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For whatever reason, I had a bad feeling about this. She supposedly just had a cold or something that would go away, but I've worried about Bear all week. Today I couldn't find her when I got up and I assumed she was asleep (she never responds to me when I call her and she wants to keep sleeping) but after a while I decided I had to find her and wake her up to give her the morning dose of antibiotics. It was already close to noon.
I finally found her appearing lifeless on her side behind a box near the end of the garage. When she was disturbed, her eyes opened so I rushed her to the vet. He was not there. The girl assured me he would be back soon and I reluctantly left her because I had an appointment to get my fucked up back worked on.
When I went back she had went from shallow quick breaths and non-energetic to delirious. Her fever had gone up to over 105 and she was running in circles in her cage, collapsing with exhaustion and then doing the same thing. No reaction to my presence at all, no sign that she had any idea what was going on. Still really poor breathing.
I took her to the late-hours emergency care vet and left here there. I feel much better about things than I did earlier even though I know she is in really bad shape. The doctor showed up shortly after I got there and although he had nothing positive to say about her condition, the fact that he said she was in really bad shape made me feel better because at least I knew it was being taken seriously. My regular vet just did not seem that concerned. I am waiting for a call, they are supposed to do blood work and x-rays and unless they find something unexpected she is going on an IV for fluids and meds. The doc at the regular vet seemed fairly unconcerned about dehydration too, this guy thought it was a major concern.
The estimate they gave me means that unless she dies before they can do much for her, I will likely have to cancel my internet stuff and cable until I can get it under control. So I guess at this point I am hoping that I don’t get to talk to you guys for a while starting in early July.
I didn't know what to do about the permissions, I am not rich but I am really, really attached to this particular cat. So I gave them permission to do whatever they needed to do up to normal CPR stuff. I put "call first" on surgery or the higher-end life-saving stuff like open heart massage. I think that is reaching the point where I would rather she just go than be cut open and put through that kind of thing. I guess it depends on what they tell me when they call about her. I don't know.
So sorry, weretable. I understand the awful feeling of having to weigh financial reality against your love for your cat. In a four month period I spent $7000 on my sick cat, but I couldn't have done it without some help from my parents, and I wouldn't have been able to spend any more if she needed something else. The costs can go up so quickly, and if it's something that can be fixed it's so hard to say no to it. My next cat will have kitty health insurance.
Having spent nearly $500 to find my cat probably had one of two kinds of cancer, being told it would take $500 more of ultrasound and blood work to find out which and being given an estimate of a $1000 a week for chemo in the best case scenario thereof thereafter, I can relate--as well as I can relate to the helplessness of having to take a cat at death's door into the vet more than once in two weeks.
I know how easy it is not to have to go through these things. You have my condolences.
I am so sorry for all you are going through. Most likely Bear is unaware of the situation. I can really relate, and I hope it ends well. Please take care.
phew! weretable. I am sorry for all the troubles. Lets see what will happen. She might get better sooner and earlier than you think. I hope you will stay with us or at least keep some kind of contact.
hugs.
Oh, jeez, were, I'm so sorry to hear this... keep us updated on Bear's condition, will ya? And don't drop out of sight without telling us- even if you have to log on at the library or something.
Having just gone through this I know how frightening it is to have to wait and see. I'm wishing for the very best outcome for you and Bear and I am sure if my pal Whitey Ford could type he would say the same.
Aaaargh! Poor Bear, and poor weretable! I hope she's alright... I hope it's something that can be solved without a lot of hassle - like maybe the other medication just wasn't cutting it, and she just needs different meds.
My bill isn't up until I think the 5th of July, so I would say something before I left if I needed to quit for a while.
They never called so I called. They have her on an IV and she is getting antibiotics, fluids and something else, I forget what he said. Her temp is down to 101.9 from over 105, so that is good. And after the temp was brought down she settled down and went to sleep. She is in a "kitty bed" curled up and sleeping soundly and has been for a while now. Quite possibly was pnemonia that got out of control and caused infection in the lungs. Her chest x-ray showed a lot of stuff but was not the worst he has seen. Her white blood count was way high so she is fighting infection. He said she was doing very well considering the condition she was in when we brought her in, but it was still early and she was very sick. Still, I am encouraged. If nothing else, the fact that she is sleeping means that she is not aware and unhappy and probably means good things for her body fighting whatever is wrong. Of course I'll probably have to take something to make me conk out or I will be calling them over and over tonight.
Hang in there weretable. Great to hear Bear is responding to treatment so well, that's an awesome sign! I know all too well how you're feeling right now, and you and your kitty are in my thoughts.
Sending good kitty vibes. I know how hard it is to find a good vet. The irony is that it's hard to tell whether a vet is any good when your pets are healthy, and then when they get really sick, the last thing you want to do is worry about the standard of care and getting second opinions and stuff. Sounds like the emergency guy knows what he's doing, and hopefully Bear will have something straightforward to treat. And maybe he can recommend a better regular vet. We've gone through 3 vets (and I talked to a 4th on the phone) in several years before we found our magnificent vet, that I worship. And my parents went through a similar deal. Take care of yourself!
Sometime in the night Bear woke up and went back to doing the crazy walking in circles thing without seeming to be aware of her surroundings. And the fever is still down, so the vet is baffled. He thought maybe it could be some sort of fungal infection affecting her nervous system. He said it was possible that she could just start getting better since she was getting the fluids and medicine, but he did not sound hopeful.
Oh, no! Were, do you think it could be a stroke? There are some sad and scary comments in there, but also some encouraging ones regarding recovery...
Is it possible, that two completely different things happened to coincide - pneumonia (or flu) and stroke? I don't know much about this, but maybe it could help?
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