Nutrition Services for Cats

[tuffysmommy]

I’ve been trying to find a nutritionist for my 15 year old Biscuit whose bloods and thyroid are fine but she is losing weight snd size. We live in the greater NYC area and, believe it or not, we only came up with one in NJ. She, however, is not taking new patients. I managed to get a short list from around the country who do telemed consults and have started my Saturday with sticker shock. As I type this I realize I pay maybe an almost equal fortune to get my Toni HCM scanned but it is insurance covered. I suppose my problem is that my own foremost nutrition expert for my lethal gastro problems only charges $150 a consult. This is ALSO not covered by insurance. Maybe someone knows someone for Biscuit?

 

[Yoda mom]

@tuffysmommy , awh, you are an incredible mum. sorry I don't have info for your area for a nutritionist. Does your vet have recommendations for senior nutrition for Biscuit?
Did they rule out IBD? you mentioned her bloodwork and thyroid fine, that's good news. I assume they ruled out CKD kidney disease which is not uncommon for our senior kitties, along with aging related muscle mass loss.

sharing, my Macie Mae bengal 14, with various issues, ckd ,IBD, etc. was put on budesonide 1x a day and has gained back a little weight.
Raven furbaby is 19 1/2 and has age related loss of muscle mass.

what food does Biscuit eat? Macie Mae is loving weruva press your lunch mixed /mushed with a little water.

hugs n positive vibe head smooches to all paws.. following closely for updates.

 

[tuffysmommy]

Thanks Yodamom. Biscuit is eating Royal Canin 12+ wet (which is highly recommended by Schwartzman Animal Medical Center in the City although they have no nutritionist on staff and 12+ dry because she wants it. I dont know how they test for age related muscle mass loss and need to ask but her kidneys are fine. I wouldnt have thought of IBD because of all my own gastro misery. I will. (Please no !!!!). She has a gorgeous coat and has alot of hairballs. Used to overgroom from teenage. Gave it up recently. (Now Foxy does it). They are slaying me.

 

[tuffysmommy]

It is with true misery that I relate that a while back we found the cause of Biscuit's weight loss. They did a scan and found nodules including in her liver. She has embarked on a course of chemotherapy and it is at the two week mark. We went for bloods yesterday and her white cells are good enough to allow her to stay on the chemo. We have gotten a second opinion and they agree with the treatment but will scan her again within the next 10 days to see if she needs something more aggressive which would be infusions as well as the chemo. She is actually more lively than she had been and closer with her littermate sister Foxy. Her bloods are still good. She was very resistant to the blood draw yesterday but interestingly while we were waiting for the sedation to take hold, she let this absolutely loving tech rub her head and pet her calmly and speak gently to her. The tech was decked in those awful welding gloves but Biscuit didn't mind. Just don't move too fast.... You'd think I would have been smart enough to scan her earlier.....

 

[nudebea]

Thinking of you and Biscuit and praying that her treatment goes well

 

[tuffysmommy]

Thanks. Who knew? Next trip is the scan at the big hospital. We’ll see, I guess.

 

[tuffysmommy]

Wondering if anyone ever tried Weruva Cat Person treats. My Biscuit’s renal values are increasing and low protein is also recommended. On Chewy their phosphorus count hasnt been determined. That or Dave’s.

 

[Yoda mom]

@tuffysmommy , hugs n positive vibes sweet Team Biscuit. you got this. sharing, my beloved Macie Mae's values on last weeks blood work actually improved with feeding her Weruva press your lunch wet food. I mixed and mushed with a little water.

 

[tuffysmommy]

Thanks Yodamom. We had scan Thursday and chemo seems to be really helping. They are putting her back on steroids to see if that puts some weight on her. More than our almost family member and vet led us to expect. He was elated to hear. No need for infusions now. She feels better. Easy to tell. I’m delighted but exhausted.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Sending lots of love and calming vibes to you