Author |
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Weinermr
Member
08-18-2001
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 11:28 am
Costa, I just read your post about Costa. Our cat Medley has been on blood pressure medication since January. We spent 7 months on a roller coaster ride with her blood pressure medication, trying to find the right dose for her, and the BP would never even out. She has chronic renal failure (CRF), and her vet was giving her Norvasc. We tried this dose, and that dose, this frequency and that frequency, and nothing would work right. Her blood pressure was always too high, or too low, and we had all kinds of associated unpleasant side effects. Norvasc is the BP med of choice (in the U.S.) for cats with CRF. Just recently, we got to talking with the vet, and she finally decided to try a different BP medication. The one we decided to try was Benazapryl! And after a couple of weeks, we found the right dose for her. It makes a huge difference. She is a different cat now that her BP is stabilized. So many other related problems have gone away. She still has CRF, we still have neurological concerns, and she is still a 19 year old young cat, but she is doing better now than she has in a very long time. Yay for Benazapryl! Her daily meds these days are 1/4 81 mg aspirin, 1/4 10mg Prednisone, 1/8 5 mg Benazapryl, 1 Cosequin (glucosamine chondroitin), and 1 Dermacap. Oh, and morning and evening subQ fluids.
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Lkunkel
Member
10-29-2003
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 11:48 am
Typo is back from the vet for a post-surgery check-up. He is doing so well, the vet removed the drains and noted that Typo is a very bright little boy. He also insisted on weighing himself again. Last Monday, he weighed 4 pounds. On Thursday, he weighed 4.08 pounds, and today he is up to 4.13 pounds. He is coming better to his name. He is also trying to figure out 3D objects on the computer or in the mirror. He reaches behind the item and puts paws on both the front and back of the screens where the back should be. When he sees himself in the mirror, he reaches behind, looking for the rest of himself. (Which is what the vet saw him do--Joel was impressed.) I'm thinking that there is something to what Lillian Braun wrote in the Cat Who books: the number of whiskers does relate to intelligence.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 12:05 pm
Hyper...I love her! she reminds me of my cat Gypsy..I had her for 13 yrs and until Dopey no other cat touched me the way she did. Dopey loves TP, when we put a new roll on he sneaks in there and goes to town ripping it to shreads! Red, glad to hear the babies are happy! Houdini's pee looks a little less bloody but he is still peeing everywhere...we take him to vet tomarrow ...pls keep him in prayers that this med works and we dont have to do the tests / surgery. Thanks for all your good thoughts, it means so much to me and especially Dylan..... Dylan has cried the last 2 nights about Houdini...Houdini snuck into our room and before I knew it he had peed all over the bed...I thought Dylan was upstairs sleeping, I was ranting and raving about having to change sheets again and I said I just cant take this anymore...Dylan came into the room crying, saying I sorry Mom....I felt sooo bad. I told him we would make Houdini better and not to worry.
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Redstar
Member
07-08-2005
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 1:22 pm
{{{Pamy}}} I just sent you a private email...
