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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 7 to 31 of 44. Go back in thread:
Posted by bozeman on February 19, 2003, at 23:22:30
In reply to Re: Cranky, crabby, crappy day » bozeman, posted by IsoM on February 19, 2003, at 15:09:24
Kitty still very sick, has high fever still. Last week he had some weird intestinal abscess/blockage/rupture thing, expensive and hard to fix, and they seldom survive, so vets usually recommend putting them down instead of doing the surgery. But the vet looked at me and said, "You're not even going to consider that, are you?" I said, "No way. We can't put down this young, healthy-as-a-horse cat who has a will of iron, without at least giving him a chance to fight for it!" The vet said, "It will be very touchy surgery, he may not make it, even if he does he's going to have a hell of an infection, he may not survive the aftermath of that, but I'll give it my best shot if that's what you want." I said, "He's a tough little survivor or he wouldn't have survived on the street long enough to find me to take him in. And he's my *baby*. Can you fix him?" The vet looked at my file and said, "How many cats have you adopted off the street?" I said, "One . . . this year . . . and every year for the last five years . . . but I adopt them out to good cat homes if the people can convince me they are seriously good cat parents!" He said, "After you feed them, have me treat them, get their shots, get them neutered, and you nurse them back to health, then you adopt them out?" I told him "I sure can't adopt them out if they're skinny and sick, can I?" I have two other cats at home, but this one's special. He sleeps with me every night, gets mad if I won't come to bed with him at 10 pm sharp, and worries over me when I'm sick.
So, last week, we did a very long surgery and pulled two giant icky things out of his belly (I think they were impacted hairballs or something, he's got the softest silkiest fur I've ever felt, sheds like a cheap rug, and is always immaculately groomed.) He did fine over the weekend, but on Monday his pain came back so he couldn't lay down, and his wound drainage went cloudy, so I took him back in. There was another pocket of infection or pus or something, anyway, they had to open his wound back up and clean him out again. I think the vet is still amazed that he's alive and doing as well as he is, but he's still a very sick kitty. I poke drugs down his throat several times a day and he pretty much sleeps the rest of the time (in my lap, when possible.)
Boyfriend is still acting like a crazy man today. Think he's slipped a gear. If he'd shut up yelling for even thirty seconds, maybe I could find out what his problem is, or at least get a word in edgeways, but as long as he's stuck on listening to his own voice rant, there's no point in me wasting my breath. You can't reason with a crazy person, my Grandma always used to say. Boy, was she right! (or a depressed person, sometimes, too. Hmm, people in glass houses . . .) Maybe someone slipped him some LSD or something but I just don't have the energy to figure it out today. Too tired, and too blown away by the whole situation, and, besides, kitty boy needs me.
Thank you *bunches* to everyone who responded to my desperate howling last night. Tomorrow when I'm not so tired that I'm seeing double, I will give a more coherent response and explanation.
AND BTW . . . "too pooped to pop" . . . my Grandma used phrase that too, I think it's from a Chuck Berry song about an old guy trying to keep up with the young thangs on the dance floor . . . . unless the song was just "borrowing" the phrase that was already in use. Don't know about that.
Humor has always been my best defense against pain . . . but I'm low on jokes right now. Can't think of any witty remarks about kitty bandages or manic boyfriends. Lemme get back to you on that, I promise to do better tomorrow.
NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD -- Welcome to the surreality of Babbleland! Some of the finest people you will ever (virtually) meet are here. Look forward to hearing more from you soon.
Kar -- We *may* have been separated at birth -- not sure yet. :-) (yes, I'm a woman.)
Jodie -- I sincerely hope you can get some sleep tonight, dear. You're adorable when you're manic (at least from a distance :-D ) and deeply poignant when you're depressed. I wish I didn't need as much sleep so I could keep you company on your late-night insomnia runs.
