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Next Steps

10/18/2019

10 Comments

 
I spoke with Oreo's regular vet last evening about all of the happenings this week. I told her about the appointment with the neurologist and what was mentioned about the Phenobarbital. Oreo's vet was very honest in saying that she feels Oreo really should have the MRI for various reasons. She also understood my concern and the need to get a second opinion. My vet also explained to me that normally a Vestibular disorder is not something that comes and goes in small doses like Oreo experienced. Vestibular disorder will cause the cat to lose their balance and walk in circles, usually with a head tilt. They will continue to do this for days or even weeks until it passes. Oreo didn't walk in circles, nor does he have a head tilt and what happened was quick, under 2 minutes. This is why she feels it was more seizure related. Seizures usually last anywhere from a few seconds to around 5 minutes. Whether the seizures were caused by an onset of stress or not, we can't really know for sure until we see what's going on inside of his brain. As far as the Phenobarbital, she explained that even though it is a low dose, there is always a risk of the animal getting another seizure when being taken off of it. So she feels that he should stay on it until I either get a second opinion or he has the actual MRI. To actually go and get the second opinion, it's an hour away and another $250. I hate having to put him through all of this. I am so tired and I know he is tired and fed up too.
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I am still really torn with all of this. I wish that Oreo didn't have to go for this test, period. I am worried about things that could happen during the procedure, worried about the anesthesia and worried about him being alone with people I don't know and away from me for so many hours. No matter where I take him to get the exam done, it's going to be a long drive and a very long day for the both of us. I think the only way I will be able to do this is to drive him in myself that morning and stay at the clinic all day and wait for him. That way I will be there if anything happens. Pudding and Onyx will be ok on their own for the day. I can bring a book or maybe my laptop with a few movies on it and just wait. I have a pet camera that I can access from anywhere as well so I'd be able to check on the others every so often. I just wish I was not such a nervous driver to top it all off, especially driving in the dark. I just know that I need to be there with Oreo, for my own sanity and also for moral support for him. I think he will know I am there even if I'm not in the same room as him.

On a brighter note, Oreo seems to be acting a bit more himself these past couple of days. Yesterday he tried to catch the drops on the shower door like he always does. I have not seen him do that in weeks. I can see that he is still not very happy about Pudding, even if he loses himself in playtime every now and then. Pudding is really high energy and sometimes Oreo just isn't in the mood. I think a lot of his stress is probably based around Pudding being here and that fact that he's not always the center of attention like he normally is. Pudding kind of came in and took over the peace and quiet for all of us. I love him dearly, but my goodness he makes a mess! 

I spoke to an Animal Communication Specialist yesterday. She specializes in communication and healing. She asked me if Oreo has a microchip and I said yes. She said that she just recently had a case with a dog where his microchip was causing him to have seizures. She said it's not impossible that Oreo could have experienced the same thing especially seeing that I have a lot of technology in his living space. She said that the dog had the microchip removed and he no longer has seizures. Unfortunately, microchip removal is a lot more harmful than implantation. The chip is so small it's often quite hard to locate and the animal is always at risk when being under anesthesia. Many vets won't do microchip removal because of the dangers associated with it. I did take the specialist's advice and ordered some EMF Neutralizers that I can place around our home. At the small price I got them for, it doesn't hurt to try. I had never thought of this stuff before but it makes sense. I am online all the time and I have computers and devices in every room. Oreo and I have an appointment with the Animal Communication specialist in a couple of weeks for a communication / healing session.

I really want to be able to do the right thing for Oreo. My brain still needs some rest but I don't want to wait too long either. My vet also mentioned that we can wait until it's one month that Oreo has been on the Phenobarbital and do his blood tests. They will know for sure at that point if the dosage is actually doing anything or not. If it's not actually doing anything at that point, we can try weaning him off of it slowly. Regardless, it's still better to have the MRI done in order to help rule out any other serious conditions. I wish that I could switch places with him for all of this. I would rather go and do it for him than have him go through all of this.
10 Comments
Holly
10/18/2019 10:57:00 am

Hi Tina..here is a link to a place I trust. Their write-ups on health topics are quite readable. They don't provide all the possibilities, but it's a start as they say.
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center

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Donna link
10/18/2019 03:10:27 pm

Poor Oreo and his mom. The microchip theory is interesting. I already mentioned food, so I will not go there. What about Oreo's vaccinations, was he recently vaccinated? Have you thought about giving him pro-biotics? Maybe ask the cat whisperer about them.

