BS: Quietly going nuts

Subject: Quietly going nuts
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:38 PM

I'm sitting here at work, unable to concentrate because one of my cats is having a leg amputated today. She developed a tumor on a calf muscle that appears to be a sarcoma (malignant). We've been assured that everything will be all right, but I can't help worrying. Anything anyone can do to distract or reassure me will be greatly welcomed.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:42 PM

I'm so sorry, Jeff! Pets can be as dear as any other family member. Take care, and know that one 'Catter is thinking of you!

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:42 PM

Poor pussy cat! I love my kitties, and can appreciate your distraction. My best to you and your kitty.

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:52 PM

Jeff, So sorry. When my cat had it done, they allowed me to visit. She had to be kept there for a few days. It made a difference. Cats get depressed if they feel they have been abandoned. I feel as bad for you as do for her.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:56 PM

Thanks, everyone. I forgot to mention that they told us that she might be coming home today. I'm supposed to call at 4:00 (eastern) to find out if she'll come home today or tomorrow. My wife has arranged to work at home tomorrow to take care of her.

Mary, are you saying your cat had to have an amputation too? How did she adjust? And how quickly?

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:59 PM

Sorry to hear that, jeff. I'm pullin' for your little kittybud. Over at the Newman student center, we have a 3-legged cat named "Bam-Bam" (because of his big furry tail). He gets around amazingly...it's a feat of nature to watch how he uses his 3 legs in perfect harmony. Hopefully, they give him/her some Fancy Feast after the operation!

--Matt (AKA The Kitty Police)

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:04 PM

Never had that done to any of my cats, but I can understand your concern. Hope everything goes well.

Bart

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: black walnut
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:04 PM

i have a rabbit whose front two legs are paralyzed. makes no difference. one totally happy and hoppy rabbit.

hope this encourages you....and hope all goes well.

~black walnut

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: MMario
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:07 PM

I would say your cat will adjust beautifully - we had a feral cat around the neighborhood (rural neighborhood - woods and fields) for years - who raised many ealthy litters of kittens without any handouts despite having lost a leg herself. She did have some problems with 1 point landings when she took pigeons down on the wing... but that's the only time I ever saw her less graceful then the standard 4 legged cat

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: GUEST,Ely still needs to reset her cookie
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:25 PM

Cats are pretty adaptable. We had a cat that went blind at age 15. She was depressed for a little while but she learned to compensate so well that we didn't realize she was blind at all until quite a bit later. Later, her circulation began to fail and her hind legs became weak, but she learned to make up for that, too. She lived quite happily for another 1 1/2 years despite the predictions of our vet, who thought she'd only last a couple of months.

You obviously care a great deal about your cat and that will make a big difference.

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Peg
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:28 PM

Jeff, do visit your kitty in hospital, it does make a big difference to them.

I know your kitty will be the same wonderful pet after the operation as before but it may well be an adjustment for you both. I have met a number of three-legged dogs and one-eyed cats in my day, whose owners preferred to invest faith and money in their healing rather then have them put down; similarly, I have seen people go to great lengths to prolong the life of a pet when it was better to let nature take its course (we do this with people we love, too, because we have the technology and because it is so hard to endure the pain of loss).

You have chosen a difficult road but if the cancer is truly eliminated by this amputation, you will have given your kitty a few more years at your side.

I will share my own experience hoping it may inspire you:

My cat Ziggy was five days in intensive care after being hit by a car; his back legs were paralyzed from a back injury and it was said he would possibly die, or, if he lived, would probably never walk again...

I thought I almost lost him but he now can walk, run, play and escape out the back door as quickly as ever! He is 13 years old and full of beans.

He had stopped eating in the hospital and they released him on the cavteat that he had 24 hours to start to eat on his own or he would have to be brought back and have a feeding tube inserted. I think that might have killed him. He made it just under the wire when he licked some food from my hand with an hour to spare!

Believe it or not (and I was a skeptic about it before this) but my friend's performing REIKI on my cat made a HUGE difference in his healing...I think because animals do not have any sort of belief system about such things...

He could move himself around on his front legs pretty fast but this was kinda dangerous (he fell off the sofa doing it and I was right next to him; the vet was a bit upset that this happened) so I kept him in a rabbit cage days (loaned by my cat-owning friends/neighbors)while I was out.

He also lost use of his bowels temporarily and I had to express his bladder for him (he hated this and I think it compelled him to regain this function ASAP).

My friends were a great comfort during this time, and I have my other neighbor to thank for discovering Ziggy in the road (I was staying with friends for the weekend when this happened), for taking him to the 24-hour emergency animal hospital at 7 am on a Sunday morning, and whipping out his credit card to put a $300 deposit down so my cat could be admitted to intensive care--all for someone he had never even met.

