A Trip to the Vet

The last time I waited until Sake had totally stopped eating until I took her to the vet, she had lost weight, from 8.2 lbs, which has been her illness base weight (she used to weigh 13 lbs) to 6.5 lbs.  I had waited too long to get her into the vet.

So, when I took her in 10 days later because she was still eating poorly, her weight had rebounded to 8.2 lbs.  They gave her an antibiotic and B12 shot, but the change in her appetite was minimal, and she started hissing and growling at the other cats, especially Taki. 

At first, Taki took it as a game, and chased after Sake.  I chided Taki. That helped some, but sometimes, Taki still wants to play chase. Recently, although she does not feel well, I have also chided Sake for her ill manners.

So, I called the vet, and they agreed that although Sake was eating some, since it had been 4 weeks, it was time to get her in for a steroid shot.  We went this morning.

Sake went into the crate without a problem. She did not want to get out of the crate at the vet's office, so I just took off the top.  The tech came in to take her temperature, and I told her not to do that.  She realized why (this tech had not worked with Sake before, but knew of her.)  However, Sake let Tonya, the tech, pet her.  This is very unusual. Was Sake that sick, or did she sense something in Tonya, I do not know.

So, when Dr. Lee came, she, too, was able to pet Sake.  She came back with the steroid injection and while Sake became upset when the vet was trying to find a spot to inject her, she did not explode. 

We put the top back on the crate, and Tonya reached in to pet Sake.  That was okay for a split second. Then, she slapped Tonya. But, while she was being ugly, she was purring. 

The vet told me they have started doing laser treatment for stomatitis, which is what Sake has.  They have tried it on two patients.  It was effective for one, but not the other.  With those kinds of odds, and Sake's attitude, the vet said she is not a candidate for laser treatment at this time.   I agree. 

However, if over time, there is strong evidence that laser treatment is helpful, it might be worth sedating Sake to do the treatment.  But that is not even a bridge that is on the horizon.

I told the vet and the tech that Sake no longer runs and hides when we get home from the vet, she lets me pet and console her. So, there are some positive changes in her ugly behavior.

Sake was more active and alert tonight.  I could not tell that she ate anything, but with three cats and so many selections available, it is difficult to monitor. I could limit the selections, but it would still be difficult to monitor when I am not home, so I rather they have the selections