| Tributes - Andy C. |
| Andy Chronister - Texas Male, Domestic short hair August 1993 - June 16, 2009 Diagnosed with Epilepsy in 1995 Diagnosed with IBD in June 2007 Diagnosed with Pancreatitis in January, 2009 Diagnosed with Advanced IBD & Suspected Lymphoma in January, 2009 Diagnosed with Pancreatitis/Pancreatic Insufficiency in March 2009 |
Sensitivities: Chicken, turkey including egg, and fish. Appears to tolerate grains just fine, eating potato chips and Cheetos have no
apparent impact on intestines.
Medications: 1ml prednisolone 2x day; was able to reduce to .5/.75 alternating by Jan 2008; flare up in July/August after using RC
Lamb; now back to 1ml 2xday. B12 - the 2.5 line on the syringe, once a week since Sept 2007.
We have not been able to completely stabilize Andy's diarrhea since August. We increased pred back to his initial dose, but that does not
seem to make a difference. Lamb is instant diarrhea. I had determined that he can tolerate small amounts of rabbit, 1tbsp per meal, but
no more, and dried him out, but RC changed their fatty acids in the dry food last month. Now he can only tolerate 1/4 cup morning and
night. Why do we bother?
Andy loves rabbit, and dry food. He really could care less about venison and beef. Quality of life matters. That worked for 2 weeks,
then yesterday, he had straight liquid output, and again today. As far as I know he has only had his diet. There is a faint chance he
licked a bowl of beef and salmon, and that is what I am hoping for. In the meantime, he is on wet venison and pumpkin only, and I am
moving his 6-month checkup from the end of December (for the pocketbook's sake) to the earliest I can get in this week, to test for
infection, and discuss with the doctor as to where we go from here. Metronizidale appeared to make Andy's diarrhea worse the last time
we tried it, so running out of ideas, other than administering the pred full dose once a day, or increasing it. I suspect he is sliding into
lymphoma, but at 15 I am not inclined to spend 2K (yep, that is what it runs here) proving it yet. Andy feels good, and isn't losing
weight, so will try a few things first.
Andy had a six month checkup on November 24th. His blood work is normal, kidneys look good. Three items were noted:
1) His urine is not as concentrated as the vet would have liked, but it has not entered the danger zone of too dilute. With normal kidney
values, just something to watch.
2) He tested low on thyroid. However, he doesn't present any of the other symptoms of hypo-thyroid, quite the opposite. May indicate
another underlying condition. Suspicion, IBD/intestinal condition is deteriorated.
3) Andy lost weight from 10.4 to 9.10. Any weight loss in an IBD cat is a warning sign (quote from vet). I expected it from the large
amount of stools he has had in the last few months with me experimenting
with diet to please him.
She recommended a probiotic, adding an antibiotic like metronizadale, and stated that leukeran was also an option if we can't stabilize
the weight loss. Running a T4 is optional at this time, we can just watch the values.
I did add PetDophilous back in to his food. I did not rush to start metro as I will be out next week, and wanted an extended period to
monitor the results, since I thought he had diarrhea on the metro last summer. Expected to stabilize Andy using diet until the 17th,
when I made a commitment to call the vet and start some kind of additional treatment for the IBD. Unfortunately, Andy did not
cooperate, so I plunged in and started him on 1/4 tablet of metro once a day on Sunday, Nov 30. So far, no diarrhea, and he is stuffed.
I also increased the B12 shot to 5 ml, against vet recommendation. His appetite is huge and he feels great - clearing off 5.5-7 oz a day. I
suspect he is back up to 10 lbs, but am waiting to see what happens.
12/22 Andy went into vet to draw blood for T4. Down another 10 oz to 9.2.
12/23 Andy isn't digesting food in belly, very uncomfortable, in bread-loaf position. Either the Evo Beef or the single Cheeto is to blame.
12/24 some food has digested, no bread-loaf, still light eating.
12/25-12/27 Slowly worked back to normal eating, IVD Venison and GP only; diarrhea once a day, small, but definitely a thick puddle,
so food was digesting, but not solidly.
12/28 Results back, Andy clean on thyroid, previous general blood work results false positive. Continue treating IBD and try to get
weight up. Baby Scale ordered off Ebay.
12/29 Added pumpkin back in, colon was emptied, but can't find a puddle, so it appears pumpkin is necessary to formed stool. Andy is
eating up to 2 cans a day. Waiting for baby scale, if he is not gaining weight will contact doctor to talk about leukeran.
