I got an email from PRA

They informed me that Isis' sibling, who was adopted 4 weeks before we got Isis, died of FIP and Isis might have been exposed.
This is not the kind of news one wants to hear.

Especially after making an appointment for our vet to give her a once over, and have her vaxxes recorded there. Isis was her wriggly squirming self when I told the vet about the possible exposure to the feline corona virus which can develop into FIP. Some blood was taken (*that's another horror story in itself) after putting her in a "twilight sleep" via 'The Box", because she wriggled too much.

Got a phone call from the vet this morning that the testing lab said there is no way to text for feline corona virus, and that typically a positive FIP test comes from testing the fluid in a distended/swollen abdomen.  And with the way Isis was so bright, squirmy, wriggly, trilling, if she was exposed the same time her sibling was, she would have had symptoms by now. All is well.

*The horror story: while waiting in the vet's waiting room, a nurse comes out, thrusting this limp, head drooped, tongue hanging out, floppy thing that was supposed to be Isis at me. No pet carrier, just the above.

I swear, I stopped breathing for a few minutes. I saw her head rear back, eyes unfocused. I 'curled' her up, and held her firmly.
 
Turns out there was an emergency in the back, and they had to do a resuscitation. She started coming to, and she had claws out. We got our pet carrier back, and Wing managed to get her back into it, and she recovered from the "Twilight sleep".

I know it bites into their profits to pay out

But I'm really pissed off at PetPlan insurance right now.

Loki had bad breath. Upon exam, it turned out he had an oral infection, and ONE, just ONE of the steps to clear him of the infection was to have under the gum line near the infected areas cleaned.  He was lucky, he didn't lose any teeth. The other steps were to give him antibiotics, and to 'clean his mouth', if I could without getting bitten.. too much.

However, according to PetPlan, this wasn't a cure for an oral infection, oh no no no!  It was 'a preventative dental scaling'. 
I have sent this to them. Not that I actually expect them to do the right thing.

Consider this angry feedback.  I've been a client of yours for 12+ years. 

My cat, Loki had bad breath. Upon exam, it turned out he had an oral infection, and ONE, just ONE of the steps to clear him of the infection was to have under the gum line near the infected areas cleaned.  He was lucky, he didn't lose any teeth. The other steps were to give him antibiotics, and to 'clean his mouth', if I could without getting bitten.. too much.

However, according to PetPlan, this wasn't a cure for an oral infection, oh no no no!  It was 'a preventative dental scaling'.  That was your 'loophole'. You consider any and gum/teeth treatment as preventative. If it was preventative, he would have had it done without me submitting a claim, just like I did with Ziggy, and Keito, Loki and Trance over the years.  But this was a needed MEDICAL procedure to CURE an infection.

Don't bother calling me, because I know you will just give me the same excuse, that it was preventative.  And my reply is the same: If it was preventative, he wouldn't have had an oral infection.

Ziggy had a seizure

Ziggy just had an episode of thrashing around, as if in a panic. Then she was gasping for air, as if she couldn't breathe. I managed to get her untangled from the computer cords, as this happened while she was on the towel covered box on the battery back up.

She ok, or as ok as she can be right now, but we needed to have her seen by the vet.

Vet said it was an idiopathic seizure. And since it's not happening all the time, and that she is bright and alert (even though with all our feeding her she's still losing weight) and eating, drinking, walking around, using her litter box, she will be with us for a while longer.
When we got home, I warmed a plate, cut up some beef on the warm plate so it wouldn't cook, and carried it into the room where she was. She poked her head out of the top of the basket and YOWLED to be fed. Ate everything, and tube treat! Yeah, she will be here for a while longer. Just weeks, but it will have to be enough.

When  she can't get around on her own, or starts soiling herself, and refusing to eat anything.... then it will be 'that time'.

Keito Update: BGL Curve Tests at the vet

His BGL curve test results weren't as great as we would have liked (it tends to drop too much after 2pm) but instead of trying different insulin, we will try feeding 4 small meals a day (1/2 tin of food 4 times a day). Instead of morning, midday, evening, he will be on a slightly "Hobbitized" feeding schedule. Morning, Midday, afternoon snack, evening meal.