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Jimmer
Member
08-30-2000
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 1:28 pm
Oh my. I know how hard this situation can be and especially with children. I just wish you all the best getting through this.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 2:04 pm
Red..I emailed ya back Thx jimmer
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Redstar
Member
07-08-2005
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 2:12 pm
Pamy asked me to post my private email to her here in the Haven. I sent it to her privately because I wasn't sure how she would take it, but all is good, and here is what I said: Pamy, feel free to label me a pushy, nosey after this email, but I really felt that I needed to share a story with you and suggest that you consider a different way of responding to Dylan's anxiety over Houdini. Let me first say, yes, I know it's none of my business and that you know your son - I do not. But I know how upset and stressed out you are over poor little Houdini's illness (I would be absolutely heartsick and feel awful about the whole thing.) I think you are a wonderful pet owner and are doing everything you can for Houdini within your limited means. And I figure that you are just as wonderful a mother, so please do not think I'm criticizing!!! I'm not, honestly!!! I just think that you are actually trying too hard to make Dylan feel better. What struck me in your post was the line: Dylan came into the room crying, saying I sorry Mom....I felt sooo bad. I told him we would make Houdini better and not to worry. One early summer day when I was six years old, my grandpa brought home some big catfish that he'd caught. In the process of cleaning the fish, he found a little turtle in the stomach of one of the fish! It was still alive! Grandpa gave me the turtle. I named the it "Miracle," and it lived in a big plastic bin outside under the porch all that summer. My mom actually took care of Miracle more than I did, but I did share the responsibility of feeding it and cleaning its bin. Well, fall came along and so did the first hard freeze. I had forgotten all about Miracle, and so had my mom. I found Miracle frozen in the little cup of water we'd sunk into the sand. I felt absolutely awful and cried. My mom told me that it wasn't my fault, not to blame myself, and we'd get another pet, don't worry. And she never mentioned it again. So I stuffed my feelings about Miracle, and for over thirty-five years it was one of those dark little sore places in my heart, one of my secret guilts, one of those things I used to beat up on myself. It was my fault, my sin, my guilt. Then, just a couple of years ago, somehow the subject of the turtle came up in a family conversation. My mom got a really funny look on her face, and later, when we were alone, I asked her about it. Imagine my startled surprise when she told me that SHE had felt guilty about the turtle for all these years, that she felt that because she was the adult it had been HER fault! Well, I must have just gaped at her. I told her to give herself a break, that she had been recently divorced out of an abusive relationship, had three kids six and under, and was working second shift in a low paying job, scrabbling to support us all! And I told her that besides, it was my turtle, I was the one who forgot about it, and it was my fault. Mom told me to give myself a break, I was a six year old child, and besides, when she thought about it, the darn critter had received six months more of life than it would have received in the stomach of that catfish! And we both cried - and laughed about how we had each carried around that guilt for 35 years - over a turtle! The reason I shared this story is that I'm concerned that is what Dylan is feeling - guilt and sorrow wrapped up in one big mess. He feels guilty that his cat is sick, that Houdini is peeing everywhere, that you are upset, that Houdini may die or have to be put down... and he's afraid, and really, really sad. Don't tell Dylan not to worry about it - that ain't agonna happen. All you'll succeed in doing is make him keep his worry from you. And don't tell him that Houdini will get better - you don't know that for certain. I know that it's hard - after all YOU feel guilty and sad and afraid for Houdini, too!!! But it may make both you and Dylan feel better, or at least less guilty, to talk about it and cry together about it. Tell him that yes, you get angry about Houdini peeing everywhere, but it's because it's frustrating and also because you know it means he's not getting better and that makes you afraid. Tell Dylan that it doesn't mean you love Houdini any less or will not take care of him to the best of your ability. Tell Dylan that you feel guilty because you can't afford to do a bunch of tests or procedures on Houdini, that you feel like you should be doing more. And yes, absolutely impress on Dylan that it isn't his fault, that you don't blame him, and you know that Dylan is doing everything that he can. And let Dylan cry - and you cry, too! Be open and honest with how you are feeling, and let Dylan be open and honest, too. You'll both actually feel better for doing so. So, anyway, Pamy, I hope you'll forgive my putting my nose where it doesn't belong. Feel free to write back and tell me off and that I should mind my own business. My GF says I need to stop trying to solve everyone's problems... that I'm not responsible for helping everyone who crosses my path, and that most people do just fine on their own without my "assistance," thankyouverymuch. But your post just made me flash back to the little six year old girl who thought she let her turtle freeze to death, and, well, there you are. Sincerely, Redstar
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 2:14 pm
I am so glad Red is sharing the story with everyone here, here is what I wrote back to her Thanks so much for taking the time to share that story with me!! It is such a wonderful story/lesson that I really hope you will post it in the cat thread...I have save the email and can send it back to you if you dont have a copy...I think you should copy/paste it in the cat thread...it is truly a moving story. I totally understand what you are saying and thank you for pointing it out to me. we try so hard to protect our kids from hurt that we sometimes make it worse! thanks so much for opening my eyes. Tell your g/f that sometimes ppl cross each other's paths for a reason!!!! and I am grateful you crossed mine!!! I am so proud to call you my friend! ps..your story reminded me of a lesson taught to my mom and I thru our kitty..in fact it is the cat I wrote about earlier today..how ironic!! pls post your story...you never know how many paths it was meant to cross!!!!
