Jamie,
I am writing back to tell you that I spoke w/ the vet this morning. He
called to let me know her blood tests were not as bad as we thought. She is
a little anemic but is weak from not eating. I asked him about the Echinacea
and he explained that there was indeed controversy around it but said in his
experience it has done more good. Anyway so much for that, back to the
eating thing. I decided to have him put in a feeding tube that I could feed
her with, one that is sutured through her throat and into her esophagus not
her stomach. A fairly simple procedure. I left work to go get her @ 5:30pm
this afternoon. I get there and there are a lot of customers in the waiting
room and usually I have to check in before they know who I am because I am
new but they ushered me into a room right a way and the vet came right in. "
We had a problem, her heart stopped." They were able to recessuitate (sp?)
her after 30 seconds. Oh my God, what have I done to my Cessna. She was so
weak from not eating she could barely stand up. I was unable to force feed
her with enough nutrition to strengthen her and could not let her get worse.
He let me bring her home. Right now I am back and forth from work checking
on her which is stressing me out. She needs to be quiet so I hope I'm OK to
leave her a couple hours at a time.
Have you or anyone ever dealt w/ this type of thing?
Lee
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2000 11:23 AM
Subject: Re: Holistics
> Hi Lee.
>
> I actually lived in Arlington most of the time I was in the DFW area, so I
would not have checked on vets in Plano if at all possible to find one
closer. Anyway, Andy was diagnosed in May of 1999 and I moved to Georgia in
August, so I didn't have much time to look for another vet there. Mine
sucked, quite frankly, so I feel your pain!
>
> I really didn't mean to make you doubt this vet (whom I haven't heard of,
but I can ask around), but it's just that Echinacea is such a controversial
topic right now. I would like to also qualify my statements earlier by
saying that I can recall one post on this list stating that Echinacea WAS ok
to use on felv cats. I want to say the info was being quoted from someone's
herbal book, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I looked into it, as did Lourdes,
and we both decided to stop using it. I do, however, give it occasionally
to my two felv - cats to add additional immune system support. They also
take the Coenzyme Q10 and vit. C.
>
> As far as dealing with vets, the most important thing I've learned the
past year is that if they get defensive or talk down to you, or try to rush
you along, LEAVE AND DON'T GO BACK!!!! It's hard to do, but just remember
it's your cat and your money. You would question medical advise given by
your doctor if you heard contradictory information, so do the same with
vets. They aren't gods, as much as some of them seem to think they are. A
professor at UTA told me that doctors think M.D. stands for "modern deity"
and it is SO true!
>
> On that note, as with anyone, I just try to not "attack" them or act like
I am questioning their knowledge or intelligence. I ususally start
something like "I know you probably already know this, but I heard..... what
do you think?" or "I'm no doctor, but...." Then they feel like they can
still "school" you on things they are experts on and you are not. Which is
what they want. Just remember, you don't have to, nor should you, take any
human being's word as if it is the Gospel!
>
> My vet goes over each cat's chart with me, from the last few visits to
present visit, each time. He hears me out and listens without interrupting,
looking at his watch, etc. If I bring him things I've researched or posts
from this list, he makes copies and calls me to follow up and tell me the
results of his own digging and his own thoughts. THAT is the kind of vet
you should be looking for, in my opinion.
>
> The only other advise I have is to maybe consult another holistic vet or
two and see what they say. Dr. Wyn out of Atlanta is a good one. You can
find articles by her and her email addy at holisticat.com. VERY good site.
>
> Ask your vet also a/b Coenzyme Q10, thymus hormone, ginseng royal jelly,
vitamin C, and see what he says a/b Immunoregulin and Acemannan. It really
helps if you go to your appointment prepared. You feel more in control, and
the vet is better equiped to help you and your little furby. Sorry so long!
>
> Jamie
