Thursday, September 29, 2022

Today's Health Report

Horace is feeling under the weather today. He threw up several times during the night; this morning, I found small amounts of a hairball, so that may be what is causing his distress. He didn’t want anything to eat for breakfast; even placing a dish with a small portion of food before him elicited a pathetic whimper, as if the sight and smell of it was too nauseating for him. I don’t think it is a serious ailment, though he is probably feeling enough discomfort to disagree. I will try some hairball remedy on him this evening, if he has not recovered.



In better news, I am in the process of buying a bottle of Cerenia for Renn. My big boy, as readers may know, is prone to vomiting, his stomach becoming upset and causing him to refuse to eat. He consumes a small amount of food as it is - he always has - so not eating, and bringing up what he already has eaten, is a problem for a cat who is always losing weight, albeit gradually.


I have tried to use Cerenia in pill form, but the mild absurdity of giving medicine orally for something that makes a cat puke is patent. Injecting the drug has usually calmed Renn’s stomach and, even if it doesn’t immediately restore his will to eat, has made him feel better. No one at the animal hospital knew how to charge for the bottle, as it is always paid only by individual injections. Giving a whole bottle to a client is something new to them. Renn’s doctor knows that I have had practice in giving injections, and saw no problem with the provision.


The cost is great, but will give me enough Cerenia for thirty doses. Of course, I don’t foresee Renn needing that many in the relatively short time he has remaining with me. Even so, it is a bargain per injection, especially when a single visit to the veterinary hospital, for any reason, will sometimes cost as much as a hundred dollars. As well, the Cerenia, if kept chilled, will last a couple of years, even after the seal is broken.


I was reminded that Renn’s chronic vomiting is likely caused not by irritable bowel syndrome, but by his failing kidneys. The former cause was one that was discussed, but ultimately rejected. My big boy’s kidneys are dying, and, considering the continued weight loss and periodic unsteadiness he experiences, their failure has probably progressed to stage three or even four. I see no advantage in taking him in to be examined in that regard. All that can be done for his condition is treatment for the symptoms, which is being done.


But with Cerenia, I will hopefully be able to prolong Renn’s comfort, if not his life, and that is not at all a bad item on his health report today.


13 comments:

  1. Poor Horace, the eyes and now an upset tummy for some reason. Hopefully just a hairball as you think it could be. Then back to the life of leisure. And it sounds buying the bottle of med is going to help in a few a ways. No trip to the vet for the shot and the convenience of a home treatment. Certainly wish the best for Renn that he does not need this too often too soon.

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  2. that's what we were going to say.>I was reminded that Renn’s chronic vomiting is likely caused not by irritable bowel syndrome, but by his failing kidneys. mum experienced this with the honey sunshine, vomit/failing kidneys/weight loss

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  3. Poor Horace; the big hairballs can cause a lot of discomfort until they get them out. I hope he's doing better by now.

    That's so good that you were able to get a at-home treatment for Renn. We're all hoping it will help keep his last years--however many there may be--comfortable and happy.

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  4. Gosh if I only weren't such a weinie about learning injecton.

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  5. We send purrayers for you and all your kitties.

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  6. Horace, I certainly hope you feel better soon. Poor guy - hairballs are no fun! I'm also glad to hear that you've been able to get injectable Cerenia for Renn. Hopefully this will keep him comfortable.

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  7. Aw, I hope Horace feels better soon. Purrs from Derry.

    That's a great idea to buy cerenia by the bottle. I do hope you seldom need it.

    As for the cost of vet visits. OMC, don't even mention it. It's $102 and change for a regular exam, never mind everything else added in. It's only slightly less at my regular clinic. Insane.

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  8. I sure hope Horace is feeling better soon, poor guy. The Cerenia injections should help Renn, I hope it does.

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  9. How terrific that the veterinarian chose to allow you to buy a bottle!
    What is best for the cat is paramount, not for his office's bottomline.

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  10. Cerenia is good stuff.
    I don't know how well it works in stage 3 or 4 kidney disease (my boys are both late stage 2), but telmisartan or benazepril have been helpful for both my boys. It lowers the blood pressure in the kidneys, which is helpful somehow. May be something to ask about. Both medications are pretty cheap cost-wise.
    Hugs and purrs to you all.

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  11. Goodness John, it seems there is rarely a moment of peace in the Cozy Apartment - it's like the cats want to ensure you are kept on your toes all the time.
    Glad you were able to obtain the bottle of Cerenia - it sounds like it may be useful not only to Renn.

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  12. Glad the vet was willing to allow you to have that injectable cerenia. Hope it helps Renn.

    Horace...hope your hairball issues calm down soon, so you can eat well.

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  13. I have been on holiday so way behind on posts. I hope Horace is feeling better now and that the Cerenia helps Renn.

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