Dear friends,
Thank you all for the wonderful prayers and encouraging words as we have been struggling with Felix's health. I am convinced that the "beans" and kitties of the cat blogosphere are the most kind and loving people in the world.
We are continuing to struggle...Felix stopped eating on Monday, August 4. He had been in ICU at the Veterinary Referral & Critical Care Hospital (VRCC) for the previous 3 days. Although they could not determine what was wrong, his symptoms included: high fever (105), painful rash on his neck area, high glucose (diabetes) and elevation of some liver enzymes. He was still eating during this stay at the hospital. In fact, his appetite was good.
Prior to this visit, he had been under treatment for severe diarrhea for over a year. He endured numerous ultrasounds, radiographs, colonoscopy and endoscopy. He was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and prescribed a steroid shot every day to control the inflammation...the only problem is that it never helped. He was on a very high dose of steroid and, over time, it has taken a huge toll. His immune system is shot. We realized the steroid was not helping so the vet added in Ciprofloxacin. Research shows that this antibiotic can help dogs in certain cases of diarrhea. There's not a lot of data in treating cats with diarrhea with cipro but, we had tried everything else, so why not give it a try. Over the first week, we began to see results! The course of treatment is 3 weeks on cipro, re-examine, and, if it's working, continue for three more weeks.
We made it to week 4 when Felix had to enter the hospital. The specialists at VRCC had no idea what was wrong with my little man. I started researching cipro and found little information specific to cats. However, the side effects listed for humans using the drug included ALL of the symptoms Felix had been exhibiting. When I asked the vets if he could be having a reaction to the drug, they said it was possible but doubtful. We stopped giving him the medication after Thursday evening, August 8.
Imagine how happy I was when Felix showed interest in eating for the first time on Friday night! He ate baby food and Fancy Feast...allowed me to kiss him and he gave me head butts! Of course I closely monitored him all Friday evening and he was much brighter and seemed to be getting back to being Felix.
Imagine my complete devastation when, on Saturday morning, he once again began refusing food and water. I had to syringe feed him all day Saturday. We are right back where we started. The vet seems to think there is a very real chance he has pancreatitis. That means more ultrasounds and possibly a feeding tube. We can handle a feeding tube. My sweet Lucy had one several years before she died due to hepatic lipidosis. The tube allows you to get food and medication into the kitty without totally stressing them out with syringe feedings.
I don't know what this week will bring...I just know my sweet boy has been through too much. I just ask that you all continue to pray and keep him in your thoughts. He is a very sweet boy and we would be lost without him. But, I cannot and will not allow him to suffer. We just have to find the answer to what is wrong.
Please keep Felix and all of the Whiskers & Purrs Gang in your prayers. It's the only way we'll get through this.
Thank you all for being such good friends,
Mommy Jenny
