Laz has reached the end of the road

[MarkB]

Thanks Carol & Helen,

Normally the vets says he is the best cat ever for taking BP as his readings are pretty constant. He said other cats get stressed and it is almost pointless doing a measurement. Iwas surprised this time when he said Laz's BP was going up & down so much.

As for Alice, hard to believe it will be a year next month since we said goodbye to our girl. I often think about her too

PS - Laz and Dom have had a few encounters. I let Dom out a couple of times a day for a mooch if Kylie isn't around (she has become a real indoor girl and rarely venture downstairs or outside ) Laz has worked out that Dom is harmless and hops onto his sofa - even f he is on it! he even went in Dom's room and used his tray. Having said that, I don't think it is the right time for another cat.

[MarkB]

Just a quick update on Laz. He seemed to be doing OK on the new regime of Semintra and Benazepril. The vet measured BP after a few weeks and said his BP had gone up from 150 to 170 - the high end of normal. He said he wasn't too worried about it being that high in an elderly cat, but to retest in 6 weeks (he didn't charge me again) - at the end of last week, Laz seemed to be tripping over things - I realized he had gone almost totally blind again. I took him to the vet on Thursday (different vet, but specialises in eyes) - after examining Laz's eyes, he said we need to get him back on to Amlopidine straight away. One eye showed partial detachment of the retina and the retina in the other eye was quite badly detached. I said I guess we will have to accept that he will just vegetate on the sofa but be able to see. The vet said that if he lives to 102, he doesn't think he will be doing much else! (that is how old he thinks Laz is) He said we should stick with the Semintra, as although his kidney readings are OK, it is only a matter of time and it will help prevent kidney disease and prevent protein loss (Laz is down to 2.9kg) I said that I thought I could cut pills into 1/8ths as this lot were quite crumbly - he said go for it! - despite my claim, i was unable to. However, I found a way round it. I get a 1/4 and crumble about 1/2 of it off with tweezers before giving it to him - they are cheap tablets, so not a problem - His sight has improved already

Watch this space.

PS - I emailed Wedgewood Pharmacy in America, who are a compounding pharmacy who can produce low-dose tablets. I asked if they can ship to the UK with a UK vet prescription. I received a reply today saying that they can only accept prescriptions from US vets and ship within the US.

I also asked the vet. He said it was possible to import drugs, but he would need to get a licence for it. I think wasting 1/8th of a cheap tablet a day is less complicated!

Another little thing. Although they don't sleep together, I am sure having Dom on the sofa with him has done wonders for the old boy

That wasn't a quick update was it?

[booktigger]

Mark, my neighbour found a compounding pharmacy to do Felimazole gel, do you want me to ask for details? She pays £50 for 3 tubes so it isn't cheap

[MarkB]

Thanks Desley - If you don't mind, that would be good - Although wasting 1/4 of a tablet a day isn't the end of the world. (although not 100% accurate)

My vet told me about 6 months ago that Felimazole (or rather the active ingredient) is available as a transdermal gel now anyway - I wonder if your neighbour realises?

Not sure how long 3 tubes lasts her, but I pay £50 for a pot of 100 2.5mg Felimazole from the vet.

[booktigger]

Her cat has been on it about 3 months now, but they could only find one place that makes it - and her vet had to jump through a few hoops to initially get it.

It used to last 3 months (a tube a month), but they've just had to up the dose, so its lasting less now - interestingly though, the gel is only given once a day, despite the fact that tablet wise, it has to be given twice daily.

[MarkB]

That's funny as my vet said it is a standard treatment as transdermal gel now. Doesn't sound any more expensive as £50 worth of tablets last Laz 50 days.

PS - Laz is definitely brighter on 1/8th of Istin a day - I just hope it is enough to control his sight and BP. My vets says Semintra has no effect on BP - but obviously it did for Carol's Fluffy.

[booktigger]

It may well be standard Mark, my neighbours vet still use old fashioned stitches and collars after ops! She pushed for it and now half a dozen people use it too

[MarkB]

Just a quick update on Laz. A few weeks back, he was snuffling. I took him to the vet. The vet gave him a once-over and found a mass (He was also given a convenia jab for the respiratory infection which was pretty bad). He went in the following morning for an ultrasound, followed by a digital x-ray to get a better picture. He has a large mass on his liver - they also did bloods. One of his liver values had gone up from 240 to 1000 since July. The vet said if he was younger, he would have done a biospy to see which type of cancer it is, but Laz wouldn't survive surgery, so it was pointless. We are just hoping that it is slow-growing, which it appears to be.

As for the BP, he was doing OK on 1/8th of Istin a day, but after a couple of weeks, I noticed his sight was going again. I upped the dose to 1/4 a day and his sight has improved. Far from perfect, but he can see OK(ish)

He went in for a BP check yesterday and the vet said it is not only good, it is 'excellent' at 130

To for the time being, he is managing OK. The vet said we will know his time is up if he starts losing his appetite.

[Kay]

I'm glad to hear Laz is holding his own, Mark

not sure appetite is such a good source of info as regards wellbeing, though - my Trigger ate with gusto during his final weeks - he even ate a bit of liver between having a catheter inserted and the final injection - but towards the end he was not sleeping much - pain I suppose, despite daily Metacam

[MarkB]

Yes - I guess there are other pointers. We all know our cats and when they are behaving differently. The vet said he prodded and poked the mass and Laz didn't show any signs of distress, so he doesn't think he is in pain.

