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Conference misery::feline

Title:Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected
Notice:purrrrr...
Moderator:JULIET::CORDES_JA
Created:Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1079
Total number of notes:28858

602.0. "Need to release" by TIMBER::AIKEY () Mon Sep 13 1993 09:39

    I had to get in the notes file this morning, hoping that it will help
    easy my aching head.  Last Friday I had to bring my 19 year old siamese
    cat to the vets.  She wasn't eating or drinking.  If you tryed to give
    her something she just looked at it and cryed.  When we brought her to
    the vet she wasn't sure just what was wrong.  We later found out that
    Tanya has kidney and liver damage.  Not sure how bad it is.  They are
    running all kinds of tests on her.  Well Saturday morning I got up and
    Rocky (our other cat, 12 years old) was waiting for me in the kitchen
    (as usual for his breakfast).  The rest of the day we all went about
    our busy.  Worrying about Tanya.  Well it got to be 6 o'clock and I
    mentioned to my daughter that it was funny that Rocky was not around
    bugging me to eat.  You can set your watch to this cat.  Five in the
    morning and five at night. Well she went upstairs to her room thinking
    that the wind might have shut him in there.  The next thing I hear is
    my daughter yelling for me to come upstairs.  There was Rocky laying
    on the floor crying so loud that my other daughter heard him outside. 
    I went running to check him and he had been vomitting and there was
    some blood on the carpet.  We immediately called the vet and we could
    not get a hold of her.   Well to make a long story short we found a vet
    in Pepperal (SP?).  We live in Leominster.  Well it was a long ride to
    say the least.  The vet there took one look at Rocky and said that it
    was not life threatening...  He is still there with the vet.  They are
    running tests on him.
    
    The other vet (where Tanya is called yesterday to say that she thinks
    that Tanya may have diabetises (sp?).  She said that if that is what
    is wrong at least they have something to work towards now. 
    
    I am keeping my fingers crossed that all will go good for the both of
    them..
    
    Sorry that this is so long but I had to release it somewhere....
    Thanks for listening..
    
    
    *joyce
    
    
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602.1It's what we're here for...STUDIO::COLAIANNII have PMS and a handgun ;-)Mon Sep 13 1993 10:3814
    Joyce,
    
     Never hesitate to use this notes file as a release. That is what we
    are all here for. To help one another, through the good times and the
    bad, the funny and the sad. I know sometimes it makes me feel better
    just to have written something down. Sort of gets it out, and in a
    position to deal with.
    
     You and both your kitties are in my prayers, and all fingers and paws
    are crossed that all will be well soon.
    
    Love,
    
     Yonee
602.2MAYES::MERRITTKitty CityMon Sep 13 1993 11:0810
    Joyce...
    
    When it comes...it seems to come all together.   Makes you wonder how
    your going to make it through it...but somehow god gives you the
    strength to deal with it.
    
    My heart, prayers and thoughts are with you and your kitties!!  Please
    keep us posted and feel free to vent!!
    
    Sandy
602.3Update on Tanya and RockyMARLIN::AIKEYTue Sep 14 1993 09:4731
    Just a little update on how the kitties are doing.
    
    We went to see Tanya last night.  She looks better than she did on
    Friday.  The staff there said that she hissed at them when they went to
    feed her, which is a sign that she is getting better.  She was angry
    with my daughter and me for not coming to see her.  After about 15
    minutes she decided that she was glad to see us.  It was hard to have
    to hand her back to the attendent.  The doctor said that she still had
    a long road ahead of her but that things were looking up.
    
    Rocky on the other hand.  Dr. Lindermuth called me last night and said
    that Rocky has hepatitis (sp!) and that he is johndus (sp!).  He can
    not understand what is going on with both of the cats.  He is running
    more tests on Rocky and said that he should know more tomorrow.  I
    asked if I could go to visit with him and he said let's see what
    tomorrow brings....  
    
