Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Final Update

I am finally sitting down after getting everything quiet. Abby is definitely not herself. She has been put through something very traumatic for her. She isn't 100% sure of her surroundings but I believe she recognizes my smell. She has been marking me with her cheek, the way cats do, and she has been licking me. She is so so weak. The Vet center couldn't get her to eat, so she has no appetite. One set of problems it seems swapped for another now. I was able to get her to take some crunchies. So at least I got something in her. She has been receptive to drinking. Our ordeal was pilling her. She is on 4 medications. I tried putting the 3 she must take twice a day in a clear gel tablet. That did not work for me being a novice at pill giving. So I had to resort to one at a time. As weak as she is she gave everything she had to fight us. I watched multiple you tube videos to make sure how to do this. I wanted the video of a cat who hates being pilled. I have to tell you I watched one video that the cat nearly asked for his own pill. The cat put his head back with no prompting from the owner! Why doesn't my cat do that? HA!

Abby does have HCM with Hyper-T. There is NO mass. Her HCM is considered moderate, so I took that as a positive. She had a lot of lasix and the Vet was concerned about her values. She has to go to her normal vet tomorrow for blood work and Friday she goes back to the Specialist. I sense until we get her situated she will be seeing the DR a lot.

I am glad she is home!
But she is ... Different. I am chalking it up to what she's been through. I hope she starts to feel better. I don't like seeing her so unlike herself. Right now she went into the smallest room in the house and is under my desk. She has NEVER slept there. Never. I equate it to going under the bed. She's hiding. That is just not her. Abby is fearless. So it saddens me to think she is scared.

I guess I am tired myself. So here's hoping tomorrow is a better day for all.

37 comments:

  1. She has been through quite an ordeal and she probably does not quite feel like herself yet. If she is in a quiet, peaceful, safe space in her own home, she will probably feel better in the morning. Poor baby probably needs some sound, recuperative sleep. I've had a lot of luck hand-feeding baby food with sick or weak kitties, but you probably already know that. The fact that she nibbled at all is a good thing, I think.

    Even if she isn't quite herself yet, I am so glad she is home with you. XOXOXO

    ReplyDelete
  2. Home is always best, and I'm so glad Abby is there with you! Good news on the moderate diagnosis--and the pilling will get better with time. Scott and I have gotten quite good after pilling two cats a day for several years. It takes practice, and be confidant; Abby will know if you're not 100% committed to the event. Give her a treat afterwards she can't resist.
    Anyway, the point is your little girl is HOME and we are so happy! Get some rest.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So glad to hear Abby is home. Our cats act strange when they've been away at the vets, and need to re-adjust.

    ReplyDelete
  4. She will be more like herself soon. She has been thru so much in a short time. You will get better at pilling. The diagnosis sounds like it is very workable and we are so glad. Rest up both of you - tomorrow will be better.

    cats of wildcat woods

    ReplyDelete
  5. Aww, poor baby. I bet she is really happy to be home, though! Since she is on medication that is probably why she isn't acting like herself. And I do not know any cat that will willingly take a pill!! Mine fights as well. Last time I had to give him one he spit it out and then most of it ended up smeared on his face lol.

    I hope Abby feels better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank goodness she is home again!!! I'm sure she will be her old self in no time with your TLC :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. She has been through a lot--multiple vets and then being pilled and feeling badly. We are glad that she is home and at least ate a little for you--that is a very good sign.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lots of purrrs and prayers for Abby!!
    Hugs from your TX furiends,

    ReplyDelete
  9. She has been through alot. There's no way she could be herself at this point. She'll rest better at home and you will rest better (we hope) too.

    Keeping our motors revved for Abby.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Poor Abby. I don't think she is so much scared as just feeling very disoriented and unwell. Hang in there - she'll get back to herself, it'll just take some time. I'm continuing to send lots of purrs her way, and yours.

    ReplyDelete
  11. We are very happy that Abby is home with you. She has been through such an ordeal (as have you) that it's no surprise that she is disoriented. It will take a little time for her to relax again. Don't fear, the pilling will get easier as you get more practice. Some medicines can be compounded into liquid form. Your vet may know of a pharmacy that can do this. Sometimes 1ml of medicine at a time in a syringe is easier to give than several pills.

    Great suggestions upthread too.

    We send you and Abby love and rumbly purrs, we are so glad this will be manageable. She is a sweet soul

    Gerry, Mungo & The Ape xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. We're glad to see Abby is home where she has familiar faces and scents. She must have been very scared at the vets and hopefully she will settle down with her "things" around her.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sending lots and lots of purrs to Abby. We highly recommend Salmon flavor pill pockets. You might try giving her one with nothing in it a couple of times. If she likes it, then try putting her pill(s) in there.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Aww sweet Abby's been through so so much. We are so glad she is home. Sending you all continued purrs and hugs! Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  15. So glad she is home! The ordeal for her was very great, so she will be different for a while and also until she and you get used to the routine of pills. She needs time and so do you. Sending loads of good thoughts purrs and prayers. love Austin, Tigger and Caro xox

    ReplyDelete
  16. It's so good to know she's home. She has been through a lot, and she needs time to rest and recuperate. And we're sure you do, too, after this!

    Hyper-T is easy to manage with meds, and managing it will take a stress off of her heart. You and she will get better at pills. Once she's feeling up to eating, you might be able to get her to eat her pills in pill pockets and save some of the trouble of pilling her. You might consider making a little chart of the pills she's taking and when if they are multiple times a day to help you keep them straight, especially if her dosages change over time while she's getting regulated.

    Many purrs and continuing good thoughts for Abby as she settles back into home.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh, I know how horrible it is to pill a pet who fights. Whitey is was the absolute hardest pet I've ever had to pill. Most of my dogs I could just pop it down and give them a treat and they were happy as clams. Whitey fought me so hard I couldn't believe it. Every time I would wind up in tears and loaded with guilt.

