He was on one (Cyproheptadine), but I ran out of it right after his blood transfusion (2 weeks ago). The Vet didn't want to give him anymore/keep him on it in case it was "masking" anything. I don't know what the H that means. I mean, what could it be masking? Hello? He has cancer and FeLeuk and anemia-- we know all that! Anyway, he gets his primary care now from his new Holistic Vet and we saw her last Friday for the 2nd time. At that time, and all last week, Monkee was eating like a fiend, so she said she'd rather not have him on the stimulant if he didn't need it. She also said Cyproheptadine can cause liver problems (but then again, that's probably the least of his concerns right now...). I have an email and a call into her and I am sure I will hear from her tomorrow, so we'll see. I'm going to look to her to determine if it's time for another transfusion, or if just an appetite stim would help, etc. What's comforting with Monkee though is that he was doing sooooo well last week, eating great; also his Holistic Vet always talks about his "strong life force"- which, I can admit that sounds funny- but when you see him, you just get it; and finally the fact that he still weighs 12 pounds...all that excess weight that poor cat spent 4 years eating Science Diet Light to lose is really coming in handy now! Ah...the irony.
-Caroline
From: "Kelley Saveika" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Appetite issues and Monkee update
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:52:57 -0500
>Is it possible to give him an appetite stimulant? Caroline gets one
>and I think it is all that makes her eat anything at all. She's not
>FELV+, though - the vet suspected it but she's been tested twice,
>negative both times. No one knows what's wrong with her.
>
>On 7/11/07, Caroline Kaufmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>Well, he's not eating at tonight. It's so frustrating. I tried
>>baby food
>>and kitten formula cat food and the buffalo again. He seemed
>>interested in
>>the buffalo, but when it came time to actually eat it, he just kind
>>of "air
>>nibbled" over it? It seems like he's not making the connection
>>that he
>>needs to eat. Yet, he wants to go outside and walk around. And I
>>just
>>can't let him do that because I know it wear him out way too much-
>>especially with not eating. So he just sits out on his porch and
>>watches
>>the colony of street cats eats his premium cat food voraciously!!!!
>> Ugh.
>>When he was healthy, I swear, that would have driven him right over
>>the
>>edge! He's still bright eyed. And while he still has wants and
>>desires
>>(even if they are mostly to go outside!), I think that's a good
>>sign. He's
>>also sleeping well-- which when the anemia kicked in,
>>pre-transfusion, he
>>was not sleeping well at all. I wake up many times each night and
>>I always
>>check on him and if he on my bed, laying on his side with his legs
>>stretched
>>out, all passed out....I breath such a sign of relief!
>>
>>
>>I did give him his Nutrical, colostrum and some baby food (with
>>water) via a
>>syringe (my mom brought me a 12 cc one). He doesn't LOVE it, but
>>he's so
>>good for me when it comes to handling (for what was originally a
>>super-skittish stray?), and he swallows fine. I got 3 syringe
>>fulls in him.
>>
>>
>>I will try not to "sound the alarm bells" about the not eating.
>>It's hard
>>though because this is my first time in this realm and I do feel
>>like a
>>nursing mother who has a baby that won't latch on or something!
>>It's like I
>>have all this anxiety about it that pops into my head all the time!
>>
>>Thanks for calming me down.
>>
>>-Caroline
>>
>>________________________________
>>From: "Marylyn" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Reply-To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
>>To: <felvtalk@felineleukemia.org>
>>Subject: Re: Appetite issues and Monkee update
>>Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:47:56 -0500
>>
>>
>>Don't read so much into the lack of appetite. It is hot, humid,
>>has been
>>raining there, and he may just not be hungry. This is not the time
>>to get
>>depressed. Next time you are at Whole Foods try the Fage (Greek
>>yogurt) or
>>Chatham's sheep's yogurt. Dixie loves them. Cool, creamy, full of
>>good
>>stuff (I don't tell her this though), and not as tart as the cow's
>>yogurt.
>>She gets the full fat version (if I am going to buy the stuff for
>>her I want
>>her to really enjoy it). She likes it so well that I brought back
>>3 16 oz
>>sheep's yogurts, a Fage and a goats' yogurt this trip.
