Friday, September 26, 2008

Our Vet Visit-UPDATED

Well, as many of you know, we had our new V-E-T visit yesterday. We weren't used to being in the car that long. The V-E-T was 30 min. away. Tavi got car-sick about 5 minutes before we got to the V-E-T. This is the waiting area. They have cat artwork all over the place. And Mom said that it was a very comfortable space. "Very Homey"
Here we are in our stroller waiting to go in to see the V-E-T. Mom brought our stroller because she said it would be easier to get us around, and with Tavi getting car-sick, it helped a lot.
Tavi looking out of the door in the exam room.
Tiki looking out the door in the exam room. We each took turns exploring.
Tavi saying "GET ME OUT OF HERE!"


Some of the artwork in the exam room.
Bigify to read what these two say.

Tavi waiting to go home. We slept all the way home with minimal fuss. As for what the V-E-T said, we'll start with the good news. Tavi looked good. The V-E-T said that if she didn't know that he was 15, she would have guessed 10 or 11. She said that he was a good weight and not to change anything with him. Mom was concerned that he was getting a little pudgy, but she said she would rather see just a bit of pudge on a 15 year old cat, than a skinny one, so he is good. He weighs 12 lbs 9 oz.

Now for me, Tiki...I have lost about another pound since November and weigh 7 lbs 5 oz. The V-E-T was concerned about the weight loss and gave us some names of different types of food to try. She wants me on an all protein diet with NO Temptations or Greenies treats. If I want treats, I can have freeze dried chicken, turkey, venison, beef or liver. We got samples from the V-E-T. I can also have meat people food as long as it isn't fried. It can be baked, broiled, boiled, grilled, etc, so we are happy about that because it means we can all have that. Our room mate has already said she is going to stock up on chicken for us and keep some boiled for us all the time. She is so nice.

The V-E-T was also worried about my kidneys, so I had to have blood and urine stolen. I yowled the whole time. The V-E-T did a quick kidney test and I now have to have Sub-Q fluids. I got my first treatment at the V-E-T so Mom could learn how to give them to me. In the picture below, you can kind of see the bubble of fluid under my armpit. It made me wobbly to walk because I was off balance. Until we get my lab results back tomorrow, I have to have them every other day. It didn't bother me to get them today. It only took about 5 minutes, so it wasn't bad at all. The really bad news is that I have to go back in a month, and so does Tavi. Tavi has to have his blood stolen then. Mom couldn't do both senior panels at the same time.

Mom said I was up and about more than she has seen me for a while, so hopefully these sub-q's will do me so good energy wise.

UPDATE-2:20 pm PST. Mom here. I just got off the phone with the vet with Tiki's blood results and it isn't good. She said the kidney disease was much more advanced than she thought and he has to have fluids every day. She classified his kidney disease as level 4 out of 4, and the fluids are to preserve what function he has left. She is putting him on some medication also to help bind the phosphorus he eats (in meat) so that his kidneys won't have to work to take care of that. And his liver function levels were out of whack too. She wants to do an ultrasound on his abdomen and maybe take a biopsy if she sees anything. She said it could be an infection because of the diabetes or the kidney disease, but it could also be something worse like lymphoma. We are going to do the fluids for the next month with the medication and a Vitamin B suppliment and when he goes in for his recheck in 4 weeks, hopefully I will have enough saved for the rest of the tests he needs. I am trying very hard to be strong for my baby boy, but it is hard. The vet did say that she couldn't give a prognosis as far as his kidneys were concerned but that it sounded hopeful that his energy level was up last night. Purrs would be appreciated.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

We hate having our bloods stolen. You were probably much better sports about it than us. We have to go next weekend. We hope we will be as brave as you two.

Us4 Cats said...

Aw, the picture of you in the chair meowing just stole my heart.

Parker said...

Well, if the fluids make you have more energy, I think that's good! Hopefully it will keep you feeling good and you and Tavi can play and have a great time together!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We hope the diet change and the subQ fluids help you put on weight.
The V E T waiting room looks very nice and cosy.

Anonymous said...

