SAME PROBLEMS FOR HISSIE HAVE RETURNED

Well my friends, I am back again. I have been trying some to help others on here, as I had promised I would. I was so hoping though, that I would not have to return in regards to Hissie. Hiss is getting real sick on me again. Right at this moment, I am feeling so many emotions...at a loss, numb, in a fog, heartbroken, scared, highly worried, etc. Two nights ago, she threw up all over our bedroom and the last time she had a bowel movement was several days ago. Now, she is back to throwing up the white foam on the floor, threw up in her litterbox tonight and has stopped eating as of yesterday. Hissie was doing so good, after this last stay at the vet. I have had her on the good diet of Wellness and Holistic catfood. Been giving her the salmon oil. I still so greatly agree, that her diet needed changing. Yet, we are back to square one and I am just not getting it. I have not been giving her the stool softener, as she was having bowel movements really well on her own. I hate to get into gross detail, but feel it necessary. She has been having big poops. But, she has also been dropping little poops, the size of maybe a Milk Dud. There have been many of those on the floor. So, I been afraid to give her any stool softener, as I didn't want to give her diarreha. But, we have started the stool softener now, since it has been several days since she has had any bowel movement. So far, there has been no results. And I know she is not constipated like she was, when we had her at the vet just recently. Eventhough, I have been so upset and worried, these last few months she has been so ill, I still had hope. Folks, I just am not having a good feeling about my Hissie. Keeps coming back to this with my girl. I am almost certain at this point, that something serious is going on internally with Hiss. Something that has yet to be found. I am thinking cancer. When the vet was running the tests and everything kept coming back fine, the vet did mention maybe possible cancer. Then of course, she found the large hairball in Hissie's intestines. But, these symptoms keep returning. An indication to me, that something else is going on with Hiss. And to be honest, in ways Hiss just looks bad. Sure she has lost some weight, due to being so sick. But, Hiss was eating again like a little pig. She should have put on some weight. Hiss was a broad husky built cat. Today, my husband even mentioned, that body wise, she does not look right. And I have been noticing it, too. I know cancer effects cats in many ways like us humans. I have seen cancer a number of times in people. My father and two grandfathers died with cancer. The loss of appetite, the wasting away of the body, etc. I see these signs in Hissie. And as I have mentioned, the symptoms keep coming back. Right now, I really don't know what to do. Those of you, that have kept up with Hissie on this forum, know how deeply I worship this precious cat. But, it now entering my mind and heart, what is the moral thing to do with my Hissie girl. I am not wanting to give up on her, but I don't want to keep putting her through going to the vet, improving and then have her get so sick all over again. I want to hold onto her forever, but I know that is not going to happen. Hiss is an old girl of 15 and it is obvious that her health is failing at this point. My husband is as tore up over Hiss as I am. Infact, today we were discussing the choices in this. My husband just shut down on me. He understood what I was trying to explain. He just could not deal with it. Even if Hissie has a bowel movement, we still are going to take her to the vet this Monday. I want her tested for cancer. I am agonizing over feeding her bad catfood these past 3 yrs. I know I did not understand about these catfoods. But yet, I should have educated myself and been informed. Plus, looking back over the months, I missed a few signs. Hissie had been throwing up here and there, for some months, before she took very ill. I just thought back then, that she had tummy aches, just like us humans do at times. I am feeling very, very down tonight. I came here, knowing my friends on here, will understand how I am feeling this night. I do not want to lose my Hissie, but neither do I want her in agony and suffering. And I do believe she is experiencing both. Thank you my friends as always.  

[dominosarah]

I am so sorry to hear about Hissie.........Poor little thing.....I think you are right in checking other avenues now.  Something is going on with her.  She isnt a young girl anymore and it will just keep getting harder and harder on her to keep being sick.  You and your husband are WONDERFUL parents to her and you will do the right thing for her.  Have the vet check her out and wait and see what they find and then you can make a decision.  We will be waiting to hear how she turns out.  We are here for you        sara

[PrettyKitty1]

Lynn,

Your cat is showing sings of Chronic Gastritis. I would mention this to the vet. Usually, cats who suffer from this disease, when tests like urinalysis, fecal, blood, heartworm etc are performed, they come back normal.  I do not know if she has been through this, but at this point, I’d say if you haven't done so already, Hissie needs a Biopsy.  She definitely has metabolic disorders and, who knows, she may even have IBD from the small intestine, which also causes vomiting and significant weight loss.

Why is she showing signs of chronic gastritis? It all goes back to her previous diet; but it isn’t your fault. She was on God knows what type of diet before you adopted her. Then, 9 Lives probably worsened the situation and, at this point, she needs more than just proper diet.  Ask the vet for a biopsy, see what the results are. I would even go as deep as doing Endoscopy, which is a more generalized procedure and yes, it does require anesthesia and so your cat will again be put through stressful situations. Being 15 years old, I wouldn’t doubt if she started to show sings of re-occurring health problems, especially because of her previous life (before she lived with you).

