| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Feb 22 2009 : 09:41:04 AM
Okay, I'm desperate here. I inherited a cat when my mom passed away. She is about 13 years old and has always had respitory probs. Lately something else is going on.... Losing a lot of hair. Gobs. Nose and eyes are crusted over with a black tissue-like substance. Not eating. Bottom of jaw is swollen and looks a little mucus-y (Sp?). Sneezing a lot. Itching a lot. Black greasy spots on paws. Teeth look transparent. Any suggestions? I've given my lab benadryl before (per vet) for allergies. Can I do that for a cat? This cat is very special to me as it was my mom's. I can't afford a huge vet bill-besides, I trust farmgirl advice so much more! Any help out there?
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
[h6]
http://harvestthymefarm.etsy.com
http://heirloommavens.blogspot.com
"In seed time, learn. In harvest, teach, and in winter, enjoy" Wm. Blake |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| EnchantedWoodsGirl |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 6:42:38 PM
It is so sad to lose a member of your family and I am sorry for your loss. A few weeks ago my perfectly healthy (he had feline aids but had been doing super) suddenly started having difficulty breathing. I took him to the animal hospital and they did some xrays and you could not even see his lungs. I would assume he had cancer but they really could not say. He was kept overnight in oxygen and the next day I was given time alone with him to make sure he was ready to go. So sad - he rubbed his head against my hand and then laid down and cradled his head in my hand. He was given his euthanisia injection while I cradled him in my arms. He and I had so many plans for romping in the woods this Spring, but he was not given the chance.
Funny enough, a big black stray cat that had been gone from here for a very long time, showed back up a day or so before Harry went down - the black cat, now called Jason E. (for Ernest) Hemmingway - he is a polydactal with six toes is still here and very soon will be getting vaccines and neutered.
I hope your cat is now with you mom and they are together once again.
Hugs,
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
http://www.enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Farmgirl Sister #59
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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| Suzan |
Posted - Mar 17 2009 : 12:37:03 PM
I'm so sorry, Dawn, I have pets too and I know what you are going thru - my thoughts are with you. |
| Maryjane Lee |
Posted - Mar 17 2009 : 11:27:46 AM
Dawn, I am so sorry! Our pets are our family. Thinking of you! xo
Hugs,
Maryjane Lee
Farmgirl #44
Sisters on the Fly #595
http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com
http://beehivecottage.etsy.com
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| janiee |
Posted - Mar 17 2009 : 10:30:53 AM
I am so sorry for your loss! I too get very attached to my "kids" and understand how sad you must feel. I am glad that you let her stay with you until it was over. I am also glad that she will be with you in the flower garden, mine is buried in my flower garden.
Hugs
janiee
farmgirl #390 |
| Alee |
Posted - Mar 15 2009 : 6:18:36 PM
Oh Dawn, I am so sorry for your loss. Poor Butterscotch! I am glad she didn't suffer for very long and I am sure she felt very loved. *hugs*
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Mar 15 2009 : 5:52:29 PM
Butterscotch on the Rocks passed away today. I ran into a nearby town for about an hour today and she was gone when I came home. Upon looking her over, she had numerous tumors on her legs and her body. I know she is better off now that she's not suffering. She is going to be buried in a small flower garden that I've been planning since my mom passed. Its a memorial wild flower garden. Thank you everyone for your advice, input and warm thoughts. This is harder than I thought it'd be. Again, thank you!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthymefarm.etsy.com
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~live big, ride hard, and shoot straight." |
| gspringman |
Posted - Mar 15 2009 : 5:44:10 PM
Dawn, so sorry to hear about your cat. She has been well loved and my thoughts and prayers go out to you both.