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Redstar
Member
07-08-2005
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 2:18 pm
Well, Pamy, now you need to share the lesson that you and your mom learned! {{{Pamy}}} Thanks for your kind words, and for understanding the sympathetic motives behind my email.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 2:33 pm
Death and sickness are part of life. If you don't teach your children to properly approach it or deal with it when it's a pet, how are they going to approach or deal with it in a healthy way when it is a family member? What if houdini was gramma?
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 2:57 pm
Geeze, if my gramma was peeing all over my house, I don't know what I'd do!
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Weinermr
Member
08-18-2001
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 2:59 pm
DW and I have joked that they need to make Depends for pets. I know it's not a funny thing what Houdini and Pamy and family are going through, but there are those times when they sure would be helpful.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 3:36 pm
LOL Julie!! and I agree Weiner!!! His Nana(my mom) died when he was 1 1/2 yrs old. When we had the parvo break out we lost some of the foster pups, so he has dealt with it some. I told him that at least they were loved dearly in their short time here and I also told him about rainbow bridge.
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Watching2
Member
07-07-2001
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 3:52 pm
Awwwwwwww Pamy, I'm so sorry to hear Houdini is still having problems. Nothing is worse than having a sick fur baby, esp. when they can't find what's wrong. Did you ever try the crating? My kitty Misha actually loved her carrier, esp. when she was little. We put her in there when we first got her so she could be around the dog and let them get used to each other sniffing and such before we trusted Kellie to actually play and be gentle. She whimpered from the day we got Misha and used to do this "gumming thing" when we'd hold Misha for her to sniff and I thought it was a play thing, but didn't want to take any chances! Plus Misha was such a crazy at times - she still is and sometimes we put her in the crate when she decides to knocks things off the entertainment center at 1 am! Anyway, once she got bigger, we'd just leave the door open and she would crawl in there and curl up so it wasn't such a foreign place and only associated with going to the vet. She still howled like crazy once in the car but didn't hate her crate once she got home. We have a big crate that we had for our dog when we got her. She loved that too. It was her special place, but maybe Houdini and Mom would be comfy in a larger crate together? Right now, Misha is sleeping in the dog bed and the dog is on floor in her usual place - half in the dining room and half in the kitchen. She likes to keep all her options covered! Misha apparently didn't like air conditioning this past summer. We have a folding door we'd shut between the two rooms and would air condition the living room/dining combo. The dog would sleep in here. Where was Misha? Out in the stinky dog bed in the 90 degree heat! I hope everyone elses kitties are doing better. I know how much I love my pets. I was thinking the other night (ok mid morning if you want to count the "middle of the night) that only another cat lover would understand just how much comfort and companionship she gives me when we lay on the couch together and she gets all cuddly. She's really a Jeckle & Hyde! She loves to play bite - like a dog and chases after legs, feet - esp. my DDs who she gets a reaction from, she tears apart toilet paper rolls, jumps on the piano keys in the middle of the night, chews sweaters(!!) and then she turns into this snuggle bum that's just the sweetest thing in the world! No matter how angry I get with her at times, I don't know what I'd do without her. Red, that's so sweet you took the time to share your experience with Pamy. It's so hard when you're feeling upset about the pet and then you're trying not to upset the child. Good advice! Lots of good wishes for Houdini!!
