Author |
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Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 9:49 am
RG, I'm so excited for Smudge and his family. I was so afraid to come here this morning but I'm glad I took the chance. Now I need to go home and hug my girls.
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Resortgirl
Member
09-23-2000
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 10:21 am
Thanks Native! I'm trying to let the hope take hold, but even if things don't turn out the way we want them too, I do know that this weekend was an incredible time of bonding for our entire family. Taking care of Smudge, helping him to feel better, celebrating each little success has meant the world to all of us. I am glad that no matter what happens I'll be able to remember him feeling pretty good, looking at us with clear eyes and knowing he is so loved. It's a really good feeling.
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Lancecrossfire
Animoderator
07-13-2000
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 10:39 am
Rg--so sorry to hear smudge isn't doing well, although it is great to hear of the improvement you shared with us. Thanks much for sharing the entire situation with Smudge. There are a number of us (me included) that have been lucky enough to meet him in person. He is a very special kitty. I hope that he does get better. Long shots can happen.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 10:43 am
RG, so happy to hear about the wkend with Smudge, what a gift he gave to your family. He is truly a special cat.
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Calamity
Member
10-18-2001
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 11:26 am
 Smudge 
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Resortgirl
Member
09-23-2000
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 12:26 pm
Here are a couple of pictures of Smudgers from Saturday (with dad) and today. He is looking so much better today... he looks "Mad" at me for taking his picture today!!

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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 12:49 pm
Smudge is a true angel and I'm so happy this is a bonding experience for the three of you. He looks so happy to be snuggled up with Michael.
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Retired
Member
07-11-2001
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 1:39 pm
RG - Hope Smudge continues to improve. One of my cats was near death in April. She was at the vet's for 5 wks. on IV's. It is what turned her around. Once she felt better, she ate on her own (she lost 5 lb. & has gained 2 back). She is on special food now & I give her daily subq fluids. There is always hope especially if they know how loved they are.
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Jbean
Member
01-05-2002
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 2:22 pm
yay! i'm so glad little smudgy is doing better. he really is a gorgeous kitty. that picture of him sleeping on michael is precious. maybe he will suprise you and do a total turnaround. i sure hope so. he reminds me a whole lot (in appearance) of the first cat (he was a kitten then) that i brought home that i wasn't supposed to. LOL. his name is jack (short for jackass because he was a mean little kitten!) but he is white with black spots on him. the vet we took him to always called him a holestein kitty. lol. anyway, i brought him home in june of 1994. he was our first indoor cat ever, and i am happy to say that he lives with my sister in mexico, still in good health (although very fat). he was passed down to each of us girls...he was my cat, then i moved away to college, he became my next oldest sisters' cat (he'd move on to the next favorite), then when she moved out, he became my youngest sisters' cat. they are WAY attached to one another and i know she'll have him for the rest of his life. he's the longest our family has ever had one cat. sorry didn't mean to get so windy, but that's the first thing i thought of when i saw smudge's picture "he looks like jack". (((((RG & family))))) keep up the good work, smudge!
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 2:34 pm
RG, I am so happy for you and your family that Smudge is doing a little better. I am so glad you had a good weekend with him. That is encouraging that he is eating and drinking on his own. Here's a hug and warm hopeful thoughts that he continues to improve!
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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 3:02 pm
Ohh RG ... no matter how things turn out with Smudge, you will be glad that you took the pictures and have the memories!! I did the same before I had to put my 17 year old cat to sleep. Sending good thoughts to you & Smudge!! 
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Lucy
Member
10-08-2002
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 5:32 pm
~RG~ I'm so glad Smudge is doing better. He looks so peaceful sleeping on Michael's shoulder. That's exactly how Lucy likes to sleep. He's such a handsome boy. I remember when you posted those pictures of him out in your yard along with Jordan's iguana. Smudge won my heart over with his gentle good looks. I'll be keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
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Cndeariso
Member
06-28-2004
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 6:35 pm
way to go smudge! you are a good nurse, RG.
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 10:23 pm
I've gotta admit that I'm sitting her with a VERY BIG DOPEY GRIN. My heart is so full reading how the cute little guy is fighting the good fight with his momma and poppa. RG, thanks so much for the pictures of OUR Smudge! (I feel as if he's our mascot of sorts, at this point.) 
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Resortgirl
Member
09-23-2000
| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 4:11 am
Another morning~ We took him into the vet yesterday afternoon to see if his catheter was plugged or if it was operater error. It was the latter! The vet (Allen) gave him an IV with Glucose and an anti nausea medication in it and sent it home with us. Fine tuned our instructions too... He and his wife said they were absolutely amazed that he was eating and drinking on his own. They never thought he'd eat again. She said if he pulls through it will be a miracle, and she called him the miracle kitty before we left. I guess that shows just how bad his test results were. I slept terrible last night. Dreamed of him, woke up and checked on him and have this horrible feeling of dread today. I think it's because I have to leave him and go to work today. Michael can come home for lunch though, his job today is close by, so that's good. He ate a bit this morning but didn't seem into it at all. But he doesn't have to like it, he just has to do it! In a couple of days we will rerun the tests. I have very mixed feelings about this. If they come back better, that will take a lot of the pressure off, but if they are still bad... it'll be hard to cope. But I need to deal it reality I guess.... say a prayer 
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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 5:20 am
Prayer said RG!  
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Bandit
Member
07-29-2001
| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 8:46 am
Smudge is soooo cute! I hope he's back on the road to recovery soon!