IsoM -- As always, you have a way of adding a reality check to an otherwise runaway thought-train. And you're right, a purring kitty in your lap makes a lot of hogwash in your life just seem, well, irrelevant. Unfortunately, though, my biggest stress buster the last couple of years has been doing for others, and I suspect (actually, noa's perceptive comments are helping me figure out) that it's just another excuse for not facing my real stress -- which is my rapidly expiring biological clock. But that's another story, another post, for another day!!!Good night, all, and thanks bunches.
Big sweet hugs all around.bozeman
You guys are the best.
Posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 20, 2003, at 0:54:38
In reply to Cranky, crabby, crappy -- Part 2, posted by bozeman on February 19, 2003, at 23:22:30
AAH another cat freak like myself! :) Sounds just like what I would do too!! My husband hates it (Dog person) LOL ;) You kiss the kitty kick the boyfriends butt to the coach and go to slep and have very sweet dreams. God Bless NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD
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Posted by IsoM on February 20, 2003, at 1:56:24
In reply to Cranky, crabby, crappy -- Part 2, posted by bozeman on February 19, 2003, at 23:22:30
Bozeman, I dare not say anything about boyfriend. It would all be negative and that wouldn’t be helpful to you or him. About your kitty though. First, my Medusa says “mee-oow!” to him which means “get better fast!” and for me, give him a little kiss on the top of his head.
I’ve got some more advice to add. If he’s taking pills, is he getting enough liquids? It’s important to make sure he’s got plenty of liquids, especially if he has a fever. Sick kitties love a nice meat broth (no salt!) and helps them drink lots. If he won’t drink readily, you can use an eye dropper or a syringe that’s used to give kids oral antibiotics. Pharmacists give them away for free for the asking. It’s what I use to feed my girl. He should get about 100 cc (ml) a day at least (that’s a little less than a ½ cup - more is better)
Sometimes vets will give a sick cat a vitamin B shot as an extra boost to help them along. You could dissolve a B complex tablet (stress formula with added C is even better) and give him some through the day. Cats can make their own vitamin C but when they’re ill, any extra help is good. You can put some soft cat food in a blender with broth too to give him the needed calories. If you can keep him strong enough, he should pull through okay. They have a strong will to live, especially when they know they’re loved and cared for. Medusa and I are rooting for him! What’s his name anyway?
When he’s better, there’s a good way to control those hairballs. Will he eat any veggies? If he will, lightly cook and mash broccoli and beans with something flavourful. They’re great for cats and help control loose fur they swallow. IN the wild, cats would get enough fibre from skin, feathers, tendons and inedible parts of prey, the intestinal contents of mice and voles, and grass. But commercial cat food is made so their feces is hard, dry, and as un-stinky as possible to satisfy owners cleaning litter boxes. If he won’t eat veggies, get him his own little grass patches. I notice my cats will only barf up grass that’s real long. If it’s short, they never bring it up.
Just an extra - don’t ever feed him potatoes, peppers, or tomatoes. They come from the nightshade family. While we can handle the minute amounts of solanine in them, cats can’t. Their liver works differently and even one tomato can poison a cat. Onions and garlic can harm them too.
Posted by jodie on February 20, 2003, at 2:47:40
In reply to Cranky, crabby, crappy -- Part 2, posted by bozeman on February 19, 2003, at 23:22:30
I forgot to wish your kitty good luck on my last post. I had my mind on many things, my fiancee being one of them. He has been saying that I'm addicted to this site, and thinks I'm stupid for posting here. We had just finished arguing about it. He has been checking in here, reading my posts and getting mad because I am telling "strangers" (his word) my personal problems. He also mentions the horror stories he's heard about people meeting someone else on the internet, on sites like this, and eventually dating them. I told him I find much relief and support here. He still doesn't understand.
