I certainly agree with that - no guilt! The kitty needs help and
wasn't getting it. He's lucky to find you.
Gloria
On Oct 9, 2007, at 5:14 PM, Pat Kachur wrote:
As far as the "feeling guilty" is concerned--anyone who lets their
cat get into that condition doesn't deserve to have an animal of
any type.
----- Original Message -----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2007 11:31 AM
Subject: Whitey
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For those of you without the history, Whitey came to me about six
months ago relatively permanently. She showed up and just sort of
stayed. When she came, she was boney (You could feel its ribs) and
her long white fur was literally in huge mats all over her body.
After months of feeding and brushing, I got her fur cleaned up and
she put on a few pounds. Last night I went to feed her and found
her so disoriented she couldn't even stand up, so Jeff took her to
the vet this morning, and this is where the story picks up...
Ok, guys. Jeff just got back from the vet with Whitey. Here's
what we learned.
(Pictures Attached.)
"She" is a "He" LOL
He is about 10-12 years old.
He has not been neutered. :(
He has a severe inner-ear infection.
He has a grade 3 heart murmur
He has advanced/severe gingivitis. Needs several teeth pulled.
FeLV/FIV NEGATIVE. (Thank God for something!)
He also has hyperthyroidism. They found a benign tumor on his
thyroid.
We're starting with oral antibiotics to get the ear infection
cleaned up. They drew blood for a thyroid and kidney check, as
well as a fecal sample. Doc wants to get the ear infection
cleared up before we start with thyroid medicine and such to make
sure its not the infection causing all those other problems. He
also wanted to wait on vaccines until we get everything else
cleared up. They cleaned his ears and clipped his nails today.
He's going back for vaccines/teeth pulling when we get the
infection cleared up.
Now here's the dilemma. First of all, I'm starting to feel bad
about "taking" someone else's cat. He just wandered to the house
and sorta stayed, but he does go "home" from time to time for a few
hours, but is always at teh house at night and in the morning for
food. I *think* I know who he belongs to, but I'm not certain.
The vet says he must stay indoors (at least for now) due to the
severe infection and his imbalance, otherwise they said he couldn't
run from cats/dogs or cars, he's very much at risk right now, so
he's going in my Sun Room, which I suppose will become the "kitty
suite." What do you guys think? I don't think I should feel bad
for taking him, for the simple fact that if someone is so
irresponsible a pet owner that they'd let him get in that shape, do
they really care or deserve to own an animal? I really do think
its in HIS best interest that he stays with me, but again, he
doesn't technically "belong" to me, so its a dilemma. What do you
guys think?
Another issue I'm having is his FeLV negative status. With two
positives in the house, what do I do? For now he's going to be
isolated in the sunroom where he's safe, but if I keep him long
term, should I let him back outdoors? I just don't know what to
do. I really don't feel good about mixing him with the positives
and exposing him to FeLV. My other negative had already been
exposed before I knew. But this is a totally different situation.
I could keep him isolated til he's better, then let him back out,
that's one option. Another option is mixing :( I really can't see
leaving him in the sunroom the rest of his life, that just wouldn't
be fair. I'd appreciate input/opinions, guys.
Michael
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