Getting DESPERATE and need ADVICE!!

Ok, I THINK we're making progress!! I am a bit overwhelmed and a lot deeper in debt though.

I decided to take Buddy along with Tango to get his eyes checked cuz I noted his eyes were a bit cloudy for the last couple months. Buddy has showed NO discomfort at all but I wanted to make sure it was nothing serious. Now I have to give Buddy some treatments along with Tango! Buddy has herpesvirus ucler on right eye but not BAD. I have to give him L-Lysine 500 mg 2 x a day and erythronycin ointment 2 x a day for 2 wks.

After talking with the eye specialist, 3 things were done for Tango-

1- Change the topical treatment a bit. What I have to give him are as following:
Cyclosporine 2% eyedrop- 2 x a day
Nalbuphine eyedrop- 3 x a day or more as needed (for pain)
Erythromycin ointment- 2 x a day
Vidarabine ointment- 2 x a day
Atropine eyedrop- 1 x a day
L-Lysine pills (500 mg) 2 x a day
2-Steroid injection (replacing the predisone eyedrop)- this was to reduce the swelling/pinkness around the eye. This was the hardest part for me because the eye specialist told me there was a SMALL and REMOTE possibility that Tango would develop diabetes or heart problems from this shot. However the Dr said in all her years in this field she has not seen one cat develop these problems. After struggling with making this decision, I finally asked the Dr what she'd do if it was HER cat. She said she'd go with the shot so I said go for it.
By the time she was getting ready to give POOR Tango the shot, Tango was GROWLING and HISSING like crazy. I have to admit I giggled a bit. I am a BAD MEOWY for this but it looked a bit funny having this big male tech assistant struggle to hold Tango without getting bit/clawed and POOR Tango really looked PISSED. I don't blame Tango for being pissed though! The tech kept saying he was surprised how STRONG Tango was! The cool thing was if I touched Tango during this time to try to comfort him, he wouldn't strike out at me but if the vet or tech tried to touch him- BEWARE! That shows me Tango knows I love him.. They finally had to wrap him up in a towel before doing step 3 below.
3- Debride the eye which means trim the ucler on the eyeball. She numbed the eye with some eye drops then took some long qtips, dipped them in some kind of solution then rubbed the cotton end over the ucler area. It made my eyes WATER just watching that! After doing that, she put a BIG contact on the eye. I about died when I saw her doing that and asked why she was doing that. She explained it helps to protect the eye/ucler from rubbing against the eyelid.

Last nite was HARD for me because I was really worried about the contact but this morning I see a big improvement. The pinkness/swelling is almots all gone! He is keeping his eye open a lot more with a lot less rubbing!! Now, I only have to put the E-collar on for half an hour to an hour after giving him med.

for this to continue!!! I counted how often I'd be giving cats their treatments and to my shock, the total per day would be 16 times PLUS med once in a while for Pepper and Heidi so you can imagine how I am feeling right now but I think I'm getting into a routine now.

Will keep you guys posted if you want. Thanks again for all the vibes, support and advice.. Keep them coming PLEASE!

Pamela, please do keep us posted! I am SO GLAD to hear things are looking up! Of course, I'm sorry to hear about Buddy. Thank goodness none of our other kitties were affected by the problem.

I know CLOSE to what you mean about the meds - with Flowerbelle it was 11x a day.

And about the vet tech and Tango - I had to laugh too! I'm sorry! We can only take Tuxedo in for his blood work (which, thankfully, is now only every 4 months) when one particular vet tech is working. He bonks too - every single time, everyone in the reception room turns to look at that door that heads to the back - he sounds like a cougar!

So what happens next? You go back after X amount of time to have the contact removed?

Sending continued vibes to both Buddy and Tango.

Laurie

so glad to hear there's so much improvement!
to stay on track with this...

I just started reading this thread and wow!! what a GREAT job you are doing!! you love your kitty and he loves you!! just amazing!! and as for the debt......if it's not our cats it would be something else so good job sticking through all this!!

Me, kismet and cello are sending all our love and vibes!!!!

Originally Posted by LDG

Pamela, please do keep us posted! I am SO GLAD to hear things are looking up!

Of course, I'm sorry to hear about Buddy.

Thank goodness none of our other kitties were affected by the problem.

I know CLOSE to what you mean about the meds - with Flowerbelle it was 11x a day.