Anyway, enough about me. Sorry your Kitty is so sick. Sounds like he (and you) have been through a tough time. I understand, I have 2 cats & 2 dogs. Both cats were rescued from the streets, and the dogs, we rescued from the animal shelter. We went to get Samantha, our female cat spayed, but found out she had a bad case of cystitis (bladder infection), I guess her bladder was really inflammed. We felt so bad, because she was yowling (that really loud annoying meow when cats are in heat)a lot, keeping us awake. We thought it was from being in heat, but it was from pain. We felt so horrible. She was urinating on the carpet and on clothes throughout the house. There was a tiny bit of blood in her urine. Again, we thought it was all part of her being in heat. I have had all male cats in the past. On the day of her surgery to be spayed, they called us and said they couldn't perform the procedure, because of her urinating blood. After all the tests, and antibiotic, we spent around $140.00. She started to get better, we rescheduled for the spay. She finished her antibiotics, then problems again. We had to call the vet, and get a different antibiotic, and had to do another reschedule.
Sjynja (pronounced Sinja) is a 3 year old shar pei husky mix, she looks like a husky with a big snout & wrinkles (so cute). She has chronic ear infections. We are considering surgery really soon. Right now she has been on Otomax antibiotic almost once a month. Then our other dog, also a shar pei mix, had kennel cough when we first got him. That took forever to go away. Our other cat, a male named mike, is getting overweight. He is a big kitty all around but, he's now going on a diet. We had to take him to the vet for stubborn hairballs. We love our pets, and would do anything they needed. Sometimes 4 of them can get hard to keep up with though. They are our babies. Can you believe, they actually let us share the bed with them (ok, its our bed, but you would never know.)
About our Kitty with the cystitis, our vet told us to put her on the expensive canned cat food. We bought a bunch She will not eat it, we tried all different ones, and different flavors. We even tried to mix it with her favorite food, still no luck. Her infection is gone though, at least for now. We are keeping our fingers crossed.
I hope your kitty will be just fine, give him kitty kisses. Mine cats love a good neck massage!!!!
As for sleep, I have slept pretty well in the past few days. Sure its 3:40 a.m. right now, but I slept most of the day. I'm going to have to find a night job now.
Sorry to hear you are having a hard time with your boyfriend. I do understand though. But, I'm not easy to get along with either. I think my fiancee and I are too much alike.
You're welcome for the response, like I said sorry I used your thread as a message to my fiancee. I was mad at him at the time, and I am impulsive.
Hugs to you too!!!!
Jodie
Posted by Kar on February 20, 2003, at 9:07:57
In reply to Cranky, crabby, crappy -- Part 2, posted by bozeman on February 19, 2003, at 23:22:30
>and worries over me when I'm sick.
How do they sense this stuff? It's like spidey sense for cats...
Bozeman, You're a good mom. I know that you would never think twice about sucha a thing because he's you're baby pretty much...but your determination and love are inspiring. i look at Mel and joe and am so thankful that they're doing well. Joe is the tasmanian devil at the vet and requires sedation...and then he somehow overcomes it! The vet and assistants wear oven mitts last time. We found a vet that does housecalls just recently and I'm stoked.Hmm wise words those grandmas always have, "You can't reason with a crazy person"! I find that to be especially true...I can't reason with myself a lot of the time!
I'm glad that this has become more of a kitty thread than a man thread. Right now I'm too fired up over here to give words of boyfriend advice!
I'm going to Google "too pooped to pop" and will report back to you...because you're probably "too pooped to Google". I need an etymology book big time. I love that stuff.
We'll supply the humor, you just take care.
> Kar -- We *may* have been separated at birth
Hmmm, how old are you? :D
That's a nice thing to say, thank you!Oh man, I haven't seen Jodie manic yet...I'll be looking. BTW Boze, you are remarkably eloquent too. Funny, I feel like an empty peanut shell when I'm down but for some reason i can still write. When people have strokes, it's more common than not that if the expressive language is impaired the writing is too. Interesting, that brain. Writing can be the best medicine. Or is that Lamictal?
Keep in touch, kid
Posted by Kar on February 20, 2003, at 9:09:51
In reply to Re: Cranky, crabby, crappy -- Part 2 » bozeman, posted by IsoM on February 20, 2003, at 1:56:24
How's that for hairballs?
Thanks for the consult. You know so much about all things holistic!
