Conference misery::feline_v1

    YES! This sounds EXACTLY what my Charlie had! Instead of retyping the
    whole scenario, see note #2532 and associated replies!
    
    Hang in there! And make sure the vet checks EVERYTHING! (Charlie hasn't
    had the problem SINCE!)
    
    Cheryl, Charlie and Shanti
    

    Re .1, Thanks! I looked at your note and will mention it to the
    vet tonight.  I saw the x-ray, though, and you can see where the
    blockage is.  He has apparently eaten something that has blocked
    him up.  I do feed Nine-lives, though, so maybe there is a connection.
                                           
    
    
    L- & the gang

    Jesse once had a severe intestinal blockage.  He was 17 years old
    at the time, and we had to do barium x-rays to find the blockage.
    The early symptoms were projectile vomiting and diarrhea.  
    
    Due to his age, we took a very conservative approach to treating
    him.  I didn't feel that he would survive surgery, due to impared
    kidney and liver function.  We administered laxatives, hydrated
    him with lactated ringers, and keep him nourished with Nutrical
    and Liquivite.
    
    He did recover, we never figured out what the obstruction was. 
    The vet has speculated that perhaps Jesse had a tumor in his intestine
    that caused him the temporary problem.  He lived for another 2 years,
    finally succumbing to kidney failure at age 19.
    
    Jo

    What are lactated ringers and how are they administered?
    
    Enquiring minds want to know!
    

    Please keep us informed about how things are going.  Our thoughts
    are with you.
    
    Karen, S, H, and LB.
    

    Lactated Ringers is a solution (water type) for rehydrating a cat.
    It has other stuff in it, I am not sure of the exact breakdown of
    the fluids though.  It is administered sub-q, or under the skin
    using a syringe.  I used lactated ringers on Livee when we were
    struggling to keep her alive too.  I would inject 25cc in her shoulders
    and in her hips twice a day.  With Jesse, we had to give him more
    than 25cc's.
    
    Jo

    
    i think the lactated ringers also has glucose in it, but not sure.
    
    sending good vibes to rusty!
    
    diane, stella , stanley
    
    

    I think that lactated ringers has electrolytes and other things
    normally found in body fluids.  I do not believe it has glycose
    in it but I may be wrong.
      Nancy

    Thank you for your support! (I sound like that wine cooler commercial!)
    It really does help.  The vet had to skip the ringers and go right
    to I.V. (3!), as he was very dehydrated.  I got there last night
    at 5:45 to a packed waiting room.  But, the vet recognized the worried
    mom, and told me to head on in.  Here I was, dressed in a wool coat
    and dressy blouse, hugging a very "greasy" Rusty.  Mineral oil soaked
    the poor guy from the base of his tail, down both back legs, including
    his once bushy tail.  His front foot was twice its size because
    of all the I.V.  Actually, he was an absolute mess!!!  But he was
    very glad to see me and vs versa!
    No luck up to that point on him moving his bowels.  I stayed with
    him for about 20-30 minutes, and I sure hated to go and leave him.
    The vet called me about 7:30 that night.  Seems Rusty was trying
    vainly to go, and the vet was afraid he would "bust a gut".  The
    vet knocked him out and did an exploritory by hand.  He discovered
    that Rusty had a "stricture (sp?) of the bowel.  This is a narrowing
    band that is not elastic like normal.  It was causing the blockage.
    Seems he was born with it, and a case of constipation brought it
    to attention.  While he was in there, he cleaned out the pipe, so
    the poor guy is now relieved from that problem for the moment.
    He is under observation to see it what he eats will pass this
    stricture.  If not, then possibly surgery to correct it.
    Its now up in the air, I hope surgery is not needed.  I am hoping
    a watched diet will be ok.  The vet would let me pay on a schedule
    so as not to let $$$ make the decision. (nice guy, this vet!)
    
    I will keep you posted.
    
    Lynne - who loves her greasy baby and the others too!  
    

    whew, sounds like your poor baby had a very rough time.  It also
    sounds like you have a nice vet!  Hang in there - 
    
    E.

    So glad the vet found the problem.  Here's hoping that everything turns
    out alright.  Keep us informed.
    
    Sandi, mom to 4 furry friends and 1 stray
    
    

    I hope everything works out for the two of you.  It's certainly
    sounding more promising.  Keep us posted - all of our hearts are
    w/ you on this one - I'm sure!
    
