Phaedra back to the vet :(

[ouijeewoman]

Originally Posted by =^..^=

That blood report was GOOD news and we needed some when the vet called. She has a coat that meminds me of a Maine Coon. She has a double heavy very dense coat and would be able to withstand a lot of cold. The fur on her feet cover the pads. Her breeches are excessive and must be trimmed so she can keep her backside clean. I plan to speak to the vet about having her clipped. Oddly enough she still goes out into the safe-outdoor enclosure on the hottest days and dozes in the shade.

How long did they leave the fur on Duke? Surely they didn't slip him down to the skin - did they?

He was shaved down to the skin. I think it's called the "lion" cut. He had fur on his head, the tip of his tail, and on his feet. He also had problems with the breeches. I can remember my mom taking him in the tub and closing the shower doors to give him a bath because of poo stuck in his breeches. After that incident he got the lion cut! My father insisted that it hurt his feelings if you laughed! Duke was supposed to be my cat but he chose my father. My father doted on that cat. I miss them both. Every time you mention breeches I always think of Duke and the tub.

[catdad7x]

Originally Posted by =^..^=

I personally don't think this is hairball related. She's always yakked them up. And the barium went right through so there was no hairball "clog."

A few years ago my girl Gypsy started having a problem keeping anything down. Off to the vet, tests normal, couldn't pin point a reason, etc.. It was my vets opinion that it was probably caused by hairball irritation of her esophagus and/or stomach lining. She was on a medicine (sorry don't recall the name) to sooth her stomach and bland food for a week or so, and she got over it and was back to normal. Gypsy is a short haired cat, but she sheds a lot and is a compulsive groomer. She's always puked up more hairballs than the others have, so it kind of made sense if that's what it was. FWIW

[catsmom21]

Please rethink the "hairball gel". That stuff is made with petroleum. A substance that was never made to be ingested and is highly toxic, no matter what anyone tells you about it being "safe". In addition is is full of other horrible things like corn syrup and artificial stuff.

And it will make any irritation or inflammation worse.

You can use egg yolk lecithin (NOT soy) to safely help with hairballs. It is actually good for her, besides. There are two brands to choose from. Hairballs are made up of primarily fur and fat. The lecithin breaks down the fat so the hair can pass through the way it is supposed to, rather than being brought up.

She may also be having a motility problem and the lecithin does contain choline, which helps with motility.

I know you don't think this is hairball related, but I agree with Cat Dad that there may be some inflammation going on from the fur that passes through. Add on the constant puking, and her whole digestive tract (including esophagus) is probably inflamed.

Slippery elm bark, used sparingly (though it is safe to use every day if needed) is wonderful for this type of inflammation. Just be careful about not giving it within 2 hours (either way) of medicine because it does coat everything inside and may interfere with the absorption of meds and supplements.

I really really beseech you not to use "hair ball gel".