Hi Everyone, You wouldn't believe the primitive way I've had to access email for the last week+.....yikes! Lost mail, filled mailbox, on and on...
I know I missed a lot, but have been trying to keep up with what Sherry and Mickey are going through. I'm so glad you found us, Sherry, and it's wonderful that Mickey has had a good response to the chest tap. I will be holding you both close in my thoughts and prayers! I think Pam mentioned Essaic tea, and I've not used it, but have done a good amount of reading about it and think it could surely benefit Mickey. Here is a website that you might find useful: http://motherearthherbs.com/supp.html It mentions other products that can be used in combination with the tea, such as Pau D'arco, Cat's Claw, CoQ10. I hope it will help! I think it's wonderful that you are helping him to fight and not just PTS; he's a lucky boy to have a Mom like you! I spoke with a surgeon familiar with Luna's situation last week and he indicated to me that in his experience, trying to widen the pelvic area by re-breaking and inserting a plate or a piece of rib does not work as well for cats as for dogs (which is why I wanted somebody who had DONE cats!). He feels, and I agree (as do Luna's regular vets) that her primary problem right now is severe megacolon. She has a sub-total colectomy scheduled for next Friday, he will come to my regular vet's office and use his operating room, so she will be close by and have people she knows around her. This may resolve the situation permanently since some cats don't ever regain a fully firm stool; initially (for up to 6mos to 1 year, I understand) they are likely to have a diarrhea-like stool; over time, some cats have the stool get firmer, but Dr. Pond indicates that in his experience it stays soft enough (without additional medication) that it can pass through the narrowed pelvic opening. He's British (Pam, it's superficial but I can't help it; I just find that accent and attitude so re-assuring! Very understated and confident, as if he might say, 'why, yes, it's quite standard to decapitate and then re-attach the head....I'd think 'OK'!) and has many years of experience and an excellent reputation, so I feel she is in good hands, but I am still nervous. We continue on the lactulose, mineral oil, enema, etc. regimen until next week. There is the possibility that down the line, the only other option would be to try and re-break the pelvis, but I'll think about that tomorrow, Scarlett! Paulie will be going to a veterinary opthamologist on the Monday following Luna's surgery (I'll be robbing a bank in the intervening two days) because his corneal ulcer has still not healed. He may have surgery and be fitted for a contact lens that he would wear temporarily post-operatively! Really! Big hugs and headbutts for everybody! Julie