    I talked with Dr. Butler and told her that Dr. Lindermuth called with
    some results from Rocky.  She was very happy that he was passing on
    that kind of information and she went out and gave him a call.  They
    both agreed that it would be good for them to keep in touch so that
    they know the progress of both the cats..
    
    I feel somewhat better, but I will feel so much better when I can get
    them both back home.  The house is so quiet without them..  Even Sheba
    (my daughters dog) walks around the house looking for her friends.
    
    Thanks for listening again.
    
    *joyce
    
602.4Thanks for the update....STUDIO::COLAIANNII have PMS and a handgun ;-)Tue Sep 14 1993 09:5111
    Thanks for the update on your furfaces. Seems like they are in good
    hands at both vets. I like the fact that they are keeping in touch with
    one another now. You never know, even thogh they seem to have two
    separate things wrong, there could be a connection somewhere, that
    will help BOTH vets in the long run.
    
    You are all still in my prayers. I hope they are both home very soon.
    
    Love,
    
    Yonee (who was born to listen!)
602.5MIMS::MCFARLAND_Dbo don't know windows 3.1Tue Sep 14 1993 14:266
    joyce,
    
    prayers to you, both felines, and both sets of vets...
    
    diane, stanley and stella
    
602.6GOOEY::JUDYThat's Ms. Bitch to you!Tue Sep 14 1993 22:009
    
    
    	I'd be distraught if one of mine was really ill...but two
    	at the same time??!  =(
    
    	fingers and paws crossed...
    
    	JJ
    
602.7Some Sad newsTIMBER::AIKEYWed Sep 15 1993 15:5322
    Well I have some sad news.  My daughter just called me to let me know
    that the vet called her this morning at work and told her that Tanya
    was not doing good.  Everything was shutting down.  The vet told both
    of my daughters that if they would like to come and say good bye that
    they should come right away.  
    
    The thing that hurts so much is that they went to see her last night
    and told me that she was doing so much better.  She was eating food
    that they had brought from home..  
    
    Update on Rocky is that Dr. Lindermuth is amazed that he is doing okay. 
    When some of the test came back that he ran on him he told my daughter
    that he should have been dead 2 days ago.  He did tell my daughter that
    he speaks from the heart and from his heart he thought that Rocky had a
    fighting chance.
    
    My daughter called Dr. Lindermuth to let him know about Tanya and he
    asked if would would come to see and feed Rocky.  It seems that Rocky
    will not eat unless Dr. Lindermuth hand feeds him..  
    
    I sure hope when we go down tonight that he will have some incouraging
    news on Rocky...
602.8I am so very sorry!ASABET::MANDERSONWed Sep 15 1993 16:1623
    I am so sorry to hear about Tanya.  If it is any consolation to you
    (which I am sure nothing I say is going to make you feel any better)
    the doctor(s) at Central Animal Hospital are the most dedicated and
    compassionate people I have ever met ... staff included.
    
    If the doctor felt that it was the best thing to do ... I (personally)
    would trust her judgment.
    
    My Abigail is there and I call twice a day and visit her every evening
    after work.  She is in critical condition (this has been going on for
    over 6 weeks) and my greatest fear is to get the call you got this
    morning.  I can empathize with your sadness and the feeling of
    helplessness.
    
    I truly wish I could say/do something to ease your pain ... it's
    emotionally draining and saying "goodbye" is something that will never
    be easy ... I know, I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it.
    
    Here's praying that Rocky makes a speedy recovery and give my best to
    your daughter.
    
    Marilyn
    
602.9poison?BPSOF::EGYEDPer aspera ad astraThu Sep 16 1993 08:428
    Bestwishing meows going from here to you...
    
    (It just went through my mind. Cannot be that the cats ate something
    poisonous?)
    