Dr D did say that even if these numbers don't change or he doesn't go into remission, as he is alert, active, eating, drinking, uhh visiting the litterbox regularly, and being ‘more 'Keito', and isn't in any sort of insulin shock, we can stay with this treatment. He *is* 14, so making his twilight years comfy is more important than the perfect BGL curve.

He is back home, and I just wish you could hear the purring.

Keito Update, Morning Edition

Went to the vet for an in house pet visit. We weren't even all the way into the room before Keito started meowing.. LOUDLY. Demanded to be pet and patted NOW.  Considering the limp dishrag that we brought in Sunday, this is one helluva improvement.

PET ME NOW, HUMANS!

It seems that Keito might be able to get by with only having one small dose of insulin a day.  Three feeds a day (half a tin of food three times a day), one insulin injection, as two makes his BGL drop too low.  Also, the dose he needs is smallish.  This augurs well for him going into diabetic remission, as low dosage of insulin needed is one of the criteria.

Plan of action today: Morning feed, small dose of insulin 30 minutes later.  Afternoon feed, fresh water. BGL test. Evening feed. 30 minutes another BGL test.  See what the 'curve' is. Don't mind a wavy line, just do NOT want peaks and valleys.

Keito Update, Morning edition

When we entered the kennel area, Keito whipped his head around, looked at us, half blinked his eyes (cat version of a smile), and started purring his bones apart. No longer a limp bit of fur!

We brought in some tins of his favorite food. Popped one open. He immediately got up and started meeping at us. Put half of it in a small dish, and he proceeded to inhale it. Remember, he didn't eat Sunday, had to be force fed via a syringe Monday, and Tuesday morning. The fact that he is eating with a hearty appetite is a good sign.

Diabetes: BGL up again over night, that is normal. BGL was 12, not 19 or 21 this time. And this is on a smaller dosage of insulin.Now that he has eaten, they will wait, test blood, then give appropriate even smaller dose of insulin.

Dr M was thrilled at how well Keito is responding, that it's "One of the best responses she's ever seen."

After we latched the cubby door shut, Keito immediate started meowing, meeping and whining to be let out. Another good sign. So, today, hoping to get gentle curve of BGL instead of peaks and valleys.

I know he's 14.. and that our time with him is limited. Probably another 4 to 5 years,  but I want those years.

Keito is at the Vet

Sunday morning, Wing found Keito laying on the floor, not moving or reacting to being spoken to. This is very unusual for Keito, as he is a very chatty moggie.  He had been fine the night before.

Called South Street Vet, and managed to get him seen too immediately.  He was so limp, he just laid across Wing's arms on the exam table, unmoving.  He was dehydrated. So, he was admitted, had an IV hooked up, and his blood tested.  His Blood Glucose Levels were 8x of what they were supposed to be. He went from type 2 diabetes that could be controlled by diet, to type 1, the kind that needs insulin injections.

Monday report: Two low doses of insulin after being fed, and now it's 3.1. They still have to syringe feed him, as he tends to not eat when he is at the Vet, even if it's for a day.

No kidney, no liver, no heart or lung damage and his BGL is down. He is still a bit lethargic, but not to the point he was yesterday or this morning. Of course part of that could be because he is AT the vet, and not at home.

Tuesday aka today; we went in to see him, and to bring in some food from home.  He was alert, awake, and got up to walk over to us. Then the "Purrminator" (his nickname) started.   
Had a quick chat with Dr D. Keito's BGLs went up overnight, but I think that is to be expected. Insulin given, will be tested, then fed.

Discussed his treatment, and Dr D did say they were going for remission. Believe it or not, Keito NOT being obese lowers the chances, however his general good health boosts it back up.  He has up to a 67% chance of going into diabetes remission after treatment. Fingers crossed.

Tuesday PM:  Dr M called. It seems our visit perked Keito up. He really enjoyed the tin of food we brought in, so we will bring in some more tomorrow morning.

Diabetes: it seems that the low dose of insulin needs to be even lower as his BGL was 2.8. It needs to be a bit higher than that, so he needs lower dose of insulin after he eats. He also has a mild bladder infection, which is normal when there is glucose in the urine. All good, being treated.

Vet 'fessed up that it was very touch and go Sunday when we brought him in. His current status is damned good.

