Hello! First off, my apologies for never replying, @ItsaZoo . I have been extremely busy these last couple months, and it slipped my mind. I am not sure what the treatment would be regarding kidney issues, but perhaps I should look into a diet adjustment in case that is what it would be.
Secondly, some things have changed with Snickers. After he was on the Meloxicam for a while, I began to worry about the long-term effects of it. I was recommended to use the CBD gel pen that the LAGPR promotes instead of the medicine. So I gave it a try, because I'd rather use something else that is just as effective without harming him. However, that is the problem. I do not think it is very effective...despite the fact that he does have arthritis, I have seen little improvement, although I have been applying it to his ears once per day.
I was very disappointed by this, but I don't think it is helping as much as the medication...so today I called in a refill. I would rather him live a comfortable, pain free shorter life than him live a longer, uncomfortable one.
Last month, I also discovered a lump on his side. It has grown a little, but thankfully it does not seem to be affecting him too much. I can touch it and move it around and he doesn't seem to mind. Well, he does mind, but he has always had a thing about being touched on his sides. Absolutely hates it. It is hard to tell with him. Lately I have heard him squeaking in pain a couple times, and he will bite at whatever is in his reach when I pick him up, which he has never done in the past.
I am assuming it is due to the CBD cream, but the skin on his ears started to crack, another reason I am ready to be done with it.
He is still healthy and happy for the most part. He always gets excited when I clean his cage. He will purr, run around, and attempt to popcorn (which is just a feisty head toss lol!). Loves, loves, loves his veggies! But he doesn't seem to enjoy being picked up anymore. I am thinking the older he gets the more cage-bound he will be, for his comfort.
Does anyone have advice on this situation and other methods of pain control? I do not want to take him to the vet for the lump...I don't think there is much they can do about it. I don't want to put him under anesthesia, and I don't know of anything else that they could do for him, other than up the dosage on the Meloxicam.