Hans very kindly posted Julio's case on the Pet forum for me as I was unable to get it to post. If anyone has the stamina to read it all, I would appreciate it and any suggestions would be gratefully received.

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Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.

Hi gpm,

So very sorry to hear about precious little Julio. Hope someone offers help really soon.
I PM'd you, hope you receive it.
Will be sending loving thoughts to both of you.

Warm Smiles, onebabykitty

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just a Cat trapped in a human body-purrs loudly and often but sharpens claws daily....

Hi,

Bringing Julio's case up again on the Discussion Forum in case it is missed on the Pet Forum. I would very much appreciate any views. Thank you.

And thank you for your kind words, Onebabykitty.

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Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.

Hi GPM, I read that the cat is now having good BMs. Is he eating OK, urine OK? Is he still in trouble?

Hi Krista,
Yes, he was doing better but now having problems. This is the newest:

Seeking advice. On the third day after one dose of Hep S 200 ( having then passed soft, light color stools), Julio's stool began to darken and become harder in texture. The last good sized stool passed ( 2 days ago) was with effort, after several attempt and was covered with streaks of dark blood.

Late yesterday he began making frequent, unsuccessful attempts at stool, not continuously but for a period of about an hour, then stopping and sleeping for an hour or so.

In the last 18 hours he has passed stool 3 times of thin diameter, very dark (black) and very hard.

He has passed small amounts, by slow drops, of watery, light red liquid from the rectum on several attempts at stool or what I thought attempts at stool. He may be attempting to void the bloody water/liquid rectally.

He passed on 5 inch thin like string, tenacious, very bloody strand from rectum.

He is not acting frantic, depressed or stressed. (since Hep)
Not crying when attempting. (not new)
Abdomen not distended. (since Hep)
He is not raising his back end up higher with strain of attempting stool as will some cats trying to force. (had done this prior to Hep)
More or less is quietly/calmly squatting in box for 2-3 minutes, leaving, walking around a bit and returning. (pre Hep, would collapse in box)
Spasms (for want of the right term) visible when cat attempts to push out stool are less. (may be that he isn't trying to pass stool but the fullness felt by the bloody liquid...he has more the urine stance than the stool stance)
Did drink water twice, once each day yesterday and the evening before. First time observed him drink water in months. Normal amount for a water drinking cat, not hanging over bowl or repeating visits. (new since Hep....or due to less raw diet?)
He ate small amount of the liquid-y food last night and this morning. (not new, has been eating and only getting small amounts per feeding)
More difficulty rising after falling on left hip (can't seem to get left leg under himself to push up) but walking OK (well, as formerly described) when on all fours. ( worsening)
Remains very appreciative and responsive to petting and conversation.
Right ear remains extremely sensitive to pressure on outer head, pushing into pressure.

I feel he remains generally improved overall since Hep but have no idea what to do now. Very much need guidance and will be grateful for any suggestions.

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Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.

He's seems to "feel" better on Hep but I would be concerned about the bleeding. Black stools that you know have not been in the system a really long time, may very well be black because of bleeding in the upper portion. I think you might address the bleeding, and the backend weakness. Have you looked at rhus t? Is he pale or anemic looking? Isn't phos "thin, hard stools"? Just throwing ideas at you....

Krista, thanks. Not pale or anemic looking. Gums/mucus membranes nice and pink. Holding his hydration. Phos is certainly a thought. What he passed, slow drop by drop, was like clear urine (no pus) but light blood red.

I think his hind-end weakness (which has been a problem before this episode) is exaggerated or exacerbated (pressure?) before stool and relieved after.

Could *hard* black stools be due to liver bile (or lack of) production? Not black from having remained in intestines as he has moved his bowels regularly....you're right about that.

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Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.

GPM, wasn't really thinking about liver involvement. Liver troubles can severely inhibit the body's ability to clot blood properly but then I would expect to see Jaundice or Anemia. Swelling of the abdomin can occur from liver inflamation or fluid, but I wouldn't expect it to go down as quickly as it has. Can't say for sure about black hard stools, (I'ld have to do some research). However I can say that I have numerous "liver failure" cases and diarrhea was not a common symptom (although it can happen of course). I can't help too much homeopathically, but I'll check into possible causes and allopathic symptoms tonight. Your post has me thinking about my "Inflamatory Bowel" cat who did have major liver damage the first time she got sick with it. Good news if the liver, it will usually regenerate if you can cure the cause. Is it possible for you to draw bloods for testing? or can you get someone to come out? It may help pinpoint the source of his troubles.
PS Liver disease almost always causes nausea and cats tend to completely loose their appetites.

[ 02. January 2003, 22:29: Message edited by: kkrista ]

all the time he is not suffering, do not medicate.

have full blood tests carried out if possible.

Hi Anna, (and I second Krista's "yeah, Anna's here!"

Julio only vomited weeks ago when he first began to display symptoms. At that time he also had diarrhea. Those symptoms only lasted a few minutes. After that, he vomited (2 times, one time each) following only the soapy water enemas, not with the other kinds of enemas. He vomited immediately after the soapy enemas.

After Hep he had loose stools but not what I'd call diarrhea. As the days passed following Hep, his stools became increasingly firmer, then darker, then black and hard.

His appetite isn't gone though it did diminish lately. He likes the raw ground chicken or turkey and that was cut back in favor of the soupy blend.

He doesn't seem to have any jaundice or anemia. Gums, etc. nice and pink. Other than his walking disability, he looks really good.

When looking up remedies when he was so constipated, those which come up so high for constipation, like Op and Bry didn't seem to fit very well because he wasn't passing any stool. After those days first days of Verat/Nux V/enemas and collapsing, I decided on Hep thinking maybe he had stayed out too long one colder day, he is so super sensitive, the weakness and the fact that his stools just didn't match any of the more recommended remedies and I think it had the bloody mucus rubric that sounded like what he passed.

Actually, at this point, Krista's thoughts on Rhus T and Phos are interesting and I have been reading about them both most of the day.

Thanks to your good influence (!) I am very slow to give a remedy now but think I ponder too long, uselessly, since I don't understand the progression of disease or of remedies. I even thought the hardening/darkening of Julio's stool might be symptoms of Hep and that I should perhaps wait and see.

Do you, Anna, or does anyone have experience with the scanning of hair and saliva to try to locate origin of disease or imbalances? His samples were mailed Monday and I should be getting the report soon, I would think. If felt not reliable, then I will take him for blood tests. Might pack him up and take with his good kitty friend to help his anxiety.

I will not medicate. He has been "resting comfortably" since my original plea earlier today. I'm envious! Whoops, found a nut hidden by a bad, bad squirrel..in my top-not. Living a life of glamour here at the old ranch.

I appreciate your help, Anna and Krista.

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Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.