.
Re: Help for Shannon
Sue, thank you for the update, I'm thrilled to hear Shannon is doing so much better.
Next time you talk to Peg, ask her if she has or would consider a pet-ramp, sometimes these are nice for pets with mobility problems, most of them are carpeted and at slight inclines, so Shannon might be able to manage one with her upper body strength.
A pet-ramp might also encourage her to stop jumping etc when she's feeling more rambunctious. I haven't checked lately, but I think the ramps are reasonably priced, considering how much they can help some pets get onto furniture, etc.
Next time you talk to Peg, ask her if she has or would consider a pet-ramp, sometimes these are nice for pets with mobility problems, most of them are carpeted and at slight inclines, so Shannon might be able to manage one with her upper body strength.
A pet-ramp might also encourage her to stop jumping etc when she's feeling more rambunctious. I haven't checked lately, but I think the ramps are reasonably priced, considering how much they can help some pets get onto furniture, etc.
..........Traci