Author Topic: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)  (Read 40635 times)

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Offline Pookie

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #165 on: December 06, 2018, 07:06:56 PM »
I never had much faith in counter training. :D Cats go where they want when no one is around to tell them they aren't allowed.  Silly7

Granted, it's not like I had a kitty-cam on to monitor them or anything, but after enough time of getting paws on double-sided tape, plus one time where I was using wide mailing tape (sticky side up) which ended up with Sweetie Girl getting it wrapped all over her and panicking, I'm pretty sure they stayed off.  I had other plants above the kitchen sink.  Before the tape, I would find some regurgitated leaves on the kitchen floor.  Post-tape:  nothing.

My other reason(s) for wanting them to stay off the counters:  my sister told me about someone who left a kitchen knife on the counter and the cat accidentally stabbed itself when it jumped up.  Thankfully the owner found the kitty in time, but while I'm usually pretty good about not leaving stuff like that out, it's possible to forget.  That story scared me.  Plus, I wanted to make sure there was no chance of them accidentally turning on the oven or stove, or getting to those plants.  But that was the only thing I "trained" them to stay away from.  Everything else . . . if they could get on it and wanted to, they were allowed.  Other than the kitchen table, but I didn't use tape for that.  Just a firm "off" and a pointed hand and they jumped down.  After a while they got the message.  But to your point, for all I know they were on it when I wasn't around.

As far as training the cats to stay off counters and such... too lazy.  Silly7

To each his own.   :)

Nosy was named appropriately and she was one cool kitty in the sense of the word after she got locked in the fridge.

 :o   Did Nosy survive?
« Last Edit: December 06, 2018, 07:10:03 PM by Pookie »
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Offline Lola

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #166 on: December 06, 2018, 09:45:17 PM »
I think it is COOL you took the time to train your cats!  I'm not proud of being lazy. 
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Offline Lola

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #167 on: December 06, 2018, 09:46:08 PM »
MC,
Did you get the CBD oil? 
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Offline Middle Child

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #168 on: December 07, 2018, 05:36:13 AM »
You make a good point about safety and counter surfers Pookie.

Yes I picked up the CBD oil yesterday.  I am not sure I will use it for Jennie just yet, if at all.  I'm still just as afraid as I was before, and now that she's got the bupe and Cerenia for pain and nausea control I think I may just keep things the way they are.

Or, since the advice is to start with one drop a day and work up, I supposed I could just start with that one drop a day for now. I do intend to try it myself this weekend, though I could never sustain the dose recommended.  If it can be used as needed (example-for insomnia) it might be helpful to me so I'll find out.

By the way CW refunded me the 2 day shipping fee I paid when I contacted them in a panic about the post office being closed.

Also, a tech at work contacted me about getting the bupe in a larger quantity from a compounding pharmacy. I can get 3 months worth (at twice a day) for $75 (plus shipping) Right now I am paying $10 per dose, so this will be a huge savings for me, especially as Jennie will eventually need it more often. Currently I am only giving it to her once every other day, on the night she doesn't get the piroxicam.

Which reminds me I need to make her next blood work appointment.

Offline Woodland Girl

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #169 on: December 07, 2018, 09:42:01 AM »
It's great news that you can get Jennie's bupe much cheaper. I know that you would give everything you have to keep her more comfortable but why pay more than you need to.

Having the CBD oil will hopefully give you some peace of mind that it's there should you wish to use it.

-----

Counter training! Yes I've trained MYSELF never to leave anything Dylan can't have access to on the counter. As far as he's concerned EVERYTHING in the house belongs to him.

Offline Pookie

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #170 on: December 07, 2018, 03:41:01 PM »
It's great news that you can get Jennie's bupe much cheaper. I know that you would give everything you have to keep her more comfortable but why pay more than you need to.

Having the CBD oil will hopefully give you some peace of mind that it's there should you wish to use it.

Well said!

Quote
Counter training! Yes I've trained MYSELF never to leave anything Dylan can't have access to on the counter. As far as he's concerned EVERYTHING in the house belongs to him.

LOL, true.  My fear was that if I was distracted or tired that I might forget.  And I'm limited on where I can put those plants.  Though bitter apple spray helped!
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Offline ThreeStep

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #171 on: December 07, 2018, 05:02:21 PM »
Pookie - of course Nosy was fine. Just a bit chilled. She also managed to get into a fold out couch, screamed her little lungs out. I could not get the contraption open and was scared that I might kill her slowly if she gets caught in the springs. There I was with a loaded shotgun in the middle of a rented apartment ready to take the pain away from her when she strolled out. She did live up to her name.

Offline Middle Child

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #172 on: December 08, 2018, 05:59:52 AM »
Weigh in Saturday  ;D (they hate it, well Jennie doesn't mind)

Jennie is maintaining her weight exactly. She still weighs 8 pounds 8 ounces.

With the addition of the bupe I can have some life, without too much worry.  I've been wracking my brains on ow I can do anything on a Saturday such as have a hike or visit a friend, because her gabapentin schedule is 6 am, 2 pm 10 pm.  there is no way to alter that.  That fits my working day and it has to be.  When managing pain the key is to stay on top of it, because if it gets a grip it's difficult to get rid of even with drugs.

