#1
|
||||
|
||||
To tube or not to tube ...........
...... that is the question.
As a lot of you know I am dealing with liver issues and not eating with Benni. http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=72561 While I pray we have the liver issues under control and will continue with hepatic support for Benni's lifetime we need some help with the eating situation. Benni has been eating dry food in increasing amounts for a while now. She is up to about 20 to 25 pieces of dry food and treats a day. However, that is by far not enough to keep her going. Not to mention the whole dry food issue. I have been force feeding her for quite some time which is very stressful on her and me. I try not to show my stress but when I have to fight with her to eat it's difficult some days. The vet has mentioned a feeding tube before. What I would like from you good folks is how you would deal with the situation. What would you do in my situation - tube or not tube (continue to force feed)?
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
14+, I have no experience in feeding tubes so I cannot offer you any opinion on this. What I can offer you is my full support in whatever you decide to do for Benni. You obviously know what is involved, and you know the relationship between yourself and Benni. If force feeding is too stressful and the feeding tube is a non-stressed fix then go with it. I would assume (and I could be totally wrong) that if the tube didn't work out or help you could have it removed. Would Benni be in any discomfort from a feeding tube? Trust your gut my friend. You know Benni better than anyone. Bless you for continuing to care for her as you do.
|
#3
|
||||
|
||||
i of course have no idea,but if that's what it takes to make her well and lessen the stress on both her and you,i would go for it.
i am pretty sure i've read here that someone was doing it to her cat,maybe growler
__________________
"The cruelest animal is the Human animal" 3 kitties,Rocky(r.i.p my boy),Chico,Vinnie |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
14+ i think it was Sugarcatmom who had to tube at one point. My only question since i have absolutely no idea about this..if you feed her through a tube how is it going to get her eating again if she's already full?
|
#5
|
||||
|
||||
When the vet first mentioned the tube I said only as a last resort. I have done quite a bit of reading on them since then and think this may be the answer but am still torn. I know I can continue to do what I am doing. BUT is it better for Benni? That is why I am thinking the tube may be less stressful for her and may get her eating on her own.
This is one of the articles I have read. Seeing as it's part of the same one we keep telling folks about and it's by a vet I tend to put merit to it. http://www.catinfo.org/?link=feedingtubes Oh, and aslan - it will answer your question as well.
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Mmm, well I guess the whole idea is on the shelf at the moment. I just spoke to the vet. She wants to see Benni and do another blood workup to see if things have changed. I am taking her in tomorrow at 4. She then said a tube would not be done without an ultrasound and possible biopsy first. Funny it was her that mentioned it a few weeks ago though. I can't do all of that. It is just not feasible. So....... hopefully the blood work will show something.
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
I had to make that choice one with my Peanut (dog), in his case it didn't work because his illness was of a different nature than Benni's. Peanut was a victim of a mysterious immunologic disorder that make his immune system depressed and he wouldn't eat, he was hospitalized for about 10 days and at some point the vet talked to me about the tube. I said yes because I wanted so badly to do whatever possible to save him.
Now about the tube itself it does the work, Peanut's was on the side of his neck/shoulder they keep it covered until food is inserted. It doesn't look as brutal as I imagined. I think if Peanut had a chance the tube would have been a good thing for him. I don't know how uncomfortable that could be for them and emotionally.
__________________
" How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven." - Robert A. Heinlein |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
I'm a big fan of feeding tubes and wouldn't hesitate to put one in, if the situation warranted it. In fact, I've had to resort to tubes on 3 separate occasions for 2 of my cats. There is just no way I could possibly have force fed them for as long as they needed it (3+ months average), and because food aversions can develop with force feeding, tubes bypass that possibility. Meal times actually became a bonding experience.
If you do go for a tube, offer food by mouth before each feeding. Most cats adapt very quickly to wearing a tube (surgical socks help keep them in place). The other thing that's really great about having the tube is that you can put certain meds and liver support supplements through them, avoiding the stress of pilling. This can also help speed up the liver's recovery. Hopefully the latest blood work provides some answers for you.
__________________
"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
no tube on my end, brenda and the pins
|
#10
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I know you've probably read these websites but thought I'd post them just in case you haven't ...... http://www.assistfeed.com/WhatAreMyOptions.htm http://www.lbah.com/liver.htm |
#11
|
||||
|
||||
Aww, Gerri, I sure hope the vet's blood work shows what it needs to show. You know we are all pulling for Benni and praying for you that things work out for the best. I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers tonight and tomorrow.
|
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
for Benni's tests tomorrow
__________________
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do The Spirit Lives As Long As Someone Who Lives Remembers You - Navaho Saying |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
I have no advice to offer but just wanted to send and for Benni's vet visit today and lots of s for you, 14+.
