My Baby is not well yet she's not 'sick'

[kitte]

*many hugs all esp. fred&nermal*

well.. they're going to test her bone marrow as well .. my poor baby - called specialist this morning, they're going to do the CSF tap again tomorrow and take the opportunity to take some bone marrow as well... I'm going to visit her again today... luckily I work night shifts, so I can see her during their business hours - they're not 24/7 like the emergency vet.

and in unrelated news

my partner's brother-in-law has been diagnosed with a terminal Myelodysplastic syndrome. Cancer. Terminal. and her own cat which is currently in another state of Australia has a kidney disease and a thyroid disease, and he's about the same age as my baby.. and he's being released to the rainbow bridge on Saturday.

 

[kluchetta]

Well, I can't help much here, but I did want you to know that I'm thinking of you and Lone.

 

[cloud_shade]

How is your kitty? What did the tests show?

 

[kitte]

Another update...

the second CSF tap and the myelogram showed nothing unusual, they've sent the bone marrow biopsy ,which they decided to take while she was under general, to another place for them to check for anything else..

so at the moment, it's a wait and see game.. I'll get to see her again tomorrow

other than that, she's no better or worse apparently than when she arrived, and still no idea what's causing her paralysis

 

[huggles]

good grief, what a horrible few days this has been for you & Lone (sorry just catching up).... how frustrating it must be that they cant find the cause of this pparalysis even after all these tests. arrgghhh I am so sorry

Lone is so very lucky to have you, some to fight for her. Your a wonderful person.

Thinking of both you & Lone and also your partners BIL tomorrow

may their kitty pass to the bridge peacefully :heart2;

 

[kitte]

ok, correction to previous update, the second CSF shows unusual stuff.. I forget what, bit of a brain fart happening at the time... but I do remember it was nothing that would help them to pinpoint why she has no motor skills at all.

Spoke to the Neurology Specialist there too, he's the one that mentioned the true results of the second CSF and discussed it with me.. he says they've ruled out completely stuff like cancer, and spinal disease, they're thinking along the lines of infection, inflammation or stroke. Their bet is that she's suffered a massive stroke affecting motor control.

Good news if it is or has been a stroke is that in 75% of cats (while rare to start with) they recover within about 8 weeks.

So we're at the end of week 1. NO sign of recovery in any form. If anything, she's worse than when I first took her in.

And they sprung on me that I'm able to take her home for palliative care. So she's at home at the moment, extremely limited control of her legs, but at least she can drag the food bowl closer sometimes and apparently (according to the vet nurses) somehow, get to the litter tray. I haven't seen her do this yet, or found the evidence.. so I'm a little wary about that one...

Now, having her at home when she requires constant watching and quiet and rest, this is going to be difficult as we have an 11 week old kitten here (Spaz) that we collected from a guy and his son going around the neighbourhood four weeks ago. He's very very active.. and wants to play and be loved by Lone alla tha time!

Plus both my partner and myself have to go to work to get the money to pay for the vet bills, I've had the last week off as I've stressed too much and can't answer phones professionally like I need to since Lone crashed. So, with much heartache and hope, we're packing her off to the local vet in the morning and they'll give her the care that she requires over the next 7 weeks or so. Of course, thankfully, this vet is much closer so I can visit her every day.

Travelling one and a half hours across Melbourne traffic is a nightmare (each way).

They've put her on Prednisolone again, and an antibiotic - these to cover the other two possibilities they'd mentioned. and no, I don't know why the MRI or the Myelogram came back clear yet they still feel it may be inflammation or an infection. But at this point I don't care, I just want my baby's health back.

So far, the vet bill is $3393 aud. Peanuts really when compared to the love I bear for my baby, and yet, when you don't have the money, it's a stress I don't need right now. Luckily for us though, we applied at Care Credit and were approved for most of it. PHEW!!

Spaz went spastic.. (hence his name) when he saw she was back, she was just grumpy, more grumpy than I've ever ever seen her. I don't blame her in the slightest though, she's bound to be going through some heavyduty aching in her lower spine where they did the myelogram and second CSF tap, behind her head where the first CSF tap attempt went, her front right 'forearm' where the catheter (canula) has been for the last week and her front left elbow where they took the bone marrow from.

On the funny side, she's got an inverse mohawk! hehe

I've given her so many loves and kisses she's grumping at me all the time now. I've noticed some unusual behaviour from her too... but that could be from the boredom of not being able to move, but could be as a result of the stroke also... here's hoping that she's right as rain in the next few weeks.

*hugs* thank you all for the kind thoughs and stuff. I'll keep all updated as we go. 8)

and I'll try get some photos of spaz in the fur piccs section too.. he looks remarkably like she did as a kitten.

 

[fred&nermal]

Sounds wierd to say, but i hope it was a stroke. Because, people (and I guess animals) can improve quite a bit after one with time.
Sorry to hear she has to return to the vet for care. Hopefully, they will let you visit?!

Look forward to the Spaz photos!

Have you considered getting pet medical insurance for Spaz? Here, it's about $15 a month and can really help when they do get sick. Plus, it's piece of mind. It even covers them if they swallow something bad (ie elastics or a bone). I think there is even some coverage for your travel plans if for example your cat got sick and you had to cancel your trip last minute.