Ziggy's survival is truly a miracle and every day I get to hang out with him is a gift.

peg

(ziggy's mom)

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Noreen
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:36 PM

jeff, wishing your kitty all the very best. I know how attached you must be, and there are so many people here who sympathise.....

Noreen

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Morticia
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:41 PM

Jeff, I'm rooting for you and your family and your cat.My eldest had most of her tail amputated recently due to a tumour. She barely seemed to notice.What's your cat's name?

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:52 PM

Thanks everybody for your support! To answer some questions, asked and implied:

Her name is Bídeach, Bibi for short. She is 2 years old and otherwise in good health. We were told by the vet we called for a second opinion that this type of tumor is almost always totally contained and that we should expect a normal lifespan for her. Both vets also said that she will be much happier without the leg (her right hind leg) as it is not only interfering with her life, but causing her a great deal of pain. She hasn't been able to come down the stairs lately, so we've been spending time upstairs with her instead. She still hops up onto the bed and her cat tree and insists on her morning love feast when I get up.

Her brother, Rua, doesn't understand what's going on, but he misses his playmate. She just hasn't been in the mood. Last evening he invited her to play, and when she didn't respond, he jumped on her, just like old times. She didn't care for that one bit! She hissed, screamed, and growled at him, so we had to chase him out of the room for a few minutes. After he came back, she glared at him for quite some time.

Looking forward to having her back to her old self.

Thanks again, jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: DougR
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:00 PM

One of my cats had to have a tumor removed from her stomach, Jeff. They are pretty resiliant. She recovered nicely and lived a couple of more years. I had to put her down last fall at age 18. Three months later, my 19 year old cat, Sheba, fell ill, and I had to have her put to sleep too. She had also had a tumor removed about 6-8 years before she died.

I know you are worried. Just hang in there. I'm sure your cat will adjust pretty quickly to having only three legs.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Amos
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:31 PM

I know a gal who had the most beautiful Turkish Vann. He went off his feed and the vet's diagnosis was feline leukemia, usually fatal. He moped around and wouldn't eat. As I recall the story, the vet had said there was really nothing medical science could do, and that what she should do ishave atalk with the cat. The gal was pretty sensitive to mental pictures, so she sat the cat down and asked it what was going on, and the cat sent her a long string of mental impressions of being frustrated by not having an opposable thumb and being unable to open doors, cupboards and such. The impression was the cat had decided to buzz off in frustration and get a more amenable body-type to operate.

Well the lady looked that cat in the eye and told her, nonverbally, that this was NOT okay; that the cat had a deal with her to be her cat and her friend, and he would fulfill that agreement, and could do what he liked afterwards, once he had lived out that committment.

Well the cat jumped down from her lap and went to his untouched food bowl and started eating. Complete reversal of behaviour.

What is more interesting, they retested the cat, in spite of the vet's objections that the tests were not going to change; when the vet phoned back to report on the results, he said, "You talked to her, didn't you?". Because the second set of tests had come back completely normal, and the leukemia was not in evidence.

It may be circumstantial and it may be anecdotal...but ya gotta admit it is one helluvan anecdote.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:06 PM

jeffp,

You are getting a lot of good help here. Instead of recapping it, or telling you how our cat's tail amputation relates, I think I'll go e-mail JenEllen for you, who knows SO MUCH MORE than I do. She's been busy moving (so not at Mudcat much), but she I bet she checks her e-mail!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:19 PM

Thanks, Susan. She sent me a PM last night saying she'd be thinking of us today. I've also been in regular touch with katlaughing since we got the diagnosis two weeks ago. This waiting is driving me soooooooo C-R-A-Z-Y!!!!!!!!

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 04:16 PM

Good news!!!!!!! She came throught the surgery like a trouper. The whole leg was taken up to the hip and she is now sitting up and hissing at everybody that comes by. We'll be taking her home tonight. Thanks everybody for your support. You really helped me get through a difficult day. Now go help Spaw.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: JenEllen
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 04:23 PM

Fantastic news!!! We've been pulling for you.

I've seen animals do some amazing things, that's probably what's kept me in the biz for so long. Just waiting for the next suprise.

Give that Bibi lots of love from us out west (and don't mind the indignant expression..she loves it...really...:)

~JenEllen

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: CarolC
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 04:42 PM

jeffp,

I'm really sorry about your cat's leg. I'm glad she's doing so well. You'd be amazed at what a four legged critter can do on three legs.

Best wishes,

Carol

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Hollowfox
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 04:43 PM

Isn't it a good thing that an early enough diagnosis was made? She'll recover much better at home where everything is familiar (including the smells). I think both you and she wil benefit from a bit of discreet cuddling (sitting/laying next to each other; petting, not hugs). My story? I had a cat that broke a toe (front paw). She was so embarrassed by this that she figured out how to sit (upright, not horizontally) in such a way as to hide the cast.