__________________
"Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." -Will Durant |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
Lots and lots of for Benni. I know for my previous boss, tube feeding was the life saver for her cat.
__________________
Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#15
|
||||
|
||||
14+ have u tried prednizone? When willie would not eat he was put on prednizone and before that he was given diazapam. The diazapam made him very hungry but also very wobbly,,,but he ate up a storm. Because I was scared of him being so wobbly we went to the prednizone and that helped tooI don't know how that would effect a cat with liver issues.
__________________
~Friendship is like a bank account. You can't continue to draw on it without making deposits~ ~Tegan 9 year old yellow lab~ ~Wilbur 9 year old LH cat~ ~Mirabelle 18 mos dsh~ ~O'Shawnnessey 18 mos dsh~ ~Darby 1 year old dsh~ ~Mindy 7 yr old shih tzu~ ~Dexter 10yr old Salmon (large goldfish) |
#16
|
||||
|
||||
Thanks for the good wishes folks. I'm hoping there's some good news. I weighed her last night and she was at 7 pounds so maybe it isn't as bad as I thought. I was afraid I wasn't getting enough in to her.
Tundra - she's been on two courses of Pred. I really don't want her on more. It's not a great med for a continuous course. Really hard on the organs. I've been reading that sometimes with liver issues the course of antibiotics should be for six months. Benni was only on them for about a month.
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#17
|
||||
|
||||
14+ willie was on prednizone for five years...I finally got him weaned off it just a while ago. I didn't know it was that bad for him until I started reading things in here about it. I still have to watch him to make sure he doesn't stop eating though.
OOPS forgot this...maybe u could ask your vet about diazapam today for a couple of days so Benni could gain a bit more weight? Put him in a place where he couldn't hurt himeself? Just a thought.
__________________
~Friendship is like a bank account. You can't continue to draw on it without making deposits~ ~Tegan 9 year old yellow lab~ ~Wilbur 9 year old LH cat~ ~Mirabelle 18 mos dsh~ ~O'Shawnnessey 18 mos dsh~ ~Darby 1 year old dsh~ ~Mindy 7 yr old shih tzu~ ~Dexter 10yr old Salmon (large goldfish) |
#18
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#19
|
||||
|
||||
growler,i knew it was one of our cat-gurus,either you or scm.
14+good luck with benni today,feeding-tube seems like a good idea,why all those expensive tests,like a biopsy before,would that be a liver-biopsy?
__________________
"The cruelest animal is the Human animal" 3 kitties,Rocky(r.i.p my boy),Chico,Vinnie |
#20
|
||||
|
||||
Well, the whole feeding tube may be unnecessary after all because SHE ATE TUNA!!! She did the normal turning her face away from the food and trying to bury the dish but I put a little of the broth on her lips. She seemed more interested then so I took some tuna and put it in front of her. She probably ate a good tablespoon or more! Now I'm praying she will move on to other foods too.
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#21
|
||||
|
||||
WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Do you have a Global around? or a place you can find some Almo? They have a tuna and shrimp flavour and the advantage of Almo is no salt.
__________________
Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#22
|
||||
|
||||
There is a Global not too far away from the vets if I remember correctly. And Pet Valu has BC which I understand is nutritionally complete now? So after the vets I will run in there and grab her some. I am just this keeps up. I just went out to the kitchen a few minutes ago and she was grooming herself. That's something she normally only does after she eats so maybe she ate a bit more.
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#23
|
|||
|
|||
14k that finally Benni has overcome her phobia to eating and that she is on the road to recovery....hang in there m/f
|
#24
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#25
|
||||
|
||||
There is another canned that my cats just love:
http://www.petcurean.com/index.php?page_id=155 It is GO, by peturcan. It is a fish flavour, but that may be what she loves. And this is nutritionally complete.
__________________
Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#26
|
||||
|
||||
All fingers are crossed!!!
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#27
|
||||
|
||||
My toes are crossed too! Keep up the good work ladies.
|
#28
|
||||
|
||||
__________________
Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#29
|
||||
|
||||
Thanks ladies. As we "speak" she is eating more tuna. I can only hope she will keep it up. Going to go get some food in a few minutes. That way if I'm late getting out of the vets I have it.
__________________
Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
#30
|
||||
|
||||
I am crying
More and more and more The GO Trout flavour if you can get some at Global is lip smacking good to kitties.
__________________
Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|