Awww Tiki, that is ok news! It still means hope and there sound like there is things that can be done, I iz sure your Momma would be so happy for you to have more weight and more energy and I thinks you knows it otherwise you would not have been so good at the doktor.. more than I can say for Tavi :P hehe
But he did look cute protesting! haha just like mez! :)

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

Sounds like you are getting some yummy new foods. Have you seen the new Wellness treats? They are like little squares of jerky. We still like our Greenies better, but Mom is hoping we will get used to these because they don't have any grains in them.

LZ said...

I'm glad you liked the new vet! I had sub-q fluids once and the squishy pocket was very weird to walk around with and it migrated! I bet they are going to make you feel a whole lot better.

Latte

Liss said...

Wow you guys had a real big day. I hope everything goes well.

The Cat Realm said...

What a day. We hate VET, fortunately we never have to go.... knock on wood.... we hope all your blood work comes back o.k.!
Meanwhile we gave you the BBF Gold Card Award! Get it on our blog.
Karl

Tybalt said...

At least your V-E-T really sounds capable, and has a great looking office. I've got my paws crossed that all goes well for you, Tiki!

And just YUM on the chicken!

Daisy said...

I hope your blood work will come back good! Sub-q fluids feel funny at first, but they do help you feel better.

Harley went to a new vet that is only 5 minutes away. He is a "holistic" vet and now we are both on a whole new diet, grain free. We get some EVO canned food in the morning, and then more EVO canned food at night with a little bit of dry CORE Wellness food. This vet felt very strongly that meat-based, grain-free food is very important.

Unknown said...

Tiki, we is happy that yoo is feelin betters. Tavi yoo lucked out so far wif no pokes.

Gemini and Ichiro said...

I am glad you got home safely. I hope that your blood values come back okay!

Niko and Cloud said...

We hope you feel better soon and gain some weight, Tiki!

Lux said...

Tiki, I'm sending you lots of get well wishes; I'm glad you felt better about the sub-q fluids!

Your vet's office does look like a little home. :)

Anonymous said...

What a nice place! Too bad the stabby person is in there. We're sorry about the loss of the Temptations, but boiled chicken all the time? Whoohoo! That's like heaven!

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Well, we will purr and purr that you feel tons better and put on weight with the new foods and sub-q fluids!!!!!!!!!

Karen said...

Thanks for stopping by. We are fine but mom just hasn;t had time to post.

Pixel and Samba

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

We sure hope dem flooids helps yoo lots...we is acited cuz one of da things Dr G sed is he'd like to see us all on a grain free food and he sed dat maybe mom should just feed us cooked meats...except Zippy, she won't eat anything but her Purina Complete!

Sweet Purrfections said...

Very special purrayers for Tiki! I hope the fluids and bean food helps!

Chesney Cats said...

We are purring & purring for Tiki not having anything worse than infection. We hope the fluids & medication do their jobs & help him feel better.

Hugs & Purrs,
Sammy, Festus & Emma

Maggie May said...

We are glad the sub-q fluids are making you feel better!! We are sending lots and lots of purrs your way!!
~The Creek Cats~

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

Tiki, Im sorry ta hear yer kidneys are werkin right. Mine arent either.

At least ya got a home-lookin vet office to wait in. My vet's place looks like a prison visitin room!

Skeeter

Ivan from WMD said...

Aw, Tiki, I'm sorry to hear about your illness. I wonder why this happens to so many of us. My first sister when I got to my mom's had CRF, too. Sounds like you have to do all the stuff she had to do. Take it easy, buddy!

Bogdan, the editor said...

We are sending lots and lots of purrs your way for Tiki.

Forty Paws said...

Bummer on the news. We understand what with the sub-q's and such. Here are a couple of sites to look at regarding kidney disease that have helped Maw with Bow. And she has purchased his needles and admin sets over the internet to save money. The fluid we get for Bow has potassium and vitamin B complex added. It likely costs the vet about $3 or $4 but she charges $20 for it.

http://www.felinecrf.com/
http://mysite.verizon.net/~vze2r6qt/supplies/compare.htm#Top

Good luck!

Luf, Us

Sparky said...

Marley and Reggie meow, "stay strong!" They hate the vet's office too and Reggie has to go in this Sunday b/c we think hey may have mild feline asthma. But we do what we can for the kitties we love. Hang in there and thanks for the detailed update.

Anonymous said...

We saw the update while we were catching up on our reading, and we wanted you to know that our purrers are in high gear. PURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!