Isadora's issues are better but she still suffers relapses. They're not as severe and don't last as long.
About 6 months after Isadora joined us Siren began exhibiting similar symptoms. Little is known for sure about this disease. A very small group of vets and researches say it's a virus; more say it's environmental, poor nutrition in stray moms, or perhaps it's genetic. They thought a bacterial cause had been found but that was disproven.
The most effective treatment is a combination of long lasting, heavy duty steroid injections, antibiotics and pain killers. The steroids can cause diabetes as they did with Siren 6 months ago. I changed his diet and once the drug was out of his system his blood sugar was normal. Good news. Bad news is that none of the other treatments are working. Since Christmas Siren has lost 2 of his 10 pounds and is so miserable that it breaks my heart just to look at him.
So we come to yesterday. I took both Siren and Isadora to the vet and had them treated with everything that will make them feel better NOW. They need to eat. They need energy. They need to be happy NOW.
I will continue a high protein, low carb diet for them and the vet will monitor.
It was a difficult decision but using an ineffective treatment is absurd.
Cross your fingers for us
I have linked to Cats on Tuesday, I could use a hug from some fellow "cat people"
And on we go
34 comments:
I have everything crossed for them both and am sending Reiki. Hope it helps. x
Oh I am so sorry to hear that. I lost two cats within a week of each other to feline leukemia. The vet I took them to for shots gave them a vaccine for it but I think the vaccine gave it to them. They are the only cats I have ever had that had that and also the only ones who ever got the vaccine. Your poor kitties.
I am so sorry to hear this. I hope things will improve for them. My middle daughter had two cats, one of which had FIP. The surviving kitten's system was compromised. She had severe gingivitis and had all her teeth out. She's now 5 and doing well but my daughter feels as though she's walking a tightrope and worries every time her little cat is ill that the end is coming.
BIG hugs ... My sister's Milo has the same problem .. so hard to see them suffer. xoxox
Huge hugs and prayers coming your way. Holding all of you in the light.
Oh babies! It's so hard to see your sweeties suffer and feel uncertain about what to do for them. I'm sorry they're going through this, Dianne. I'll rub Skitty and Zephyr's head for good luck for Siren and Isadora. And I'm sending positive thoughts and a big hug your way.
Cat person here sending you, Siren and Isadora lots of cyber energy. I do hope they will be all right, and I read somewhere that a heartfelt desire is a prayer in itself. You have plenty of prayers and heartfelt desire coming your way.
Oh no! Poor babies! I hope they feel better soon. Big hugs from Ohio!
That's a lot of weight loss for Siren ! I think you have to find out which food is the best, certainly wet food is better than dry food. Lisa (whe died 2 years ago) had all teeth removed and then she was OK, she even could eat dry food with her gums which had become very hard.
Wish you all the best !
I was soooooo thinking of you yesterday, after our conversation on the phone Sunday night.
(((( You )))))
Sending LOTS of 'energy' your way.
Much X to you and the gang!
Poor kitties! I'm so sorry. Suffering animals can be hard because they can't tell us where or how they hurt. Hugs & Pets.
Sick pets are no fun. Had to put my Max to sleep yesterday.
Sorry to hear that both your cat´s got problems with there teeth :(
My mom have been on a lecture at a Vet.clinic about cat´s teeth.
Some dental problems can be solved only by pulling out all the teeth , like Gattina wrote a cat can eat without teeth´s and have a good life.
Guess if my mom got toothpaste for me after that lecture ??
So is this immune disease Feline Leukemia? That really is too bad that both cats are sick. We sure do send tons of purrs. Also are you giving the cats pain killer every day?? I have had some cats that had the stomatitis and that can be treated with predisolone. But if it is Feline Leukemia, then the diet is really important. Any of it should be able to be treated. Wish I could help you more but we are here to support you. I know what it is like to have a really sick kitty.
Oh My Dear....I am PRAYING that all will be "well" for both your beloved babies....My heart goes out to them and to you....Give them both BIG BIG Hugs from me, please, my dear, and here is a HUGE Hug for you, too...
((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))
I have never heard of this but it does seem strange that Siren would now have the same symptoms, so, one might conclude that it is something that can be passed on from one kitty to another....I dearly hope they can find a "cure", and soon...!
Our pets are so very precious to us....
Sending you and your babies some healing thoughts. The worst thing next to a sick child is a sick pet.
Oh man. Poor little kitties. I'll keep my fingers crossed for them. And for you too babe! ;-)
Jay
Oh no..There are difficult challenges with our pets and we had had plenty with our cats..I would say that you are doing the right thing..they need to eat and you'll have to address the other things down the road..I would call my sister but she is out of town, but I will ask her....I know that steroids gave me diabetes..but I had to take them...lots of hugs....Michelle
I'm holding good thoughts for the kitties and you and sending all of you a basket full of hugs! And, of course, one for Hope as well!
Sylvia
Good thoughts are coming to you from me and Josy. Josy looks very much like your tuxedo cat -Isadora? We've been rather cat-centric around here too, with Josy recently moved into our house. She is still dealing with stress and seems to be licking her hair off lately. She did not like the trip to the vet.
Best wishes.
Oh, Dianne, I'm so sorry to hear that both cats are suffering from the same malady. What a cruel twist of fate! I know how hard it is to watch our pets suffer in any way--I will send the best thoughts possible out into the Universe and hope that somehow they will both come through this okay, especially Siren seems he seems to be the worse one off at this point.
Big hugs to you all!
I am so sorry. I hope they can find the right meds .. steroids or .. to help them.
Oh this sucks. We had 2 beautiful burmese cats that are now dead, so I can relate. Saying a prayer for your cats right now.
Oh, bless them. They are such beauties! I am sending all good thoughts and wishes their way.
What a bummer:(, paws crossed and (((hugs))) for every body:)
Oh no! Ya know, I've never heard of this illness in cats. I count myself lucky that our Nemesis is still going strong after 13 years.
Best wishes for your cats, especially ole' toothless there ;-)
I sure as hell ain't no cat person, but I get along with them OK and I totally understand the love and affection they get and deserve from their humans.
You get a hug from me anyway. I hope all the best for your kitty cats.
Oh, keeping everything crossed for you and the kitties. Big big hugs. x
Oh Dianne, I am so sorry to hear your kitties are having troubles. Sibu has just lost two pounds from 10 also and I am seriously worried. It may have just been a flu though as he is eating again, thankfully. Big hugs and I hope this new diet helps.
Fingers crossed here too - and :
http://iceangelthemerc.blogspot.com/2010/10/hugs.html
Oh bless them! Your poor little kitties. I am keeping everything crossed that they will feel better soon. Hugs from a fellow cat lover and owner x
When they say that life isn't fair they aren't kidding, are they?
It is so hard to watch anyone we love suffer - whether they be of the four-footed or two-footed nature but I think that sometimes it's harder when it comes to the four-footed as it's a completely different set of dynamics.
I'm sure that if Siren and Isadora could speak, they'd tell you that they know that you're doing everything you can for them and how much they appreciate that and love you and how happy they are that they live with you - a lady who loves them and cares for them.
I'll be sending good thoughts and wishes down your way that the kids will pull through and start feeling better soon and that you'll feel better right along with them.
It's always horrible when you get one of those mystery bugs that really saps the fun out of life. Do you have access to a blanket anti-viral drug? Au took RETROMAD1 which knocked his FIV symptoms out of his life. Yummy soft roast chicken piled the pounds back on. Maybe there's some similar drug in the US for you to try?
Purring for the three of you.
That IS heartbreaking. I'm sad for you and your kitties.
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