    Paws crossed:
    
    Nat&Smokey
602.10MR4DEC::PGLADDINGNoters do it with a 8-)Thu Sep 16 1993 13:1910
    So sorry to hear the bad news about Tanya.  I, too, use Central
    Animal Hospital and trust them completely with the care of my 
    babies.  When Mocha was sick, they tried every avenue to diagnose
    her problem and make her well again.  So I'm sure they've done
    everything humanly possible.
    
    We're all praying for Rocky's recovery.  Keep us posted and 
    take care.
    
    Pam
602.11Update on Rocky!!TIMBER::AIKEYFri Sep 17 1993 09:3626
    I have an update on Rocky.  My daughter and I went to see him last
    night.  He looks so bad...  I thought that I was going to lose it
    there.  He will not eat unless you force him.  We have tried tuna,
    roast turkey, his favorite can food.  He just lays there.  Dr.
    Lindermuth said that he is getting critical.  I asked him why.  I said
    Rocky doesn't look like he has the will to go on.  Dr. Lindermuth said
    that Rocky's kidneys and liver have damage.  He also said that it was
    up to Rocky at this point.  
    
    I feel so helpless and I guess angry too...  I am praying all the time
    that he will turn around.  Rocky is in my ever thought.  
    
    I asked Dr. Lindermuth again how much longer are we going to let this
    go on. He said that if Rocky doesn't get better over the weekend he,
    well he just kind of shook his head.  
    
    I plan on spending as much time this weekend with Rocky as I can.  Even
    Dr. Lindermuth did say that he thought that Rocky was a bit better
    seeing family.
    
    Thanks again for listening...
    
    
    *joyce
    
    
602.12Tanya being added to the SLM list....STUDIO::COLAIANNII have PMS and a handgun ;-)Fri Sep 17 1993 11:3113
    Joyce,
    
     I don't know if I brain locked, or denied it or what I did, but it was
    just brought to my attention that you did in fact lose your beloved
    Tanya this week. I want to send you my love and condolences, and also
    let you know that Tanya's name is being added to the Silver Lining
    Memorial.
    
     My prayers are still going out to you and Rocky though. 
    
    Love,
    
    Yonee
602.13Rocky's not doing any better. What can I do??TIMBER::AIKEYMon Sep 20 1993 09:5638
    I spent time with Rocky this weekend.  He is not doing well.  When we
    went down Friday night I found out that Dr. Lindermuth had been called
    away for an emergency in Penn.  Well Rocky didn't look well that night. 
    We feed him and held him and tried to make him walk.  The attendent
    said that she thought that he was getting better by just seeing us.
    Well they do not have office hours on the weekend.  Someone goes there
    in the morning to clean and feed and then back in the early evening to
    do the same.  When we got there Saturday morning and started to talk
    with Rocky he started to purrrrrrr.  I was so happy that I started
    crying and shaking.  The attendent thought that was a good sign.  Well
    we feed him and held him.  We could not go back to see him until Sunday
    morning.   They said that someone would be there around 9 to do the
    routine.  We were there at 8:45.  When we went in to see him he just
    laid there.  No purring. Nothing...  Well my heart fell to the floor. 
    I said to the person, "What is going on??"  Yesterday when we were here
    he started purring and looked much better than Friday.  She had no
    answers for us.  She did let us take him outside to sit with him in the
    sun..  We feed him and he is now drinking water from a bowl.  My
    daughter had come in her own car cuz she and her dog were going walking
    in Groton Place after we visited with Rocky.  I asked Julie if she
    would go and get Sheba and bring her to see Rocky.  Sheba came over to
    where I was and gave Rocky some kisses.  The attendent said that she
    would be back at 5 to feed and clean and that if we wanted to come and
    see Rocky we were more than welcomed to come back.  
    
    We went back at five and he started purring again.....   Dr. Lindermuth
    was back from his trip and came in.  He did not give us any encouraging
    news.  Rocky is so blotted it is unbelieveable.  He said (coldly)that
    he sure doesn't look like he has improved at all....  He is saying that
    it is his kidneys and liver.  I asked if I could take him home (seeing
    that they are not doing anything for him) and he said that he wanted to
    run some test on him this morning.  He said that we could talk today.  
    
