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Archive through January 22, 2004

The TVClubHouse: Archives: 2004 January - Arpil: Cats (ARCHIVE): Archive through January 22, 2004 users admin

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Max

Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 10:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
These kitty pictures are so great!

Janfts, "the bird" is Ellie's favorite thing. She's torn hers up pretty well. She even drags it around the house when I don't have time to play with her. :)

If I can't figure out where she's hiding, all I have to do is pick that toy up and she'll come running.

Janfts

Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 11:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I have to hide Cleo's "bird" in the closet. Otherwise no matter where it's stashed he can get to it. And he hears it too, the second it's in your hand and the "birdie" drops, he comes running. I get such a kick out of watching him play with it.

Ruiner

Monday, January 19, 2004 - 10:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
hey! where is everyone?!?

I guess I'll have to figure out how to post pictures of my babies...humph! (stampin' my little foot!)

I got a digital camera for xmas. You know I've been snapping pictures of the cats left and right...lol!
I guess I'll give a try tomorrow....

Draheid

Monday, January 19, 2004 - 10:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ruiner: First you need to make sure the pictures are the right 'size' to post - they cannot be over 64k file size (seen in a 'detail' directory) and should not be over 600 pixels 'wide' to keep from distorting the thread. Once you have them sized for posting, you can make a test post of one in the Test thread located in the 'Spam Room' of the Members area here. The process to post a picture is simple. Place the tag for an image in your post like this: \image{nameofimage} (nameofimage is just something you want to use such as your pet's name, etc. one word to remember what you're posting) then finish your post. Once you click on 'Preview/Post Message' you will see a placeholder for where your image will go. Once you click 'Post..' you will be prompted for the image file. Click the 'Browse' button and locate the file you want to upload, then double-click on the file and then click 'Upload' to complete the process. There are detailed instructions also posted in the EZ lessons in posting fonts, images, and links thread also in the 'Spam Room'

Hope this helps.

Ruiner

Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 9:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Draheid - thanx!!

When I'm a little more awake, I'll have to give it a try...

Max

Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 2:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Okay, I told y'all a while back about how Ellie likes to jump from the loft railing where my desk is to the window ledge that's two-stories high, right? Scared the heck outta me!

Well, the other day, I was sitting at the computer and heard this crazy scritching sound followed by a THUMP! Yup, my fears were realized, she missed and fell to the first floor!

I ran down the stairs to see if she was okay. Fortunately, I had moved things away from below that window as much as possible in case she fell, so she didn't hit anything protruding or too hard of a surface. She was a bit dazed, but apparently unhurt (except for a couple of clumps of fur left behind on a padded stool beneath the window). Good grief! I think we both lost a life on that one!

Since then, she goes to the corner of the railing (it's right behind my monitor) and looks longingly at the window ledge, but she hasn't tried jumping to it anymore (thank God).

I think her fall is due in part to the fact that, since she came to live with me, she's gained weight (this is actually a good thing as she was a fairly skinny cat) and that has changed her ability to stop the forward momentum as easily on the landing portion of the jump.

Anyway, she still walks along the railing, but the jumping seems to have stopped. Hope it stays that way!

Ruiner

Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 2:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Max, so glad Ellie is okay. Would of scared the heck outta me too!!

One of the reason we put a door on our loft was cause 'cats will be cats' and we didn't want to have any falling off the railing or in between the bars to the living room. Now they just look up and meow at us when we're up here...lol!

Clutterfree

Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 11:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
CAT VERY SICK; WAITING ON MORE INFO FROM ULTRASOUND; ANY ADVICE???
I probably can't post the full story here tonight; just too bone weary tired.
14 yr. old cat Cypress has always vomitted some, but last Tuesday three times in 2 hours and kept trying to vomit more. Began not to be able to hold anything down but bland diet and sometimes not that. Vet appt. yesterday. Bloodwork all normal, but possible lump or such in abdomen. Long trek to specialist today; hoped to have more answers tonight. Waiting on biopsy of cells taken during abdomen and cardiac ultrasounds. In the meantime he has come home and continues to vomit. Although the vet gave him Pepsid and said get whatever food in him that you can (no appetite..unheard of for this cat). Vet is worried, as am I. I feel like he is downward spiraling fast...dropped from 19 to 14 pounds.I got it in, but he gave it up just now in 4 separate vomits. Trying to tempt him with food, but it has to be HIGHLY digestable. Any ideas? He's turning his nose up at Science Diet ID, and although he tolerated some tuna (the vet okayed it, as it seems to be one of the only things that appeals to him) that's what came up just now.
Any thoughts, any prayers appreciated. Last week I watched a neighbor's house burn to the ground and a 15 yr. old boy was killed behind that wall of flames. Just coming off that I realized that I have a seriously ill cat with as yet no resolution in site...and $500 so far spent, which scares me too. Neither I nor the cat have health insurance. Any thoughts, prayers appreciated.
~Beth for Cypress-Michael, gray/white DSH