Gail
Farmgirl #486
mbr. Charming Chicks
http://grammasladybug.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Mar 07 2009 : 9:27:09 PM
Oh Dawn, I am so sorry to hear the sad news. *Hugs* You have been a great friend to that cat and you are doing a great job by keeping her comfortable in her remaining days. I know it might not be comforting right now, but maybe it will help to think of your mom calling her kitty home to be with her?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Mar 07 2009 : 7:21:25 PM
Unfortunately, BUtterscotch has too many problems to fix. Feline leukemia, a mouth/sinus infection/skin infection.... so much more that I couldn't understand. Vet thought it might be a good idea to put her down. I am choosing to make her as comfy as possible for the remainder of her days. I have pain pills for her. I dont think it will be long. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support. I feel so stupid for getting so emotional over this cat, but like I said in the beginning of this thread, she was my mom's and when mom died, I took the cat. It's like an extention of my mom.... so the mourning starts again. You all have been so kind. Thank you.
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthymefarm.etsy.com
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~live big, ride hard, and shoot straight." |
| lacisne88 |
Posted - Mar 04 2009 : 9:03:14 PM
Unfortunately I also think that taking your cat to the vet is the best option for you even though it is spendy. Your cat has many problems right now and there isn't much to do on your side. I don't think benadryl would help, it might make it worse. I hope everything goes well.
Chelsey
Farmgirl Sister #283
http://farmgirlpleasures.blogspot.com/
http://aminiatureworld.blogspot.com/ |
| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Mar 03 2009 : 9:49:51 PM
Dawn, I hope its not something really serious, or life threatening...... Good idea to take her to a vet. We hate for our animals to be sick as much as we did our kids..
Cheryl
Farmgirl #309
Klamath Falls "Charming Chicks Chapter" Mother Hen
Almost daily posts at:
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Come visit the barn at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com/
You never know when what you say or do will make a difference...Kerry Kennedy
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| deeredawn |
Posted - Mar 03 2009 : 4:17:17 PM
no...no... you didn't upset me. I work at a hatchery and we are soooo busy that I dont get a chance to post during the day. Her lower jaw is VERY swollen. She is still having the hardest time with wet food. I did do the turgor thing and she is well hydrated at this moment. I have a vet appt tomorrow. Thank you so much. I will keep you all posted. I am hoping to post a pic of her on my blog this week.
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthymefarm.etsy.com
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~live big, ride hard, and shoot straight." |
| pnygrl |
Posted - Mar 03 2009 : 1:18:58 PM
If you have pus then you likely have an infection somewhere- does the cat have a temperature? Have you performed a turgor test (does the skin stay in a tent when you let it go after pulling it up)? In my experience, an animal may imptrove a little with some home doctoring but if it has an infection, it will go down hill fast and if you wait you will likely lose the cat. If the cat means that much to you, you need to take it to the vet. Benadryl is only and antihistamine and will not treat an infection.... |
| gspringman |
Posted - Mar 03 2009 : 10:09:42 AM
Dawn- how is your cat? I hope I did'nt make you feel bad about it might be a cancer, but that's what the vet said is usually the case in the area of a cats mouth and the way you explained how it looked and how it was acting, is how my sis in laws cat looked. Hope I'm wrong. hugs for you both
Gail
Farmgirl #486
mbr. Charming Chicks
http://grammasladybug.blogspot.com/ |
| gspringman |
Posted - Mar 02 2009 : 07:16:02 AM
Dawn, this happened to my sis in laws older cat. It sounds like a type of cancer that cats get in and around the mouth where they cannot eat or drink and the pus gets worse. It usually means its time to put them down. Sorry.
gail
#486 |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Mar 02 2009 : 05:52:49 AM
Actually I didn't. She does have a pretty sore mouth so I'm giving her some crushed aspirin and rinsing her mouth out well with a peroxide/water solution. She is way more alert than before. So we will see.....