Ah, life can be funny

Ziggy is at the vet as we are trying to figure out why her left nostril is a 'snot rocket'.  I can use a Nehti pot to flush my sinuses out, but one can't do that do a conscious cat.  Not unless one wants a lot of scratches and other injuries. So, anesthesia, X-Ray, flush sinuses, swab detritis for tests, blood tests to see if there is any underlying viral issue causing the recurring infection.

I get a phone call from the vet, that Ziggy has two infected back teeth and they have to come out (and yes, I think that might be the reason for the sinus infection, but will see later when we talk to the vet.

So, hit with "This will add another $350 on the vet bill for dental extraction."  *sigh* Give the ok because we do have pet insurance, and if we have the vet put that it was an oral infection, not dental scaling for cosmetic reasons, there is a good chance at least part of it might be covered for rebate, but we still have to pay it out first.

What do I find in the mail box today?  A refund check for Ziggy's LAST vet visit for $206.  At least that will mitigate some of the pay out.

A suggestion I sent to PetPlan insurance

Here's hoping I get a reply.

One of our cats is currently in the Veterinary Hospital. The reason I am writing this isn't about coverage, as we have it, but the payment arrangements.

Now I know that too often veterinary practices get stiffed on what they are owed, and that there are unscrupulous people making false claims. however, I am not one of those.

I don't want to skip on necessary treatment my moggie needs, but the credit card is having fits.

Then after he comes home, I get to submit the claim, and then wait.

I have had great experience with your claims department, so please do not view this as complaint on that. But is there some way that PetPlan could come up with something like HBF or Medicare card? That we pay the gap, and PetPlan pays directly to the vet instead of this 4 step method of paying the vet, submitting the claim, waiting, and the you processing it?

Thank you Sandra Chung

No go :(

Vet called... Keito's bladder re-obstructed, although not as severely as the catheter went in much easier. It was a mucus blockage rather than the hard one, meaning the left over of infection combined with inflammation.

Also, since he hasn't eaten since Friday, feeding tube will be necessary to prevent him from losing condition.

The good news is when cath re-inserted, urine totally clear of blood.

He was given a bath, a blowdry and brushing which he seemed to enjoy.

The bill is making me wince.  Yes, we will get a goodly amount of it rebated, but we have to pay it first.

Outlook good

Wing  and I just got back from Murdoch Emergency Vet Centre where we visited Keito.  He is up, alert, bright eyed, smoochie, but still won't eat.  Vet said not to worry about that because it's not unusual for cats to go on a 'hunger strike' when they are at the vet.  He is being hydrated with an I.V. and there is no worry about him starving.

The catheter is out, and as long as he 'umm errs' tonight and in the morning, he comes home tomorrow.

Much relief.

It's like caring for a child

Ziggy, our older Bengal, has the habit of when she is stressed, she will lick an area on her leg until the fur fall out, and the skin is irritated. Then the vicious circle of her licking it because it itches , which makes it more raw and irritated, which makes it itchier starts. I put a "Cone of Shame on her and we took her to the vet. 

Exam showed no sign of skin infection. Vet and assistant shaved and washed the area, put NeoCort (Combine NeoSporin and Hydrocortisone) ointment on the area, giving it almost immediate relief. Anti-biotic and cortisone injection to last the day.  Came home with medications for her.

Unlike Loki, who just got on with life when he had to wear the CONE OF SHAME, Ziggy sulks.  Right now, she is on the desk extension/armrest look out the window, dozing off. (yeah, I know, I really didn't want that armrest, did I?) 

 

Did I mention how it's thrown my usual schedule into a tailspin?  Get up, crush pill, hide in her food, feed other three, put 1 in bedroom, take CONE OF SHAME off Ziggy, let her 'do her business', put her in front of medicated food (limiting overnight eating ensures she chows down on whatever we give her). 

Drink of water, give her a few minutes to groom face. CONE OF SHAME back on. Wing holds her up on 'show pose', while I put on rubber gloves, and apply NeoCort to her leg and upper thigh.

We get to repeat the ointment again in the evening.  I have an antibiotic past to give her, but the first dose.. well lets just say I had to wash it off her face. Vets need to come up with a tuna flavored version. *sigh*

Vet called with results of Loki's biopsy

To sum it up: not bone cancer.

Detailed information: The bony growth is the type normally found in larger breeds of dogs. The weight on such a thin-ish joint causes rubbing/grinding and can (an does) cause a bone spur or bony growth, causing pain and limping.  Loki is very large cat. Not overweight, just BIG. 

