28 January 2021 

Purrkins New Cat Hospital

CAT-Friendly Practice

Purrkins new vet is a  cat-friendly practice

A Gold level CAT ONLY hospital!

The links below will explain in detail why the experience is so different for cats.

Cat-Friendly Practice®

What to Expect at a Cat-Friendly Practice

The Top Ten Reasons to Choose a Cat-Friendly Practice

Click the links above for all the information, please these are just screenshots.

There is no comparison for CATS vs. A traditional practice!

ANYTIME one of the boys has/had to visit the vets (traditional practices), they do not recognize each other non-recognition aggression. 

One cat comes home; we have issues for days afterward. Hissing, growling, fights! We do the scent swapping techniques, a multi-cat diffuser plugged in, and we still have problems. We have taken both the boys to the vets even if only one has an appt. (this does help)!!! Not ideal, however;)

Not surprisingly, the boys come home smelling like who knows what and alcohol. I have not smelled any alcohol on Purrkins, and he has had bloodwork done 3 times at the kitty hospital.  I will have to inquire further on this one;) They have pheromones going in the clinic, a kitty/cat playroom where they let the cats relax to get an accurate bp, etc., and I’m not sure what else as we have not been in yet. (covid)

We have NOT had ANY  issues with Purrkins coming home from the kitty hospital! Saxton knows who Purrkins is and vice versa. It is like Purrkins never left home.

The NOTABLE differences are the Quality of Care

Time spent at appt, dealing with cat-specific issues and follow-ups!

Genuinely caring about your cat and want the best for them in the future. MASSIVE!

Pain Management 

We noticed a big difference right away – they understand what pain signals your cat is experiencing & they treat accordingly. There is no begging for medicine and made to feel like your drug-seeking.

I was not speaking a foreign language trying to explain what pain signals Purrkins was showing me! Never did I have to repeat or have the need to try to explain further!  I had a MASSIVE sense of relief on our first curbside appt just speaking to the new vet😇.  She ensured me Purrkins would be pain-free until our dental appt. (dental has been postponed for at least 6 months)

For example, The kitty vet- sent Purrkins home with 200 mg Gaba for tooth pain and said if this did not manage the pain, we would add another med vs. the traditional vet who sent home 1/4 capsule of Gabapentin for tooth pain.

When I phoned the traditional vet to tell him the 1/4 capsule of Gaba was not helping Purrkins discomfort, he was hesitant to send more home.

Diagnosis

I am 95% positive we would still not have a diagnosis with the other clinic. Dr. R, the kitty vet, took this and ran with it. She was available to us when we needed her. This alone is massive and a huge blessing! I sent her several videos of Purrkins – what I was seeing and my concerns. She was right back to me EVERY time! She got neurology on the phone, sent videos of Purrkins to them & got them involved ASAP!  I heard back the following day.

She has faithfully checked on Purrkins, and I can contact her and know I will hear back!! She has said from day 1,” I am here for you” SHE HAS BEEN AND THAN SOME! 😇💎

The old clinic ?! Not one call to check in on us.🏃🏻‍♀️💨 I will be writing a letter 🤬(that’s another novel)

UP NEXT SAXTON

Saxton will also be transferring over to the new clinic to see Dr. R in the spring/summer! It will be interesting to see what Saxton thinks and the difference it is for him.

Saxton is all “cat”; he is never happy to leave the house and protests, Hisses, growls, goes potty in the carrier (we don’t blame him either), he has grabbed for the vets ( bites) claws! (again, we don’t blame him:) Saxton has had nothing but trauma at the vets since he was a kitty; the poor guy has had health issues since he was 8 weeks old! Most of his life!  We do forewarn the vets that Saxton can be unpredictable! 😼

We anticipate a much different experience for Saxton. 🙏🏻 (I will let you know)  We hope so for Saxton’s sake.🤞🏻

The BEST decision we have made, and it was forced!

We cannot speak higher of our experience, the care, the time they spend, being a phone or email away and getting a response back on weekends, holiday!

This entire experience has been a nightmare, but switching vets curbside to the kitty hospital has been the biggest blessing! We got care asap and continue to get care vs. waiting months to book a traditional practice dental app. The boys not being in distress after a vet visit. The entire household is not stressed after a vet visit!

If anyone has a cat, find a cat-friendly hospital for your cat, for you, for the household. It is a gift and one we all NEED!

They have gone above and beyond for cats! THEY ARE ALL CAT LOVERS! Whoo-hoo, FOR CATS!!!