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthymefarm.etsy.com
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
"In seed time, learn. In harvest, teach, and in winter, enjoy" Wm. Blake |
| Catopia |
Posted - Mar 01 2009 : 7:46:27 PM
Dawn,
Hey, I am just checking in to see how it's going with your kitty. Sometimes kitties get an autoimmune thing called stomatitis, where their gums become infected and sore and eating is difficult. Or your kitty might have an abscessed tooth, which can cause swelling in the jaw. Another possibility for jaw swelling, but more remote might be that she had a tangle with another cat and got bit, causing her an abscess on her face or jaw. If there is an abscess and if it is filling with pus, it's important that the pus drain out. Just some ideas - it's much easier to see what is going on with a visual.
Did you find anything that sounded like a possible diagnosis on the site I referred you to?
Erin |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 25 2009 : 09:13:05 AM
What a good cat momma you are. She is very loved. And very lucky to have such a great care giver. Hope she is well soon, Dawn.
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Feb 25 2009 : 08:03:10 AM
UPdate: She seems to be perking up. I dosed her with half strength Benadryl last night to take the swelling down in her jaw and I've switched her over to wet food (only cuz it was given to me). Once I'm out of that, I'm going to do a broth/rice thing for her. I'm keeping her comfortable as she is really old. Thanks for everything and I will update you again!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
[h6]
http://harvestthymefarm.etsy.com
http://heirloommavens.blogspot.com
"In seed time, learn. In harvest, teach, and in winter, enjoy" Wm. Blake |
| barnagainkristin |
Posted - Feb 24 2009 : 8:00:42 PM
I found a website to recieve a coupon for 20.00 off on routine vet care in the nifty thrifty section of farmgirl connection. Don't know if this would help you at all but you may want to check it out.
Hope you figure it out soon and she is O.K. Kitty blessings sent your way.
barnagainkristin
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." John Muir |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Feb 23 2009 : 12:04:52 PM
Oh, Erin... thank you so much.
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
[h6]
http://harvestthymefarm.etsy.com
http://heirloommavens.blogspot.com
"In seed time, learn. In harvest, teach, and in winter, enjoy" Wm. Blake |
| Catopia |
Posted - Feb 23 2009 : 10:16:49 AM
Dawn,
I feel so badly for your kitty (and for you, too!). I once was in your shoes - sick cat, no money for vet. I found a vet online that answered my question.
I worked at vet clinics for a few years, but have not seen what you describe. Here is a website that you might be able to utilize to do your own diagnosing:
http://www.helpmycat.com/gen_syms.php
I hope this helps in some way.
Erin |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Feb 22 2009 : 7:10:48 PM
thank you. I will call and take heed tomorrow. Also, thanks to you that called me tonight to give me some natural care tips. I will keep you posted. She is indeed suffering and I am a realist and I know that if I cannot afford to fix the problem, then I will have to make a humane decision. She did eat some soft food tonight. That is a good sign as she was not eathing at all.
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
[h6]
http://harvestthymefarm.etsy.com
http://heirloommavens.blogspot.com
"In seed time, learn. In harvest, teach, and in winter, enjoy" Wm. Blake |
| Celticheart |
Posted - Feb 22 2009 : 4:17:58 PM
I would at least call the vet and see what they think.
I had one about that sick this last fall. He is young though. I took him to the vet thinking he had something really bad. He had quit eating and lost weight, could barely walk and would fall over. Severe upper respiratory infection and ear infection made worse by an allergy to hay...he's a barn cat....antibiotics and really smelly food made him a new cat. Apparently cats won't eat what they can't smell....hmmmm. And the vet told me to give him Benadryl for the sneezing when he gets around the hay--1 mg. per pound of body weight. So yes you can give Benadryl to a cat. How many people do you know with a barn cat allergic to hay??? My DH just rolled his eyes but he likes the cat too.
It's not about being perfect, but enjoying what you do. Set aside time to be creative.
Robyn Pandolph
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| Alee |
Posted - Feb 22 2009 : 1:08:20 PM
Yes I agree, there seems to be a lot of issues- maybe first a over the phone consulation? I have never heard of anything like that before.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