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 4:06 pm
Kitty, was our family pet for 13 years (she was named kitty cuz when I found her my mom said i couldnt keep her, the apt bldg didnt allow animals, so we never named her LOL)...she saw me thru high school, moving out and comming home, many family memories that Gypsy was part of. My dad died when I was 23yrs old. My mom was devasted. They had the kind of marriage ppl dream of, my friends always wanted to stay at my house because it was such a loving fun house. They were always called mr and mrs C after happy days family. I tried to stay strong for my mom when my dad died, I tried not to cry too much in front of her and tried to help her thru. Kitty died a few yrs later, I was so upset. I would cry all the time. Then one day my mom was upset and said 'you are crying more for Kitty than you did for you dad' I said she just didn't see me crying, I was trying to be strong and not make her sadder. She said what she needed was someone to cry with her. We learned that you shouldn't hide your emotions..I shouldn't have held back and she should have told me what she really needed. Even after death Kitty was a special part of our lives.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 4:10 pm
Watching LOL at Misha, isn't it funny how we make them pretty comfy beds and they find sleeping on a rock is better!
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 4:37 pm
Pamy, you didn't have an older brother who just all of a sudden disappeared, did ya?
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 4:44 pm
ROTF Julie!! It took me a minute to realize the joke but damn good one when I did!!
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Saxywildcat
Member
05-30-2005
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 4:47 pm
Someone was mentioning depends for pets. I saw at the petstore.. Petco or Petsmart. They have little diaper like sanitary napkins for female doggies and cats when they are in heat.. Could that possibly work for boy kitties who pee?
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 4:48 pm
Probably but I can just imagine how hard it would be to keep them on! LOL
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Finqwik
Member
09-23-2000
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 6:11 pm
Here are my two kitties, they hate each other. I had to bribe them with treats to get them in the same place. The kitty looking out is Fing he is 3 years old and the other kitty is Tyke and he is 18 years old.

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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 6:19 pm
aaahhh they look like twins!
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Watching2
Member
07-07-2001
| Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 11:51 am
Pamy, that's such a touching story. I got all teared up. I remember we had a "Kitty" - we maybe had a few Kitties, actually! None of their names would stick and one would end up being "The mother cat.."..."The White Cat..." and then I got my Punkin. She was a stray that I hid in my bedroom for a week from my dad since we already had 3 cats. I had arranged for a home and it my friend was going to take it to this lady from her church and there I was on a Sunday morning sobbing and Dad finally gave in (as usual) and yelled his usual - You're getting it fixed! She was such a beautiful calico. She had a nose that was half pink and half black as was her lips. I lost both of my kitties right before and right after I got married. "The White Cat" who ended up finally getting named by my then SIL as "Cougar" since he was HUGE died right before. Everyone at work thought my marriage was canceled since I couldn't stop crying! Not an ounce of fat on him - he was just tall and big and all white. He would protect the dog from other dogs trying to steal his bones when on his line outside. LOL Punkin had some kind of cancer and she stayed at mom & dad's when we moved out since she wasn't doing well. She get tiny and then get big again - had to be remissions. Mom thought it was because I went to college and she missed me. I just can't imagine a home w/o a cat. DH and I were in our new home about 2 mo when I told him I was sorry, I loved him and all, but it just wasn't a home without a cat. Yep..we got two.. and that's a long story..... LOL The black kitties DO look like twins!! I would have never guessed there was that much age difference between them! I don't get the joke.. someone fill me in. I'm feeling dense at the moment. LOL
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Jmm
Moderator
08-16-2002
| Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 4:13 pm
Watching, Don't you remember when Happy Days first started there was an older brother, Chuck. I believe he was away at college. He was only in a few shows, then all of the sudden he was never mentioned again. LOL
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 6:10 pm
Jmm is right. The brother and Tiger the dog from brady Bunch were there one day and never mentioned again LOL
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