Time
flies, Kitty will be a 10-year-old angel on 6th October. Still
occasionally thinks of you, as you are our special baby – you are R & J’s
wedding present from Tony and you join us when you are 5 years old. You have
been a great elder sister to Goldie, moulding her into a wonderful role model
which continues till now. Kitty dear, miss you and love you forever! Just
continue to enjoy your life!
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This
is to document Betty’s IBD footprint
18th
July : Betty had soft poo. I stopped all snacks and gave her steam chicken.
The situation seemed to initially improved for a few days and she started to
vomit in the morning and with fur. In the past, she would have recovered by day
5. But this time, the progress seemed unstable.
24th
July: First vet visit. Dr V examined her, did blood test and urine test.
Gave her Pro-Kolin thinking its just minor gastro issue as she didn’t show any
sign of discomfort during examination. Looks a bit tired. The blood test did show
relatively low NEU and that the pancreas is abnormal. Her situation seemed to
improved for a few days, and then daily vomiting and soft poo resumed.
28th
July: Ultrasound by Dr TT found that the pancreas looks normal in size, but
the right side appeared darker than normal (ie infection). The intestine looks
normal. She was given Metronidazole and started to take RC gastro diet. After taking the medication, her situation
improved till a few days before the revisit on 17/8 she vomited during early
morning hours.
17th
August: Her weight dropped from 4.02kg to 3.83kg. Blood test readings all
return to normal. Via ultrasound, Dr TT found that her situation has actually
worsened, especially in the small intestine area. Selected areas of her
intestine had thickened to 0.45cm (normal 0.3cm), and the very thin black
lining in between has thickened considerably, making it look like a
“hamburger”. The conclusion was (1) Metronidazole doesn’t work. Need to try
another anti-biotics. (2) She has either IBD or Lymphoma. If want to know what
is it, need to do open up surgery and take a part of the intestine for lab
test. Medical treatment is the same for both sickness. (3) Can start treatment
with antibiotics, if doesn’t work, try steroid. If still doesn’t work try Chemo
drugs. However, if started with antibiotics, need to bear in mind that culture
test would be affected. If go for steroid, then wont go for surgery.
Since
the lowest risk option is the medical route but it might take longer due to
trial and error along the way, Dr TT changed the medication to Tylosin and
Betty has to be straightly on I/D diet. So the treatment started on 17/8.
31st
August: Blood test readings and GI panel should pancreas has return to normal
and her body weight improved marginally to 3.87kg. Betty is a very good kid.
She took her medicine on time and tolerate with the sole I/D meals.
30th
September: ultrasound by Dr TT showed that the black intestinal lining has
reduced in size and the intestine looks more normal. Parts of the small
intestine has shrunk as well. Vet’s conclusion is that she got IBD and not
lymphoma. Tylosin was reduced from 3x daily to 2x daily and revisit in a month.
However, must still adhere with the straight I/D diet. Her body weight further
improved to 4.14kg. During this period, her poo looks normal and in good shape.
Her lifestyle has gradually return to normal.
To be updated.......
Oh! Those bitter medicine
