Would You Help a Shell of a Cat?

[carolina]

Originally Posted by hissy

IHer kidney and liver values are within normal range. Her blood, urine, nitrogen same.

Here's where we get into trouble

WBC 19,000 (this is FIP Danger Zone)
Gobulin 8.9 (should be 2)
Total Protein 11.4

He doesn't want to give up on her or give into the diagnosis that it is FIP and neither do I. But that is what this is leaning to- either that or some form of malignant cancer. It is something she is fighting, it is chronic and it is zapping her daily. He is open to work with the vet clinic in Texas (I have a friend of mine who lives not far from there checking it out now) but he said that it could be that the values are off because of the mess in her mouth. He wants me to bring her in on Weds and give her two more shots- one long-term antibiotic and one cortisone and see if that might help her mouth. Then he wants to wait a week and re-run the bloodwork.

Poor Shell, I don't think she is in pain and neither does Dr. Steve. I am going to go in and talk to her now and see what she wants. I still see the fight in her- that awesome tortitude- but to ask her to suffer further- is that right of me to do so? I want to be sure she wants to continue. I would really like her to have a chance to finally have a life, but it is up to her.

Hum.... I would not go into the "FIP" diagnosis at all... IMHO not a thought that would cross my mind... She is an older cat, who is fighting SO many infections... All those #s are totally explained by infections - High blood count, high globulin and high protein - all of them can point to bacteria or viral infection. Her mouth was so diseased sh could barely open... When she got to you it was dripping pus... Her body is using everything in it to fight disease... It is completely off balance...
MA, IMHO you got wonderful news tonight... Her kidneys are not failing, nor is her liver! She is not diabetic either!
We know that she is full of infection... We know she is fighting something inside her... But she is a fighter! We already knew that!
Maybe I am just too optimistic, but that is the way I see it... Infection? We fight... Stomatitis? We fight... We put on a good a brave fight... Kidney failure, liver failure... That would make it way, way worst...
MA, she is doing sooo much better... Look at the first pictures when her tongue would hang outside of her mouth and you thought you might even need to amputate part of it...
Look at the picture of her curved up when she first jumped on her bed, and the latest picture of her waiting for the vet...

The difference you have made on this little girl's life is just amazing...
I have no doubt in my heart she will continue to do better and better...

 

[Ms. Freya]

Originally Posted by hissy

She really does look better here.

I agree with Carolina - with the state of her poor mouth, that WBC can still be explained by infections and infections are fightable.

You really have done a wonderful thing for Shell, and have no doubt she'll let you know what she wants from the future. Lots of

to you.

 

[c1atsite]

I'm hoping the best for this beautiful cat

 

[feralvr]

I agree with staying optimistic here. Shell looks amazing! MA you are doing an incredible job and each day Shell is with you she is thriving. No matter what comes tomorrow, today she is feeling better and feeling loved and cared for. That in itself is a miracle to me. Keep going with her, she will tell you when it is time, if that is the case....... Continued as alway

p.s. I actually think that blood work was pretty good

. She is fighting off some terrible infections, so to me, some off numbers should be expected. I still can't believe how much better Shell looks

 

[hissy]

Just returned from the vet. My vet is working with a clinic in Dallas that does great thing for kitties with stomatitis. Shell has been sedated, her ulcers have been lanced and drained and she has been injected (into the ulcers themselves) with a combination steriod and antibiotic shot. She is home, wrapped up to stay warm and she is in her cage until she is moving freely again. I was nervous about her being sedated, but her mouth is such a wreck. It had to be done. Gosh, I love this kitty. She is so special, even Mike has noticed how sweet and loving she is compared to those who came before her.

