My dearest Michelle,
It made my heart contract to think I might have upset you in any way.
All you've done is been kind enough to point out the obvious with the
probability of Spencer having lymphoma. I can't tell you how much
better your guidance and support has made me feel and how much I
appreciate all you do for me and all of us on the list. Just so we're
clear, I don't in any way think of you as a nay sayer!
I intend to start Spencer on Pepcid and regular Reglan doses, (2x a
day?), to see if it helps his stomach upset. I'll ask my vet about the
possibility of an ulcer and if she thinks Carafate might help him. You
are probably right, I am shaking my head at the thought of a feeding
tube for someone in Spencer's condition, so I can just imagine what my
vet's reaction will be. That's probably why I haven't received a call
back yet, they already think I'm nuts, this latest voice mail is, I'm
sure, doing nothing to dissuade them from that supposition.
Much love and thanks,
Nina
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Periactin is cyproheptadine, which it seems like you are already
giving him.
You're right-- high doses of steroids can sometimes cause stomach
upset. I have not seen it, so had not thought of it. Pepcid and/or
carafate would be what helps with that. I would start giving him 1/2
pepcid once a day and also put him on reglan regularly, and also give
him fluids. If it is nausea those should help. At this point just
not having food is probably making him feel sick, and being on a lot
of steroids on top of no food might in fact be giving him an ulcer.
You could ask your vet about carafate.
I know I jump to lymphoma all the time, but that is also what your vet
thinks he has, and the fact that he has responded so much to the dex
does make it more probable.
I know you are going out of your mind. I have been there, and I ache
for you. I just could not bear the thought of you bringing him to the
vet to ask for a feeding tube being convinced he is going to make it,
and having to deal with the vet acting like you are crazy and
recommending pts right away, which is what I fear would happen.
Would he really be a nightmare to force-feed? Some cats who hate
syringes are ok with you putting a gob of food on the back of their
tongue, and sometimes just getting some food will make them start
eating some. Are you offering fancy feast and liver shake and sour
cream and deli slices, etc.?
I am so sorry the two of you are going through this.
It is true sometimes about the skin. My cat Buddy after being on
steroids for about 3 months for either lymphoma or FIP started
scratching where I had put the needle in for fluids and scratched off
a big chunk of skin that left a gaping hole that then continued to
itch more. we could not get it to heal at all and it stayed like that
until he died. Some cats do get thin skin from months on steroids.
But the steroids are also the only thing that kept him going for 3
months. And it did not happen to any of my others who were on for just
as long. I wondered if I gave him an infection or something with a
needle, as if it would slip out during fluids I would just put it back
in. Now I change the needle.
Michelle