>>
>>You are going to worry. That is what people who love do. Call
>>Susan in the
>>morning if you have not heard from her. You are feeding high
>>protein
>>buffalo which is good. Try to relax a little and enjoy Monkee. He
>>has lots
>>to teach you.
>>
>>
>> If you
>>have men who will exclude any of God's creatures
>> from the
>>shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who
>> will deal
>>likewise with their fellow man.
>>
>> St. Francis
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Caroline Kaufmann
>>To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
>>Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 2:53 PM
>>Subject: Re: Appetite issues and Monkee update
>>
>>
>>
>>I tried a whole arsenal of things last night to get Monkee to eat.
>>I went
>>shopping and tried to find as many of the suggested items as
>>possible, but
>>it was hard. He ate some raw buffalo meat from Whole Foods that
>>the butcher
>>gave me at no charge since I wanted such a tiny amount. He ate
>>about a
>>spoonful. That is the most he ate on his own. He did pick at some
>>sardines,
>>but it wasn't much. I syringe fed him some gravy I made from 2
>>types of cat
>>food. I did get at least a tablespoon of Nutrical in him because if
>>I put it
>>on his nose, he will lick it off EVERY time. He did have a BM last
>>night-
>>it was small.
>>
>>
>>He got Nutrical in him this morning and he drank some gravy from a
>>Whiskas
>>pouch. He also drank some meal replacement formula for cats that I
>>found at
>>the pet store- but not a lot of it. His pupils look a little
>>dilated to me.
>>
>>As for his hydration, I think his usually pink nose looks a little
>>white- as
>>well as his gums. But color comes back to them if I press on his
>>gums. They
>>just seem to have more of white color though- less pink. His gums
>>are not
>>dry/tacky though- they are somewhat moist.
>>
>>He's still moving around good and talking and wanting to do things-
>>like sit
>>out on the front porch. He purrs when I pet him. The hovering over
>>the
>>litter box and attempting to eat it has lessened.
>>
>>My mom is brining me some larger syringes so I will at least have
>>some
>>bigger than a 1 ml syringe to feed him with.
>>
>>I emailed an update to his Vet, Dr. Maier, but I haven't heard from
>>her yet.
>> I just called there and the receptionist said she's out of the
>>office on
>>Wed. afternoons.
>>
>>I guess I am just worried because I am wondering if the blood
>>transfusion he
>>got exactly two weeks ago is wearing off and/or if he needs an
>>appetite
>>stimulant and/or if he is feeling bad. I just don't think he's one
>>to truly
>>show how bad he's feeling so I am just anxious about where we go
>>from here?
>>
>>-Caroline
>>
>>
>>
>>________________________________
>>From: "Susan Dubose" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Reply-To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
>>To: <felvtalk@felineleukemia.org>
>>Subject: Re: Appetite issues and Monkee update
>>Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:21:09 -0500
>>
>>Ask your vet for a 5cc syringe.
>>
>>They do make them bigger, of course, but I like the control of the
>>5cc.
>>
>>He should be getting @ least 30cc's of food TID.
>>
>>
>>Susan J. DuBose >^..^<
>>www.PetGirlsPetsitting.com
>>www.Tx.SiameseRescue.org
>>www.shadowcats.net
>> "As Cleopatra lay in
>>state,
>> Faithful Bast at her
>>side did wait,
>> Purring welcomes of soft
>>applause,
>> Ever guarding with
>>sharpened claws."
>> Trajan Tennent
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Caroline Kaufmann
>>To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
>>Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:44 PM
>>Subject: Re: Appetite issues and Monkee update
>>
>>
>>
>>We will try these suggestions. Thank you. I guess I will be
>>shopping again
>>after work! Dr. Maier said to start Monkee on the Nutrical, so my
>>mom is
>>picking that up for me today. I fed him "human" tuna and tuna
>>water over
>>the weekend from the can, but as of yesterday, he'd only eat one
>>piece. Of
>>course, he eats a ton of my broiled whitefish though! But I can't
>>keep
>>getting take-out fish for dinner every night for Monkee! I forgot
>>that I
>>had a few cans of AD from when Monkee's anemia first started. He
>>only ate
>>that when he was really really down and as soon as he started
>>feeling
>>better, he wouldn't eat even one bit of it. But since I have some
>>cans
>>already, we will try it again.
