Monday, July 28, 2008

Orange Boy and Sissy

As many of you are probably aware, Moki is not the only kitty in our family with a medical condition. While we primarily created this blog for Moki, to discuss and raise awareness about the everyday challenges Moki faces, we have in the past also introduced to you some of his siblings and the chronic medical problems they face. Having introduced you to the other members of our family, we would now like to give you an update on their health status.

Let's begin with Orange Boy. As some of you may be aware, Orange Boy suffers from IBD (inflammatory bowel disease.) IBD can affect cats in two ways depending on which portion of the gastrointestinal is involved. When the upper portion of the small intestine is involved, animals with IBD tend to vomit, when the colon is involved, diarrhea is more likely to occur. Orange Boy tends to suffer from the later. For Orange Boy this is a life long condition, which tends to come and go. When Orange Boy has an outbreak of IBD it tends to be real bad. During IBD outbreaks Orange Boy, gets loose bloody stools. Often times he will just bleed from the rear end, even when he is not trying to use the litter box. Orange Boy is currently suffering from one such episode.
Fortunately we have found a way to help control and minimize Orange Boy's IBD out breaks. It's with a drug called, Metronidazole. The emergency doctor who first diagnosed Orange Boy with IBD back in October prescribed this drug. Whenever Orange Boy has an IBD outbreak, we give him one 50mg Metronidazole pill daily. We normally have to give him a pill for about five days before the IBD completely clears up. Once the IBD clears up, Orange Boy tends to be symptom free anywhere from one to two months before having another outbreak, at which point we start giving him the pills again until the IBD clears up.
Our ER doctor prescribe enough medication to get us through until last month, and we are now out of medication. Since the Metronidazole was prescribed by our ER doctor who is located approximately 30-45 mins away from our house, we now have to bring Orange Boy in to see his regular practitioner, before we can get any more Metronidazole, that is unless we want to drive 30-45 mins every time we need to get a refill on his medication. (Since Orange Boy's regular practitioner/ animal hospital was not the doctor/facility which diagnosed the condition, and since they have not treated Orange Boy for this particular disorder, they cannot write a prescription for the Metronidazole without first seeing him.) So with that said, we will be breaking out the prisoner transport unit tomorrow afternoon, and escort our prisoner Orange Boy to see the men in white coats.
While Orange Boy hates the prisoner transport unit and vehicle, he loves to see the men in white coats. I am sure if you ask Orange Boy about it, he will refuse to admit it, but he can often times be found purring so loudly for the men in white coats, that they are unable to get his heart beat/rate. So that's the latest with Orange Boy. We are sure after a few days on the Metronidazole his IBD will clear up again and all will be well...

Now in regards to Sissy. We first introduced Sissy awhile back, after we learned that her massive size was in fact due to a large fatty tumor. Sissy's tumor is inoperable. At the time we learned about Sissy's tumor, we thought for sure she was a goner. Sissy refused to eat or do much of anything. For two weeks I force feed Sissy multiple times a day, and was standing on the edge of giving up. If things didn't improve, and quickly I was afraid that we would have to help her to the bridge. Well as it turned out, Sissy like Moki still had alot of life left in her, and she put up a massive fight. While the tumor is still there, Sissy is now doing better than could be expected for her medical condition. Sissy has a strong appetite, lots of energy, and had been purring louder than we've ever heard her pur before. Way to go Sissy!!! So there you have it, despite some IBD occurrences, Orange Boy and Sissy are both doing well!!!

24 comments:

Poppy Q said...

Aren't you lot the toughest lot of kitty cats I know!! Orange boy, it must be tough having irritable bowel as I am sure it makes your beans a bit irritable too!!

Sissy we is glad that all the purrs from the cat blogosphere helped you to settle down, and stay with your family a while longer.

We are going to put a bit of pocket money into your account tonight as we are sure every little bit helps.

Smooches
Poppy and Julie Q

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

We are so happy Orange Boy and Sissy are doing well. We are purring for all of you. ~Socks, S & C

Babs (Beetle) said...

Things seem to be looking better with all your cats at the moment. We are so pleased.


