Conference misery::feline

    Arlene -
    
    If you want to be home with Marvin then go home.  But don't give up
    hope.  Many kitties will come through with skilled care and lots of
    TLC, and a will to live.  See if you can visit him at the vets.  You'll
    know what the right thing is to do when the time comes.  
    
    Hang in there, 
    
    Dana

    Arlene,
    
    I don't have a kitty that's going through with what yours is going
    through, but I have heard amazing stories of cats being diagnosed
    with little or no chance of recovery and then pulling through it.
    (Sandy Merritt's name comes to mind often!!)
    
    Don't give up hope yet.  If Marvin has a great will to live, he
    may just surprise you.  But if he knows it's his time to go, then
    you might have to face a difficult decision...
    
    I agree with the last note - you probably aren't getting much 
    accomplished at work right now with your mind totally on your 
    kitty.  Go visit him (if he's still at the vets).  My vet actually
    encourages visits.  It really does help them to get well.
    
    Take care and try to hang in there - I know it's really hard having
    a sick kitty.
    
    Pam

    I did immediately write to Arlene off-line and shared both
    Mr Meows story and Ziggy's amazing recovery.  Ziggy has proven
    to me (more then once) that you can never give up hope!!!
    
    Sandy
    
    

    Arlene,
    
    I too have a sick cat, Guido Tiggerini has thyroid problems and became
    very sick before we relized.  We have 5 cats but wouldn't want to be
    without one of them.  I know some of what you are going through.  It's 
    a bit unfair that you can take sick child leave but not sick kitty leave
    I love my kitties just as much as my children.
    
    I'll keep my fingers crossed for Marvin, and the terrible 5 and I will 
    say a prayer to the great Cat God for his recovery.  

    Wizard was diagnosed with kidney disease almost a year ago. He was 13.
    He's doing great. He lost a lot of weight which was my first clue to 
    a problem. Most of the details are in other notes. His anemia was severe. 
    I give him a shot a week of a synthetic hormone which offsets the anemia. 
    (The kidneys produce this hormone which cause the production of red blood
    cells. When the kidneys don't work well, this hormone isn't produced
    which causes a decrease in red blood cells which causes the anemia.)
    He gets regular checks by the vet and has been going strong since we
    got everything regulated. He eats only KD dry. He gets a treat of baby
    food when he gets his shot. 
    
    Don't despair. With attention, cats can live long lives with kidney
    problems.
    
    Nancy                           

    I have keyworded this note KIDNEY_DISEASE for future reference.
    There is more information on kidney disease in the following 
    notes:  66.0, 185.0, 737.1 and 737.2 (737.1&2 are helpful hints).
    
    Jan

    Paws crossed for you, Arlene & Marvin. As all said, do not give up.
    Love the cat, that is most important - and you do.
    I know someone up there who DOES care and decides best. For all of us.
    
    Meow & purr
    
    Nat

    Just want to let you know that I went to the hospital last
    nite to visit Marvin.  It is amazing what a differnce 5 hours
    can make.  He was alert, purring up a storm and eager to go
    home with me.  I kissed him and held him and told him that
    Jackie, Tammy and Tigress all missed him.  But most of all
    I told him that mommy missed him.  It was lonely in the bed
    last night.  Hubby works out of state, Marvin was in the 
    hospital and the other cats would not come to bed.  Could
    it be that they missed Marvin as well?  Thanks to Sandi for
    her notes regarding her two kitties that had the same problem.
    I DO feel more optimistic.  I plan to call the vet today for
    an update.  Thanks to all of you for your responses.
    
    
    Arlene, Marvin, Jackie, Tammy and Tigress!

    Great news!  Glad to hear that Marvin seems to be feeling better!
    The fluids must be kicking in.  Did the vet say that he'd need
    fluids everyday?  If so then you might want to ask the vet if you
    can do it at home. 
    
    I never thought I'd be able to stick a needle into my cat, but
    when my Mocha was sick I saved her the stress of staying at the
    vets or traveling there everyday.  I'm sure she really did feel
    much better recuperating at home and avoiding the daily vet trips.
    
    If you think you can handle it, talk to your vet about it.  Most
    will allow you to do it yourself.
    
    Keep us posted on Marvin's progress - we're all routing for him
    (and you!)
    
    Pam

    I went to see Marvin yesterday.  He did not seem as peppy as 
    he did the night before.  Dr Holub, Marvin's vet was off yesterday so
    I spoke with this other doctor.  When he was through talking to me
    I felt sick to my stomach.  He said that due to Marvin's age and
    breed he does not see much hope.  He mentioned the two levels that
    need to come down.  One is at 6.7.  I asked him what normal was.  He
    said .6.  Needless to say, I cried all the way home.  I cried all last
    night.  I can't eat, I can't sleep.  I called my folks.  I told my
    dad.  I asked him if I could bury Marvin in their yard.  Dad asked
    me what was going on.  He cried.  He remember his kitty, Misty, who
    died of Felu 3 years ago.  I am miserable.  Today the tests come back
    and I am not so optimistic.  The awful thing is I had a dream about
    losing Marvin.   It was about a month ago.  I woke up crying.  I wish
    I could simply wake up now.
    
    Thanks again  for your support,
    Arlene

    
    
    	In the news a vet performed a successful kidney transplant in
    	Madison Wis. The kitty was 15 years old, the 15 year old lived
    	with three other cats. One of the cats provided a kidney, the 
    	other two provide some blood for the operation. The 15 year old
    	kitty is now doing very well.....  
    
    	Prayers and crossed paws ...
    
    	Mike

    Arlene,
    
    My kitties and I are thinking about Marvin and you and praying
    for the poor little guy.  I understand your pain and know how
    heartrenching this situation can be.  Please do keep us posted
    and know that we're here to listen and provide whatever comfort
    (if there can be at this time) that we can.
    
    Try to hang in there....
    
    Pam

    I have only had my Sassy for 2 years and Count Basie for 1, and just
    the idea that something might be going wrong with them brings tears to
    my eyes. I can't imagine what you are going through.  Tonight when I
    get home, I will tell the kitty kids about Marvin, so that they can
    pull for him like I am pulling for both of you.  Hang in there.
    

    Both Andie and I are praying for Marvin and his wonderful family.
    
    Take care,
    
    Judie and Andie
    

    I do hope this weekend proves to be a good one for you.
    My best wishes to both the humans and Marvin.
    purrrs,
    Karen