LOADS OF LOVE FROM all of us at Purrkins Palace 💝💝💝

And Yes we have a few more updates to follow & we will be up to date soon;)

Thanks, fur reading

26 January 2021 

Purrkins pheno levels are now in the ideal range!!

Purrkins phenobarbitol plasma level was getting into the therapeutic range on 1/16/21, 11.25 mg for 11 days, plus his increase to  15 mg for 3 days.

These results below are for 2 weeks on 15 mg 2 times a day.

Dosage of phenobarbital 

Dr. Isaacs (neurologist) said the Phenobarbital dosage is per animal and how the body metabolizes the drug.  They had to test the plasma concentration levels in Purrkins blood in 2 weeks since his dose was changed to ensure the pheno was therapeutic. Not too high and poisonous.

Purrkins levels determine what we do with the dose from here. If the dose were to change, they would need to retest the plasma levels after 2 weeks. If the dose remains the same, then the plasma levels would be checked once a year.  The dosage goes by how each animal metabolizes the drug, not by the size of our furmily.

Back to the Kitty Vet

Purrkins had an excellent visit; he does not mind going to see Dr. R whatsoever.

We had to take the truck as we had a fresh dump of snow. Purrkins had to ride on my lap.

Purrkins does not mind traveling to Dr. Matts or to see the Kitty vet. Massive difference in a cat-only clinic vs. traditional practices (post to follow on cat-only clinics) Purrkins had his blood drawn and gets all kinds of love and attention. They adore Purrkins😽!  Purrkins was in there for maybe 15 minutes, and we were on the road again.🎵

Mr.P’s parking spot at the kitty hospital.

We stopped at the pet store & pharmacy to get Purrkins meds.

Stay at home Sexy Saxton.

Saxton stayed home again. I checked on him with our little camera!

A little peace of mind! Screenshot below:)

I can talk to Saxton thru the little Wyze camera🙂 how cool!

Watch Saxton look for me 😁  The audio is not the greatest,  for the cost, what does one expect. It does everything we had hoped plus.

One nickname we have for Saxton is joe birdie! Saxton’s full name is Saxton Joe. Where the birdie comes in? Who knows i am explaining this because you will hear me call Joe Birdie:)

We do not leave the little camera on when we are home:) Creepy, but it is lovely to watch the boys and check in when we are not.  We have one set up 24/7 for the litter box because Sexy Saxton has health issues, and we have to know who deposits what and when:)

Wee hours in the morning, Purrkins hears his mouse again:)

Adjusting to Meds

Purrkins is starting to adjust to the pheno dosage, still not steady on his three. Each day is better! He is now doing his 2,3,4 sets of steps when we’re there to make sure he does not have a mishap. We are not to our new normal yet. We are getting there!🙌🏻

Dr.R is waiting to hear from Dr. I (neurologist) for Purrkins plan in the future! I will hear back from her again this week.

We are still w/o heat – the parts came in; they are coming out tomorrow.

Tripawds Ambassador

Purrkins got his Tripawds Ambassador Kit in the mail today.😎

More work to do, mom?

Loads of love & much appreciation! 💝💝💝😽😽🎗🎗🎗

More updates to follow…

25 January 2021

I’m on my way back people see?!

Yes, this is a version of US hoomans hehe YAAAAY, big hugs to you all!!

Thanks, fur all the love, support, prayers & fur reading!

We love you all!

More updates to follow.

💝💝💝

23 January 2021 – 12:23 am

Hazy Daze

The hazy daze are on the way out – WHOO HOO!

Purrkins slept most of the day today, but we see Mr. P’s sparkle coming back. You can see Purrkins in his eyes today! 

Purrkins is stepping back in aware and alert when he is up.

Repeated syringing the broth and water today& Purrkins ate on his own from his bowl;)

I wrote Purrkins kitty vet with an update on Purrkins. Her response below.

From Dr.R –

“I know you are doing a great job keeping an eye on Purrkins! If his improvements don’t continue, let me or Dogwood know!

Take care and give Purrkins a nice rub from me!”

Dr. R will see Purrkins on Tuesday 26th, for his plasma levels.

We try to do shifts. BUT as you can see from the above picture, these do not always work in my favor;)  Mark was on shift above;) Snoozing on the job!

Hopefully, we find our newest normal again soon. Purrkins adapts to the meds, no spells,(seizures), etc.🙏🏻 And as megstamum
stated, “PLEASE, Sexy Saxton, do not get any ideas here.”

This has been more terrifying than the amputation!

We ALL need some time to regroup and catch up on sleep & everyday things!

We also look forward to having some heat again, burr!

