| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| w22dheartlivie |
Posted - 01/24/2007 : 04:35:41
I am. I admit it. I was trying to avoid listening to Dubya and his State of the Union message tonight, and could only find Dances With Wolves on AMC to watch. I've always kind of liked this film. I really liked Mary McDonnell and her excellent portrayal. And I found it quite emotional at places. So where am I a wuss? I can watch all the slaughter and fighting between the Natives and the soldiers, but everytime it gets to the part where they shoot his horse and then kill that wolf, I have to change the channel. I'm a wuss. |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| w22dheartlivie |
Posted - 02/08/2007 : 22:38:30
quote:
Originally posted by BaftaBabe
I'm so glad little Ralph is clawing his way back to health! 
Indeed he is .... lol |
| BaftaBaby |
Posted - 02/08/2007 : 08:55:46
I'm so glad little Ralph is clawing his way back to health!
|
| w22dheartlivie |
Posted - 02/08/2007 : 08:42:52
Yes, Ralph is feeling well enough to start climbing the Venetian blinds in the windows again. This would be under the heading "Mixed Blessings." I agree that someone must have kicked your baby. There were a lot of injuries that could have happened no other way. I'd be checking his 9 lives voucher pass to see what surviving has cost him  .
Now if I can only get Ralph and his sister Kasha to find jobs to help pay this enormous vet bill I was left with. There is a program from General Electric Financial called Care Credit that is available for medical procedures and treatments like Lasik eye surgeries, prosthesis services, rehab programs, hearing aids - all sorts of things that are costly and generally not covered by insurance, etc. You can also use it for veterinarian treatment. Had it not been for that program, Ralph's outcome would have been quite different. It's a great program. As long as one meets certain criteria, the credit line is offered at minimal interest and fees. I just shudder to think how long it's going to take to pay off $1300 at $15/month. $1300!!! And it was obvious from the bill that the vet gave us a huge break on some of her fees. Thanks be to her!
And a huge thanks to all of you who have posted or emailed me with your thoughts, encouragement and good wishes. It is greatly appreciated!!! |
| Koli |
Posted - 02/08/2007 : 06:18:32
Yes, Mowgli seems to be doing well, and it's good to hear Ralph's condition is improving. They really are resilient creatures.
If only I knew who had kicked Mowgli. Unfortunately we have no idea. (We can't even be sure he was kicked, though it seems the most likely explanation.)
Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. Mowgli seems strangely unappreciative, but he is purring quite a bit. |
| w22dheartlivie |
Posted - 02/07/2007 : 23:49:23
It sounds like we're all on the mend. Good to hear, koli. Hopefully both of our cats will mend well. Someone who kicked your cat needs a good thrashing, though I'm thinking a good swift kick back.....??
|
| Chris C |
Posted - 02/06/2007 : 23:05:58
I'm glad to hear all is well. As the owner of 2 cats (sorry, being owned by 2 cats), you have my best wishes.
Injections are easy - just ask our Barney. He was diagnosed as diabetic over 2 years ago, and we have to inject insulin twice a day. We call it "stabbing the cat". |
| BaftaBaby |
Posted - 02/06/2007 : 22:08:29
quote:
Originally posted by Koli
MOWGLI UPDATE
Mowgli returned home today, after several days at vet hospital and two X-rays plus surgery. The X-ray done yesterday indicated little improvement since Friday so the vet had to get the scalpel out. He found that Mowgli's organs had been displaced - from his abdomen into his chest cavity. For example, his spleen was way up inside his chest, resulting in the collapse of one lung. All organs have been put back where they belong, and he's been sewn up again.
I spoke to the nurse soon afterwards and within an hour or so he was sitting up - a bit groggy but sitting nevertheless. He's now reasonably mobile - in fact he managed to climb on top of the fridge-freezer (by scaling a cupboard etc next to it, but still quite an achievement). He's quite subdued, but that might be a combination of the after-effects of the anaesthetic and general discomfort and stiffness.
His brother was pleased to see him, and apparently his jaw dropped when he saw the shaved fur and stitches. Now that I'd loved to have seen.
What a pity the NHS doesn't cover animals. The bill for his treatment will come to almost �400 (about 600 euros).
Delighted to hear Ralph too is on the mend.
What a little trooper, Koli! Glad to hear the lad's on the mend
|
| Koli |
Posted - 02/06/2007 : 21:45:56
MOWGLI UPDATE
Mowgli returned home today, after several days at vet hospital and two X-rays plus surgery. The X-ray done yesterday indicated little improvement since Friday so the vet had to get the scalpel out. He found that Mowgli's organs had been displaced - from his abdomen into his chest cavity. For example, his spleen was way up inside his chest, resulting in the collapse of one lung. All organs have been put back where they belong, and he's been sewn up again.
I spoke to the nurse soon afterwards and within an hour or so he was sitting up - a bit groggy but sitting nevertheless. He's now reasonably mobile - in fact he managed to climb on top of the fridge-freezer (by scaling a cupboard etc next to it, but still quite an achievement). He's quite subdued, but that might be a combination of the after-effects of the anaesthetic and general discomfort and stiffness.
His brother was pleased to see him, and apparently his jaw dropped when he saw the shaved fur and stitches. Now that I'd loved to have seen.
What a pity the NHS doesn't cover animals. The bill for his treatment will come to almost �400 (about 600 euros).