 

[carolina]

Originally Posted by hissy

Just returned from the vet. My vet is working with a clinic in Dallas that does great thing for kitties with stomatitis. Shell has been sedated, her ulcers have been lanced and drained and she has been injected (into the ulcers themselves) with a combination steriod and antibiotic shot. She is home, wrapped up to stay warm and she is in her cage until she is moving freely again. I was nervous about her being sedated, but her mouth is such a wreck. It had to be done. Gosh, I love this kitty. She is so special, even Mike has noticed how sweet and loving she is compared to those who came before her.

Yey!!!! I am so so so Happy to hear this!!!!!

If anyone can heal that mouth, it is Dr. Wiggs team!!! That is fantastic news!!! It was AWESOME for Bugsy, and I am sure it will make a World of a difference for our little Shell too!

You get some rest pumpkin pie, you will get better and better now

 

[hissy]

carolina, thank you so much for paving the way for Shell with this clinic. It was interesting that when I was researching stomatitis on the Net, I ran into Dr. Wigg's papers but not the clinic or the clinic name. Then you posted and I went back to my notes and said "Oh Cool! God is still in Control." Now, thanks to you, my Shell has a chance for a true healing under the guidance of the specialists there at the clinic.

Also it was lovely talking to you today!

 

[feralvr]

The sun is shining down on Shell, and I am jumping for joy that you have found this vet specialist. I think this is such an amazing cat and you are amazing for the new lease on life you are giving Shell. I can tell you really love this girl

. I am continuing to pray for her

 

[carolina]

Originally Posted by hissy

carolina, thank you so much for paving the way for Shell with this clinic. It was interesting that when I was researching stomatitis on the Net, I ran into Dr. Wigg's papers but not the clinic or the clinic name. Then you posted and I went back to my notes and said "Oh Cool! God is still in Control." Now, thanks to you, my Shell has a chance for a true healing under the guidance of the specialists there at the clinic.

Also it was lovely talking to you today!

Oh MA

Isn't it interesting how life and "destiny" happens? Yes... Dr. Wiggs was a giant - he was THE one when it come to Animal dentistry, especially to Stomatitis. I am SO lucky that I live in Dallas and my vet referred me to his clinic... My goodness, it has turned Bugsy's life around! And his legacy was also one of kindness and compassion... And that always come first in there... I will never forget when I was unemployed and Jim told me: "Don't worry - from today on, you won't spend a dime on Bugsy's treatment. Whatever he needs, you will have it. And if any of your cats get sick too, get them here - you can count on us.". Now, THAT is putting the animals first right there... They are amazing MA, you and Shell are in great hands all the way around.

PS: It was lovely talking to you too

 

[my4llma]

Originally Posted by hissy

Just returned from the vet. My vet is working with a clinic in Dallas that does great thing for kitties with stomatitis. Shell has been sedated, her ulcers have been lanced and drained and she has been injected (into the ulcers themselves) with a combination steriod and antibiotic shot. She is home, wrapped up to stay warm and she is in her cage until she is moving freely again. I was nervous about her being sedated, but her mouth is such a wreck. It had to be done. Gosh, I love this kitty. She is so special, even Mike has noticed how sweet and loving she is compared to those who came before her.

That's great I hope she continues getting better

 

[herekittykitty8]

A few weeks ago, Hissy asked us not to feel sorry for Shell after she shared a story & a picture of her. Feralvr posted in response that she thought Shell looked "proud".

At first, I couldn't understand how an emiciated cat with her tongue hanging out could be proud, or even look proud. But, I have to say, looking back at that same photo after hearing her progress - I now 150% understand what she meant.

Looking back on all of Shell's progress on both TCS and the blog, she DOES look proud. She's proud to finally have someone in her life that loves her, she's proud to have someone who protects her, and cares for her. She's proud to have a lovely home of her own, with a bed and food. And, she is proud to have fought this long and hard against all the odds that are stacked up against her.

And she SHOULD be proud... taking all of her treatments like a pro even though they must be hard on her. I don't know too many humans who would fight, and gain trust as quickly as she has.

Hissy - I know you said at one point, you don't consider yourself a cat expert, and while I beg to differ - I do hope you consider yourself an angel.