Loads of love and again much appreciation from all of us at the chilly Purrkins Palace🥶

💝💝💝

Diagnosis/Summary of Evaluation –21 January 2021

We received Purrkins diagnosis/summary from Dogwood today; we are UNLIKELY and could not be more thankful – Idiopathic Epilepsy.

Thank you for referring “Purrkins” to Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center for evaluation. 

Below is a summary of our evaluation and recommendations. 

Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions about this case.

Patient: “Purrkins,” DMSH, male neutered, 6/30/2010

Veterinarian: Riverside Cat Hospital

Clinical Diagnosis: Seizures

History: Onset of focal seizures that have responded to initiating phenobarbital therapy. Purrkins is currently on 15mg phenobarbital every 12 hours.

Neurologic Exam:

– Mentation: Alert and responsive

– Cranial nerves: Normal

– Gait/Posture: Ambulatory with a normal gait

– Postural reactions: Intact in all limbs

– Spinal reflexes: Intact in all limbs

– Muscle tone: Normal in all limbs

– Pain perception: Intact in all limbs

– Spinal pain: None detected

– Neuroanatomic Localization: No identifiable neurologic deficits

Diagnostics: MRI: No macrostructural abnormalities.

Spinal Fluid Analysis: Normal white blood cell count and protein concentration.

Assessment/Plan: The lack of significant changes noted on MRI and CSF analysis allows us to feel comfortable continuing to manage Purrkins’s seizures with phenobarbital, knowing there is not anything else that needs to be treated. 

Please have phenobarbital level checked 2 weeks after increasing the dose to 15mg every 12 hours. 

Also, please keep us updated on his status.

Medications: Phenobarbital (15mg tab): 1 tab every 12 hours

Recheck: As needed. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Andrew Isaacs, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)

ALL BRILLIANT NEWS WHOO HOO.

Purrkins is still not 100% YET. Dr. Isaacs was not concerned as long as Purrkins is improving, which he is! Not as quick as I would have thought or liked BUT add in the higher dose of Pheno Purrkins has not adapted to yet, plus anesthesia!

He said older kitties 🙀could take longer to come out of the anesthesia!

Purrkins is ten years & seven months young, Mature;)

How old is our cat?

Purrkins is eating not like usual; I can coax him by hand feeding or using one of our staples for times like these. Gerbers Stage 2 Chicken & Gravy baby food!

Drinking, grooming, no pain signals! All the things we watch for. Purrkins hop is a wobbly hop from all the meds. We won’t let him do his pet steps or real steps yet. Not worth the chance. 

I am syringing water & tuna water. I’m hoping to help flush these meds out of his system quicker.

Purrkins rested most of today!

Furnace people came today.

– Parts will take 3-5 days before they can start. Mark ordered us more pellets. He can pick those up tomorrow and do a curbside pick up at TSC with the truck;) no contact etc., plus a couple of space heaters. We dress warmer and make due:) 

Thanks, everyone again; we will keep you posted!

We look forward to reporting Purrkins IS BACK 100% and zooming thru the house: ).

LOADS OF LOVE AND GRATITUDE BEYOND MEASURE. 

From all of us at the cool Purrkins Palace;)

More updates to follow.

💝💝💝🎗🎗🎗

20 January 2021

PURRKINS SPINAL TAP RESULTS ARE NORMAL

WE JUST GOT THE NEWS. DR ISAACS JUST CALLED  

Spinal tap results are normal. Whoo-hoo.🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Dr. Isaacs asked how Purrkins was doing, and he confirmed what we already knew, he is stoned as long as he continues to improve. No worries! (anyone here knows how hard that statement is;)

We do as planned recheck pheno levels again on the 26th- and we get on with our life hopping on with 2 pills, one every 12 hours.

We will discuss the results with Dr. Matt and get his input. We stopped all supplements for this trial of pheno to rule anything out. For the pheno to be the only thing in Purrkins system. No other variables, Dr. Matt was on board, of course!

Purrkins was so happy to be home! He ate great, drank lots (side effect from the meds), and his hop well was not good but a splay of legs. He now has his legs under him  BUT not close to 100%, he so trying & I’m assisting;)

Finally tucking in for a needed nap

We are thankful to see Purrkins little eyes come out of this haze!

He is finally tucked in for a nap.😁🙏🏻👏🏻

He is not showing me any pain signals!🙌🏻

Our furnace is not working; we have to have someone come out tomorrow to take a look. it should be under warranty, but we will see💸 

We have a pellet stove for emergency heat, and it quit working too! 

The Good news Mark got the pellet stove going again, so we do have heat in one room at least.