 

[carolpetunia]

Just caught up and wanted to send light and love to Lone. I'm so glad she's going to be close enough for daily visits... I know your presence must mean a lot to her. May she come home for good soon, and feeling well...

 

[batgirl2good]

I send love and prayers to you and to your sweet kitty.

 

[momofmany]

I just caught this thread and I'm so sorry you are going thru this!

When I read your original post, my mind turned to stroke. I had a 17 year old that went thru a series of them before she finally crossed. The main signs were uncoordinated walking that got worse with each stroke she had. We had a good year plus with her during this time.

Sending you strong vibes for you and your baby!

 

[jean44]

More hugs for you and Lone.

Your baby has been through so much. At least you'll be able to visit her at the vet's office now.

 

[lady20]

ok, correction to previous update, the second CSF shows unusual stuff.. I forget what, bit of a brain fart happening at the time... but I do remember it was nothing that would help them to pinpoint why she has no motor skills at all.
Hi,

I just finished reading this thread and my heart goes out to you, Lone and Spaz. I will say some prayers for all of you and hope everything gets better, or at least as good as it can.

Helene

 

[kitte]

For all of your kind words, vibes and sending of light etc

Well.. Lone spent one night here before I decided I'd bother her too much by checking on her every 10 minutes or so.. she gave us a couple of scares in the first three hours she was home.

We moved her from under my desk at my feet, where I could keep an eye on her while trying to distract myself playing online games quietly, into the bathroom which is next to our bedroom and have Spaz separated from her while she got rest and quiet...

First, she toppled into her water dish (had only about a cm of water in it) and nearly drowned (must say she loved the rub down with the towel after that one..)

Second, she had half dragged herself into her litter tray, I'd propped her up (she could stay propped!!! woohoo!!) until she went to get out on her own and toppled head first onto the floor, chin and throat on floor and her body followed over the top... omg, I swear I nearly had a heartattack just as I caught her before she broke her neck...

and she tires so easily

she can haul herself nearly into the litter tray before she gives up and just pees on her towel instead... but at least she tries!!! she's such a good girl, hates making a mess anywhere other than the litter tray..

Spaz is still searching for her, especially at night.

That was one and a half days ago... this morning when I woke up, I automatically reached out for her as she usually sleeps beside my pillow where she can get instant skritches when she wants them (yeah I know, I'm a pushover for her). Spent too long in the shower after that trying to compose myself for the day. Don't spend enough time sleeping and when I do get sleep, it's not restful. I worry too much... I know I shouldn't, time will tell and time heals as they say.

It's now been 10 days, and I've been unable to visit her today (it being Sunday). Can't wait for Monday morning!!!! visit time...

All the vets and vet nurses she's been in contact with love her as much as is possible after only a day or three in their care.. she's so sweet-natured, she'll only growl and hiss, doesn't bite or scratch. They all laugh when I get out her slicker brush and put it on the table and she starts trying to brush herself with it (don't start picturing her holding in between her paws like we would! lol)

I'll keep updating everytime there's something else to add...

Thanks again to you all, I don't know what I would have done with myself without this outlet for my angst and sadness, I'm so glad I found it, so very very glad.

 

[booktigger]

Fingers crossed for her.

 

[libby74]

I just came across this thread; poor Lone! And poor you; I know how exhausted you must be. You just don't rest well when your baby is sick, do you?
Unfortunately, I have no advice, but I wanted to send loads of (((((healing vibes))))) to Lone. Bless her little heart, I do hope she starts to improve soon. And please be good to yourself, too; she's going to need you to continue to be strong for her. Please give her a good head skritching for me when you see her, and pass along one to Spaz, too. Poor little thing must be so lonely without his big "sister".

 

[kitte]

Visited Lone today.. and YAY!!! she's managing a lot more than she was with her front legs.. can take a few steps before toppling over - not normal steps like a healthy cat, but loads more than she was two days ago..

Time for CAKE and COFFEE

She still has trouble making it to the litter tray, and I've mentioned to the vet that her rear end is a little sensitive.. which isn't normal... so they'll keep an eye on that as she may be getting urine burn...

I can just imagine them trying to bathe her with fully functioning legs, it aint fun rofl... she loves to play with water and will watch a tap dripping for hours on end... but give her a sink or tub full and it's a different matter altogether lol Lucky for them (in a way) that she doesn't have full use of her legs

So all the vibes and well-wishes are doing her a world of help.. thank you thank you thank you!!!

 

[kluchetta]

You know, I didn't want to say anything too early, but I know of at least 2 cats who have had a reaction to shots. My cat - all she had was that she slept A LOT for about 3 weeks. I mean eat and sleep and that was it! And another member's cat was very lethargic too. I am wondering and hoping it is due to the vaccination. There are some places here in the US that don't advocate vaccinations for very elderly cats.

I REALLY hope Lone continues to improve.

 

[kitte]

Yep, the specialists didn't rule it out, it's just one that they haven't heard of it if was one... a Stroke is a very serious reaction - not that the tumors etc aren't..

But yes, it appears as though she's getting better... and her first check up after release by the specialists is in two days 8)

 

[libby74]

I hope Lone is starting to improve, poor baby. Please keep us updated.

 

[booktigger]

Fingers crossed for her