Update: January 28, 2009
Current regimen to manage IBD:
Hills D/D Venison wet, RC IVD Venison wet, Hills D/D Rabbit dry
Consumption: 3/4-1 1/2 can, depending on discomfort; 1/8-1/4 dry
Acacia fiber: smidge (1/16 tsp or less) or pumpkin 1tsp each meal
Prednisolone 5ml 2x daily, B12 .35 2x weekly
Ultrasound performed first week January. Ultrasound results: enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. Intestinal
walls, normal. Kidney slightly enlarged, all other organs normal.
TAMU TL1/PL1 tests ordered mid-January
Results: PL1 8.5 (high), Tl1 167 (high), B12 and folate in normal ranges
Weight: 8.1-8.5 lbs
Current Symptoms: strong appetite until 1/3-1/2 can consumed; obvious discomfort ranging from mild to acute after eating. Will eat 3
times a day if opportunity provided. Diarrhea under control with fiber addition 6 of 7 days a week. No vomiting.
Diagnosis: Advanced IBD/lymphoma indicated by enlarged lymph nodes; pred may be controlling intestinal wall thickness. TAMU tests
indicate pancreatitis, which explains discomfort after eating and occasional loss of appetite. Pancreatitis does not completely account for
malabsorption and diarrhea.
Treatment: Leukeran, on the assumption that lymphoma has started; Buprenex for pain as needed. Digestive enzymes to help with
malabsorption, discourage natural enzyme production. Pepcid AC every night for acid, continue prednisolone at current dosage until we
see if leukeran has an effect; will discuss lowering dosage at that time. B12 shots optional.
Update: March 16, 2009
As of mid-January, Andy was still having some diarrhea. Ran, Ultrasound showed normal intestines, enlarged lymph nodes in abdomen.
Ran TAMU PL1 and TL1 were high, indicating pancreatitis/pancreatic insufficiency. Vet speculated intestinal condition due to high pred
dosage, decided to start leukeran 2mg once a day, last week of January.
Leukeran did not go well. Andy lost appetite completely, lethargic, would not move from the bed. Added ondansetron 2x day, he felt
better, but still no appetite. Added appetite stimulant, he ate every two hours, but only a tbsp at a time. At end of first week, halved the
leukeran dosage, Andy visibly felt better, but still low appetite and losing weight rapidly, from 8.5 to 7.1 in two weeks. Stopped leukeran
and appetite stimulant, stayed on ondansetron. Blood work after one week off leukeran 2/13 indicated significantly elevated white
blood cell count, urinalysis indicated kidney infection. Added zeniquin and amoxicillin. In the meantime, bed rest for two weeks stiffened
his arthritic hip such that he could not walk without falling over. Started Adequan shots.
One week later, ran blood work again 2/20, this time the white blood cell count was only slightly reduced (35K to 32K), and his ALT
values were significantly elevated, indicating the liver was now impacted, but the kidneys were clear. We continued antibiotics and ran a
liver and bile panel as well, which came back clear, no gall bladder issues. Continued antibiotics. Andy was gaining weight at 5-6 oz a
week after ceasing leukeran, appetite normal. Stool is fairly normal the first week of antibiotic round, second week, goes to diarrhea.
Will wait to assess after month of antibiotics is complete, and a couple of weeks have passed, probably first week of April. Stopped
ondansetron completely 3/1. Have continued with B12 shots ranging from .25-.35 throughout the ordeal.
I believe the leukeran has helped with malabsorption and intestinal health, as Andy has not eaten and felt this well since last July - but
we have also proven that Andy cannot take leukeran at full dosage; it appears the suppression of his immune system probably led to
the infections in all the other abdominal organs.
Adequan shots helped the arthritis, Andy is now walking fairly normally, has trouble turning left very quickly, but that is it.
Update: July 14, 2009
The specifics are not known but Andy passed away on June 16th, 2009. As far as we know, he had to be euthanised because his
diseases had progressed so severely. RIP little Andy.
apparent impact on intestines.
Medications: 1ml prednisolone 2x day; was able to reduce to .5/.75 alternating by Jan 2008; flare up in July/August after using RC
Lamb; now back to 1ml 2xday. B12 - the 2.5 line on the syringe, once a week since Sept 2007.
We have not been able to completely stabilize Andy's diarrhea since August. We increased pred back to his initial dose, but that does not
seem to make a difference. Lamb is instant diarrhea. I had determined that he can tolerate small amounts of rabbit, 1tbsp per meal, but
no more, and dried him out, but RC changed their fatty acids in the dry food last month. Now he can only tolerate 1/4 cup morning and
night. Why do we bother?
