Chester is Catching Birds
Hi everyone- Chester has crossed over and is now healthy and catching birds like he always wanted to do and never could without a leash on. Friday night I took him to the vet because he hadn't eaten all week except for a few bites. She wanted to xray and give him fluids and keep him until Mon if he perked up a little by Sat. She called me an hour later and said that she took the xray first and that it didn't look good and that hydrating him wouldn't help much, it would only prolong the inevitable. I saw the xray, there was opacity in his lymphnodes and his liver wasn't clear cut. She thought that he might be in pain. I went w/my mom and grandma (the men in my family are more sensitive than they let on as they all refused to go). We each took turns holding him in our arms and talking to him and he didn't refuse as he usually did. I think that he knew what was going on. He didn't look sad-kind of grateful as I think that he was only holding on to make us happy. We were there through the whole thing petting him, it was quick and painless, he just kind of fell asleep. At that point, I think it was the best thing to do. He was slowly starving himself, he lost almost 1lb in a week and he was only 7lbs. I only found out that he was positive 10 days before and I thought that we would have more time together but in hindsight he wasn't 100% normal for the past 3 months. He would have good days and bad and I thought it was a tired mood he was trying to kick. I feel guilty because I should have known more but I know that it's not my fault either. I don't know how long he was positive but I had 14 months with him and I am truely grateful for that. I gave him the best possible life and he was showered with love everyday. He will always have a special place in my life. And I will always remember the happy memories. I know that he is watching down over us. The tough part is that it hasn't sunk in yet and I keep that that he will pop out of nowhere or he'll be in his favorite spots. This will take some getting used to. He is survived by Timmy, 5 years old, who is going back in Aug to get retested as he tested positive too. Timmy has been running around like a kitten the past few days and he hasn't done this in years. I think he feels he has to entertain us and cheer us up. There are a few feral outdoor cats and they each came by alone and were meowing in at the door. In a wierd way I think that they knew and came by to pay their respects as they had never done this before. Now I need to focus on Timmy and watch his health. Please keep him in your prayers as he is not used to living alone and I would love to get him another friend but if he is still positive I don't know that I could adopt a positive and go throught that again. I want to thank everyone for all of your support. You are such a wonderful group. I have learned so much from all of you. I pray that we find a cure for this and soon. Please put Timmy on the prayer list and Chester on the Candlelight service. Lisa -- WOW! Homepage (http://www.wowway.com)
Chester Sees Internist
Hi guys, Took your advice and found an internist (I live in Cleveland, and surprisingly it took me 3 hours to find the nearest one which was 1/2 hour away). I was not impressed w/this doc at all. (Had all files faxed to him before appt). He looked at his gums and said he's anemic (doc I saw last week after reviewing blood work said that he was not-but hasn't eaten much in last few days so maybe that's why he is paler). Listened to heart and said that he had a murmur. First time I heard this after seeing 3 docs now. Said that he couldn't tell me anything w/o running more tests. When asked a question he would go around in a big circle. Took Chester out of room and said that he wanted to get weight/temp. Doc came back in alone (w/o weight/temp) and said he wanted to do more tests. I asked him about Interferon it might work it might not, I've had a few patients on it. He talked in all medical terms (I understood him but the average patient might not and he probably does this on purpose). I asked him what he suggeted and what it would cost. Here's what he said Exam $88 Films-2 views $121.35 Films-additional views $76.40 Rads Films $44.52 PCV/PP Lab $13.48 CBC $51.72 SMAC/Profile Lab $93.62 Felv $28.69 FIP $46 Toxoplasmosis $71.78 Urinalysis $38.97 Ultrasound 2 Cavaties $238.50 Ultrasound PR Reg $134.83 Hospitalization (outpatient) $25.84 Grand Total $1073.70 And this is w/o saying he might want to do a blood transfusion! I think this doc is crazy, I wouldn't put him through a blood transfusion. Chester's appetite is still not great. But he was very hungry yesterday morning and ate dry food. Today I got him to eat a very little bit of applesauce. Have tried baby food and he doesn't like it. I will try the chicken broth. He is still drinking water-and that is good. Are your furbabies on flea meds or should I not give him his next dose? I am going to call the last 2 doc and ask her to order Interferon. Prayers going out for everyone. Lisa -- WOW! Homepage (http://www.wowway.com)
Chester Not Eating
Good Morning, Hope you all had a good weekend. Chester did not do good this weekend. It was hot out in 90s. I kept him in basement and kept putting wash rag w/cold water on him. Basement was very cool and his body should be able to regulate temp. Was not moving around much-took his temp and I thought he might have fever but it was good 101. Yesterday he did not eat or drink. Should I try Pedialyte? Do they like the taste? Tried everything-canned tuna, turkey lunch meat, and treats. Has baby food worked? Any ideas? Has gone to the bathroom, eyes and gums look good, is responsive to our voices but no energy. Is this just the heat? We got a CVC Wed and results were very good-healty blood. But bad news too-my other cat Timmy is also positive. Scheduled retest in 8 weeks and praying for false positives. Thanks, Lisa -- WOW! Homepage (http://www.wowway.com)
Chester
Good Morning Guys, Thank you for all the great advice and support. I really appreciate it. It's great that there is a place were we can turn to. Okay so I listened to you all-we have an appointment with ANOTHER doctor tonight. I am getting my other cat, Timmy retested (need your prayers on this one). And Chester is going so that he can be tested for anemia. I talked to the new doctor on the phone last night (which is a service that my current doctor did not perform) and she seems to think that Chester has a chance since he is eating. She thinks maybe I got him in early enought. She will try to treat symtoms and then retest in 6-8 weeks (hoping for a false positive). After talking to all of you I realized that there is hope and no need to call it quits yet. She said that the Baytril is a little harsh on stomach but is okay in small strength (however, she said that she wouldn't chose this med first). Said that Prednisone does hinder immune system a little but for him to still take it. Hopefully she'll get a better idea when she sees him tonight maybe she can switch meds. What do you think about Vitamin C to boost immune system? Anyone ever try it? I got a natural remedies book for cats. Not sure about all these meds, I have a hard time believing that all of these drugs are good for the animals. Does anyone live in Ohio? Will write back tonight. Have a good day, Lisa -- WOW! Homepage (http://www.wowway.com)
Diagnosed Today
Hi Guys- I hope I am posting this the right way. We just found out today that we are positive. Chester just turned a year old in April. We got him after we was weaned and has been inside our house ever since. I suspect that he got it from his mother (his mother was an indoor cat-or that's what we were told). He didn't show any signs until a few months ago. He came down with a cold and has been given antibotics for that twice. When he goes off of it he still is not normal. Right now he has a sore throat and fever. My major concern is his laying around which he never did as a kitten, he just seems depressed. Still eating and going to bathroom okay. Doctor gave me Baytril and Prednisone. Doctor said that he could last a few months but will get worse. I also have another cat, Timmy 6 years old. Timmy was tested as a kitten (negative) but not yet recently. Still keeping both together because if Timmy were going to get it he'd probably already be infected. I feel horrible. I just need some support as I am new to this whole thing. Any ideas, suggestions? What should I do? Of course I want to keep Chester as long as possible but I don't want him to suffer. I want to do what's best for the cat. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks, Lisa -- WOW! Homepage (http://www.wowway.com)