 

[booktigger]

Fingers crossed this treatment does wonders on her mouth and she is feeling happier today.

 

[hissy]

LOL She LEAPED from the top of her cage to the bed a distance of about four feet! I had just gotten changed and sat on the bed to put my socks on. She had stayed uncharacteristically quiet and tucked back into the clothes while I was in the room (which was starting to worry me) I was going to go over after I got dressed and see if she was okay when WHOOOSH! She came flying through the air and landed on the bed beside me! I do think she is feeling better!

When I pet her now, I feel a bit of padding under my fingertips. She is now 5.5 pounds. Her eyes are bright, she is sneezing less and less and sometimes, just sometimes, her tongue makes its appearance off the side of her mouth but it doesn't just hang there without a life anymore. When she discovers it is there, she opens her mouth and it vanishes back into place.

To address the comment of herekitty- all I can say is thank you for seeing the worth of this cat who right now looks a bit like a sewer rat with anorexia. And as for me working with her, I consider her a blessing. She teaches me something every day about myself or about the world.

I was told a long time ago that I would never amount to anything. It was what I was brought up with, a phrase said over and over, beat down into my head branding me. Perhaps that is why I relate to these lost causes. These cats who others think have no chance in life. These cats who come to feel like they will never amount to anything. They prove the "experts"w wrong. Treat a cat with love and respect and go the extra mile even if it means getting up several times in the night to wipe dirty bums, administer meds, or put out extra food, and you will be rewarded in ways you will never be able to measure.

For Shell, she is a missionary. Many people emailing me are telling me how she is giving them the courage to go the extra mile with their ailing cat, or the stray in the backyard, beat up and run down. If Shell can do it (many confess to me) so can they! Shell's story is just beginning. As I blogged today, I have had many cats pass through my life- but she is unique in ways I am only now starting to understand.

Normally, I would never allow hanging strings by kitties, but Shell got quite offended when I moved Mike's beat-up old jeans away from her hiding place. She wouldn't go back on the heated pad until I hung them back up in the same place. It's not like she is going to chew on the strings-I have cut them off though just in case-

 

[ldg]

Oh I am just WEEPING at this turn of events! MA, she looks SO MUCH BETTER, and is clearly DOING so much better! And I am SO GLAD you and Carolina have gotten together to help Shell.... Shell may be a blessing, but she is also blessed.

Keeping up the vibes for her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (And for you, and for Mike.

).

 

[lovewhiskers]

OMG what fabulous news!!! Shell looks so much better, I can even see her personality coming through the photos. The description of her LEAP brought tears of joy onto my face, I can imagine how you felt when that happened. What a funny little girl...And strong, cute, and wise... And those are her jeans for sure

A big hug to you

 

[my4llma]

Leaping is good

 

[stephanietx]

I am so proud for Shell! She's come such a long way! Shell has every right to be proud of her progress. She's looking SO much better!!

Caroline and MaryAnn, I'm so excited that through TCS, you both could find help for Shell. TCS is amazing!

 

[bastetservant]

All along I've been following this story of Shell and MA. It's just amazing how far she's come. It's a wonder and a wonderful thing that you both found each other. It was meant to be. You seem to have found your "heart kitty" and she must think you are her real true meowmy!

She is looking so much better every picture. And it just warms my cold, bitter, black heart (hee, heeee!).

to Shell and you. And yes, I would help this Shell of a cat, and I will be.

Robin

P.S. I forgot to say that I think she is the most adorable little thing, even though she's a little pitiful (but less and less that every day).

 

[hissy]

Well apparently the auction is underway. There was so much stuff donated that they had to break it down into weekly auctions. here is the link:

http://catblogosphereauctions.blogspot.com/

 

[bellaandme]

Shell is such a fighter--she deserves to have all of us join in her fight. What an amazing little girl she is and what amazing love and care she's getting. I just know this sweet soul has many happy healthy years ahead of her!!