...since Chum has been sick. There have been moments of improvement but they typically don't last for more than just that, a few moments. The hardest part is that he refuses to drink water so we have to give him IV fluids in his neck and that sends him into a frenzy. We bought a muzzle that fits over his mouth but covers his eyes and when I put it on him this afternoon and stuck the needle in, he went berserk twisting and turning out of my grip (luckily I got the needle out in time) but since he couldn't see where he was going he was running head first into the wall then the bookshelf, then the chair, and hurt himself because he hit his head with such force. And the noises he makes, it sounds like he is being skinned alive. When I finally got the muzzle off he jumped at my face but I was able to turn in time and he bit the side of my head. I gave up at that point and was so frustrated because there is nothing I can do to help him when he gets like this.
So tonight if he decides to come out from under the bed I will try a new antibiotic that I got in Ballard today because they are the only pharmacy that can compound the drug, Baytril, into a liquid form. I also got an appetite stimulant in a liquid form because Chum will NOT take pills. So that's on the menu for this evening.
As for food, we've tried everything.
Grilled chicken, fried chicken, seared tuna, steamed broccoli (his FAVORITE!) yogurt, yogurt with pureed veggies, chicken broth, chicken noodle soup, baked potato, crab meat, and of course variations of special cat foods for the "finickiest of eaters" and none of that worked.
The only thing I've been able to do is get him to lick little bits of baby food off my finger and occasionally he'll lick some off a small spoon. And it's not just any jar of baby food, I have bought them ALL and what works is Gerber stage 2 veal, microwaved for about 7 seconds with some Earth's Best Organic Squash mixed in. I'm not sure if it's the smell of this combination together or the taste or what, but this is the ONLY thing that he has somewhat responded to. He maybe has 5 to 6 licks off my finger or 3 little licks off the tiny spoon. But that's it.
If he decides to come out from under the bed I may try (LORD HELP ME) to give him more fluids or I may just try and syringe some water into his mouth. He's supposed to have 150 mil a day and his syringe only holds 1 mil so I'm doubtful I'll be able to squirt that in his mouth 150 times but I will do the best I can.
And as for medications we started with oral clavamox, then ampicillin and baytril injections, and then we found out that he is resistant to ampicillin and we weren't noticing much improvement using the clavamox so that's why we're starting him on oral baytril tonight as well as the oral appetite stimulant, cyproheptadine. And if this doesn't work then I don't know what we're going to do.
Poor Wrigs has been so concerned for Chumley. He lays on the floor trying to put his head under the bed and just stares at him. He wants his crotchety old brother back. And so do I.
10 comments:
You are such a good mom to Chum. You take such tender loving care of him, and you try everything known to woman to help him. This must be so hard and stressful for you; I wish there was something we could do to help!
Sending loving thoughts and well-wishes to Chumley, and hugs to you, Tom & Wrigs.
I'm so sorry to hear that he isn't doing better. I completely understand the frustration and heart ache of trying to do everything you can and not being able to get any real verbal feedback from them to help figure out what else you can do. I'll keep Chumley in our prayers and hope that there is a turn around and Wrigs can get his brother back...
Thanks you guys, I feel so much love and support from all my cat loving friends/family. Stephanie, I read about your Boo and I'm so sorry you had to go through that last October. Such a helpless feeling. I appreciate the prayers.
Thinking of Chumley... There's nothing worse than having a sick pet because it's so hard to know what to do. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way.
I admire you so much for the tender loving care you are administering to Chumley. I agree with Karen--it must be so hard on you and it is exhausting to worry every minute of the day. We were all encouraged when he woke you guys up with purring and getting onto the bed Saturday morning. I'm thinking positive thoughts that the new meds will cause a turnaround.
FYI--My Lily was sick during Christmas and the vet had her taking something to make her eat. It turns out it was cat Valium. She is a very small cat and the tiny dose caused her to lose her balance. I don't know if Chum is getting enough to make that happen to him, but be aware that it could happen. Take care. We are all thinking of you often. YKW
OMG, Laura, I can't believe all you're going through right now for Satan. You are an amazing woman. I see now that taking care of Buster is seriously a piece of cake! He takes his Baytril like a good little boy. All I usually have to do is wrap it in a chunk of soft wheat bread. I hope it gets easier.
I absolutely feel for you and Chumley. I know how it is to try to get meds into an equally unruly person (bites and all!). Sorry this complicates an already hard situation.
Hope he feels better...can't imagine the stress of a sick pet.
I'm so sorry. I know this is so hard. You're in my thoughts and prayers.... I know you've got a whole lot on your plate right now.
prayers for mr. chumley. from me and our kittens ted and francis bean in ohio!
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