Posted by IsoM on February 20, 2003, at 12:47:16
In reply to How 'bout lemon grass? » IsoM, posted by Kar on February 20, 2003, at 9:09:51
I've never thought of myself knowing holistic stuff. I just learn whatever's useful (plus lots of useless trivia) as I'm a science freak. I love all sciences but particularly biology. I never did get my degree but still read constantly.
Okay, lemon grass is part of the grass family (Poa) but is a large & much too coarse grass, not something kitties would willingly snack on. They'd probably choke on it instead. And very few cats like citrus scents either. I did have one kitty who'd like out the rinds of my grapefruits when I was finished with them though, but she had strange tastes & wouldn't eat meat.
Don't use lemon grass extract or anything either. If you see in stores little kits where you can grow grass for your cats, it's only oat seeds. I find it's too coarse for my cats & while they'll eat it, they barf it right up. A finer type of grass seems less likely to be barfed up.
Many cats will eat catnip straight too. Two of mine do, my sick kitty, Medusa only rolls in it I have three cats & two of them eat lots of raw green beans. They consider them the best treats in the world - they beg for them & one does funny tricks to get some. It's my Medusa who won't eat beans that has the health problems. I give her a catnip leaf every day scrunched up & put in a capsule only with her daily ACE inhibitor.
I thought you'd get a kick out of this pix of someone's dog (a Great Dane) eating lemon grass. Scroll down a bit to see the dog.
http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cymb_cit.cfm
Posted by Kar on February 20, 2003, at 15:43:26
In reply to Re: How 'bout lemon grass? » Kar, posted by IsoM on February 20, 2003, at 12:47:16
Her name was Dixie and she's only 3 months old...wow, a big puppy...that's impressive. Thanks for pic!
and for the fyi on the lemon grass.
>
Yeah, Joe especially likes the nip. He eats it too. They don't get zany but he does seem to have a bit of a habit. He meows for romaine lettuce too. But still gets the hairballs. He grooms the other one so he kinda has double duty...it's a mighty cute sight though...
Posted by IsoM on February 20, 2003, at 17:05:38
In reply to Dixie the dog » IsoM, posted by Kar on February 20, 2003, at 15:43:26
That does sound sweet. My 3 kitties wouldn't think of grooming each other. They only tolerate each other 'cause I'm the head mama cat & I won't let them get aggressive among themselves.
Rather than hairball remedies (all contain petroleum jelly - unscented Vasoline), try a higher fibre cat food. But see if he'll eat veggies first.
Posted by Kar on February 20, 2003, at 18:42:03
In reply to Joe's furball overload... » Kar, posted by IsoM on February 20, 2003, at 17:05:38
Posted by IsoM on February 20, 2003, at 19:45:44
In reply to A caesar salad and anchovies, perhaps? Meow (nm) » IsoM, posted by Kar on February 20, 2003, at 18:42:03
Posted by bozeman on February 20, 2003, at 20:19:24
In reply to Re : Cranky, crabby, cranky Part 2 » bozeman, posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 20, 2003, at 0:54:38
Temp finally down below 102 degrees!!
He's sleeping. He's exhausted. I'm exhausted. Going to join him.
Thanks so much for all the get-well wishes. I told him people all over the world were rooting for him. He just smiled one of those enigmatic kitty-smiles, stretched out a paw, and closed his beautiful green eyes. :-)
It's nowhere near over yet, but looking better than we had any right to hope, at this point.
Going to bed before I fall down. 'Night all!!!
Posted by Kar on February 20, 2003, at 21:32:29
In reply to Kitty update: Fever broken!!!, posted by bozeman on February 20, 2003, at 20:19:24
Posted by jodie on February 20, 2003, at 23:20:24
In reply to Kitty update: Fever broken!!!, posted by bozeman on February 20, 2003, at 20:19:24
Posted by kara lynne on February 20, 2003, at 23:20:40
In reply to Re: Cranky, crabby, crappy -- Part 2 » bozeman, posted by IsoM on February 20, 2003, at 1:56:24
Posted by IsoM on February 21, 2003, at 1:06:07
In reply to Kitty update: Fever broken!!!, posted by bozeman on February 20, 2003, at 20:19:24
Tough little kitty, probably just like his human mama. So glad to hear he's doing better. How old is he? =^..^=
Posted by IsoM on February 21, 2003, at 1:45:27
In reply to Iso: I thought garlic was good for kitties... (nm), posted by kara lynne on February 20, 2003, at 23:20:40
Kara Lynne, many people assume that because something is good for people that it'll help pets too but it's not always true. Their body chemistry is different enough from ours that some foods can poison an animal that wouldn't hurt us.