    I am searching for some answers here.  I want to take him out of there
    and bring him to Dr. Mulchaey(sp).  What do you think???
    
    *joyce
    
602.14ASABET::MANDERSONMon Sep 20 1993 11:0117
    I can't tell you what to do - and obviously no one can guarantee that
    his life can be saved ... HOWEVER!  The staff and all doctors at the
    Central Animal Hospital are caring and the most dedicated professional
    DVM's I have ever encountered.  If nothing else you will be happy with 
    the surroundings and their willingness to answer any/all questions.  
    They are open from 8-8 6 days a week and you can visit sick animals 
    from 9-10 a.m. on Sunday's.  They have an answering service so that all 
    three vets can be notified immediately.
    
    They have a large staff - all of whom have the compassion and love of
    animals that makes you feel very secure when you leave your ailing
    companion.
    
    I may be biased - but I vote "yes" for Central Animal Hospital.
    
    Marilyn
    
602.15JUPITR::KAGNOKitties with an AttitudeMon Sep 20 1993 11:1448
    Joyce,
    
    It is no secret that animals recover quicker in their own homes, where
    the surroundings and people are familiar.  First, I would take Rocky
    out of that vet and get him to Dr. Mulcahey.  Any test results taken by
    your current vet should be transferred to Central Animal Hospital.  You
    can tell your vet you would like a second opinion if he becomes
    indignant about your decision.
    
    For what it's worth, I read a very interesting article in the summer
    issue of the Ragdoll breed publication newsletter.  A breeder's 8 month
    old cat was diagnosed with degenerative kidney disease.  After spending
    $2700 in vet bills and consulting with Cornel and other specialists, she
    watched her cat degenerate from 11 pounds to 5, and was considering
    euthanasia to ease his suffering.  However, in a final attempt to save
    him, she decided to pursue a hollistic approach to treatment.  Her vet all
    but laughed at her, and told her while she was at it to burn incense
    and candles.  Since the cat was not getting any better with
    conventional medicine, she took him off everything that had been
    prescribed and began her own treatment of homeopathic remedies, which
    included making all of the cat's meals from scratch.  Well, guess what? 
    The cat recovered, and is now up to 13 pounds!  I had the opportunity
    to speak to this breeder personally at the CFF cat show in Framingham
    yesterday, and her story was pretty amazing.  She doesn't know if it
    was truly the hollistic approach that helped, or if her cat simply went
    into remission, but he is alive and well and happy today.  She began
    his treatments in January of this year and by spring he was on the road
    to recovery.
    
    The article did not go into detail about the herbs used (just named
    them), i.e., how much of each was given and how many times daily, etc. 
    Her source was a book written by a homeopathic vet.  I thought this
    alternative treatment might be of interest to Feliners with seriously
    ill cats who might want to try a different avenue of treatment.
    
    I am not advocating .0 go this route, just sharing a story I felt was
    interesting.
    
    Joyce, I hope Rocky recovers, and by all means seek out as many
    opinions as possible, and try to find a vet who will work with you,
    and perhaps allow you to treat Rocky at home where he will be more
    comfortable and familiar.  A lot of his problem could be due to
    depression.
    
    Good luck, and please keep us updated on his progress!
    