>>
>>
>>I did syringe feed him last night- but all I have is a 1 ml
>>syringe, so it
>>takes forever! I took advantage of the fact that he is
>>sooooooooooooo good
>>for pilling, etc. and tried that last night. I had been syringe
>>feeding him
>>his colostrum mixed with water since I couldn't get him to eat a
>>whole meal,
>>I didn't want to waste a colostrum pill by adding it to food he
>>wouldn't
>>eat. That way, I felt like I could make sure he got water too.
>>But last
>>night, I probably added too much water and it took about 10, 1 ml
>>syringe-fulls to get all the colostrum in him! He was so good
>>though! So
>>then I did the same procedure to get some of the beef/chicken
>>livers gravy
>>I'd blended up in him.
>>
>>We have tried hand-feeding and what my mom calls "community
>>feeding"- where
>>I sit on the ground with him and talk to him, hand him pieces and
>>pet him-
>>which he usually loves. But I tried that this morning and it's
>>like he
>>tries to "fake" eat by just licking some gravy just to get me off
>>his back!
>>Even in his weakened state he is still too smart for his own good!
>>
>>The funniest thing about all this for me is that, since he won't
>>eat a whole
>>small can of food, I never give him one- usually just a half. The
>>other
>>half that Monkee never touched- I HATE wasting it and throwing it
>>away. My
>>neighborhood has these "neighborhood" strays (not feral, just
>>friendly
>>strays who've been taken care of by the neighborhood) that a bunch
>>of us
>>watch over, feed, water, etc. They have all been fixed by a lady
>>up the
>>street who started this whole street-cat thing. The issue
>>regarding these
>>cats though is a whole other can of worms that I am not ready to
>>get into
>>yet because I rent and worry about what will happen when I move,
>>but for
>>now, they are very well taken care of, safe and happy- even if they
>>are
>>outdoor cats (which I don't "believe" in). I have been feeding
>>them for
>>about a year since I moved in and figured out they were strays and
>>there are
>>two of the 6 cats that seem to "prefer" the food I give them so
>>they are
>>almost permanent fixtures on my front stoop now, with a few others
>>who
>>sometimes visit for food if they are extra hungry, but routinely
>>come for
>>the water that I change everyday. Anyway, instead of always just
>>getting
>>fed cheap 9 Lives dry food- which they love- these two now get
>>Monkee's
>>rejected premium food! They've been fed AD, Fancy Feast, and as of
>>yesterday, the Wellness wet food! It drives my mom crazy, but I'd
>>rather
>>some cat (even a rag-a-muffin stray!) eat that food than just throw
>>it away!
>>
>>-Caroline
>>
>>
>>________________________________
>>From: "Susan Dubose" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Reply-To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
>>To: <felvtalk@felineleukemia.org>
>>Subject: Re: Appetite issues and Monkee update
>>Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:17:13 -0500
>>
>>hi Caroline,
>>
>>I am sorry Monkee is a bit under the weather again.
>>
>>Try the baby food, but only the turkey or chicken w/ gravy mix.
>>
>>Try PetGuard brand cat food if you have it there, it's usually @
>>Whole Foods
>>or other health food stores.
>>
>>The fish, chicken & liver formula is quite tasty to cats.
>>
>>And the beef mix has LOTS of juice.
>>
>>Try a product called "Mix It" by Science Diet. It is the dog food
>>section @
>>PetSmart w/ the moist foods.
>>
>>It is for either cats or dogs, but they keep it w/ the dog stuff.
>>
>>Try Pro Plans moist food, the sardines in the "aspic" is quite
>>gross, but
>>cats LOVE it.
>>
>>It is chunks of sardines in some kinda slimey sauce.....
>>
>>Try Sardines, try tuna.....
