Posted on 07/09/2012 2:12:10 PM PDT by NoGrayZone
Long story short. My cat Mimi (she is actually a he), thought he was a girl when they lived in my backyard for almost a year, is going in for major surgery tomorrow.
I was vetless at the time I decided to bring her in. I took her to an holistic vet, to be sure she was fixed and didn't have anything she could spread to my 2 other kitties (now down to 1) and an over all healthcare check up.
I told the vet about her consistent cough and he said "sometimes cats just cough". I believed it, due to her 40,00 layers of down onto of her 4000 layers of fur.
Anywho, he wanted to do about $3500 worth of "vitamin" testing. I of course balked and asked them to just do testing for anything she could give my other 2 and go a general health check.
She came back negative for anything that could be spread to my 2 others, and that was that.
Mimi continued to cough. I've had her for almost 3 years now and noticed her cough was getting worse. Still vetless, I didn't take her to a vet. Soon before I found my new wonderful vet, I noticed she started panting after one of her fits.
I decided to bring her to this recommended vet. He's about 1 1/2 hours away, on the North Fork, but SOOO worth it.
I told him about the cough and he immediately imitated her cough to a tee. She was diagnosed w/ chronic asthma. I felt so guilty, knowing I allowed her suffering for so long.
He said an x-ray had to be done to be sure her lungs were clear, no fluid build up.
Well, there was no fluid build up, and they also took blood. I/we knew nothing about Mimi, nor her past. The x-ray revealed a mass in her chest. Of course the 1st thing you think of is cancer.
I took her back for a biopsy. With the biopsy results and blood work, it revealed a very high level of liver enzymes. The highest it should be is 103. Hers was 216.
The biopsy revealed not a cancerous mass but a diaphramic hernia......in which the diaphram was opened and her liver eventually moved into her chest.
I asked him what on earth would cause such a thing. He said he usually sees it with animals who have been hit by a car. I told him Mimi was an indoor cat (anyone who has tried to wrangle an indoor/outdoor cat to be strictly indoors know what I'm talking about).
He said she could have been stepped on. My first reaction, since this poor kitty was dumped, it was more likey she was kicked.
Anyway, the rest of her blood work came back fine.
Her surgery is tomorrow morning. If she didn't have the chronic asthma, I would not be so worried. Going under is risky in itself. Add chronic asthma, and well, you can hopefully understand why I am so worried.
I would love, if anyone, even one person, could include Mimi in their prayers tonight. She is a sweetie and Lord only knows what she has been through before I became her mommy.
I thank you for any support and any prayers to be given to her.
I just called the vet and she is doing well! I told him they were going to hate me before the week was over with my incessant calling and he just laughed and said, no no, it's not a problem!
Lol. So happy your kitties surgery went well! Blessings all around!!
All 3, now down to 2, of my cats were/are neurotic. Once all is said and done w/ Mimi, I want to bring Crazy Mary in for a check up.
I did tell the vet that I would need a sedative in order to get her there. Last time I took her to the vet, they were more concerned about me than her. I was all bloodied, lol.
My now gone Kitty’s neurosis didn’t subside until she was in her elder years. And Mary, well, she’s still crazy, lol.
Mimi gets a pass because Lord only knows what she went through before she walked into my back yard. I think she’s about 10 years old.
Oh please. I go back and forth between he/she, him/her, lol!!! And when Crazy Mary and Mimi are rough housing I always yell “girls, stop it”!
Those sad little mews is why I cannot visit. I know she’s in good hands, so I’ll just call for updates.
Not only was he mean, but he said because of threads like mine is why he does NOT donate to FR.
That is the only reason I pinged JR to the thread. Not only was he mean, but a freeloading moocher!
If I came to Texas, I’d probably stay!!
That’s a heartbreaker. So sorry to hear that you were in an impossible bind, and that you had to lose such a wonderful little companion. May you find another, healthier little sweetie to fill the void soon.
Hi Sarge! Good one. I’m sure that cats careth not for Mr. Mott’s-for-brains as well.
One of the hardest things I’ve had to do, short of euthanasia, is leave a crying cat at the vet’s. I know their voices, and I can tell who is pleading for me not to leave them. I cry every time, but what can you do when they need surgery or long-term observation?
Some of them pout when they get home. That’s when it’s time to get out the Kitty Hooch catnip mouse.
They are resilient little things, though. They’re usually right at home again very shortly.
Ugh, the heartbreak. That’s why I won’t visit. I do have my kitty hooch ready though!
True, they are little troopers. I just have to keep an eye on Crazy Mary. Anytime I brought Mimi home from the vet Crazy Mary would hiss @ her, lol.
Mary has issues. Don’t know if she’s autistic or just nuts, but she’s been the same since I had her @ 3 months of age. She’ll soon be 10. Quite a handful!
She may be crazy, but I bet you’re crazy about her.
I have a friend like that... ;-)
Lol, sometimes. Especially when she’s sleeping in that cute little curled up way.
Bat poo crazy friend as well....couldn’t live without her!
I am so happy for you and for Mimi! And am so glad you knew to leave her there with clothes you have worn with your scent on them. You are a wonderful cat mama and you and Mimi are blessed to have each other. The Vet has earned a beautiful jewel in his crown. Please give us updates. Prayers still being said.
You have to love that pouting....it’s payback time, LOL.
Leaving a cat at the vet’s is so painful. All they can see is that they’re being abandoned into strange hands and a strange place. I remember visiting my little fella while he was there; when I walked in, he saw me and started to YOWL. It just about killed me. There he was thinking I’d come to rescue him, but I had to turn around and leave him again until he was well. It’s been quite a while, but I’m actually tearing up recalling it.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers!!!! My vet is a gem. I called this morning for an update and got one. I also told them I didn’t need a call back.
My vet actually called me back. I saw the # and almost had a heart attack because I was NOT expecting a call back.
It was him, giving me an update himself. He said “she’s pretty afraid being here”. I told him that’s normal, she’s afraid here to, she’s just a fraidy cat!
She did eat some overnight, so that’s a very good sign!
Ouch! That one is a toughy.
Once when I had my Rocket in for tests, the vet put him in a cage to wait for a urine sample. He gave me what for, I’ll tell you what.
I said, “My Rocket is crying.” She said “How can you tell it’s Rocket?” I just stared at her and said, “Please get him out of that cage. He thinks I’m going to leave him here.” Out he came. She got her sample with a syringe.
At least he’s not a pouter. :)
LOL
Cats are smart. They know that a cage OR a cat carrier means bad news.
LOL
Cats are smart. They know that a cage OR a cat carrier means bad news.
Indeed. Cats and dogs are very smart, and they learn by observation and experience.
They’re smarter than leftists.
I certainly wouldn’t wait on leftists hand and foot, and then scoop their poop! Not in a million years, but my cats? Yes.

Meat's back on the menu boys!
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