    But right now, you just focus on all of the positives. She's home. It's going to take her time to feel safe again after the trauma and stress she's just experienced. And she will.

    Give her smoochies and scritches from me and the Gs! big hugs xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  18. Abby and you have been through so much, and surely it will take her some time to adjust to being back in familiar surroundings. We are so very glad she is back home with you, and purr and pray for you both.

    Big hugs, dear friends.

    ReplyDelete
  19. We are so glad Abby is home now. Like the others have said, she's been through a lot the last few days and it's no surprise that she's not feeling herself. Being home surrounded by the things she knows should help. And pilling should get easier. The mom is an expert piller but has used compounded meds on occasion and that has been helpful.

    We continue to purr for Abby...and you too. We know how stressful this has been.

    ReplyDelete
  20. oh dear friend, my heart goes out to you and Abby for all you have both been thru and are going thru. Give her a few days and see how it goes. Poor dear. I know what you mean when you say why doesn't my cat take pills easier like some do. It's been a struggle with every one that I've had. When Mario was on so many drugs before he had his teeth removed, we used to wrap him in a baby blanket - it took two of us because he didn't like that either. But we managed to get the pill down him. We feel your pain. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yes, that ordeal was very stressful for her and we sure hope the pill giving gets easier. Purrs, hugs and prayers for that sweet Abby.

    ReplyDelete
  22. We are so happy Abby's home. We're sure that once she feels safe again, she'll start to eat properly. She has been through so much over the last few days. Poor baby.
    Hopefully the pill eating will get easier for everyone involved.
    Take care of yourself too, Abby's Mom.

    ReplyDelete
  23. il existe un "lance pilule" c'est comme une seringue qui envoie le comprimé rapidement dans la bouche avec un peu d'eau, par instinct l'animal avale.
    Cela convient à mes deux chattes et c'est plus facile pour moi.
    Je vous souhaite beaucoup de courage pour ces moments.
    bisous,
    Laurence, Opale et Sonye

    ReplyDelete
  24. veree happee ewe bee home abby....N ta yur mom; her is stressed; her noez ewe iz stressed...ya both haza reezon ta bee strezzed....if pill pocketz willna werk, try crushin de pill witha bak of a spoon...put de pill on de counter; a dish towel over de pill N crush it with de back ova spoon ore sumthin....if her can haz toona; mix it with toona coz de smell oh de toona will outway de "smell" of de pill...trust uz...we noe how hard it iz....continmewed purrz, purrayers N de blessings oh st francis...

    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  25. purrs.... she has been through a lot and is probably just trying to readjust. we hope that all the dr visits can come up with some results and she can get back to a normal routine. all you can do is love her. as to pilling, mom is pretty good but our foster girl Licorice gave her a run for her money this morning. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. My heart goes out to you BOTH! I am sure that Abby is just scared, she has been through the MILL!!!! The poor baby. My Bobo had HCM and I am happy to hear that Abby's is "moderate", when Bobo's was "moderate" the vet was able to keep it under control for two years with lasix. They have to monitor the lasix closely though.
    Bobo also didn't care for being pilled (don't hate me but Cody is like the cat you mentioned that willingly takes his pills, Bobo was NEVER like that)
    Did you try swaddling Abby in a towel to pill her? I used to do that with Bobo and I used to try and pill him when he was sleepy. Will Abby take a pill pocket? I used to use those for Bobo and they are the BEST!
    Please feel free to email me any time.....I think you have my email but if not, cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com
    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh, we know Abby will never be her "old" self again, but we so hope she gets over the trauma of the last few days and settles back into her home and routine. We'll be purraying that she starts to eat again and the pilling gets easier. Love, purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

    ReplyDelete
  28. I am very glad that Abby is back home again. Give her time and I am sure she will act as normal again. She is probably very confused by all that has been happening.

    ReplyDelete
  29. We're a day or two behind, but we are so glad Abby is back home. Just being in familure turf will help her a lot. (no hidey hole like an old familure hidey hole)

    FWIW, Connie from "Tails from the Foster Kitties" wrote a nice post on pilling less than happy kitties:
    http://www.kittyblog.net/2013/03/what-i-know-how-i-pill-cat.html

    Might help.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sending more healing purrz to Abby. I hope she starts feeling like herself soon. It's not easy seeing someone you love so much suffering. xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  31. Head bonks, purrs, and LOTS of furry mojo!

    ReplyDelete
  32. We came over from Austin's blog to wish you all healing purrs. Home is the best place for Abby, and she will need time to settle down from her recent trauma. We have been through some terrible times with sick cats, and we are keeping paws crossed. We hope you can find someone to help hold her for the pilling. Hopefully if you can get some pills in her she will start feeling better.
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  33. We're really sending our best healing purrs to Abby.

    The Paw Relations

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am so happy she is home with you now. Both of you need some rest. Maybe you could grab a pillow and blanket and curl up next to her under the desk. Purrs and hugs to you both.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sending lot of (((purrs)))
    Me too thiknk that Abby like´s to be home instead at the vet´s

    ReplyDelete
  36. So glad Abby is home, hope she feels better really soon. Tempting her appetite with meat baby food, AD recovery food or even tuna fish might help. Sending more purrs for her.

    ReplyDelete
  37. We Hope you feel better soon, Abby!!!! Get Well purrs and gentle headbutts from, Cali,Andy,Tater and Shelly (and our Momma, Judy)

    ReplyDelete

We always love hearing from you please leave some pawprints!
Happy purrs
>^,,^<
♥AngelAbby♥Annabelle♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥AngelGrace♥