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Buzz is standing on my desk doing his best to keep me from being able to type.
He is actually doing pretty well today. He even came downstairs to wait for me to get back from walking the dog, something he never does. I think it was the 3rd time he has come down the stairs since he moved in 2 months ago.
Being on such a strong steroid he is ravenous, so he is eating well.
He was a little less than amused with me when I gave him 2 shots this morning but his forgiving nature has taken over already.
For anyone who missed meeting Buzz when I got him here are a couple of pics.
Racelady -
Buzz is a cutie-patootie! Hopefully he was just constipated, but you may want to ask your vet if there's a possibility or likelihood of megacolon. Stool impaction can impinge on the spinal cord and adversely affect mobility. Feeding mostly canned food helps with motility due to its higher water content.
shroom we did talk about his colon. It looks really good on the x-ray. Buzz has IBD and canned food goes through him like water. I suppose that would be better than not going through at all, he was not a happy camper after his, ahem, procedure yesterday.
Buzz is a sweetie. I know you mentioned IBD. I'll post this website again. It's a great one on cat nutrition and I try and post it as often as possible to get the word out. Dr. Pierson had success with raw food on her cat Robbie who had IBD.
His x-rays were beautiful, mine should look so good.
Nothing broken or dislocated and nothing growing on his spine.
They gave him an enema and some antibiotics and some steroids. I brought him home then went to work. I just got home & am very happy to report that he is walking! Not quite his normal walk, but walking none the less.
You may want to Google the effects of steroids on cats and discontinue as soon as possible. I use Slippery Elm Bark powder and have for years on my two Siamese girls - one of whom has IBD and the other who has the worst kind of heart disease, HCM. Whenever they get in a bad place and aren't eating/drinking/pooping or whatever, giving them a syringe (I use the tiny, 1ml total size you can get from your vet) into the side (not into the throat, which can go directly into their trachea - harmful) of their mouths. Both of mine have to be wrapped up in a towel and one of us gently holds their head, while the other administers the Slippery Elm liquid. They hate us for a few minutes for the indignity, but then come purring over to us after they realise how good they feel after a dose of it! You can get the powder at a health food store or order it online in capsules. Take maybe a Tablespoon of the powder to 1/3 cup boiling water and mix and keep in the fridge. To administer, I warm it slightly on a low power in my microwave (test with your finger to make sure not too hot!) and then suck it up from a tiny bowl into your syringe. I give the full 1ml syringe at least 3x at a sitting, if we can get it into them. It's a messy job - they shake their heads, getting it all over you, but it's safe, cheap and often saves me a vet visit. Enemas often have nasty ingredients that are detrimental to our kitties' health in them. With my two, I have to be extra careful. Keep the syringes clean and you can reuse them a long time. Slippery Elm is good for keeping them hydrated when they've nauseaous, has some nutritional value, and helps with constipation over a couple of days. You can give it as long as you feel the need - I've never heard of any side effects. Hope this is of help and your buddy feels much better by now. But watch the steroid use, tho - vets are pretty free with them and they shouldn't be.
Thanks reindeerlady. Our course of steroids is done. We took our last dose on Friday. We all have our fingers crossed that whatever it was does not come back.
Long term effects were not a concern for us, as we would likely have had to say goodbye to Buzz if we could not get him walking. He is old already. Our number one concern was getting him walking.
If there was someone here to help me administer oral meds it would be easier, but it is just me. I have yet to find a towel or blanket that will allow me by myself to keep him still and be able to dose at the same time.
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and some antibiotics and some steroids. I brought him home then went to work. I just got home & am very happy to report that he is walking! Not quite his normal walk, but walking none the less.