[HRHFluffy]

Mark that's great news about Laz. The dosage is obviously making all the difference. Are you still giving him Semintra as well? Last time Fluffy went for her BP it was up again to 150. But even I could feel her little heart pounding as I held her so I'm not surprised at the reading. I checked with the vet and asked if she needed the istin as well as Semintra and he said not.

You're doing a great job of monitoring Laz. Altering his dosage has already improved his quality of life. How's he getting on with Dom? Are they still best buddies?

[meriad]

Fingers crossed that whatever the lump is, is indeed VERY slow growing and Laz still has a few summers to lie out in the sun and warm his old bones x

[MarkB]

Thanks Ria & Carol,

He is still on Semintra. Partly to keep his weight up (forgot to say that he had gained 100g in the last 8 weeks - now 3kg )

My vet also said that his liver issues will impact on his kidneys and although he doesn't have kidney disease as such, he has 'old kidneys' so it should help.

As for Dom, they just keep a respectful distance from each other. Dom will lie on the sofa inches away from Laz, but they don't really interact. Sometimes Dom touches noses with Laz, but that is it. I really think Laz likes having another cat nearby though :

[Crewella]

Sounds like he's doing pretty well. all things considered. All paws here crossed that it continues! Fusses from me. xx

[HRHFluffy]

Very pleased that he's gained 100g

Hope the Semintra continues to help him. It could go some way to preventing kidney disease as long as possible.

Sounds to me like Dom is enjoying the friendship too. He seems to have respect for Laz. Possibly realising that he is older and isn't in good health. Even though they don't interact they seem to be firm friends. Just having Dom near him on the sofa will be companionship and comfort for Laz. It's very touching when you think about it. Try and get another photo of the two of them when you can.

[MarkB]

Thanks Carol,

He is a lot brighter and more 'with it' now. Yes, will keep up with the Semintra. I really think the tumour will be what finishes him. The vet said as it grows, it will put physical pressure on other organs. He told me it is developing its own tubules etc and there are pockets of gas in it, which may make him uncomfortable at times. It is upsetting to think that if he were younger, they could probably remove it. He said he had recently done the op on a dog belonging to one of the nurses.

[MarkB]

For Carol

[meriad]

aawwwww

[HRHFluffy]

What a fabulous photo Thanks for posting it. They really do lie close to one another don't they. You've got two very contented cats there!! Had to laugh at Dom's back left leg.

Your vet sounds great. One that you can really trust to do his best for Laz. I'm sure he will be with you and support you every step of the way. So pleased that Laz is looking brighter since his increased dosage.

It's very sad to think that Laz could possibly be cured if he were only younger. But he's got you to look after him and make sure he's comfortable!! We all know he's in good hands. Gentle fusses to him from me.

[MarkB]

A funny thing is Dom tries to hump any bunched up fleeces or cushions (although thankfully, gradually doing it less & less)

Quite early on, he did it to Laz's blanket. Laz whacked him round the head - he behaved suitably reprimanded and he hasn't tried it since

[HRHFluffy]

Glad Dom knows his place!! Good to hear Laz has still got a bit of feistiness in him

[Crewella]

A couple of old geezers looking very happy and relaxed. Fusses to both!

[MarkB]

Dom is only about 5 at the most! - I thought he was only about 2, but one of the VNs said they take a few years to fill out like that - ie big jowls. He also has front legs like a bulldog

[Crewella]

Oooops - apologies to Dom ...... though I've been calling OH and 'old geezer' for more than 25 years!

[MarkB]

He doesn't mind. Funny to think Laz is at least 3 x his age. No wonder he is so respectful

[lilynmitz]

Sorry Mark, only just picked up on this. You're doing a great job of keeping on top of Laz's many medical conditions - he sounds a lot like Lily in they regard, although thankfully her retinas are ok. She's been on 1/4 is tin for ages and it seems to be doing the job for her, although her corneas are clouding up a bit (vet says it's not cataracts).

But I'm really sorry to hear about his liver tumour. The main thing, as you say, is to keep him as comfortable as possible and let him eat and do whatever makes him happy at this stage. Lily's never had such a luscious and varied diet - her kidneys are the least of our problems now. I'm so pleased he and Dom get on so well, it's lovely for him to have a feline buddy in his old age. Give him a big fuss from me.

(Ps, loved the story about his reaction to Dom humping his blanket! Way to go Laz!)

[MarkB]

Thanks Anna,

I'm a bit worried about him tonight. He hasn't eaten at all. He is just drinking water, but throwing it up again. He doesn't seem comfortable. Hopefully it is just an off day.

Like Lily, laz's eyes have been cloudy since we got him. I would love to know how old he really is.

[HRHFluffy]

Mark how is Laz this morning? Any improvement?

[MarkB]

He finally ate something at 2.20am - not only that, he had a good feed. Maybe I need to stop worrying. It is unusual for him to be off his food though.

[HRHFluffy]

So pleased he finally had a good feed . It's hard to not worry about them especially when they go off food. Hope he has a good day today.