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 05:47 PM

My sister in law this summer had to have her cat's rear leg amputated after she'd had an accident. At first she was obviously depressed and displayed a great deal of anger to the other cats and to the dog. The interesting thing is that the other cats went to great lengths to avoid her, even hugging a wall 6 feet away to get around Tora.

With strict orders not to let Tora outdoors until the next vet appointment, Sue was soon run a merry chase. At one point, Tora got out the pet door and raced up a grape arbor on her three legs and hissed when she was lifted down.

By the time the wrappings were finally taken off after two weeks, the cat's emotional state had improved drastically. The main difference is that she's much more cuddly now. And the other cats again play with her.

The best of luck to you and your Bibi.

Eb

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 07:45 PM

Bibi is home now. She is calming down and already walking on three legs! She looks like hell, but she'll bounce back quickly, I'm sure.

Thanks again, everybody! Mudcatters are the greatest!

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 08:02 PM

Oh, Jeff! That is so good to hear. I knew she'd be okay! Thansk for letting us know and sorry I am come so late to this thread.

luvya and lots of luv to Bibi!

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 08:15 PM

Cats (and other animals) don't worry and don't regret - they just deal with whatever they have to. I'm sure Bibi will be fine - sounds like she's already on her way.

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: GUEST,Merlin
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 09:02 PM

Good luck with the cat. I used to have a cat, but she had a stroke and had to be put to sleep. Hope your cat is happy!

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Gypsy
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 12:05 AM

so glad to hear that Mzzz Bibi is doing better. you'd be amazed at how quickly animals adapt. Our old dog got vestibular syndrome (long story, but symptoms are very similar to stroke) and nursing and chicken soup (spoon fed, husband said she would never get out of basket with that treatment)but she walks and is back to normal. Lots of love and nursing for the cat-friend.

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: alison
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 12:13 AM

glad to hear she's getting better... may you ahve many more long happy years together

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: JennieG
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 12:31 AM

Lots of hugs to your cat from our three cats - I couldn't imagine life without at least one! May you enjoy each other's company for many many years yet.
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Helen
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 12:47 AM

OzCats Timmy & Russie, and their human slave Helen, send their best wishes and the felines have also instructed me to tell you that if you know anyone who does Reiki it can make a difference to how quickly the cat starts to feel better. Ask my Mum, who kept telling me how amazed the doctors and others were with the lower level or complications than expected and her speed of recovery after her heart by-pass operation.

(Scribed by: Slave Helen, whose going-blind 12 year old cat Timmy just appeared in the hallway and *yelled* at me (no kidding) to make sure I had passed the messages on properly.)

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Lena
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 03:39 AM

What did I missed about Kat/Katlaughing,sorry sorry?!

Jeff,I'd advise to get a little pot,chop some beans and carrots and some fresh chicken liver,put them in the pot in some soup base and serve it to your cat when the convalescence is over...

Everything's gonne be allright,cats always manage to be happy.

Love

Lena

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Jock Morris
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 04:21 AM

One of my brother's cats got hit by a car recently and had to have one of its rear legs amputated. He (the cat, not my brother) is now doing fine and can leap up onto the window sill and kitchen worktops just as well as he ever could. He does occasionally get panicy when he first wakes up and tries to stand on the leg he doesn't have.

Wishing your cat a quick recovery; I'd be lost without my two purring pals.

Scott

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Quincy
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 07:58 AM

Good to hear she's improving Jeff....more good wishes being sent from me and lots of purrs from my gorgeous boy Jessie >^-^<

Yvonne

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Kim C
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:08 AM

Cats have four legs, you know, because they only really need three to get by! Now Bibi is free of that pesky extry appendage. Warm fuzzy thoughts to your furry friend. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: jeffp
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:16 AM

Thanks again, everyone! We had a rough night. She was coming down from the pain shot and the Fentanyl patch (delivers painkiller through the skin like a nicotine patch) hadn't kicked in enough to compensate. She was extremely restless and trying to get out of the cage. None of us slept until 1:30. When I got up this morning, she was lying in the litter box and struggled to get up unsuccessfully. I went in the cage to help her, and after a bit of effort and much hissing and yowling, she got up and staggered around until she got her bearings.

She's rather dopey from the patch and thoroughly miserable-looking, which breaks my heart to see. While I was petting her, she rubbed her cheek against my fingers and I broke down crying. Bonnie is with her at home today while I'm trying to make it through work. I hope this is the worst of it and we'll see steady improvement. I wish I could have stayed home, but I'm out of leave and we're extremely busy these days. More news when I have more.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:44 AM

She will improve, Jeff. I'll bet by the time you get home, she will have given herself a nice bath and practised on her navigational skills, despite the meds effects.