So I worry about being late with Jennie's gab, especially when it's going to be really late.  With the bupe to overlap that won't be such a problem.

For instance today I have a hike with my sister. It's not a long all day hike, but I will not be home at 2 for the gabapentin. In fact I probably won't be home until 3:30 or 4.  So I did delay her gab by 15 minutes last night (10:15) and an additional 15 minutes this morning (6:30) but that still only gives me until 2:30.  However I can give her a bupe dose before I leave at 9:00 and that will hold her over when the gab wears off, until I get home. She's due for bupe tonight too, but she is allowed to have it up to twice a day so that's okay.

Last night I went to pick up the meds and they didn't have the bupe ready (they don't make it up until I get there) and there was an emergency and no one to do it. This of course has really thrown a wrench into my morning because now I have to go get it this morning right when they open. The receptionist said they would make it up last night and put it in the vault but I am not optimistic that they did. I may have to stand there this morning and wait for someone to fil 28 syringes.

However I don't want to wait until Monday, what if we have bad weather?  I can't risk running out.

This is why the mail order will be so convenient, in addition to the cost savings.

PS  If Jennie gets her gab at 4:00 pm, and then I give it again at 10 to get her back on schedule, that's okay too, because she can have it at early as 6 hour apart when needed. I cleared that with the IM vet in the beginning.

Offline Lola

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #173 on: December 09, 2018, 07:49:28 AM »


Also, a tech at work contacted me about getting the bupe in a larger quantity from a compounding pharmacy. I can get 3 months worth (at twice a day) for $75 (plus shipping) Right now I am paying $10 per dose, so this will be a huge savings for me, especially as Jennie will eventually need it more often. Currently I am only giving it to her once every other day, on the night she doesn't get the piroxicam.


What made you decide to experiment with another pharmacy?  Do they compounded medicine exactly the same as the specialist center? 

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Offline Middle Child

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #174 on: December 09, 2018, 08:38:50 AM »
What made you decide to experiment with another pharmacy?  Do they compounded medicine exactly the same as the specialist center? 



I'm talking about the buprenex now, not the gabapentin. I will continue to get the gabapentin at the specialist's pharmacy (have to drive 100 miles one way every 2 months) and the piroxicam from Wedgewood compounding mail order (the place where I didn't like their gabapentin).

Right now I am getting the buprenex from the Jennie's local vet and it is $10 a syringe and they can't make it up in advance meaning I have to stand there and wait for them to mix it and fill 28 syringes (2 week supply).  This takes a half hour or more, if even someone is available to do it right then (which they weren't on Friday).  And what if we have bad weather and I can't get up to the vet?  The tech found a compounding pharmacy (not the one I used for the "bad" gabapentin and still use for the piroxicam) that can make up the buprenex in larger doses at less cost and ship to me.

Buprenex is a controlled (opioid) substance so there are certain restrictions in getting this drug.  I didn't think I'd be able to get it anywhere but the vet in the way I described, so I am really grateful for the tech finding this place for me.

By the way, my little plan up above worked!  I had a wonderful hike with my sister, got home at 4 pm and Jennie was still comfortable and eager for food.  I spaced her next two gabapentin doses 7 hours apart which got her back on schedule at 6 a.m. this morning, and sure enough she was there punching me in the face to remind me at 5:45.  funny2

Also, she didn't need a second buprenex dose last night.  I thought she might, but she did okay.

She'll be getting fluids today.

PS up in another post I said "the tech at work" but I meant the tech at the vet.

Offline Lola

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #175 on: December 09, 2018, 09:08:39 AM »
My experience with buprenex as always been dental related pretty much.  One syringe with .06 was $6.00.  I thought that was pricey!  You do what you have to do.  I get it.

Glad your Saturday plan worked!   thumbsup1
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Offline Middle Child

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #176 on: December 09, 2018, 09:48:47 AM »
My experience with buprenex as always been dental related pretty much.  One syringe with .06 was $6.00.  I thought that was pricey!  You do what you have to do.  I get it.

Glad your Saturday plan worked!   thumbsup1

Interesting...that's the same price I am paying.  You paid $6 for a 0.06 ml syringe, and I am paying $10 for a 0.1 ml syringe.

Offline Lola

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #177 on: December 09, 2018, 11:29:14 AM »
Interesting...that's the same price I am paying.  You paid $6 for a 0.06 ml syringe, and I am paying $10 for a 0.1 ml syringe.

Maybe there is a standard pricing sheet that all vets use.  Not serious. 
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Offline Middle Child

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #178 on: December 09, 2018, 07:25:15 PM »
This time of year we don't get much sun. And what little we do get...doesn't make it into the house for long.  Jennie found some today though....... (look at her shadow..under the table leg! funny2)

Offline ThreeStep

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Re: Jennie has been diagnosed with carcinoma (cancer)
« Reply #179 on: December 10, 2018, 12:43:10 PM »
Sun is a healer and a comforter. I am glad she enjoyed some of it.
All we can do is the best we can do. Hang in there with her. How is the rest of the pride?

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