Both onions & garlic both belong to the Allium family & contains an alkaloid compound that damages a cat's red blood cells. Onions contain more of it, & cats probably wouldn't get enough garlic in most foods to seriously harm them, but it's still not a good idea to do any damage to blood cells, even if it's a small amount. I'm not a big believer in small amounts of toxic substances to jump start the body's system. Look what the combined effects of so many environmental compounds can have on us nowadays. Why give your kitty something else that is toxic?
The alkaloid in onions and garlic can cause Heinz-body hemolytic anemia. The changes to the red blood cells are irreversible. Any animal’s body makes new red blood cells frequently, as their life span is measured in days so its effects aren’t long lasting if the resulting damage was minor. Sometimes sick cats are fed human baby food but many baby foods have small amounts of onion or garlic powder added. Not a good idea.
Here's a quote about the alkaloid substance:
"An alkaloid, N-propyl disulphide, present in both cultivated and wild onions, chives, and garlic, affects the enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, in red blood cells that interferes with the hexose monophosphate pathway. Oxidation of hemoglobin results because there is either insufficient phosphate dehydrogenase or glutathione to protect the red blood cells from oxidative injury. The resulting formation of Heinz bodies within erythrocytes is characteristic of onion poisoning. (...)"
Marielle Gomez-Kaifer, PhD, Department of Chemistry, University of MiamiWhat it basically means is that the compound found in garlic and onions destroys an enzyme in a chemical pathway that protects red blood cells from being oxidized. The red blood cells become rigid and rupture as they move through the blood stream. I guess it may sound a little complicated, but I don’t think even small amounts of either onions or garlic to be safe for cats or dogs. Whatever benefits in them are outweighed by the harm that can be done.
Posted by lostsailor on February 21, 2003, at 11:18:52
In reply to Garlic, Onions, and Cats » kara lynne, posted by IsoM on February 21, 2003, at 1:45:27
oh bozeman, i'm sorry to have read this thread but it seems that it's getting better with at least one of you "pets".
Mine and Aurora's paws are crossed--well my fingers and her paws to be honest, too. I am sure hell get plent of tlc from you. Do you think that boyfriend may have problems with hairballs, too????
~tony
Posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 12:24:41
In reply to Garlic, Onions, and Cats » kara lynne, posted by IsoM on February 21, 2003, at 1:45:27
Actually I didn't assume because garlic is good for humans it must be good for cats; I don't remember where, but I heard that garlic powder, or a little garlic in some form (I think even maybe in a formula made for animals) was specifically given to cats for some reason to help something or other(!) I wish I could be more specific myself and if I remember I'll let you know. But in the meantime I'll keep it away from my dear kitty now that you've advised me to! (I never used it anyway.)
Posted by IsoM on February 21, 2003, at 13:51:35
In reply to Re: Garlic and Cats, posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 12:24:41
Kara Lynne, I didn't mean to that I was referring to you. When I said 'people assume' I meant too many alternative or holistic sorts who don't check into the biochemistry of cats as compared to people.
Yes, there are many (TOO many) herbal remedies for cats that contain garlic. It's thought to help ward off fleas, acts as an anti-oxidant, & have protective properties against heart problems.
The trouble is it helps with fleas but there's better remedies that are less harmful.
Garlic has anti-oxidant features for humans but by destroying that enzyme I mentioned in cats, it only makes *their* red blood cells oxidize & break down easier.
And cats, if they're not fed a diet similar to humans with trans-fatty acids & such, have no need of the blood thinning properties of garlic. An anti-coagulant does them more harm than help.