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Tina Modugno link
10/19/2019 03:24:25 am

Hi Donna,

Oreo is up to date on his vaccinations. I will get some chicken to boil for him this weekend and see if he'd like that. Right now he is eating his regular dental formula and a good quality grain free wet food. All of a sudden yesterday, he no longer wanted to eat the wet food though. It's unlike Oreo. He usually eats anything. My other cat Onyx sometimes won't eat that particular food either. I don't know why they sometimes turn their heads up at the grain free stuff. Out of all the foods they eat it's the only one that actually looks like real food and they don't want it, lol. Go figure. I have a recipe for chicken soup that I've made him many times when he was ill. It may be a good time for that. He has had pro-biotics off and on. I usually give him some when he gets diarrhea for whatever reason. He has not had any lately.

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Donna
10/19/2019 08:44:53 am

Yes, please, stay away from ALL pet foods and treats, trust me on this, the chicken is a great idea, donate all pet foods to a shelter, and there is nothing wrong with tuna, my cats eat tuna, mex mix shredded cheese, plain cheerios, chicken (already cooked or frozen), my Cassy is about 15, declawed (came that way) and healthy, she was unhealthy when I gave her what I thought was high quality food, and those squeeze chicken snacks made her have high liver enzymes, trust me, ALL pet foods and snacks have poisons, veterinarians are behind the scenes formulating these foods and snacks because $ is a big factor, a sick pet is a veterinarian's profit.

Donna
10/19/2019 08:49:27 am

Turkey bacon takes less than a minute in a microwave oven, crush it up when done, cook a couple of pieces with a napkin on top, great treat.

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Tina Modugno link
10/19/2019 02:02:14 pm

Hi Donna,
I am not sure about turkey bacon as it has a lot of salt in it amongst other ingredients that I can't even read! As far as cherios and cheese and all that... those are not things I would give Oreo either. I know you are very passionate about all of this but every pet owner needs to do what they feel is right for their pet. I don't necessarily think giving Oreo all kinds of human foods with other preservatives and ingredients he may not be able to have or digest properly is any better. I mean don't get me wrong, he'd probably love himself some bacon and cheese, lol. I just don't think the amount of salt in those things is good for him.

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Amy
10/19/2019 01:16:29 pm

Was he tested for chronic kidney disease? That can cause seizures and definitely causes picky eating! My cat had CKD and was super picky with foods. He would love eating one kind and then suddenly refuse to eat it. I learned from support groups that it’s best to give the cat the food they will eat, even if it’s not what they are “supposed” to be eating. Better to have them eating the crappy food (mine loved Fancy Feast- it’s the McDonalds of cat food lol) than refusing to eat something like the special prescription stuff. The most helpful thing I learned was that you and your cat are both doing the best you can. And that’s all anyone can expect you to do- the best you can physically, financially, and emotionally. ❤️

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Tina Modugno link
10/19/2019 01:40:34 pm

He was tested for everything and all his blood tests and urine tests came back normal! I agree with you about the food. Sometimes you just need to let them have what they want to eat. It's better than not eating at all. As for the Fancy Feast, my cats all love that. It's really not THAT bad. My cat Sunshine ate all that stuff all her life and she lived to be 20! Oreo often has Fancy Feast and many other types of wet food. My cats get wet food once daily in general. Oreo and onyx will get half each of a small can, or a quarter each of a larger can. I usually get whatever is on special at the supermarket. The rest of the day they get their dry food that's a veterinary formula. When they're sick, I will opt more for wet food a few times daily because it's easier for them to eat. I will even add water to make it more soup-like. I usually keep the better quality foods for those moments.

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Marina Jones
10/19/2019 02:14:44 pm

Oh Tina and Oreo. It's really a nerve wracking and nightmarish time for you guys and so wish I could help but I'm in England so all I can do is send positive vibes and good prayers for Oreo. Unfortunately I'm unable to like/comment/share anything on FB as I've been banned again for 30 days. They really seem to have it in for me even on 'soft' comments :-( hey ho! Glad I can leave a reply here.
Lots of love to you Oreo, Onyx, Puddin and Mom xxxx

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Celia
10/22/2019 08:46:58 am

Just sending you and Oreo some power boosts and peaceful times. You do what you think is best , we are just your sounding boards and may chip in with our tuppence worth now and again, but your Oreos mum, and how amazing is that. Lol.. do the next thing in front of youC, baby steps. Sometimes the big picture can take care of itself as you deal with it’s micro components,, scottish hugs heading to you all. Xx

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    Tina Modugno is a children’s illustrator from Canada. Tina loves all animals, kids books and cartoons! She currently resides in Quebec with her husband and four cats!

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