Andy loves rabbit, and dry food. He really could care less about venison and beef. Quality of life matters. That worked for 2 weeks,
then yesterday, he had straight liquid output, and again today. As far as I know he has only had his diet. There is a faint chance he
licked a bowl of beef and salmon, and that is what I am hoping for. In the meantime, he is on wet venison and pumpkin only, and I am
moving his 6-month checkup from the end of December (for the pocketbook's sake) to the earliest I can get in this week, to test for
infection, and discuss with the doctor as to where we go from here. Metronizidale appeared to make Andy's diarrhea worse the last time
we tried it, so running out of ideas, other than administering the pred full dose once a day, or increasing it. I suspect he is sliding into
lymphoma, but at 15 I am not inclined to spend 2K (yep, that is what it runs here) proving it yet. Andy feels good, and isn't losing
weight, so will try a few things first.
Andy had a six month checkup on November 24th. His blood work is normal, kidneys look good. Three items were noted:
1) His urine is not as concentrated as the vet would have liked, but it has not entered the danger zone of too dilute. With normal kidney
values, just something to watch.
2) He tested low on thyroid. However, he doesn't present any of the other symptoms of hypo-thyroid, quite the opposite. May indicate
another underlying condition. Suspicion, IBD/intestinal condition is deteriorated.
3) Andy lost weight from 10.4 to 9.10. Any weight loss in an IBD cat is a warning sign (quote from vet). I expected it from the large
amount of stools he has had in the last few months with me experimenting
with diet to please him.
She recommended a probiotic, adding an antibiotic like metronizadale, and stated that leukeran was also an option if we can't stabilize
the weight loss. Running a T4 is optional at this time, we can just watch the values.
I did add PetDophilous back in to his food. I did not rush to start metro as I will be out next week, and wanted an extended period to
monitor the results, since I thought he had diarrhea on the metro last summer. Expected to stabilize Andy using diet until the 17th,
when I made a commitment to call the vet and start some kind of additional treatment for the IBD. Unfortunately, Andy did not
cooperate, so I plunged in and started him on 1/4 tablet of metro once a day on Sunday, Nov 30. So far, no diarrhea, and he is stuffed.
I also increased the B12 shot to 5 ml, against vet recommendation. His appetite is huge and he feels great - clearing off 5.5-7 oz a day. I
suspect he is back up to 10 lbs, but am waiting to see what happens.
12/22 Andy went into vet to draw blood for T4. Down another 10 oz to 9.2.
12/23 Andy isn't digesting food in belly, very uncomfortable, in bread-loaf position. Either the Evo Beef or the single Cheeto is to blame.
12/24 some food has digested, no bread-loaf, still light eating.
12/25-12/27 Slowly worked back to normal eating, IVD Venison and GP only; diarrhea once a day, small, but definitely a thick puddle,
so food was digesting, but not solidly.
12/28 Results back, Andy clean on thyroid, previous general blood work results false positive. Continue treating IBD and try to get
weight up. Baby Scale ordered off Ebay.
12/29 Added pumpkin back in, colon was emptied, but can't find a puddle, so it appears pumpkin is necessary to formed stool. Andy is
eating up to 2 cans a day. Waiting for baby scale, if he is not gaining weight will contact doctor to talk about leukeran.
Update: January 28, 2009
Current regimen to manage IBD:
Hills D/D Venison wet, RC IVD Venison wet, Hills D/D Rabbit dry
Consumption: 3/4-1 1/2 can, depending on discomfort; 1/8-1/4 dry
Acacia fiber: smidge (1/16 tsp or less) or pumpkin 1tsp each meal
Prednisolone 5ml 2x daily, B12 .35 2x weekly
Ultrasound performed first week January. Ultrasound results: enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. Intestinal
walls, normal. Kidney slightly enlarged, all other organs normal.
TAMU TL1/PL1 tests ordered mid-January
Results: PL1 8.5 (high), Tl1 167 (high), B12 and folate in normal ranges
Weight: 8.1-8.5 lbs
Current Symptoms: strong appetite until 1/3-1/2 can consumed; obvious discomfort ranging from mild to acute after eating. Will eat 3
times a day if opportunity provided. Diarrhea under control with fiber addition 6 of 7 days a week. No vomiting.
Diagnosis: Advanced IBD/lymphoma indicated by enlarged lymph nodes; pred may be controlling intestinal wall thickness. TAMU tests
indicate pancreatitis, which explains discomfort after eating and occasional loss of appetite. Pancreatitis does not completely account for
malabsorption and diarrhea.
Treatment: Leukeran, on the assumption that lymphoma has started; Buprenex for pain as needed. Digestive enzymes to help with
malabsorption, discourage natural enzyme production. Pepcid AC every night for acid, continue prednisolone at current dosage until we
see if leukeran has an effect; will discuss lowering dosage at that time. B12 shots optional.
