Sunday, December 22, 2019

The Semi-happy Warrior


Tucker is on a new regimen. He always seems to be the subject of some sort of experiment. Last Wednesday, I collected from the veterinary some Mirtazapine, to stimulate Tucker’s appetite, and some Aventi, used as a phosphorus-binder in cats with bad kidney issues. Unfortunately, neither is working as I had hoped.

I was told that the Aventi, which is in powder form, has no taste and would not be noticed by a cat if the powder were sprinkled over his food. I was, of course, dubious of this, and, it turns out, with good reason. Whether or not he can taste it, Tucker does not look with favour upon this grayish-brown powder on or in his food. I had hoped that the appetite-stimulant would cause him to eat more, and thus I could hide the Aventi in a large enough amount of soft-food as to be unnoticeable. But, except on the evening of the first day the Mirtazapine was administered, almost too soon for it to have been from its effects, Tucker’s appetite has not increased all that much.


My poor sausage of a cat has had more things wrong with him than all my others combined, I think. I sometimes am reminded of reading about an old house that had been so pulled around by renovations and repairs, additions and demolitions that it was falling apart. Through it all, though, Tucker has maintained his happy attitude. He purrs easily and is never sullen. He puts up with much and tries to smile through it. He is the least combatant-like cat I have met, except perhaps Raleigh, yet Tucker has battled more than most. I am confident that he will win this battle, too.

 


19 comments:

  1. With you as his ally, Tucker will win!

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  2. Tucker is such a good one and he will win, no doubt about it.

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  3. Tucker looks relaxed and content in the picture. And to think
    Raleigh has decided to help you use up the expensive food! Leave
    nothing to waste. Hope Tucker finds a healthy food.

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  4. Oh, Tucker...We hope you find whatever works for him, food and supplement-wise. At least we humans can suck it up and consume things we know we need, whether we like them or not. But cats....Sigh. Anyway, I will keep him, and all of you, in my prayers. Sending Light this season and always.

    Kim and Derry

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  5. They say it’s so important for the recovery of human patients to have a good attitude. Tucker’s positivity will be a great boon for him, as well.

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  6. I am confident he can do it too! With you as his slave,chef and dietician Tucker will win this battle!

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  7. My vet suggested mixing in powder in a small amount of food well mixed and give them that when they are hungry and then give them the rest of the dinner. It didn't work for me, trying to give miss pops anything is next to impossible as she hates pills .

    When our old cat Puss had renal issues, she liked yoghurt so anything she wanted to eat was fine with me. Tucker liking eggs is pretty unusual, but if he likes it keep him happy.

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    1. My boy doesn't like anything that's been adulterated, especially with medicine that he should take. But he does like eggs, and your comment made me think: can I cook the Aventi in the egg while the latter is still liquid? Something to ask the vet about...

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    2. This is probably a really dumb idea, but...scrambled eggs? It’s my experience that cats love oily/buttery food, and if he likes egg, maybe that would work?

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    3. It's not a dumb idea at all. (Well, it may be, but I'm loathe to admit it since I thought of it, too.) It may be a useful supplement. I have read conflicting reports about the desireability of egg yolks, though, some saying it is acceptable, others that they contain rather too much phosphorus.

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  8. You've probably already tried this suggestion but I'll mention it anyway. Perhaps make the changes in diet gradually. Mix Tucker's regular food with the renal diet 2/3 regular to 1/3 renal for a few days. Then increase it to ½ regular to ½ renal for a few days. Then 1/3 regular to 2/3 renal. (You may even want to start with 3/4 to 1/4.) Hopefully you will eventually be able to give him only the renal diet. You might try the same thing with the medication. Start mixing a small amount with his food and gradually increase it until he gets the full dose prescribed.

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    1. Unfortunately, Tucker doesn't even try any food that is mixed with something he finds offensive. And putting a small amount of medicine in his food has been tried, but as soon as he encounters it hidden in the food, he stops eating; if it is mixed thoroughly then it becomes the same difficulty as with the renal food: he won't eat anything that is adulterated.

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  9. I am behind you Tucker, every once of the way. Admiral took the mirtazipine and did well. It did not make her eat vast quantities but it did cause her to eat. She was some months off from flying away then but we didn't know that then. Eventually she didn't eat with the mirtazapine either. This is such a hard and heartbreaking thing, trying to medicate cats who won't be medicated.

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  10. I hope you're able to find something he will eat that will at least address some of his issues. Everytime I read of the cats' issues I am grateful that my two show no signs of health issues. Purrs to Tucker!

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  11. Tucker is in good hands with your care!

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  12. Our Buddy had Renal problems along with his hyperthyroid and does not eat his renal food unless he gets some regular mixed in. We have gone the past year on this and now he is closing in on 20 we hope it continues to the good. Many purrs to you Tucker

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  13. I hope you and Tucker can come to an agreement with what he will eat. It is so frustrating when everything offered is snubbed. My best wishes to Tucker.

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