Renn is back home and doing well. When I brought him home yesterday, he spent some time sniffing cats and objects, then joined the others in a soft-food dinner. He ate a good-sized portion, though his portions are not large. Despite his size, he is not a big eater. But he did eat. Soft-food, then hard-food, then soft-food again at snack-time. And he ate soft-food again for breakfast. He hasn’t eaten so much soft-food in such a short time for months, it seems.
He drank a great quantity of water last night, and not long after dinner, visited the litter-boxes and left two deposits, one of each kind.
I’m not complacent about these developments, as pleasing as they may be. His sudden appetite may have been due to going without food at the hospital, or relief at being home, or familiar smells of food. Renn will be watched closely for some time. He will also have his food supplemented by syringe for a little while, and be put on a weekly injection of hairball remedy, like Josie.
These words give the impression that I am not happy with what my big boy achieved last night, and I am. Wetting in a litter-box demonstrates that he is not blocked in the appropriate passages. He is not constipated and…he has not vomited since returning home. Furthermore, any food he consumes is a step in the right direction. I’m not complacent, but I am not pessimistic, either. In fact, I think he has turned the corner of whatever was bothering him. Renn was in a good mood last evening, which was fuel for my optimism.
I want to thank those who expressed good wishes for Renn’s health, and also those who offered suggestions. I’ve learned much from other members of the Cat Blogosphere, and continue to do so. As regards sending a sample of Renn away to grow a culture, I was told that there was simply nothing to grow, since nothing was found. The inflammation that the doctor suspected of being the cause of Renn’s discomfort was merely a guess, since no signs of real infection were found. Nonetheless, this little mystery cost me $300.
Yet, though nothing really was achieved by his hospital stay - except the discovery that he is actually in good health (not an inconsiderable thing to learn, really) - I would do it again. The one time that I don’t take action may be the one time action is needed. My cats depend on me to keep them well and, though there are many other things on which I could spend my money, I find that I tend to spend it on my cats when I do have it. As Renn crept up to me in bed last night, purring and rubbing his head against my hand, I know it goes to a good cause.
Great news that he's home and doing well! Fingers and paws crossed that this continues.
ReplyDeleteYes, C&S test--culture & sensitivity. If there had been a bacterial infection, the only way to know for sure what kind and the best kind of antibiotic is via c&S in a lab. I've had it done before, for Derry for sure and I can't remember whether I had it run for Annie too (too long ago now to recall, in that dark time). I don't trust the in-house labs for determining bacterial infection; it's too easy to come up with a false positive for reasons of contamination.
Oh, did the vet mention "idiopathic cystitis?" Meaning there's no discernible cause for the bladder inflammation (no bacterial infection). Usually stress-related. This is what Derry has, and why I give him a couple of pinches of the UTI-Free twice a day. But Derry's had several bouts of cystitis (started 4 years ago this month), so his wasn't a one-off. Let's hope it IS just a one-off for Renn.
ReplyDeleteI can't think what sort of stress he could have undergone. Perhaps it accumulated. These cats are still a mystery to me in many ways.
DeleteI am glad to hear that Renn is back home and appears to be greatly improved.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely that our cats take priority when money must be spent. Flynn has cost a great deal so far but I don't begrudge a penny of it if it as long as it keeps him relatively healthy. The blood in Flynn's urine is a mystery too. I got another sample tonight and it still looks cloudy so I think it is still present. We have decided we don't want him to have more antibiotics. The thyroid pills appear to be working and the blood was only discovered during a routine urine check and had not been causing any problems. The antibiotic pills made him very ill and then the Convenia nearly finished him off. We feel very lucky that he is still with us.
Oh well, not the first time a Vet has been wrong on the culture thing. Glad things are looking up.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know he is home and doing well :) I believe money spent on the ones I love is always money well spent :)
ReplyDeleteWe're glad Renn is home and doing okay. We purr that he continues to improve.
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Wonderful! We give thanks for answered prayers. Perhaps Renn is eating and drinking well because he hasn't felt well in a while. Cats are very adept at hiding their illness and frequently display no symptomatic behaviour until quite far along. We also believe that in-house labs are only a jumping off point. The specimen should receive a full work up in a lab that is capable of doing so.
ReplyDeleteRe: Convenia. Convenia so damaged my cats GI tract that she was never able to form stool again, was incontinent of stool laced with necrotic tissue every half hour and finally needed to be put down for bowel necrosis. Convenia was relatively new to the market, I asked for it and I live with the guilt. Avoid it like the plague.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Renn (and you).
I think you may be right: something may not have been agreeing with Renn for some time. But what cured it? Little was done at the veterinary hospital. Still, I am grateful.
DeleteWe try our best for our pets and sometimes we choose something that turns out badly. We can't know sometimes. I wish I could re-make some decisions, as well. You did the best you could for her, and you did it because you loved her. In the end, we can do little else.
ah yes - the underdetermine stay at the vet. it had happened here...but as mom says, better safe than sorry. glad Renn is home and feeling better
ReplyDeleteWe have had several multiple hundred dollar tummy aches here at the Tomcat Home. Balanced against the love they give it is a good trade and cheap in the big picture
ReplyDeletePurrs and Prayers for Renn until this has issue truly passed]
Dad Pete and Fur Family