Postings by Merlin >PAWS< [In Loving's Family

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Mordred,PAWS No Not-Moms!!!!     Purred: Fri Apr 12, '13 3:30pm PST  Mordred just had his dental cleaning. It's of supreme importance because teeth that are uncared for can lead to heart problems, just as with humans. I once met a couple who were waiting with their cat to see the cardiologist because the cat's teeth had not been taken care of. Bloodwork should always be done, to be certain that the cat can tolerate anesthesia. Only by anethestizing the cat can the vet thoroughly examine each tooth; in Mordred's case, the doctor found that Mordred has calcium absorption lesions - his body is reabsorbing the calcium in his teeth. If left untreated, this is extremely painful, as the nerve eventually is expsosed. The only treatment is to extract the teeth; Mordred lost 4 of his. He'll need to be check every 6 months to watch for further lesions. I post this just to stress the importance of dental cleaning for cats. The entire bill was for $422, which included the four extractions. Good luck! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Mordred,PAWS No Not-Moms!!!!     Purred: Mon Apr 8, '13 7:47am PST  Goodness, all this time and no responses. I've never had to look into this, so I can't help personally. I do know there's a door-to-door company that transports pets, but I can't remember the name. Try googling "pet transport." Also, you can ask at your vet's office. Good luck! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Cat Health > Skinny Cat

Althea, PAWS The Special,- Precious, Petite- PrinCESS     Purred: Mon Apr 8, '13 7:37am PST  Quite possibly, it's genetics at work. I take it that she's been examined by a vet and found to be healthy - blood tests and all. Not all cats are created to weigh the "average" 8 to 12 pounds. My Kalli was long and lithe; had access to all the food she wanted - and barely made it up to 7 pounds at her heaviest; she had no reserves. Yet she lived (on grocery store food because that's all there was back then) to be almost 20. If Eva isn't continually losing weight, if your vet is not worried, I wouldn't be worrying about it. It just might be that she's genetically programmed to be small. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Cat Health > Pregnant....

Althea, PAWS The Special,- Precious, Petite- PrinCESS     Purred: Thu Apr 4, '13 9:43am PST  Daisy, thank the Creator that you were rescued by a caring human. She and the doctor will make sure that you deliver your precious kits safely, and that you are kept healthy. Please keep us posted on your progress! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Cat Health > Chronic Renal Failure

Merlin- >PAWS<- [In Loving 713682     Purred: Thu Apr 4, '13 9:39am PST  Been there with CRD, but it was many years ago, and I know things have evolved since then. The sub-q fluids are scary to think about, but they're really easy to give once your vet or vet tech shows you how, so don't be scared of them. I will give you these tips for when you do start with sub-q's: First, warm the bag before giving the fluid; imagine a cold fluid going in under your skin, and you can understand the wisdom of this. I used to keep Merlin's bad on a heating pad set to Low and covered with a small hand towel. Secondly, do NOT use one of your cat's favorite places to inject the fluid; otherwise, in short order, it will no longer be a favorite place and you will have denied him a pleasure. I used to put Merlin on a table under the window, and then hang the bag from the curtain rod - and I'd read poetry to him while the fluid was going in. The food situation has probably improved since 2001, but my vet's advice was to "feed him what he'll eat." Pointless to save the cat's kidneys if he's being malnourished in the process. Unfortunately, this condition cannot be cured, only managed; how long it can be managed varies. Personally, I think genetics has as much to do with it as anything. I have a friend whose cat lived an addtional two years after diagnosis, so it is possible. I wish you the very best of luck, for I know the pain and the fear involved. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Mordred,PAWS No Not-Moms!!!!     Purred: Sun Mar 31, '13 11:35am PST  I was adopted by Mom from a vet in June 2001. For nine years, that vet took care of me, but Mom wanted a second opinion about my teeth, so she took me to another vet. This second vet told Mom that he detected a heart murmur! When Mom asked how bad, he told her it was a 4 on a scale of 6! How had the first vet missed THAT??? (I switched vets because of this.) The new vet took an x-ray and found no evidence of heart disease, but Mom insisted on a visit to a cardiologist for an ultrasound. That was pretty scary for me 'cause I'm so timid, but Mom was with me the whole time. The cardiologist found no evidence of heart disease either! He did ask Mom to bring me back in two years - July 2010 - which she did. Again, the echocardiogram showed no changes, no sign of any disease, and I have been cleared for any anesthesia which may be necessary in the future. The cardiologist told Mom that he didn't want to see me "until he's 25 years old and has old-cat heart disease." Since the first vet missed the heart murmur, there's no way of knowing how long I've had it, but it goes to show that a heart murmur does not necessarily mean heart disease! For sure, it might - but it might not, too. Pray for the best outcome. The echocardiogram IS expensive; my bill for the one last July was $525 in the Baltimore, MD, area. The cost probably varies by region, but that will give yu an idea; from our experience, your vet gave you a good estimate. This is why it's a good idea to have medical insurance. Please keep us posted on what you find out. The only other thing I can tell you is that the cardiologist mentioned that drinking a lot of water can be a sign; also, he wanted me to lose some of my 18 pounds. Mom's tried that - it doesn't work! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Cat Health > Constipated Kitty - help!

Merlin- >PAWS<- [In Loving 713682     Purred: Sat Mar 23, '13 1:49pm PST  I don't know if this will help, but when Merlin had CRF and became constipated while we were away from home, I bought baby suppositories and inserted one. It did seem to help - and might be worth a try over the weekend. Best of luck! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Cat Health > Dental Cleaning questions

Mordred,PAWS No Not-Moms!!!!     Purred: Fri Mar 15, '13 4:14pm PST  My vet and I had this discussion just this morning. Mordred is 12, and his doctor said his teeth are pretty dirty, so I'll call and make an appointment soon to have them cleaned. Be aware that a reputable doctor will do bloodwork to ensure that the cat can tolerate anesthesia. There's another aspect to good dental care for cats (and dogs, even humans) - poor dental health can lead to heart problems, and then you've got really serious problems! I was once chatting with some people in a speciasts' practice who had their cat to see a cardiologist because of bad teeth, so dental health is not something you want to neglect. Mordred's teeth were cleaned a few years ago at another practice; I can't remember exactly how much it was, but it was no where near $500, and he was even intubated (the best way to admister anesthesia, I'm told). Do check around, but don't neglect Goo's teeth; it may cost you much more later on. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Cat Health > Annual Vet Check-up and vaccines

Morganna Mighty Huntress     Purred: Fri Mar 15, '13 4:08pm PST  I'd be changing vets; cats should NEVER be given the 3-year rabies vaccine! I know whereof I speak, having had Morganna develop cancer from that vaccine. It's fine for dogs, but not for cats. The lethargy and lack of appetite can well be from the injections. Mordred had his today (Friday), and he didn't come for his supper. Give it a day or two; remember, putting all that into their systems can be a bit traumatic. If he's not better, then better check with the vet. Good luck! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

Little Boy- Blue PAWS The Blue Dude     Purred: Thu Mar 14, '13 9:11am PST  Tigger, you make a good point about vets explaining the procedure; unfortunately, arrogant people aren't listening. When I asked my DIL's mother if she knew what "declawing" entails, she nodded her head and said, "Yes, the vet explained it." Personally, I think a truly ethical vet would refuse to do routine declawings, but they must think more of their bottom line than they do of the cats' health and comfort. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become friends [notify]

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