Just because someone has formulated a herbal boost for pets, it doesn't necessarily mean they know enough to make it helpful. The FDA doesn't regulate herbs, let alone pets, as far as I know (I'm Canadian). Not even all vets know about this sort of thing as they're trained in surgery & conventional meds for pets.
Posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 15:20:21
In reply to didn't mean that you assumed... » kara lynne, posted by IsoM on February 21, 2003, at 13:51:35
...and you know so many things!! Yes, I think I heard it was good as a flea remedy. Sure wish people knew what they were talking about before that kind of info (a little info can be a dangerous thing) gets spread rampantly around. I hope you're a vet. < ^..^> (my first cyber face ever!!)
Posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 15:39:18
In reply to Iso M.any things to learn..., posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 15:20:21
Posted by bozeman on February 22, 2003, at 0:08:40
In reply to Kitty update: Fever broken!!!, posted by bozeman on February 20, 2003, at 20:19:24
Most of the time I call him one of his "other" names -- Big Kitty, Handsome, Wild Thing, Great Blue-and-White Hunter, Kitty-Bunny, etc., but Zorro is doing fine (I know it's a corny name, but when he was just a wee bitty skinny kitten and appeared on my doorstep, hungry and cold, he had blue eyes and a blue mask -- he's blue and white bicolor -- and the mask positively dominated his face, along with those huge ears.) I fed him -- he was *starving*!!! -- and he slept in the tree out front every day until I came home and fed him again. No one claimed him, and after about ten days (and impending rainstorm) I opened the door and said, "Would you like to come inside?" He walked through the door like that was what he had been waiting for all along, and has been here ever since. Hasn't wanted out once. Knows the world is awful out there, and that he has a good pampered kitty home with me.
He started growing like a weed, and his blue eyes turned to grey, then to gold, then to brilliant emerald green. He's got long, beautiful white whiskers, and fur softer than an angora rabbit. I think all cats are beautiful, but he still just makes me stop and stare sometimes, he's so gorgeous. He's almost four now, and when healthy, he's about seventeen pounds of muscle and is quite a handful when he *doesn't* want to do something (like get in the carrier, or take his medicine.) <grin> His growl would scare a German Shepherd, and I am *so* glad he chose me, and that he remembers that when he's sick. Otherwise I couldn't treat him. (The vet just about can't touch him unless I'm there.)
He's still weak, and not completely out of the woods yet -- but he's only sleeping about twenty-one and a half hours a day now (instead of twenty-three and a half.) He's still very pale (his normally pretty pink nose is nearly white, still) and has probably lost at least five pounds. It will be about another week before I'm not changing bandages every day. But he actually grabbed my foot under the covers this morning! (half hearted, but it's a start.) He's doing very well, in no small part, I firmly believe, due to the combined love and prayers of all of you.
We've been napping, and I just got up to turn off the lights, etc. Going back to bed. (At least, since playing nurse to him, I have absolutely no trouble sleeping. Too tired I guess. :-)
Thank you all, again, for the warm thoughts and well wishes, and for letting me gush about my kitty-buddy. I'm so relieved he's feeling better I could just about cry. But I'm too tired for that so it's back to bed. :-)
bozeman
Posted by jodie on February 22, 2003, at 2:04:36
In reply to Garlic, Onions, and Cats » kara lynne, posted by IsoM on February 21, 2003, at 1:45:27
I agree with your post.
My mother had a chihuahua that died from onions. My brother didn't know onions were toxic to animals and he gave Chase (dogs name) leftover steak with plenty of sauteed onions, he died later in the day. He was only about a year old and very healthy before. The vet believed the onions was the culprit. I have since read many stories, and asked our vet. Onions, Garlic, chocolate - all bad for cats/dogs, and other animals.
Just thought I would share this possibly useful info.
Jodie
Posted by kara lynne on February 22, 2003, at 2:46:33
In reply to Little sleeping kitty angel =^_ _ ^=, posted by bozeman on February 22, 2003, at 0:08:40
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