Update on Hope

Update on Hope 04/11/2010

Hi, Meowmy here!
First of all, thank you so much for all the love, prayers, and purrs... It has been very special and comforting to receive all the messages, and know that we have been on your thoughts and prayers... Thank you so much for your support <3
Hope's situation has been very confusing and frustrating... Today was day 6 of Metronidazole, and she is still having explosive diarrhea. Luckily, she is only pooping once a day, but this once is nothing as it should be this far at the treatment.
She is definitely feeling much better overall - she is no longer hiding... Not yet playing chase, but is hanging on the living room and on the window sill. She is eating normally, grooming, and she does play a little with the turboscratcher and the flingama string
I called her vet today, and he said to give her another 5 days of metronidazole, and if she doesn't get better, to take her to a specialist for a biopsy and an ultrasound.
He also told me to Start giving her Amforol again, to control the diarrhea, and even though I do not like that medicine as it makes her poop like white cement, I do think this time might be necessary.
I am worried, and don't want to think about this biopsy business... I do think I might take her for my other vet first, if this treatment doesn't work, for a second opinion, before doing something that drastic.
I do think a blood test and x-ray can be helpful before biopsy, and if so, I would like to do that first. But first things first... I will hope and pray for these 5 extra days of metro to work... The clock is ticking...
Thank you again for your support.

Comments

Fuzzy Tales

04/11/2010 4:32am

Your vet hasn't run blood work yet???? That would have been the first thing to do, IMO.

We're continuing to send prayers and purrs and healing Light! Fingers and paws crossed for precious Hope.

Carolina (Hope's Meowmy) link

04/11/2010 5:26am

Hi Fuzzy Tales,
Blood Work is not necessarily the first thing to do in these cases...
Hope has had another episode like this, and was fine after treatment. A food addition was involved and there is a large possibility that this us what it triggered this episode.
Blood work doesn't diagnose IBD/IBS or colitis, it just rules out other problems... So really, in her case the best thing to do is to treat the inflamed bowels, and IF the treatment doesn't work, then go back for more aggressive diagnostic. That is where blood work, x-ray, ultrasound, and lastly a biopsy will come in. But for now we need to see if this works first.
I have two vets, who I really trust - right now I am on the first only. If this treatment doesn't work, then I will go to my second vet before getting a biopsy, as I think more can be done prior to.

Marg link

04/11/2010 7:02am

I have to agree with Fuzzy tails that blood work should be one of the first things done. Even if it only rules out other things, they might find something else that needs to be treated differently. Like thyroid problems. I had a cat that we had decided that she had IBD and the treatment didn't help her and I went to another vet and they did the blood work for thyroid problems and she does have thyroid problems. We started treating that and she is so much better. She also was losing weight.
Hope you can figure out what is wrong with her. It does sound like you need to get another opinion.
Good luck.

Carolina (Hope's Meowmy) link

04/11/2010 7:38am

Ok... I trust my vet... He has Hope's history, and cares a great deal for her. As I said, based on her history, this is something that we both agreed to: treat her first, and if it doesn't work, go back for more aggressive diagnostic. My vet has over 40 years of practice experience, takes care of Bugsy, Hope and Lucky... And great care. He is the type of vet that you don't just find anywhere.
Yes, Hope still has diarrhea for now, but she is doing quite better overall.
She is no longer hiding. She is eating. She is playing...
Is she all better, no... but it is not like things are not working either... The diarrhea does concern me, and I know one of the best things to treat is Metronidazole...
I am watching her very very closely, and ready to go to my other vet at any minute... But I do want to give this a chance first.
She is not becoming dehydrated as she is not going to the bathroom several times a day - only once a day. She also only eats wet food, and I add extra water into it. She is not loosing weight. Her symptoms are classic IBS symptoms.
So, I will do as he says for now, and will give her 5 more days of metronidazole and amforol. If that doesn't work, then I am going to take her to my other vet, but I am not going for a second opinion before that, as I do want to give Hope the chance for this to work.

Sweet Praline link

04/11/2010 7:46am

Mom and I don't pretend to know more than the vet. I do know that when I don't feel well, my mom immediately gets me to the vet to be taken care of.

I am sending very strong healing purrs for Hope!

Sweet Praline link

04/11/2010 7:49am

I just realized my previous post my not be clear. I meant to say that we tend to trust what the vet tells us to do and if we aren't happy with the way the vet treats me or with the results of the treatment, we do go for another opinion. I truly wish you well with Hope. My mom says she isn't smart enough to offer you any different advice than what the vet says to do.

Cats in Trees link

04/11/2010 8:32am

We will purr for Hope to get better soon.

The Island Cats link

04/11/2010 8:49am

We're purring for Hope and we "hope" the medicines help her and she starts feeling better soon....

Gypsy & Tasha link

04/11/2010 8:55am

We're purring and purraying and sending positive thoughts for Hope to keep improving until she gets completely better. We're glad she's keeping up the eating, and we hope she'll be back to normal soon.

{{{hugs}}}

Gypsy & Tasha & Karen (Mum)