And about the vet tech and Tango - I had to laugh too! I'm sorry! We can only take Tuxedo in for his blood work (which, thankfully, is now only every 4 months) when one particular vet tech is working. He bonks too - every single time, everyone in the reception room turns to look at that door that heads to the back - he sounds like a cougar!

So what happens next? You go back after X amount of time to have the contact removed?

Sending continued vibes to both Buddy and Tango.

Laurie

Click to expand...

I am to take Buddy and Tango back in 2 weeks for a follow up visit and to remove the contact hopefully. Glad to hear that Tango isn't the only one who gets a lot of attention at the vet! Thanks for continuing to send me vibes- I need it!

Originally Posted by saya

so glad to hear there's so much improvement!
to stay on track with this...

Click to expand...

THANKS!! That means a lot to me..

Originally Posted by lmunsie

I just started reading this thread and wow!! what a GREAT job you are doing!! you love your kitty and he loves you!! just amazing!! and as for the debt......if it's not our cats it would be something else so good job sticking through all this!!

Me, kismet and cello are sending all our love and vibes!!!!

Click to expand...

AWWW THANKS!!! It's great to hear that someone thinks I'm doing a great job with my cats. Sometimes I am too hard on myself and feel I could do better.

My parents would've DIED if they knew how much I spent for this visit. Last time I spoke with my mom (who also loves cats) about Tango and I mentioned how much I had spent so far and also mentioned that I was thinking of having his eye removed if this continue to decline. She about FREAKED out and told me I should put him to sleep and not spend any more money on him. I know she means well but my family and I do not see eye to eye about how to take care of cats.

On a upbeat note, I thought I'd post 2 new pictures of Tango so you can see for yourself how he looks.

OMG - I cannot believe the difference! It really seems to be working!

I hope Buddy's doing so well too!

Laurie

I've just noticed this thread today. What a terrible time you & poor Tango have been having. I'm glad to hear you're now on the right track & hope Tango continues to improve.

o his eye looks so much better!

great news...

His eye does look a lot better. I hope it continues to improve.

*sigh*

Looks like the swelling/pinkness is coming back and he's keeping his eye shut a lot more now. It started last nite.

Pls send me vibes that he'll improve overnight. If not, I'll have to take him back to the eye specialist and pay another $300! I am getting really frustrated because I HATE to see him in such discomfort and continue to blow money away on treatments that seems not to be helping long term.

I have to say you are an amazing kitty momma! have you thought of having his eye removed?

Aw, Pamela, you've been through so much with Tango...It's got to be just so frustrating (not to mention costly, unfortunately) when, like you said, nothing seems to be doing the trick. And it's been about 3 months now.

Sending look-and-feel-better-in-the-morning-Tango! vibes to you and him.

Ohh I hope he is doing Better!! I was reading the part of the thread that I had not seen yet and saw such improvment so to hear that it didn't last is really sad!!!

to you!! You're doing an excellent job!!! Keep up the good work!!




that he gets better!!!

Still no improvement.

Called ANOTHER eye specialist to see how soon I could get Tango in since my current eye specialist is extremely busy and can't see Tango until MONDAY. Thought it may be nice to get a second opinion also.

Guess how long I'd have to wait to see the new eye specialist?? THREE to FOUR WEEKS!! I guess I'll stick with my current eye specialist.

I just called my current eye specialist leaving a msg pleading if there's anyway she could squeeze me in sometimes today or tomorrow to look at Tango. I really do not want to make him wait/suffer till Monday! I COULD take him to the emergency room but that won't make a difference since the ER vets won't know more about eye and I'd be paying through the nose!

Pls send me vibes that Dr. Caruso will squeeze Tango in today or tmr or Thurs.

Originally Posted by Jeep_Kitty

I have to say you are an amazing kitty momma! have you thought of having his eye removed?

Click to expand...

Yes I have and it's something I will bring up with my eye specialist when I see her. I just can't keep bringing him back and forth to the eye specialist, spend hundreds and hundreds of money on treatments that aren't helping and watch him suffer more.

Originally Posted by Pamela

Yes I have and it's something I will bring up with my eye specialist when I see her.

I just can't keep bringing him back and forth to the eye specialist, spend hundreds and hundreds of money on treatments that aren't helping and watch him suffer more.

Click to expand...