>>
>>Try Pet Gold Gourmet Tuna for cats, LOTS of gravey.....
>>
>>This is only available @ the pet food specialty stores.
>>
>>I guess the vet has also tried the A/D moist food for cats?
>>
>>Only available @ the vet.
>>
>>Last of all, have you tried syringe feeding him?
>>
>>Some cats get to the point where they will only eat if hand fed,
>>even if
>>they are feeling better.
>>
>>I usually mix up baby food w/ a squirt of Nutri Cal in it.
>>
>>It is good to feed the best quality of foods to him, but @ this
>>point, you
>>have to find out what he will eat, even if it is "junk" in your
>>eyes, and
>>let him have it.
>>
>>Even if it is Whiskars.........
>>
>>And lastly, I cannot believe the vets were not weighting him w/
>>EVERY visit.
>>
>>That's really uncool.
>>
>>Please keep us posted.
>>
>>I will keep him in my thoughts.
>>
>>
>>Susan J. DuBose >^..^<
>>www.PetGirlsPetsitting.com
>>www.Tx.SiameseRescue.org
>>www.shadowcats.net
>> "As Cleopatra lay in
>>state,
>> Faithful Bast at her
>>side did wait,
>> Purring welcomes of soft
>>applause,
>> Ever guarding with
>>sharpened claws."
>> Trajan Tennent
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Caroline Kaufmann
>>To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
>>Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 10:01 AM
>>Subject: Appetite issues and Monkee update
>>
>>
>>Hi everyone. I just wanted to update you on Monkee's situation and
>>ask for
>>some help/advice with his eating. He has been doing really well
>>since last
>>week. I pretty much just decided to drop his other two vets for
>>now and
>>focus on getting him care from his homeopathic vet Dr. Maier.
>>Monkee was
>>eating his raw food really well. We went to see Dr. Maier on
>>Friday and she
>>said he looked really good- his heart was strong (weak murmur), he
>>was alert
>>and he weighed 12 pounds. Which was nice to know because every
>>time he
>>went to Dr. Daley's, I don't think they ever weighed him so I
>>didn't know
>>how much weight he'd lost with the chemo and anemia. He started at
>>13
>>pounds and some ounces, so he hasn't lost too much yet. Dr. Maier
>>added
>>another homeopathic remedy to further help detox him. He was so
>>good for
>>the ride out and back from Dr. Maier's and at her clinic. It was
>>hilarious-- I could tell he was much more happier and I knew I made
>>the
>>right decision about his care. It was a total 180 from his
>>behavior at Dr.
>>Daley's!!!
>>
>>However, his appetite started dropping off this weekend. I can't
>>get him to
>>eat his raw food. I bought him all this Wellness wet food at the
>>pet store
>>to get him eating organic and he won't eat it at all, so I went
>>back to the
>>gravy-soaked Fancy Feast. He will only drink some of the gravy. I
>>also
>>tried putting his chicken livers and raw beef in a blender and
>>liquefying it
>>because he seems to like gravy so much and I thought the stringy
>>chick
>>livers were too much effort for him to chew. He really only drank
>>a little
>>of that. I can get him to eat table scraps of my own food- broiled
>>restaurant fish- but that is not the kind of stuff he's supposed to
>>be
>>eating to help his anemia.
>>
>>He also started eating litter-- which has been really hard for me
>>because I
>>know if he wasn't anemic, he would never do anything like that.
>>He's very
>>OCD about his litter box and I think if he could think straight,
>>the mere
>>thought of nibbling on litter would appall his sensibilities. I
>>emailed Dr.
>>Maier about that and she told me to start him on Silica- which I
>>got from
>>the health food store and started on Sunday.
>>
>>I am aware the transfusion may be wearing off. Also, he is no
>>longer on the
>>appetite stimulant Cyproheptadine because last week he was eating
>>fine
>>without it.
>>
>>I have emailed Dr. Maier to let her know and see what she can do
>>for him.
>>But I also wanted to know if any of you have any other "tricks" up
>>your
>>sleeves that I can try on him?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Caroline
>>________________________________
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