Kady

Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 11:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Beth...I'm am so sorry to hear this. I have no advice but you and Cypress are in my thoughts and prayers. How horrible about your neighbor's. I wish I could do something for you. Hopefully someone with more knowledge can come in here with some advice. Sometimes it is just good to know somebody cares. {{{HUGS}}}

Ruiner

Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 11:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Clutterfree...I'm sorry you're going through all this right now. My sincerest sympathies about your neighbors and the young boy. That's hard and my thoughts are with you!

About Cypress...I know it's upsetting when your cat is vomiting as he is and worse that he's not eating. Digestible diets; Hill's z/d, Hill's a/d, Eukanuba Low Residue. Hill's a/d has the added benefit of being calorically dense. Off the top of my head, I can't think of the CNM intestinal diet. It might be EN.

I have an 18yo cat, with liver issues, who tolerates z/d and a/d very well. Granted I have to add a little Friskies Ocean Fish, (to the a/d), but at 18 who cares, he's eating. When I first brought him home 9 months ago he was vomiting 10+ times a day! Now it's about once every 2 weeks.

If Cypress is not eating, ask the vet if there are any appetite stimulants that will 'jump start' him. Cyproheptadine is one we use regularly with cats. Understand that at this point he needs to eat.

Let us know what the ultrasound and aspirate show. You should know the ultrasound results quicker that the cytology.

One thing to hold hope with is that the bloodwork is normal. Hopefully this indicates no serious damage to organ systems at this point.

If Cypress requires serious treatment, check with the animal shelters in your area. They probably can't help you BUT may have a list of entities that provide services at a lower cost. Talk to your vet about payment options. Something can always be worked out.

And naturally, my thoughts and prayers are with you!

Clutterfree

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 2:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks so much for the caring and thoughts of both of you, and the specifics re Hill's a/d and appetite stimulant from Ruiner. I will check it out. I actually stayed with Cypress while they did the 2 ultrasounds and biopsy, so I know what they know re the ultrasounds, I think. Ultrasound showed a dark abnormal mass (which I could actually see) near the liver(?)I think or stomach. She put the needle in to remove cels right into the dark mass and said that the results analysis would more specifically identify which cells these dark ones are associated with. Seems like a long wait til Thursday afternoon or even Friday for results cancerous/noncancerous and I'm not even sure then if they will know operable/inoperable. She may want to do a followup series of Xrays called Barium(??? I may have butchered this word) where the cat drinks a liquid and then they do time lapse exposures to follow the mixture through the system.
The good news was re heart: physical showed a mild heart murmur but the ultrasound showed heart "within parameters" that are ok.
He's sleeping peacefully know, and did keep some food down. I obviously am NOT sleeping. I have to realize that we had a stressful day, both of us, including long trip to wonderful Guilford vets where the expertise is high and the costs lower than many. I could have been out $200 more for the ultrasounds. Still wondering what surgery and such is going to add up to. I met one woman today who said when her cat's bill reaches $1000, he's out the door. I don't think she really meant it, but it bothered me.
Thanks again, will keep you posted, beth

Clutterfree

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 2:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
PS I can post a picture of Cypress, if I too could figure out how! I have a digital jpeg I took just a couple months ago to send to Andy of Starting Over, who is a cat lover also.~Beth

Whoami

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 2:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm keeping an eye on this thread for updates on your kitty too. Hope he'll be okay. The waiting is the hardest part.

If you want, you can send the jpeg to me and I'll resize/post it for you. e-mail in my profile.

Clutterfree

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 3:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks Whoami! Done...let me know if you don't get it for any reason!~Beth

Whoami

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 3:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Awwww....isn't Cypress a beauty! Here he is, on behalf of Clutterfree....

Cypress

Pamy

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 6:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Sending positive thoughts to Cypress to get well soon! It is so hard when our babies are sick
{{clutter}}

Ruiner

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 8:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Clutterfree...what a sweet little guy! I hope all goes well for him. It's great he kept some food down!

I'll be thinking of you and Cypress.

