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Shadow - HelenMac - 11-03-2023

So its been a real tough month.   Shadow hasn't been right acting like he did last year when he ended up having his big surgery.  He won't jump on towers vomiting has increased again comes for cuddles but 2 seconds later jumps down  and  lies on the floor either in the bedroom or in the box behind my chair.. Comes out for a nibble then back to to sleep.   Cries if Zimba goes anywhere near him which Zimba is finding tuff he's so confused..   Been in contact with vet trying different things took him again  on Wednesday. Even vet said he looks miserable.  Was put on meds but no change vet rang last night to check on him and we had a big talk and decided Tuesday will take him in for  bloods and xrays. Unfortunately  if its the same thing he can't have surgery again.   Please pray for my boy that its  something else that can be fixed. I miss him not lying on me.  Especially as I had surgery two weeks ago normally he won't leave my side after surgery but this time round my healing angel isn't there for me and I so miss him. My heart is breaking its like he's gone already.


RE: Shadow - Smudge's Mom - 11-03-2023

Oh, damn, Helen, I am so very sorry to hear that Shadow is having problems and everything is messed up .
Has he ever had major hairball problems...a condition know as a Mega Bezoar. That is a giant, compacted hairball that blocks the stomach...can't be thrown up and won't break up enough to pass out through the intestines. It will usually show up in an x-ray. Many years ago I had a cat with that condition and the doctor gave her some medicine or food additive that helped to dissolve the mass so bit by bit it was pooped out and surgery was avoided.
I hope your vet is able to resolve whatever it is that is going on. My thoughts are with you.


RE: Shadow - MUM_of_FLUFFY - 11-03-2023

Oh Helen - my heart goes out to you Heart

Please keep us updated on your darling Shadow

(((HUGS)))


RE: Shadow - HelenMac - 11-03-2023

(11-03-2023, 06:26 PM)Smudge's Mom Wrote: Oh, damn, Helen, I am so very sorry to hear that Shadow is having problems and everything is messed up .
Has he ever had major hairball problems...a condition know as a Mega Bezoar.  That is a giant, compacted hairball that blocks the stomach...can't be thrown up and won't break up enough to pass out through the intestines. It will usually show up in an x-ray.  Many years ago I had a cat with that condition and the doctor gave her some medicine or food additive that helped to dissolve the mass so bit by bit it was pooped out and surgery was avoided.
I hope your vet is able to resolve whatever it is that is going on.  My thoughts are with you.

Smudge's Mom  Last year it was discovered when Shadow had the xray that he has a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Its a deformity that happens when growing in the womb and possibly why he's had so many gut issues all his life.. Xray also showed he had a blockage so had surgery to remove  two hair balls but we were told then it was a guarded prognosis due to his deformity.    He's been on food and meds to help prevent this from happening again as  he can't have surgery again. Its only just over a year since the last one.    
 
I so hate seeing my boy so miserable he looks so sad.  I am just loving on him as much as I can but he's obviously uncomfortable he want's to snuggle but can't get comfy so 2 seconds later he's gone back into his box doesn't even come into bed with me anymore.


RE: Shadow - admin - 11-04-2023

So sorry to hear this Helen. Hopefully the vet will be able to help. Please keep us posted. Best wishes to you all.


RE: Shadow - HelenMac - 11-07-2023

Okay so just got home with Shadow boy its been a long day he was there from 8.30am - 6.00pm.. The blood tests are all good. The ultra sound and xray show the congenital hernia hasn't changed but due to the hernia his stomach is very inflamed and this is the cause of all the gi problems over the years and why he can only eat a couple of teaspoons of food at a time otherwise he throws up.. Poor baby. He has had a steroid shot to see if will help.. He also has arthritis in his left elbow so had solensa injection. We will have to wait and see if any improvement. Unfortunately the Solensa shots are very expensive and not something I can afford long term. Just have to wait and see. He came home ate some food and now disappeared into bed.


RE: Shadow - MUM_of_FLUFFY - 11-07-2023

Oh Helen!!! Poor Shadow Sad

GI issues are so awful. I went through 2 years of GI stuff with my Jack Russell Terrier Eddie. Luckily I found a great specialist at the university who waived his fee and the theater fee, so all I had to pay was the anesthetic fee. He had 3 gastroscopys and it all got sorted eventually. But I maxed out more than one credit card.

Anyway - omeprazole truly turned out to be a wonder drug for Eddie and he stayed on it for the rest of his life. The improvement was nothing short of remarkable and it can also be prescribed for cats. The best part about omeprazole was after the initial dispensing and dosage instructions from the vet I was able to give it to him out of my own personal supply because I also have GI issues (and a pensioner concession!!!)

I'm hesitant to post this because I don't normally want to be pushy about advice, but omeprazole was nothing short of a miracle drug for Eddie. Do you think you could talk to your vet to see if there's the possibility it could work for Shadow?

Sorry in advance if I'm being pushy...


RE: Shadow - HelenMac - 11-07-2023

Unfortunately its all to do with the malformation of his diaphram which causes the gi issues and of course now pain from arthritis... I really don't know any more. I hate seeing him like this no cuddles he looks miserable just comes for bit of food then back to lying on floor in bedroom. Last night I made a bed on the floor for him as it was cold put a woolen blanket down with my pj top on top of it and he slept there. I even brought the top part of the cat tower we had made to sit on top of the cabinet in the entrance way out here and put it under my my computer table as its low to the ground and tucked away so can feel safe but he's not interested prefers on his own in the bedroom. Vet said he's in pain and the shots were supposed to take the pain away they better start working soon I can't stand seeing him like this.. Hope to see improvement soon I will not let him suffer even if it kills me.


RE: Shadow - MUM_of_FLUFFY - 11-08-2023

Oh Helen - my heart is breaking for you and Shadow...

So sad for both of you Sad


RE: Shadow - admin - 11-09-2023

Hoping the meds are working. Please keep us updated. Hugs to you both.