Thanks again, everyone, for holding our hand and paw thru this terrifying time.

Loads of love and massive hugs!

Holly, Mark, Purrkins, Sexy Saxton,Purrkins & Saxtons Grandma & Grandpa – My parents asked me to thank you for all the love, prayers, and support!

More updates to follow.

💝💝💝🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻😁😁😁🎗🎗🎗👏🏻👏🏻💸🎁🤝😘

Purrkins comes home from Dogwood. 

Our trip to pick up Purrkins! Hazy daze! I don’t know about anyone else, but those ugly gray days under distress do not help this hooman!

I spoke to my Mom on the way there and asked her to send us some sunshine. No more do we pull into Dogwood to get Purrkins RAY and look what peaks out A RAY OF SUNSHINE! Yep, another sign all would be ok.

Thanks, Mom Delivered☀️  🙌🏻

Picking up our Purrkins Ray

Purrkins was drugged to the nines. They told me he was not with it yet and would be unsteady, ugh on three, that’s understated!

I  brought food, knowing he did not eat well and thought we could spend a little time in the parking lot before heading home.

Purrkins was agitated and unsettled in his carrier – he wanted out of his carrier for the first time in his life. Pressing his little head against the door. Frantic.

I got Purrkins out and held him thinking I could help soothe him.

It helped, but there was no way he was getting back in the carrier!

I tried to feed Purrkins. He had zero interest.

I held Purrkins the entire trip home. (Not safe) but we were in the back seat, and we do what we need to do for our furmily.

Purrkins did settle in my arms. 40 minutes into the drive, he let out this sound I have never heard before. A little distress sound mew. I don’t know how else to describe this to you. He was telling me something and began to get agitated again.  I told Mark I think Purrkins needs to go the bathroom. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Using the facilities on the Road

Mark pulls off the highway to a church parking lot. We get the gigantic litter box out of the hatch and put it in the backseat. I had to hold Purrkins in the box. He has no strength. None, the boy, can hardly stand up.  I place him in the litter box – sure enough, he had to pee (huge pee). So we get him cleaned up and put the litter box in the hatch. Off we go again.

A half-hour later, I hear the same sound mew  🤔 I ask Mark if we can pull over again and repeat. Another church parking lot and redo! Now the dear boy has to poop and does. What cat does this?

I’m not even sure dogs would do this ?!

He never ceases to amaze us 10 years 7 months later. 

We scoop, clean up, and off we go again, and phew Purrkins says thank you, hoomans cause I was distressed and needed to use the facilities. ( I can only guess he did not use the litter box in the hospital) I did not think to ask as he had a catheter in during the MRI.  Purrkins has NEVER had an incident in the car or at home. He refuses to even drugged to the umpteenth nines! Dear soul💝💝💝

The rest of our ride home was uneventful Purrkins watched out the window all the big semis going by. You can see where the tap was. ugh

WE ARE HOME

We are finally home and so happy to be home! Purrkins ate and has a full belly & decided to rest for a few minutes. It does not last long!

Dogwood

I have to say the Dogwood neurology group was amazing; they could not have been more compassionate and caring! They took the best care of Purrkins! I hate any of us would need Neurology or needs a neurologist, but if you are in Michigan or the surrounding area, we cannot recommend Dogwood highly enough!

Purrkins Vet Dr. Isaccs 2nd one in the screenshot is one of the co-founders of the clinic. GEM absolute gem! Easy to speak to easy to understand, so compassionate! Angel in earth clothes!! He gave us the floor to ask any & all questions and took the time to answer them in detail each time we spoke.

Purrkins MRI & Spinal Tap 

They found nothing on the MRI and what our utmost prayer/hope was. We knew that if the MRI did not reveal anything, they wanted to do a spinal tap while Purrkins was sedated, and they did that on the 19th while Purrkins was sedated.

We will get the results of the tap on January 20. 

Spinal Tap Information

DR I. told us not to lose any sleep over the tap results because usually if there is inflammation in the brain, they can tell during the MRI. He did not see anything in the scan. The spinal tap was to make sure nothing else was going on with Purrkins. If the tap comes back abnormal, i believe he said we would start a steroid, but I will need to confirm this if needed.

I asked in the planning/decision making if the spinal tap would be painful for Purrkins, i shuddered at the idea! 

His answers  –

1. It is different in animals than in humans, 
2. Purrkins would not feel the procedure because he would be sedated.
3. Obviously, our animals could not tell us how it feels.
4. They appear to have no side effects from the procedure.
5. Some humans get severe headaches; animals’ difference is the head’s location and the heart’s location. When we humans stand up, our head is above our heart, and it is almost in line with the animals.