Delighted to hear Ralph too is on the mend. |
| BaftaBaby |
Posted - 02/06/2007 : 19:20:39
quote:
Originally posted by wildhartlivie
RALPH UPDATE
I picked Ralph up from the vet a little while ago and am going to try the injections at home. I gave him the first one at the vet's and we did well. At the moment, I'm letting him roam in a couple rooms, but he needs to be kept in his big cage for a few days so I can monitor his "going." So far so good!! Now if he can just get a job to pay his bill...
Oh, this IS good news, WHL! And well done, you, for learning how to give injections. Keep us posted.
|
| Montgomery |
Posted - 02/06/2007 : 18:53:09
quote:
Originally posted by wildhartlivie
RALPH UPDATE
I picked Ralph up from the vet a little while ago and am going to try the injections at home. I gave him the first one at the vet's and we did well. At the moment, I'm letting him roam in a couple rooms, but he needs to be kept in his big cage for a few days so I can monitor his "going." So far so good!! Now if he can just get a job to pay his bill...
Good to hear, wild. What about Mowgli, Koli?
EM :)
|
| w22dheartlivie |
Posted - 02/05/2007 : 22:55:56
RALPH UPDATE
I picked Ralph up from the vet a little while ago and am going to try the injections at home. I gave him the first one at the vet's and we did well. At the moment, I'm letting him roam in a couple rooms, but he needs to be kept in his big cage for a few days so I can monitor his "going." So far so good!! Now if he can just get a job to pay his bill... |
| BaftaBaby |
Posted - 02/04/2007 : 19:39:21
My thoughts are with both of you, Koli and WHL. And Bubble the Cat sends a friendly meow.
xx
|
| w22dheartlivie |
Posted - 02/04/2007 : 19:08:32
quote:
Originally posted by Koli
Cat medical bulletin: the vet duly rang yesterday morning to ask permission to go ahead with the X-ray, and I agreed. Even an X-ray is a risky procedure because a general anaesthetic is needed. He rang again afterwards to say that it had revealed evidence of either fluid or more likely tissue in the chest area, where there was a ruptured diaphragm. He thought it might be displaced bowel. A kick still seemed the most likely cause. (I now wonder whether what happened was that the owner of another cat saw Mowgli fighting with his pet and kicked him to stop the attack; that might explain the combination of muscle damage and claw wound.) Anyway, we agreed that it would make sense for them to keep him in over the weekend and operate on Monday if he hasn�t improved markedly. So there he remains. His chances of survival don�t look good, because even the two general anaesthetics could be enough to kill him, let alone the trauma of the operation and the difficulty of nursing him post-op. Fortunately he's 15 months old, big and strong, so if any cat's going to survive all this he should.
My thoughts are with him. I hate people who abuse animals. I truly do. As for my Ralph, I opted to leave him in the vet hospital over the weekend, but tomorrow I am going to try to bring him home if I can convince the vet to let me give him his daily antibiotic injection. I know I can do it, and it would certainly cut down on my costs, which are becoming a source of great concern. Keep us updated, Koli. |
| Koli |
Posted - 02/04/2007 : 16:20:05
Cat medical bulletin: the vet duly rang yesterday morning to ask permission to go ahead with the X-ray, and I agreed. Even an X-ray is a risky procedure because a general anaesthetic is needed. He rang again afterwards to say that it had revealed evidence of either fluid or more likely tissue in the chest area, where there was a ruptured diaphragm. He thought it might be displaced bowel. A kick still seemed the most likely cause. (I now wonder whether what happened was that the owner of another cat saw Mowgli fighting with his pet and kicked him to stop the attack; that might explain the combination of muscle damage and claw wound.) Anyway, we agreed that it would make sense for them to keep him in over the weekend and operate on Monday if he hasn�t improved markedly. So there he remains. His chances of survival don�t look good, because even the two general anaesthetics could be enough to kill him, let alone the trauma of the operation and the difficulty of nursing him post-op. Fortunately he's 15 months old, big and strong, so if any cat's going to survive all this he should. |
| Koli |
Posted - 02/03/2007 : 06:15:45
quote:
Originally posted by wildhartlivie
quote:
Originally posted by Koli
Wusses of the world unite.
And we do!! Sounds like he's bouncing back, Koli. The vet has always told me that as long as they are eating, drinking and using the litterbox, they are in fairly good shape. Having said that, though, I talked to the vet this morning and I'm frustrated. My Ralph is eating, drinking and going, but he's still showing pain when he urinates. They took the IV out this morning after 9 days as his leg was getting sore. She said I could bring him home, but I would have to bring him in each day for an injection of the antibiotic he's been getting. Since I don't drive, I opted to leave him in for the weekend. We miss him like crazy. The antibiotic resistant bladder infection is very persistent and I'm starting to question the next step. I can't afford much more, and I can't leave him there forever. 
Fingers crossed for both of them. Mowgli's back in vet hospital overnight. They want to make sure his digestive system is okay. If not they'll do an X-ray this morning. One concern is a possible holed intestine. The vet discovered more bruising yesterday, and said two possibilities were that he'd been run over (this I dread; it's what happened to our previous cat) or that he'd been kicked (and this is unthinkable: he's beautiful).
So he's not out of the woods yet. I'll keep you posted. |
|
|
