Please help us to save Frisco.

Frisco is a domestic kiten, born in September 2000. A couple of weeks before Christmas, we came home to discover that he was having problems walking and he wouldn't eat. We took him to the emergency clinic, but they couldn't help, he got weaker and more listless over the weekend. On Monday we took him to the vet who thought he might have some kind of meningitis. He treated him with prednisone, and after about 2 weeks, Frisco was able to walk and control his bladder. He came home and continued to improve (although he still was quite unsteady walking). But after a month, he had a relapse. He was worse than the first time. Now, after 2 weeks in the pet hospital, he still can't use his back legs to walk, although he still has feeling in them and pulls them away when we pull on his back legs. He can't control his bladder, but he does control his bowels. Two of the other three kittens from the litter have died from a similar ailment. Do you have any idea what might be the problem. My wife and I and the vet hate to give up on him, because he is so alert and bright, and he is fighting so hard. Please help us if you can. Sorry for the long post, but I thought you should have the full details. Thanks.

Hi Chuck and welcome,

I'm so sorry to hear about Frisco's condition. I have no idea what it could be. Have you tried getting a second opinion from another vet?

Hi Chuck

I am so sorry about Frisco. I agree with Anne, get another opinion. I'm surprised they didn't do an autopsy on one of the other kittens to see what the cause was. There are a battery of tests that can be done. I have a friend who had a kitten that she thought was a failure to thrive. That kitten kept falling down when she walked and wasn't eating. They ran tests and found out that she had spinal meningitis that went to her brain. She was in pain and there was nothing they could do for her. They had to put her down.

There are times when you have to put your own feelings aside and do what is best for the cat. Please get another opinion.

Good luck and keep us posted. Frisco will be in my prayers.

Today the Vet said Frisco was trying to use his back legs to walk. He had to be supported with a towel under his tummy, and he couldn't support his weight without help, but he was moving his back legs. He's a brave little guy. He would be a real good example and source of encouragement for anybody who has a physical handicap. He doesn't let the fact that his back legs don't work stop him. He plays with the Vet's cats and gets around amazingly well. As soon as he can control his bladder, Dr. White says he can come home. We keep praying. By the way, the Vet says Frisco is not in any pain, we wouldn't put him through that.

Chuck,

That is great to hear!!! He seems like a feisty little guy and he's very lucky to have all the support he does. Please keep us posted and give him a kiss for me!

This little guy has become the love of the entire vet's staff and an inspiration to everyone who sees him. He is walking better, although he still doesn't have very good balance in his backside. He even tries to run for 2 or 3 feet. He is eating well, playing with the resident cats and Dr. White's dog and improving a little every day. We are anxiously waiting for him to regain control of his bladder, so he can come home. Please keep praying for his complete recovery. Thanks.

That's great news! He's so lucky to have you as his family!

Thanks for the update - we'll keep praying!

Hi Anne,
I am very sad to report that Frisco lost his battle with whatever it is that has been attacking his body. He had another attack on Tuesday, and today the Vet said it was time to put him down. He had a good 7 months of being very loved. Right up to the end he was a brave little guy. Even when he had so much difficulty walking, he never gave up. His courage and spirit really affected the staff at the animal hospital. They were nearly as upset as we were today. If it's OK, I'd like to publicly thank Dr. White and all of the wonderful, loving people at the Halfmoon Veterinary Hospital in Halfmoon, NY for the way they cared for Frisco, and the compassion they showed for my wife and me. If there is a Heaven for pets, and I believe there is, our little buddy Frisco has a wonderful new home tonight.

Chuck,

I am SO sorry about Frisco. He was a brave little guy with a wonderful family who was there for him up to the end. You did what you could for him and that's what counts. All of you will be in my thoughts a prayers. At least now you know he's not suffering any more and will be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for you.

I'm sorry to hear this. It is wonderful that he was loved by so many and gave it his all. He has made a lasting impression on so many.

Thanks, everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers.

I am very sorry to hear about Frisco. He knows he was loved tremendously!! My thoughts are with you.

Im sorry to hear about your cat. I had a cat when I was a child that died in a similar way. Did the vet ever decide what was wrong with Frisco?

Shauna,
The Vet thinks it was some kind of congenital progressive disease that cause an inflamation of the spinal cord, but we don't know for sure. He said it could have been triggered by Frisco jumping down from some high place where he had climbed when we were away at work. But all of his brothers and sisters, except one, died the same way. We'll probably never know.
Chuck

Dear Chuck,
I just read this thread and I'm so so sorry this had to happen! It's so heartbreaking, but you sound so strong...
God Bless All of You....there's a site I went to after my kittie Kadaffi passed away and it's http:www.rainbowbridge.com
You can submit poetry, or a letter or whatever it is you might like to say to Frisco. I did for Kadaffi, it made me feel at peace, perhaps you might find it a good place to visit.
Always,