    Sonia (Willy & Mitty)

    
    perhaps if he can eat a diet that is "oily" enuf (as opposed to dry) 
    he will be able to pass his wastes without surgery. hope, hope, hope!
    
    too bad you can't give him chocolate--always works with me!  8-)
    
    diane, stella & stanley
    
    

    Sweetie has a tny amount of Metamucil added to his food each day
    because he had a problem like this (caused by probably a car accident
    before I got him).  He did need surgery, but that was because
    the bones were crushed in, so things aren't quite the same as
    with Rusty.  You might ask the vet about the Metamucil.  Actually, H, and
    L.B. get it too since they all eat out of each others dishes, and
    it doesn't harm them.  It's about 1/8 teaspoon per cat per 24 hours.
    
    

    Karen -
      Does the Metamucil help with furballs at all?
    

    Re: Metamucil helping with furballs?
    
    Dunno.  Come to think of it, I don't find furball whoopses around
    as often as with my previous cat, but who knows....
    

    Rusty is still not doing that well.  He is passing a little bit,
    but the vet wants to try to "open" the stricture, and he's not 
    ready yet or it's not safe yet to send him home.  Visiting day
    will be tomorrow.  I still have 4 at home, but I miss my Rusty
    baby.
                          
    
    L- & the gang

    Poor rusty.  please let us know how things are going.
    

         Here's sending good vibes to Rusty ...
    
    					- Andrea 
    

    Well, I couldn't wait til today to visit Rusty, so I stopped in
    last night.  Much to my shock (and pleasure), the vet asked me 
    if I wanted to take him home!  He said I could watch him just as
    well at home at this point, and as he was so obviously thrilled
    to see me, and was not doing too bad, how about a trial until Monday?
    He still has the stricture, and difficulty going, so he's on Petrolax
    twice a day and I am to monitor his doings.  If no improvement,
    then probably surgery.  The vet also knocked $100 off the bill.
     Of course, it still was up there in the $$$.  
    Re: the Lactated Ringers vs I.V.  I think these are the same???
    One was hanging on his cage, and I read the ingredients.  No glucose,
    but calcium and good stuff like that were in it.  
    Anyway,
    I will let you know what this weekend brings.  (lets hope Rusty
    gives me good reason to change the litterbox!)
                 
    
    L- & the gang

    Here's hoping he's all better soon.  I know what it's like
    waiting for that phone to ring......
    
    Thank goodness for understanding vets (and vets who take 
    MasterCard!)!
    
    Mary-Michael

    The lactated ringers are probably the solution that was running
    through the I.V.  I used syringes to hydrate my cat since I am not
    adept at inserting an I.V. needle into a tiny cat vein.  The I.V.
    would get the fluids into the cats system quicker, but takes expert
    hands to insert.
    
    Jo

    It's important not to let a cat get dehydrated, so you should make
    sure he has access to water (and maybe put a little extra water in
    his food for awhile.)
     

    .23 , I thought of this!  I placed extra bowls of water down near all
    food dishes (I feed in two places to lessen the competition)
    last night, and the main diet everyone gets is moist canned catfood.
    The poor guy must think I am a nut as I spent all last night & this
    morning chasing him to the litterbox to see if there was any action.
    In fact, all I can think of right now is geting home to check on
    him!!!
    .22  Dawn strikes on my marblehead! An I.V. is actually the method,
    lactated ringers is the actual liquid.  When they pulled out the
    I.V. attachment from his leg, the amount of blood coming out threw
    me into a panic!!!!!  The vet mentioned that it needed to bleed
    for a few seconds to clear out the anti-coagulate, then he put on
    a bandage.  I did good!  I'm not too great with blood, but I even
    helped bandage!   My extent on treating my own pets is topical
    medications, bandages, pills etc. and those that go down the throat.  
    If I had to give shots, I'd pass out before completing the job!
       
    Of course, I have helped out in emergencies with both people and
    animals with no problem.  I think it's ok then because I'm not
    emotionally involved, so to speak.  
    
    Thanks to everyone for your support, suggestions and those good
    vibes!
    
    L- & the gang
                                                                
    

    Hoping for good news - our thoughts are with you this weekend.
    
    Kate
    (Isis and Tarot)

    Rusty came through the weekend O.K.  Not quite his usual self,
    but he is able to pass food through.  He is eating like he has to
    make up for lost time!  
    I have to report in to the vet today.....Will advise
    
    
    
    L- & the gang