Esme's not well, diagnosis/possible cause of pain

She's eating okay and can come home. She's still on meds so I've that to look forward to. She's stamping a lot and being grumpy so FHB thinks she will recover better at home.

But, possible diagnosis.

She has an abnormal lump area at the side of her body, not a hernia but it's not been known what it is, she's had it at least 3.5 years (she's 4.5 years old). It was before regarded as a fatty lump and not of any likely significance. This time she's been scanned as well as x-rayed to have a closer look at it and there is a definite breach in the abdominal wall and this lump is fat that has gone through the gap It's not malignant, gives no threat of anything that serious but it's possible that it is causing discomfort and maybe pain. She could have surgery to repair it but it would be better to decide if it is causing pain before doing surgery on it - if it isn't bothering her, we don't need to bother it. The plan is when she's relaxed with me at home for me to touch and prod this area to see if she gives a pain response. Frances is getting a flinching response from Esme at the moment but she just plain doesn't like being handled do it's not a good enough indication that it's a problem.

She also has a problem with a vertebra (missing, misaligned, can't remember how it was described) - this also has shown up on x-rays before (I haven't previously known of it) but apparently it's really not uncommon to see this on x-rays so that might not be anything either ... but then it could cause pain, so it could be the intermitant pain from that that caused her to stop eating.

Poor Esme.

Poor Esme. She really has been through it lately, and now all these other possible problems, too I'm thinking of you both. This must be a stressful time for you. Try not too worry too much.

You may have heard of it but 'Galens Garden' is a fantastic website for different plants and medicines for animals. They do dried herbs and vegetables and flowers and berries and have some wonderful healthy treats.

https://www.galensgarden.co.uk/shop/

I'm glad she will be home! Hope she will continue to eat well! Go Esme!

gentl wrote:I'm glad she will be home! Hope she will continue to eat well! Go Esme!

Thanks. She's not eating particularly well, bless her. I don't know if she's just recovering from the trauma of being at the vets. Her face lights up if she knows I have a bag of dried plantain or something such. She spent a lot of yesterday afternoon laid in the litter tray, something she normally only does if unwell.

Sparky wrote:Look into companion planting for spring greens - I know with carrots you plant onions amongst them and that is supposed to deter carrot-flies. I'm not sure if there might be something similar to help protect cabbagey-type plants.

Marigolds are good deterrents for a lot of annoying bugs. That was one of my Dad's tricks.

Bless her heart. I'm sending lots of vibes for Esme.
It's all very difficult having it up in the air when things might cause problems and pain and things might not.

I really hope she copes ok and perks up.

for you, it must be really stressful xx