Purrs, Sukie x

Lilly Lu, Iris and Maxwell Mufsa Millon said...

mu shue took the same medison as ornoge boy as he had IBDS too. Did you know IBDS can change into Lyomphima and that cats with IBDS are more likly to get Lyompima. I have the medison orgne boy takes but the olny problem is i have it in lquid form that needs to be refrated other wise i send you what we have

Laura

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy to see that Sissy is doing so well and still enjoying life. That's great news. Very interesting to read about Orange Boy's condition and the medicine he takes for it too. I'm glad he doesn't have too many outbreaks of IBD.

Texas said...

Wow, a bunch of tough brave cats in that house hold! Way to go all three kitties!!!

Mr. Hendrix said...

Hi Moki! I think we will be sneezing buddies. I have a resperatory virus! yuck, snot.

I'm sorry Orange Boy has IBD. I have IBS and usually it makes me vomit, but nothing close to how bad Orange Boy is. Mine is regulated with medicine and laxitives. I hope the VET gives him what he needs to get all better.

Sissy, what great news! I'm so glad you're eating and purring. We think of you often. Take care and keep it up!

Boy said...

I'm gwad to hear that evewyone is doing well!

Dma said...

i'll pass on to diego-san that there are other kitties out there who have much more daunting challenges than having to wear a cone around his neck so a lil burn on his back can heal.

:-)

Daisy said...

I am glad to hear that Orange Boy and Sissy are doing well! And it seems that Orange Boy had no lasting bad effects from his very scairty encounter with the SNAKE!

(angel) Grrreta and Fam said...

What lucky kitties to receive such good care. I'm so happy they are doing well.

Goldie, Shade and Banshee said...

You are all so lucky to find such a loving home. Your family is made up of angels!

Purrs Goldie

Gretchen said...

I'm glad both Orange Boy and Sissy are coming along nicely. It's terrible that you had such a long drive to get OB's medicine. I hope the new doctors will be helpful.

Hugs...G

Jans Funny Farm said...

You've got quite a group there. You're going to spoil us with all the good news you've been reporting the last few days. We could get downright used to this!

And we're glad they are both doing well, despite their health problems. Hopefully, after Orange Boy sees his regular vet, he'll be doing even better.

My Littel Island said...

wow all this good news i feel like i just won the Lotto u to tell u bean iam so happy foru all and god bless all

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

I am so glad for this update and good news. I have Sissy in the "Ongoing Purrs" sidebar on the
Purrs & Purrayers blog
.
Remember back when it was announced, we thought she only had a day or two left at the most.
And I didn't know about Orange Boy's condition, just remember his encounter with the rattlesnake.
Looking at the post below, even mad, Moki looks so cute. Bless his heart.

The Taylor CatSSSSS said...

Hello Orange Boy! Hello Sissy! It is very nice to meet you both!! Orange Boy, I can relate to your problem! Sissy, you are a real fighter!!!

You have the best mommy!!!

Love, Auntie Deb

Unknown said...

Moki, it was good to learn more about your siblings. I am sorry to hear they have health problems too. I hope they feel better.

I know Orange Boy and you are great friends - it is good to have a brother that sticks by you : )

Lux said...

I'm glad things are under control with Orange Boy and Sissy. Your beans take such good care of you all!

The Cat Realm said...

We know that everybody is doing so well because of all the love they get from their humans!!! We cats can physically absorb love and use it for healing!
Mrs. OZ
Don't miss my post tomorrow!

Mo and The Purries said...

Thanks for the updates on Orange Boy and Sissy.
From a doctor's point of view, not writing a prescription probably makes sense, but from a pet owner's point of view that is just frustrating!
~ Not The Mama

Purrs to your family from the purries at
Purrchance To Dream.

Forty Paws said...

Thank goodness the flagyl helps out Orange Boy. (Our Obi was originally called Orange Boy, hence, Obi.) Our Bow has IBD, but has the puking kind. He has been on steroids since 1994.

Keep up your great work for your gang! What a ton of work!

Luf, Us

Motor Home Cats said...

Our new foster kitty Miss Jade has IBS and has to take pills too. You might want to see if they are available from 1800petmeds. We just got hers from there, and they did require the vet to fax the prescription into them, but it seemed to work really well, especially considering that we were dealing with 3 different people. One person who was paying, one who was the former foster and one who was the new. It is just a thought for you to check out.

Tiki, Tavi, Cody, Camie and Miss Jade

Motor Home Cats said...

PS - we are so glad that everyone is doing so well now. It is really great to hear all the good news.

Tiki, Tavi, Cody, Camie and Miss Jade