This made sense to us. I hope it does to you all reading this.

 Mri is done

Dr. I asked the tech to call us asap to share the news NO TUMORS were found during the MRI! Of course, this was the most significant concern and our worst fear! NONE FOUND! 

List of the possibilities for focal seizures CATS

They go by age in cats 0-1, 0-5, 5 & older – the onset of symptoms.

The older the kitties, the odds of C are greater.

1. Meningioma (cancer) could have been treated depending on location. 

Treatments for Meningioma

Surgical, radiation, steroid, or combo ( he told us if any species, including humans, had to have a brain tumor, we would all want to be a cat and want it to be a meningioma)

If they found this during the MRI, they would have stopped the MRI and given an IV of steroids to reduce swelling of the brain –  then we would have had to make choices) 

This type of cancer is outside the brain and easily removed and/or treated depending on location.

Another type of cancer that infiltrates thru the brain and as wicked as it comes. We discussed this, but this was not on his list. I’m not sure why.

2. A vascular stroke that we did not see the full effects of

3. Another organ causing issues making the brain swell ( which was unlikely because Purrkins bloodwork does not indicate anything)

4.  Idiopathic (No reason), but at Purrkins age, this was unlikely! 

Being a cancer survivor, yes, we all know where the thinking was.

It appears we are unlikely.

We can confirm more tomorrow when we get the tap results back.

More Questions

Could this onset of focal seizures be Purrkins tooth? 

Dr. I’s answer, yes, it is possible – it is a stressor or a trigger for an epileptic patient. Dr. I suggests we do take care of the dental and resolve that issue.

Plan for now

We continue on the phenobarbital and recheck blood plasma levels by the 26th and see how Purrkins does. If Purrkins were to have any more of these focal seizures, i am to record and call Dogwood and our Kitty vet, and they will reevaluate the plan.

All the results from today will go to Kitty Vet and Dr. Matt. I know Dr matt will have more input.

We have a wobbly tripawd kitty right now,

Purrkins back in recovery in his Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen Exercise Kennel Dogs Cats Indoor/outdoor Removable Mesh Shade Cover

LOADS OF LOVE & GRATITUDE FROM ALL OF US AT PURRKINS PALACE

XOXO

MAGICAL POWER, PRAYERS, PAWSITIVITY DELIVERED!

PURRKINS RECEIVED ALL YOUR Tripawd Magical power, prayers, pawsitivity & good juju!

MRI CLEAN

NO TUMORS WERE FOUND in the MRI, nothing was found in the MRI, that was our ultimate hope and prayers for Mr. P!

I will do several posts to share the last week & all the information in the coming week—apologies for not getting to the blog post sooner. I know you all understand we have all been thru the wringer.

We have updated the forums; in the meantime, here Purrkins Mri done NO TUMORS  it was faster for me to do;)

THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT CAN EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE!

THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR HOLDING PURRKINS IN YOUR HEARTS, THOUGHTS, YOUR PRAYERS, Sending PAWSITIVITY, AND GOOD JUJU! 

YOU HELD US ALL UP!🤝

OUR BOY HAS MORE LESSONS TO TEACH WE COULD NOT BE MORE THANKFUL!

Loads of Love from all of us at chilly Purrkins Palace!

Enormous hugs, updates to follow!
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻💝💝💝

Purrkins MRI is happening right now! It will take a couple of hours, and after Purrkins is up from anesthesia, the Vet will phone us with results etc, then we can head out to get him. We are estimating maybe 11ish?

I was able to check on Purrkins a couple of times last night; he got his meal and did eat a little, but not much they would have liked to see him eat more! I’m not surprised I told her I was delighted to hear he ate something when i phoned last night. Purrkins did not eat at MSU for three days, and i suspected he would do the same thing here.

I checked on him this a.m. too, and the girl said he is still hanging out back there, not howling or meowing to get out, and again no surprise as i told her that’s Purrkins. He is the most gentle cat! They gave him his meds in a pill pocket last night, and he refused again, no surprise;) I told her i had sent in a churu tube in with him, and that’s what i use & syringe! She said they used a pill popper this a.m.

I forget to mention the Vet commented on Purrkins name on our first call; he loved his name and how fitting it was for him:)

i will keep you posted. Thanks for holding Purrkins in your thoughts and prayers. It means the world to us!

Loads of love & pawsitivity! 🤝🤝🤝🙏🙏🙏🚂🚂🚂

FULL STEAM ahead 🙏🙏🙏 choo choo!

XOXO