Mazy cat is just incredible when it comes to her understanding of what I need from her in the litter box.
Back from the vet. Since I fasted Mazy because I wanted her to have blood work I am going to be spending he rest of the night trying to get enough food into her. Even so she's going to be almost an ounce short for the day but I can't risk her bringing it all back up by trying to stuff it all into her.
She missed .9 oz of her breakfast, and that is the amount I will not be able to make up. She just had her lunch (.6 oz canned) and she's still got pre-meal (.6 oz ), supper (1.1 oz ), and bed time (.6 oz ) meals to eat, and it's already 5:00
Okay now that I am done moaning here's what happened.
Mazy is the perfect picture of health. Her coat is soft, shiny and full. Eyes bright and clear. No lumps in abdomen or thyroid or kidneys that can be felt by hand, and the vet dug deep in spite of Mazy cat's growls and occasional spit or swipe (only twice!). Even her ears look nice and almost completely wax free.
The vet spent an hour with us. That included taking her back for the blood draw. She knew a lot about the cortisol tests I asked about, but mostly in terms of Addison's and dogs. But she has a clear understanding, it seems to me, about the things I was struggling to ask her about. When I read of the blood tests recommended by Dr Plechner she knew what they are and where the blood would have to be sent to get them done.
I gave her what I had printed out to read over and keep in Mazy's file.
I also asked about doing Mazy cat's B levels. That also takes an extra vial of blood.
So we're starting with the standard senior panels.
I brought up the possibility of masses forming in her intestines, because you know I've read a lot about that these are the end results of cats who have this kind of chronic intestinal inflammations. Now Mazy doesn't fit the profile of an IBD cat because, with the exception of that one episode last month, she has never had diarrhea. But there is no doubt she has inflammation.
We start with the blood. If that all comes back normal and the weight loss continues the next step is some x rays. x rays might not show anything if there is something still too small to show up. After x rays of course we're talking specialist because they don't have reliable ultrasound equipment.
Incidentally vet winced when I brought up intestinal lymphoma. But I needed to bring it out in the open. It's a real possibility and I can't pretend it isn't to make myself feel better.
It would have been easy to just ignore the fact that Mazy is eating a half ounce more a day for the past 4 weeks and has lost another ounce, rather than gaining anything. Especially because it's Mazy. I mean,she's not skin and bones, she's a normal weight for her size and build. but the reason I HAVE a scale is to monitor this kind of stuff. Take the guess work out of..."does she feel thinner? Does she look thinner?" the answer to both is yes, but it's so subtle and her fur is so thick, if I didn't have the weight records, I would second guess myself and ignore it until she WAS skin and bones, you know?
And you all know how much I dread taking Mazy cat to the vet. Remember the ear thing?
But I did it, we got through it and now we wait for the results and go from there.