    -Roberta
    
602.16I hope this helpsEARRTH::DREYERHigh apple pie in the sky hopes!Mon Sep 20 1993 15:1421
Joyce,

In 1982 my Tonkinese Sabrina got into poisoned food while I was  on vacation.
My parents were watching her, and hadn't noticed the weight loss.  When I got
home after a two week abscence, I saw how skinny 3 year old Sabrina had gotten.
I took her to the vet and he said there was nothing I could do, she had liver
poisoning, most likely from poisoned food (indoor/outdoor cat), and that she
was going to die.  Naturally I started crying and pleaded with him to suggest
anything I could possibly do.  He finally told me there was a slim chance, if I
cooked up some rice, hamburg and brewer yeast and fed this to her.  I made
up a big batch, and mom and I force fed her for about 3 weeks before she would
finally eat on her own.  She had lost the will to live because she was so sick.
That was 11 years ago, Sabrina is a healthy 14 year old now!  I wish I had
the recipe, but I don't.  Ask your vet about this mixture, or maybe one of the
feliners in here has a recipe for it.  It made a huge batch, I froze tablespoon-
fuls wrapped in saran, and then all in a plastic bag together.

I hope you can pull him through this, best of luck to you.

Hugs,
Laura
602.17Rocky is at peace now..MARLIN::AIKEYTue Sep 21 1993 09:3816
    I want to begin by saying thank you to all of you for your prays and
    your support when my family and I were going through such a rough
    time..
    
    Rocky didn't make it.  We went to Pepperal last night.  Dr. Lindermuth
    did everything possible for him, but there was just to much liver
    damage.
    
    Rocky is at home now with Tanya and both are at peace.....
    
    Thank you so much for everything...
    
    
    *joyce
    
    
602.18ASABET::MANDERSONTue Sep 21 1993 09:4810
    Joyce, 
    
    I am so very very sorry to hear the sad news.  As you said, Rocky 
    and Tanya are together and at peace ... but the loss you are 
    experiencing must be overwhelming.
    
    Hugs,
    
    Marilyn
    
602.19MAYES::MERRITTKitty CityTue Sep 21 1993 09:487
    Joyce...my heart is with you and you are in my prayers.   It's so
    tough to lose our babies...and losing two..I just can't imagine
    the pain.
    
    They are together in a wonderful place full of love..
    
    Sandy
602.20JUPITR::KAGNOKitties with an AttitudeTue Sep 21 1993 10:035
    Joyce, I am so very sorry to hear of Rocky's passing.  You did all you
    could do, so take comfort in that.
    
    -Roberta
    
602.21SympathyREFDV1::LUSTHugs - food for the soulTue Sep 21 1993 10:593
    I'm so sorry.  You did everything you could, and he knew he was loved.
    
    Linda
602.22Sympathies...SALEM::SHAWTue Sep 21 1993 11:094
    
    Joyce, my deepest sympathies to you and your family....
    
    Shaw
602.23SPARKL::BARRBack to frog kissing :-(Tue Sep 21 1993 12:325
    Joyce,
    
    You are in my thoughts.  My deepest sympathy to you!
    
    Lori B.
602.24In Sympathy....POWDML::KARENTue Sep 21 1993 13:374
    Joyce, I too am sorry.  I will have a moment of silence and say a payer
    for all of you.
    pawpats,
    Karen
602.25WEORG::LADEROUTETue Sep 21 1993 13:505
    Joyce,
    
    I'm so sorry...
    
    Deb
602.26JULIET::RUSSELLPE_STTue Sep 21 1993 15:216
    Joyce,
    
    My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
    
    Steffi   
    
602.27Why??AIMHI::OFFENTue Sep 21 1993 20:0512
    Joyce,  I read everything here and was really hoping Rocky would make
    it.  Losing one is terrible but losing 2 is too much for anyone...
    
    I still don't know what was the verdict on why both of your babies got
    so deadly sick at the same time.  Was it food poisoning?? Or was it
    something that was contagious??  Have either of the vets come up with
    the reasons for this terrible thing to happen??
    
    Understanding your loss,,
    
    Sandi (who knows you did your 150% best to save them)
    
602.28SO SORRYASDG::GALLAGHERWed Sep 22 1993 00:155
    
    Joyce,
      My sympathy to you and your family.  Your babies are at peace now.
    
    Mary