If she is still a little groggy it might make her feel better if you take a slightly damp, warm cloth to her, gently caressing her with it, almost as a mother cat would do with her tongue.

Lots of strokes and murmurings of love; that nudge she gave you means she is willing and ready to get better; good sign that.

kat

Heyokah, Ms. Lovee, Kazell and Charlie, Trystan and Ms. Kelpie also contributed to this message.

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Peg
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 01:07 PM

hooray for Bibi! I hope she continues to heal well...

No doubt she will be curmudgeonly for a bit as she adjusts to the loss of her limb. She sounds like a trooper! Best wishes to you and your kitty.

peg

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: jeffp
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 03:50 PM

I came home from work early and we took Bibi into the bathroom for some controlled exercise and loving. She is so much back to her old self I can't believe it! She was walking around, rubbing against us, even climbed into my lap as I sat on the floor. We are so relieved. She only complains if she forgets and lays on her right side or we accidently touch it too hard. The recuperative power of cats never fails to amaze me. I have no doubt that she will be running around before we expect it.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 03:50 PM

Sorry for not wishing you the best earlier Jeff...but Mudcat was sooo slow...and all I did was keep checking on my dumb accordion thread. We're kitty folks here and we know that musy have been an unsettling time for you. Glad it's working out.

Rick and Heather

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 04:48 PM

Jeff,
I am so glad to hear how well Bibi is doing. By the time her fur grows in she won't even remember ever having a fourth leg. Lots of affection, warm places to rest, and a roll of toilet paper to destroy will do wonders.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: jeffp
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 12:00 PM

Another progress report from the perpetually amazing Bibi. She is now eating and drinking, and appears to have taken her first dump since the surgery. We're not certain about that last bit, but she's no longer laying in the litter box and there's a heap of litter in the middle. When we open the door of the kennel, she comes right over for love, seeking it aggressively. She tires quickly, but that's not surprising since it's been ~48 hours since major surgery. When she gets tired, she goes back into the kennel and lies down until she's ready for more.

Everybody's support has been a great help to me and it's really nice to have good news to share with you and to have great people to share good news with. Oh boy, the grammer police will get me for that sentence. Oh well, thanks again all!!!!

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: campfire
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 10:11 PM

Hi, jeffp, I just got to this thread. Best wishes for Bibi's recovery.

My former boss (a veterinarian) used to say that if you keep all the parts of a cat in the same room, they'll heal :)

One of my own cats, Bones, is named that because he was found on the road with both hind legs broken, the left one in two places. Being a stray, most vets would have put him down, but there was something about him...

After three months in a more-or-less body cast, he had to learn to walk again, and had a bit of a funny gait for about a year after I brought him home. Now, you'd never know, even though the X-rays show that the double-broken leg is definitely crooked - or the bone is, anyway. He's probably about 8 years old, and jumps my 6-foot stockade fence from a sitting position, barely touching the top with his paws for a boost on the way over.

A while ago I was at the dog park, and saw two beautiful Viszlas running and playing, chasing each other all over. I started talking to their owner, and she called them over for me to meet them. It wasn't until one of them jumped up on me that I realized she only had one front leg!

Keep loving that kitty, and she'll amaze you.

campfire

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 10:26 PM

Jeff, I'm sorry I'm late here, but I am so glad all is well with Bibi. We have a houseful here......6 cats including a wacky Cornish Rex, a lovable, stupid, couch potato of a Weimaraner, fish, cockatiel (who bosses the cats), and our latest....an Eastern Box Turtle for Mikey's birthday.....................I know what you went through, but the suckers are resilient things and I think you'll be enjoying Bibi for years to come!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: campfire
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 10:32 PM

'Spaw, why didn't you say you wanted a turtle? I've got turtles to spare! (Haven't figured out a way to e-mail one yet, though)

campfire

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Helen
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 12:33 AM

campfire,

If you snail-mailed it we'd have to rename it "turtle mailing". The disruption to global Internet culture would be enormous while everyone got used to the new buzzword.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: campfire
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 12:43 AM

Well, the speed would be about the same!

Although there is the old joke - What did the snail say while riding on the turtles back?

"Wheeeee!"

campfire

Subject: RE: BS: Quietly going nuts
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 02:58 AM

Aw, poor thing. Glad she's doing well...

Nothing like a leg, but my cat Eddie had to be completely castrated years ago (life-threatening deformity, ugh), and he got over it. It was hard to keep him from licking and chewing the stitches, but now he's great. I'd rather lose a leg, myself...

Hope Bibi continues to improve:)

---Lepus Rex