I never counted up the money we spent on Flowerbelle - but it REALLY adds up. Not to mention the trauma on EVERYONE, especially kitty.

I am sending heaps of calming vibes to you, vibes that you'll get the "be squeezed in" appointment - and most of all, vibes that Tango's eye will improve.

The surgery to remove the eye is expensive - but you may end up saving a lot of time, stress on both you and Tango, and money.

Do discuss it with the vet. You've been fighting this since October. Without improvement - well - like I said - I wish we'd made the decision to have Flowerbelle's eye out a lot sooner.



Laurie

hang in there honey. you're doing a great job, every kitty should be so lucky to have you as a momma.

lots of vibes

we have an egyptian mau who had his eye removed at about 5 months due to chronic eye infection and it was amazing how quickly he recovered and had so much more energy, he is 2 1/2 now and you would never know he was one eyed from the way he zips all over the house and up and down the cat trees. paws crossed your kitty feels better soon!

It's horrible when our babies suffer so



Healing and good luck vibes that your eye specialist can squeeze you in

I am about to cry. Tango's eye is definitely getting worse..

A while ago, I actually shoved him into a carrier all set to take him to the ER. However, in the car, I noticed his eye was open and he seemed better so I came home without going to the ER. He seems a bit more comfortable right now but still... I called the ER vet back to see if there's anything I could do to make him more comfortable for the night. They called me back and said they'd leave a msg for Dr. Caruso (eye spec) to call me tmr morning when she comes in and see what she wants to do. UNFORTUNATELY, the ER doc doesn't want to change the current medicines for Tango. Therefore, I don't think there's a point in going to the ER.

I want to try to wait until morning and see what Dr. Caruso has to say about this. I'm scared that the contact is causing more damage with all the swelling/pinkness.

I have an appt with a new eye specialist (at the same place) on Fri at 1:30. That's the earliest I could get him in! I have some things to say to Dr Caruso next time I see her about this. It's NOT RIGHT to make cats SUFFER this long. I KNOW she is very very busy but still......

Right now Tango's in a cat cube crouched over with both eyes shut (dunno if he's trying to rest or )

PLEASE send me vibes that he'll last through the night comfortably and that Dr. Caruso WILL let me bring Tango in tmr after all. One problem is that tmr is her surgery day so dunno if she'll check her messages in the morning before starting any surgeries. She's to come in at 9:30 so if she hasn't called by 9:35, I'm gonna call and keep nagging until something's done.

Another problem is that I have an EEO orientation to attend tmr morning that I'm REQUIRED to attend AND I'm on an interview committee and one interview is scheduled for tmr afternoon. I CANNOT MISS THESE MEETING. Boss already told me this morning when I spoke with him and asked if I could miss one meeting on Friday to take Tango to the new eye specialist-he said "ok you can miss ONE meeting on Friday but that's it. These meetings are critical to our unit and (I'm not trying to be egotistical here) and your role in these meetings are also critical.."

I'm SCARED that Dr. Caruso will tell me to bring him in at a time that will conflict with these meetings and won't be flexible about when to bring him by tmr. I'm really HOPING that Dr. Caruso will fit him in tmr somehow.

Doubt I"ll get much sleep tonite. *sigh* The next couple days will be extremely busy and stressful at work so this is not helping and with lack of sleep, worrying about Tango and feeling guilty .... I really don't know how much more I can take.

The last couple months have been a STRUGGLE for me. One night after finishing a big fair that I coordinated, I arrived home LATE to find poor Heidi gasping and struggling to breath. I ended up speeding at over 100 mph at 2 am in heavy rain to get her to an ER center (about 45 min away)and fell down in the mud while struggling to carry her in. She weights over 21 pounds so it was hard for me to carry her and deal with rain and mud. I had to leave her at the ER in an incubator overnight then in the morning, I had to speed her over to my vet (another 40 min away!) to get more care and at the same time, handle important work via phone while trying to explain the situation to my regular vet. To make a long story short, I spent over $600 trying to save Heidi. Fortunately, she recovered- she had a very severe asthma attack- we don't know what brought it on. Then a week later, Tango's eye problem showed up and I have been visiting various vets alot for Tango since then PLUS trying to handle things at work. Work is extremely stressful and hectic for me. I think I spent over $2,000 on ER visits, eye specialists, etc within the LAST 3 MONTHS! What else can happen now?? I really don't know how much more I can take.