Gen

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 10:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hi Clutterfree, I'm new to this thread, but not to TVCH. Just wanted to say my thoughts are with you and Cypress. It is hard when they are sick and can't tell you how to help. I lost my two babies last year. Such a helpless feeling.

Here is a site that I have enjoyed and thought y'all might also. One of my babies would do the Fetch # 1.

http://zefrank.com/annie/navigation.html

Costacat

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 10:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Clutter, check out my profile... my little Costa man looks a lot like your little Cypress.

If you are still having problems with keeping food down, check with your vet to see if you can try baby food.

I'll be thinking about you today, and hoping Cypress is doing better. Costa goes to his heart doctor today for his annual EKG, and I'm hoping he'll be OK. (The last couple have been the same -- no change -- so that's good news; fingers crossed I get the same news today!)

Calamity

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 1:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Clutterfree: I was so sad to read about what you and Cypress are going through. I know what a difficult time this must be and will be keeping both of you in my prayers. Cypress is such a handsome kitty - give him a hug for me! Here’s hoping that his condition is treatable - and whenever you feel like you need to talk or vent, don’t hesitate to post here at TVCH. I will never forget how kind everyone was to me when my sweet Casper got sick.

You might try giving him some chicken broth - my vet recommended it for Casper because it helps with electrolyte levels. Gravy and baby food are also easy to digest.

I also wanted to extend my deepest sympathies to your neighbors. That poor boy.

{{{Clutterfree & Cypress}}}


Gen: Just wanted to say I’m sorry that you lost your two fur babies last year. I know exactly what you mean about feeling helpless.

Costacat: I crossed my fingers for Costa as well! I’ve got a white & tabby too - I should post his picture sometime.

Seamonkey

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 3:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Clutter, Cypress is gorgeous!!

When I first had Critter she got sick (within 48 hours) and xrays showed that her stomach was full of fur, apparently.. her ailment was pulmonary in nature and she had no appetite at all.. they did IV hydration but as time went on she wasn't going to make it without eating. They tried iv valium once with no success but my vet gave it another try.. There was such joy in his voice when he called and said she ATE!! I brought her home from that and she was sleeping (guess the valium relaxed her) and then she suddenly got up and started eating. I was in tears.

They also gave me something really concentrated to try finger feeding her.

I'll be praying for a diagnosis tomorrow that is something fixable.

Please give Cypress a kiss on the head for me.

Max

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 5:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
{{{Clutter & Cypress}}} Nothing but good thoughts coming your way. Keep us posted.

Costacat

Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 5:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Good news for my little man. His heart murmur has reduced so that it's almost non existent (rated as a 1). Which is GOOOOOOD news! He got his refill of human beta blockers (Diltiazem) and we avoided the EKG today (I wanted to put it off for another month or so if he sounded good). He was a good boy and wandered around the reception area (actually, strutted around) in his leash. Although he did get REAL cranky when they took his temp (why oh why do they have to take it THERE!).

Clutterfree

Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 9:32 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thank you for all your thoughts and input. Wish us luck today; I have to take the long drive again to have the biopsy part redone. The lab showed nucleated(??) cells but they could not be identified because of ultrasound gel in the mix. So vet is coming in special on her day off to redo the test at no charge and with alcohol only no gel. I am pulverizing dry food and feeding that to Cypress in addition to the small portions of soft food and tuna he is eating. He can only seem to ingest a small portion at a time or it comes back up. It does seem like there is some kind of blockage. I HATE to put both of us through this trip again today, b ut it seems like the only way. I am going to call to see about the time lapse barium(?) test and see if we can possibly do that today too to save time if not money.
Wish us luck; I'll keep you posted. thanks for kind thoughts and prayers, beth

Calamity

Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 3:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh I really hope things work out okay for Cypress. Hugs to you both, Clutterfree.


Spenderdeck

Here's Spencer! My white & tabby. When I found him, he was a tiny, starving, scared kitten with a huge tick fixed to his neck. He’s now seven years old and spoiled rotten. His favorite things to do are to ride on a person’s shoulders and snuggle up in someone’s lap.

Spotmat
I apologize for the poor picture quality but I wanted to post this because it kinda ties together two of my favorite areas here - the Cat thread and the Workout thread. One day I went searching for Spot, an almost pure white calico cat, and couldn’t find her anywhere. I finally discovered her peering down at me from atop my stack of tumbling mats and yoga bolsters. She’s not with us anymore and I still miss her. She was the type of cat who always sensed whenever anyone - human or animal - was feeling bad and would watch over them.