cat report

[redbird]

We took the vet a feline urine sample, and he has now informed us that there is, in fact, something wrong with her kidneys. The good news is that he found white blood cells, which implies some kind of probably low-grade infection. This is good news because we can help, relatively easily. She's going to get a month of antibiotics, which I just picked up (my second trip to the vet's office today). I suspect that Artemis won't like this, and therefore neither will we: but oral amoxycillin twice a day for a month is easier, more comfortable (I suspect), and less expensive than most possibilities. She'll also be getting special food, but that has to be ordered so we won't have it for a couple of days.

Comments

[red-queen.livejournal.com]

Here's hoping for an uncomplicated resolution. Old cats frequently have kidney problems, but this doesn't sound too horrid.

Should you ever need moral or technical support for subcutaneous fluid administration, call me. I've done it, and it's not fun, but not too bad. I hope Artemis never needs it, but it can make a cat much more comfortable. I know one kitty who got fluids every other day for 5+ years.

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

Ah the fun of making a cat take a pill! There's something about shoving a pill between fangs that is very unappealing. I hope the pills work out :)

Pilling cats

[brisingamen.livejournal.com]

There is always the chance that Artemis will be one of those exceptional cats who takes pills from the hand. I wish redbird that good fortune. Over the years I have received a goodly amount of advice on pilling cats (I have had several who required intermittent medicating) and it does vary so much, cat to cat. Some are willing to have the pills concealed in food (but not my cats, alas), while some will submit to it being ground up in food (mine do). Brute force actually requires some skill -- there is a neat trick to getting the cat's mouth open -- and pre-wrapping the cat in a towel (several winds round) but mostly it's a matter of confidence and practice, though a willing cat is also useful.

Good luck.

M.

Re: Pilling cats

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

When I was giving a big, strong, rather unwilling cat up to 9 pills daily in three batches earlier this year, I found it helped to have a blunt syringe of home-made unsalted chicken stock to hand. He'd hold the pill in his mouth (after I'd done the towel-winding, mouth-opening thang), but I'd drizzle the stock in through the side of his mouth until he had to swallow...

I've had amoxycillin, too, BTW, and I'm pretty sure it gave me mild hallucinations...

Good luck, all!

Oh, and Hi!, brisingamen :-)

we aren't pilling her

[redbird]

We're giving her liquid antibiotics. She resisted a bit yesterday--didn't want to open her mouth while Andy was holding her--but once we squirted it in, and let her go, she just looked disgusted and set to washing any nearby fur, I assume to get the taste out of her mouth.