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 8:53 am
RG, I've only ever had to give the subQ fluids, is it very hard with the catheter? Prayers said here too, I'm so glad he's being a miracle kitty! Hang in there RG and family and Smudge!
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Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 9:09 am
Go, Smudge! We are all rooting for your return to good health.
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Calamity
Member
10-18-2001
| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 9:15 am
Smudge Prayers and best wishes for health and healing for the miracle kitty! Take care, Resortgirl. Happymom: I'm sorry Oreo is feeling so sad. I know you both miss Cashmere so much but hope brighter days come your way soon.
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Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 11:34 am
Chinese 33 pounder.
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 11:47 am
OG, WOW! Thanks Calamity. The vet said yesterday to give Oreo about a month. I know she loves us, but it isn't us she really wants. She's been purring less and less, but she did purr twice yesterday. I was so glad. -------------------------------------- This may be old news, but it was new to me, even if it is further up in the thread and I forgot...no time to check, but maybe it will help someone...I just came across this on www.consumerreports.org: January 2006 Deadly pet food recalled Eighteen brands of dog and cat food, widely distributed throughout 23 states, have been recalled because of possible contamination with a potent toxic fungus known as aflatoxin. As of January 11, there had been 23 confirmed and 53 unconfirmed dog deaths and 23 illnesses linked to tainted food made at Diamond Pet Food's manufacturing plant in Gaston, S.C., according to Rae Jones, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Jones said the FDA's investigation into the problem is ongoing. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical byproduct from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on certain crops, particularly corn, tree nuts, and peanuts. The fungus is apt to develop during years with severe high temperatures and drought. The suspect pet food was formulated with corn. Carol Anderson, a spokeswoman for Diamond, said the recall involves an estimated 800,000 bags of food, though only about 2 percent of the products are believed to be contaminated with aflatoxin, which can cause severe liver damage in pets. The company's products are sold mostly at independent pet food stores, as well as farm and feed retail outlets. They are also sold in limited quantities by large pet-food retailers. Symptoms of aflatoxin contamination are not always easy to discern and can mimic those of other medical conditions. They include sluggishness or lethargy; loss of appetite; jaundice that causes a yellowish tint to the eyes, gums, or belly area (where the hair is very thin); discolored urine; severe, persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhea; and fever. To accurately diagnose liver failure in dogs, Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine has developed protein blood tests, originally designed for humans but adapted for canines, said Blaine Friedlander Jr., assistant director of press relations at Cornell. Friedlander said that experts are concerned that the public, including kennel owners, remains largely unaware of the tainted pet food and that dogs are continuing to be fed food containing a lethal toxin. Friedlander is urging owners to have their veterinarians examine at-risk pets and inform him or her of the availability of Cornell's Protein C and Antithrombin Activity Assays to detect liver damage in seriously poisoned dogs. Veterinarians--not pet owners--can contact the university's Animal Heath Diagnostic Center at 607-253-3900 for instructions on sending blood, tissue, liver, and food samples for analysis. The center is also tracking dogs that have died and following up on the health of survivors to assess the problem, help develop solutions, and share useful information with veterinary professionals and the public, Friedlander said. The products involved The recalled pet food was sold in 4- to 55-pound bags throughout the eastern half of the U.S., under the following brand names: Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food; Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food; Diamond Maintenance Dog Food; Diamond Professional for Adult Dogs; Diamond Performance Dog Food; Diamond Puppy Food; Diamond Low Fat Dog Food; Diamond Maintenance Cat Food; Diamond Professional Cat Food; Country Value Puppy; Country Value Adult Dog Food; Country Value High Energy Dog Food; Country Value Adult Cat Food; Professional Chicken & Rice Adult Dog Food; Professional Puppy Food; Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food; Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food; Professional Adult Cat Food. The brands were distributed to stores in Ala., Conn., Del., Fla., Ga., Ky., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Miss., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Vt., Va., and W.Va. Recalled products can be identified by the date code and "Best by" dates listed on the back of the package. On 18- to 55-pound bags, there's a G (a reference to the Gaston plant) in the 11th or 12th position of the date code; on 4- to 8-pound bags, the G is in the ninth position. All affected bags have a "Best by" date between March 1, 2007, and June 10, 2007. What to do Pets that have eaten any of the suspect food might not exhibit symptoms right away and should be monitored for 7 to 12 days. If your pet shows signs of illness, contact your veterinarian immediately and urge the vet to run a liver profile. Don't forget to mention the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine as a resource. Consumers can return any unused portion of the pet food to the place of purchase for a refund. Diamond Pet Food is asking anyone whose pet consumed food from the suspect lots to save one or two cups for testing and analysis. For more details, call Diamond's Customer Information Center at 866-214-6945 or go to www.diamondpet.com.
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Resortgirl
Member
09-23-2000
| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 3:38 pm
Smudge still seems to be getting a little better every day. He ate several times today, and is up on his favorite chair when I got home. Looking out the window. I wonder if he's wishing he could be out chasing squirrels? We will probably have his kidney function tested again Thursday or Friday. As I said before, I'm not sure I want to.... Thank you again so much for all the prayers. I just have to believe they are working and he will be with us for a while longer. Years longer I hope!! 
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 3:56 pm
Crossing my fingers and sending an angel to watch over all of you (and Smudgers)
 Start dancin Smudge, we love ya!

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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 4:39 pm
If you are in need of amusement, check out Stuff On My Cat. There are some pretty funny pix there. RG, I'm glad to hear Smudgie is doing better! And that 30+ pound cat? The owner says "he's healthy" so he's not gonna put him on a diet! (!!!!)
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