Update: March 16, 2009
As of mid-January, Andy was still having some diarrhea. Ran, Ultrasound showed normal intestines, enlarged lymph nodes in abdomen.
Ran TAMU PL1 and TL1 were high, indicating pancreatitis/pancreatic insufficiency. Vet speculated intestinal condition due to high pred
dosage, decided to start leukeran 2mg once a day, last week of January.
Leukeran did not go well. Andy lost appetite completely, lethargic, would not move from the bed. Added ondansetron 2x day, he felt
better, but still no appetite. Added appetite stimulant, he ate every two hours, but only a tbsp at a time. At end of first week, halved the
leukeran dosage, Andy visibly felt better, but still low appetite and losing weight rapidly, from 8.5 to 7.1 in two weeks. Stopped leukeran
and appetite stimulant, stayed on ondansetron. Blood work after one week off leukeran 2/13 indicated significantly elevated white
blood cell count, urinalysis indicated kidney infection. Added zeniquin and amoxicillin. In the meantime, bed rest for two weeks stiffened
his arthritic hip such that he could not walk without falling over. Started Adequan shots.
One week later, ran blood work again 2/20, this time the white blood cell count was only slightly reduced (35K to 32K), and his ALT
values were significantly elevated, indicating the liver was now impacted, but the kidneys were clear. We continued antibiotics and ran a
liver and bile panel as well, which came back clear, no gall bladder issues. Continued antibiotics. Andy was gaining weight at 5-6 oz a
week after ceasing leukeran, appetite normal. Stool is fairly normal the first week of antibiotic round, second week, goes to diarrhea.
Will wait to assess after month of antibiotics is complete, and a couple of weeks have passed, probably first week of April. Stopped
ondansetron completely 3/1. Have continued with B12 shots ranging from .25-.35 throughout the ordeal.
I believe the leukeran has helped with malabsorption and intestinal health, as Andy has not eaten and felt this well since last July - but
we have also proven that Andy cannot take leukeran at full dosage; it appears the suppression of his immune system probably led to
the infections in all the other abdominal organs.
Adequan shots helped the arthritis, Andy is now walking fairly normally, has trouble turning left very quickly, but that is it.
Update: July 14, 2009
The specifics are not known but Andy passed away on June 16th, 2009. As far as we know, he had to be euthanised because his
diseases had progressed so severely. RIP little Andy.
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Andy was diagnosed with epilepsy at 1-2 years old. He was seizure free from age 5 until September of this
year, when he had a bad one with full loss of muscle control and momentary blackout. Has not occurred again
since. I believe it was related to receipt of a B12 shot that was administered while he was in an upright sitting
position - he normally is in bread loaf. The seizure occurred within minutes of that shot.
Symptoms: diarrhea; started after I changed his wet food three times due to recalls weight loss down 1.5 lbs.
Tests: fecal and blood work; I thought he was 15 when diagnosed, did not want to do a biopsy; my vet had
been through both IBD and lymphoma, agreed to treat with prednisolone - we got complete dry-out with a
week, although it took until January 2008 to completely restore his appetite and enthusiasm.
Diet before IBD: MaxCat Chicken dry, free feed; wet IAMs, Nutro, tbsp at meals.
Diet after IBD: started with Wellness, determined fish sensitive after a couple of months, tried Nature's
Variety, which was better, confirmed chicken and egg sensitivity after switching to Hills Rabbit Jan 2008;
currently Royal Canin Venison, Evo Beef, pumpkin, RC Rabbit dry.
year, when he had a bad one with full loss of muscle control and momentary blackout. Has not occurred again
since. I believe it was related to receipt of a B12 shot that was administered while he was in an upright sitting
position - he normally is in bread loaf. The seizure occurred within minutes of that shot.
Symptoms: diarrhea; started after I changed his wet food three times due to recalls weight loss down 1.5 lbs.
Tests: fecal and blood work; I thought he was 15 when diagnosed, did not want to do a biopsy; my vet had
been through both IBD and lymphoma, agreed to treat with prednisolone - we got complete dry-out with a
week, although it took until January 2008 to completely restore his appetite and enthusiasm.
Diet before IBD: MaxCat Chicken dry, free feed; wet IAMs, Nutro, tbsp at meals.
Diet after IBD: started with Wellness, determined fish sensitive after a couple of months, tried Nature's
Variety, which was better, confirmed chicken and egg sensitivity after switching to Hills Rabbit Jan 2008;
currently Royal Canin Venison, Evo Beef, pumpkin, RC Rabbit dry.
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