Again, treatment for cats with these types of disease includes diet change (novel protein source) steroids and anti-inflammatory medicine. But, this is me assuming or thinking she may have chronic gastritis, specifically IBD, pancreatic, or even a GI tract disorder. She is showing all the symptoms, which can be confused with cancer.  Stay positive. I know it is hard at this point, because of her overall physical condition, but don’t lose hope. She can still make it. You just need to find the root cause for all her problems. And yes, I suspect her issues are diet related. Once you get to the bottom of what’s causing her to vomit and lose weight, then you’ll see how well and healthy she gets……………….in a blink of an eye!!!  Keep feeding her high quality foods.  If she does have IBD, we’ll talk one on one. If she has IBD, I would NOT be surprised if Wellness or other high quality foods aren’t helping. But you need to do a Biopsy or better yet, an Endoscopy. Perhaps the hairball problem was just a one time ‘thing’ but the real issue was never addressed.

Look, my cat’s condition was not improved by Wellness or any other high quality foods. Sometimes we just have to identify the problem to be able to address it with the proper equipment. I found out IBD cats must be on a raw diet. You may find out even more interesting things about your cat’s condition and how to address it; but you must not give up on her unless the vet tells you she has major damage all over parts of her body. Please, don’t give up. We aren’t giving up!!!! We’re still here for her and you, and together we can fix her!!!

[zodiacqueen]

Hi Lynn!  I can't even tell you how disappointed I am to read this update!  ={  I think that you are right, and something is definitely going on with Hissie.  It is obvious to me, now, that is more than just a diet issue.  I'm not sure what it is, but I'm pretty sure that Hissie's problem is localized in the colon or possibly the small intestine.  I really do think that's where the problem is.  Common sense tells me that it's Hissie's colon, because AFTER she's "cleaned" out, she has a period of time where she's normal again.  If Hissie had a stomach issue, you would not have constipation-you'd have vomiting as your main symptom.  

I do think that some more tests would do Hissie some good.  I'd ask for a colonoscopy, or a barium enema to see if there's another blockage, and if there is one you'd be able to see if it's in the same place again.  If the blockage is in the same place, then something could be going on with that section of colon.  Maybe it is just constipation again!  Don't give up hope, there are still options out there.  Hang in there, hon!!  

[PrettyKitty1]

Lynn,

One more thing. I know salmon oil has been suggested to you. Salmon oil is for skin and coat, not for stomach or digestive issues. She’ll have less shedding and shinier coat, but she will not get better from her problems. In trying to address that specific constipation/vomiting issue, salmon oil is a waste of time. You'd have to have a cat with digestive issues to see and experience what salmon oil brings. I’d get the digestive enzymes to help her out better. But first, talk to the vet about a possible gastritis. Chronic gastritis can be manifested in various forms, as I mentioned before. Your cat can have IBD or GI tract disorder, or since she is vomiting, she may have stomach issues. This (what I've just told you), my vet told me a while ago when Abby was suffering from IBD. IBD in the small intestine also causes vomiting and weight loss. Overall, her problem is related to some sort of perhaps unknown digestive disorder.

I know you will take her back to the vet tomorrow, but if you could go to the pharmacy and get some physillium husk and give it to her, it will help her evacuate.

Please come back with updates. I'm glad you're being responsible in feeding your baby the best foods out there. Older or not, a cat needs good nutrition. No matter what her problem is a good diet always helps. You are helping your cat, not poisoning her with Friskies or Fancy feast. I'm with you on this. We all are. Take care of yourself so you can take care of that precious little girl.

(((HUGS)))

Let me know how this goes....

[Mrs_Savas]

Hi folks.

OK, my understanding about salmon oil for this kind of thing is that it can really help - long term - in the sense of improving your cat's skin, coat and digestive health overall.  However, it isn't for the immediate care of digestive/constipation/vomitting issues.

Laxatone or Petromalt are good for immediate removal of hairballs.  But the issue isn't that simple - a good vet's advice here is needed, I think.

Most important right now is for us to take a step back and remember that we are all here to help each other.  Even if we do disagree with someone, we need to step softly.  I'm pretty sure we are all here for good reasons - because we care about out own cats and all other cats as well.  I like to think that some of us have gotten to know each other pretty well by now and that we can respect each other's motivation and experience at all times.  OK?

Hissie is important to all of us here, I think.  So let's keep Hissie uppermost in our thought - at least on her threads.

Lynn, I'm sorry for what you are going through.  I know you love your Hissie and I trust that you will always do right by her.  Trust yourself and your instincts.  No one knows her like you do.

[Jacqui805]

Lynn,

I just wanted to say, that whatever is happening with Hissie, you've been, and you're being, a wonderful mother to her....you've loved and cared for her for FIFTEEN years...you're doing A LOT right for that to happen hon.  I hope you get some helpful answers at your vet very early in the week.

Please let us all know what the vet says and how Hissie and you are doing.

Jacqui