The good news is it can be treated by anti-inflammatories.  If the spur rebuilds up, it will be removed again.  And as a bonus, treatment is covered by pet insurance.

Post Surgical Check up for Loki

Vet was very pleased with how well the surgical wound is healing, and very happy to hear "What limp?"  as the reply to her question about the limp that brought Loki to the vet.  That in all probability means that the lump is a callus from an impact from a bad landing.

Loki has a few small abrasions on his paw, but it's from his trying to groom, and getting scraped on the edges of the "Cone of Shame".  Surgical elastic gauze put on the edges, and I have some ointment for that.  They gave him an injection of antibiotics so I don't have to stress him out anymore today.

Right now, Loki is curled up on the sofa behind me.  Me, I'm still exhausted from photo workshop yesterday. I was so tired last night, when I went to sleep, I dreamed about climbing into bed and falling asleep. Next thing I knew, it was 7am and purr kid was bugging me to get up.

The Lure of Banana/Peach/Passionfruit Yogurt

Still works on Loki.  He had his antibiotics in the yogurt, and 10 mins later, I put his single daily dose of pain meds in a gravy-ish cat food.

He wants to go outside, but not until the stitches are out.  Poor moggie. Watching him trying to scratch his ear through the "Cone of Shame". 

Loki back home, but not too happy

Vet/Radiologist report:

Radiographs of the forelimbs: wrist, elbows and shoulders The front wrist on the right side showed a bony change (different to the left) coming off the distal radius. The change is smooth and doesn't appear to be an aggressive lesion like an osteosarcoma or fungal infection.

A sample for this - as much as possible without weakening the distal radius was taken. Small cat fight wound was clipped and scrubbed.

Fairly certain the small cat fight wound was when he chased a trespasser from the front yard. Wing is out getting some Banana/Peach/Passionfruit yogurt to sneak Loki's medications into. Did that with him when he had broken leg, and he still loves the stuff. And getting him a few shrimp. Have to do a wee bit of pampering.

 

I

'm going to hope for the best, as the vet said it didn't have the 'moth eaten' appearance of being bone cancer. (looks at the bill) This is why I got myself an 'emergency credit card' and also why we have pet insurance.

Call from the Vet

Dr S said that the lump is a piece of bone, but not from Loki's wrist.  No idea where it has come from.  It isn't spongy, nor does it have the 'moth eaten' look of bone cancer. It's just a piece of bone.

That being said, the vet wants to remove it, and send it off for testing. 

So, with luck, we will end up bringing a grump, annoyed with us cat, home this afternoon.

Waiting..

Brought Loki to the vet around 9am, for a hard lump on his right 'wrist', and limping. On advise of the vet, he is there for x-rays and tests. 

I know some will say "It's 'only' a cat". But Loki is my cat. I've had him since he was 4 months old. I nursed him through a badly broken leg and long recovery time.

He curls up with my at night for a cuddle, follows me around the yard. He greets me in the morning, headbutts me for attention.

Now, I'm waiting to hear from the vet, hoping for the best.

Ziggy wasn't so lucky afterall

It seems that Simba did tag one of her eyes. We had to take her to the vet (Very Expensive Technician). She had some minor surgery on it, with hopes that we won't have to take her to an ophthalmologist, whose name is coincidently named Ziggy, for further treatment.

Obligatory photograph. It's an older one, but her eye is light sensitive right now, because of having to use Atropine.

Good news on the Simba front: there is nothing physically wrong with him, and he was as smoochie a boy that you could imagine, even meeping and sucking up to the vet. So, we were referred to a homeopathic pet specialist. I called her, and her answering machine said she wasn't taking any new patience. I left a heart felt message, asking her if she could refer us to someone, as the situation with Simba is rather desperate. She called back almost immediately, and after taking a long history of Simba, put together a homeopathic calmative and stress reducing formula. He has it in his water, I snuck some into his food and he ate it. Also used some on Ziggy, as she is a bit stressed from her half day at the vet. She is one tough critter. They gave her intravenous sedative... and the little bugger was still fighting them, so they had to give her anesthesia!

*looks at the bill* Ouch. And Aikidomayland groused about me getting pet insurance. He isn't grousing now.