Doc's medical thread

[Traci]

Have you tried enticing him with toys?

I know it's hard with the checkups, but just think of it as necessary, just exams.

[Tina B and crew]

He plays but not with his usual enthusiasm. He just mostly seems to want to sleep. He came out to play for a little while this evening...I do have to keep it kind of gentle with him and not encourage him to jump since his balance is a bit off...in fact it never has been the greatest. He might have played for 10 minutes. A few times he was pretty excited. He seemed to have more energy and interest tonight than he has in the past 24 hours, but still seems to get tired very easy. He's back asleep in the bedroom now.

What were you addressing with the statement about exams?

[Traci]

The frequent checkups - tell yourself they're just exams (even though they are ultrasounds, etc).

[Tina B and crew]

Oh, I'm not concerned about those (other than the stress of the cost). I was most addressing the conversation "what ifs" - I have to decide what to do in case of the "what ifs" even though I don't even want to think about the "what ifs". With Doc not seeming to feel well these last few days it just brings it to the surface is all.

Edit..he still seems to be a bit on the "tired" side. I'll see how the day goes. I guess I'm concerned because he has always snapped back fairly quickly after all his chemo sessions.

[Tina B and crew]

He's doing a lot of this...

[Tina B and crew]

Ok...I knew he wasn't feeling well. He was lying in his sunny spot there and all of the sudden he sat up and started heaving. So he's got some nausea and vomiting going on. Not unusual after chemo (although it seems a bit far removed from the actual administration of the meds) but Doc has only had one episode of this during his entire series of treatments. At any rate, I sent an email to his oncologist alerting him of this. Otherwise he's drinking, peeing, and pooping just fine. I confined him again so I can keep a close eye on him. When I carried him from my office into my bedroom and put him down on the bed he looked at me like "what did you do that for? I was comfy in my sunny spot!!"

[Tina B and crew]

This is more like it <3





My handsome one-whiskered boy.

He seems to be feeling a bit better. He came out and sat in front of the window and watched the robins in the yard for about 20 minutes. He greeted me at the bedroom door when I went in to check on him. He played for about 10-15 minutes on the bed, pouncing and wiggling his butt. That's when I took these pics. He still "looks tired" though, doesn't seem to have the energy I'm accustomed to, and is sleeping quite a bit in between these play sessions. But he hasn't vomited any more. That's good. And he has eaten some, not a lot, but some. I'm not forcing the issue as long as he's eating some.

Sorry...I've been kind of post crazy today.

[Tina B and crew]

He still doesn't seem to be up to par this morning. And he slept by me almost all night - something he has never done. At one point I felt this cold nose nudging my hand imploring me to pet him! He was on the love seat this morning when I got up and while he didn't come to greet me he was sitting up looking pretty bright eyed. He didn't eat a whole lot this morning but he did eat. If he continues in this depressed mood (that's the best way I can describe it really) I feel like maybe I should take him in just to check his WBC?

I had someone tell me I wasn't being realistic to expect him to snap back so soon after chemo, but they were comparing it to human chemo - and from what I understand that is not an accurate comparison. All I know is he has always snapped back to his normal rambunctious behavior within a day. We are on day 5 now. I know, I'm probably overreacting, right?

At any rate, I have decided to let him just hang out in the bedroom again today with his food and water. This way I can monitor him, and it also just lets him rest without me hovering over him worrying all the time.

[Traci]

Can you check his mucous membranes (his gums)? Look for healthy pink and moist, NOT dry/pale or tacky. Also dehydration test, pinch the skin between shoulder blades and see if it snaps back instantly. Check inside of ears, are they a healthy color?

Did he actually vomit something?

Did the onco get back to you yet? If not, I'd put a call into your vet, maybe be prepared to get him in tomorrow - if he's dehydrated, he could benefit from sub-q's, and a CBC could be done, although don't know if it's necessary at this point.

It's not really common for cats to be blah this long after a chemo session - two days at most, and yes, they do tend to bounce back quickly. It's been about 5 days now, so since you feel he isn't his regular self or hasn't "recovered" from his last chemo session as he usually does, best to run this by your vet.

Please keep us updated!

[Tina B and crew]

His gums are moist, not really pale. Skins snaps back. He's eating wet food and I've seen him drinking. Ears look fine...they are white on the inside but that is their normal color. No yellowing. Ditto for nose.

Yes, he did vomit once yesterday. Not much.

He seems to be more alert today. Anytime I have went into the bedroom he pops his head up, and gives me the "about time you visit me!" look. He often gets down and greets me. One time he was actually waiting at the door for me to come in. He's not back to his normal rambunctious self by any stretch of the imagination.


I realized while I was talking to my daughter that I had some memories triggered and I wonder if that is why my concern seems to be through the roof. I think it is causing me to be hyper sensitive to any behavior that isn't normal. As I said he was sleeping by me last night, down by my feet. I kept waking up and when I would I'd feel him to make sure he was OK. It has really caused me to have a rush of memories about Willow.

At any rate, vet said if he got worse or didn't seem to be getting his energy back to bring him in. I figure if he still seems to be out of it after a full day of secluded rest then I'll see about getting him in tomorrow. Hoping maybe the quiet and seclusion will be restorative. I am going in and checking on him every hour. If he seems interested in play I'll play with him.