Kermit update
Some of the lab tests are back for Kermit and it seems she has a kidney infection instead of a bladder infection, and the medications I'm giving her - 3 shots a day and a dab of transdermal gel in the ear - are not the kind that can kill the bacteria. Kermit won't eat and hides when she sees me coming, and I have to keep giving her medicine that's not really working while the vet tries to find something else that might. What will I do without Kermit.
posted by crystal | 7:05 PM
12 Comments:
Oh Crystal, I am so sorry, both for you and for Kermit. I shall be praying for both of you.
But why, if the shots are not doing any good, are you continuing to give them to her? Perhaps it is time to simply enjoy her company while the vet thinks. Then if he finds something you can go back to medicating her. That seems to be only good sense, but there may well be something that I am missing.
About two years before Kiki developed cancer, a young cat crawled out from under an RV and literaly wrapped herself around my ankle. I am not sure that our keeping Amber ever fully gained Kiki's approval, but it did console us and actually gave Kiki company at times.
Than about 9 months ago I was wondering through Pet Smart and met our tomcat, Oliver. Her was comatose from medication for kennel cough, but at least they hadn't put him to sleep. The next day I picked him up and he sneezed his way into our hearts over the next week or so. Amber was not happy having to share the RV with him, but now that we are in a house she actually seems to mother him and is busy teaching him how to hunt mice.
I guess it is difficult to find a free cat now days. Out here the "adoption" fee runs $85 to $95 but it does include shots, fixing, and a couple of weeks vet care. If you find one that gets its claws into your heart and you can afford the fee, let me know and I think that I might be able to solve that problem. You do have my email address don't you?
Hugs,
Mike L
I'm sorry Crystal. There really ought to be some sort of anti-biotics though that should work with a kidney infection. I'm with Mike though in wondering why you have to keepo giving her the meds that definately will not work. Is this something the vet has told you to do? Also, with the infection set in I'm not surprised Kermit isn't eating. With the kidneys though I would worry more about making sure he gets plenty of water.
Maybe its something to do with cats but I would ahve thought that some sort of Sulfer based medication would be appropriate for somethign like that?
Of course this is all just the vetrinary medical dreamings of someone who cares for the souls of humans. What I know about feline biology you could put in a thimble.
I can give you and Kermit Prayers though. And will do!
Peace and God Bless
Cura
Crystal, I am so sorry.:-(...
Crystal, my prayers are with you guys as well.
Mike,
thanks for the kind offer. I don't think I do have your email address, but hopefully Kermit will still be around for a while and I won't need another buddy.
The vet said that even though the medicine showed up on the culture as not killing the bacteria, it still helps a little bit because it ends up in the urine(?) and is better than nothing.
We spent today there at the vet's and she was able to find another antibiotic. It won't be available until Wednesday because of the long weekend, but then we can start using that (3 pills a day) and stop the shots - whew!
Your cats sound very lucky to have found you :-)
Cura,
Yeah, the vet wants me to keep giving the meds until we get the new one on Wednesday. I can't remember what it's called, but it's expensive - about $3 a pill, but the vet is kind enough to buy the bottle of 100 pills and just make me pay for the ones I need.
Kermit at least doesn get a regular amount of water because every day we give her 75 mils of lactated ringers subQ for an already existing kidney problem. Kermit the feline pin-cushion :-)
Thanks for the prayers!
Paula and Liam - thanks you guys! Your prayers are greatly appreciated.
Oops - I made it sound worse than it is ... she'll only get one pill a day, cut into three pieces.
Hi Crystal,
Keep us posted, poor Kermit sounds like he is really getting stuck :)
The offer remains open, and my email is: gonesailing@mindspring.com.
We could end up with four cats. We visited a friend that is moving and she has two six week old kittens that she has not been able to find a home for. She says she thinks that the people that will be renting her house will allow them to hang around, but I really hate to see that happen, so they may end up with us. This really isn't as bad as it sounds, out here cats are not generally considered pets but working animals to keep mice down, so they would be watched after to some extent. My wife is not sure that even with a king sized bed that there would be enough room for us and four cats.
Personally I think it would liven the place up considerably, but might make enemies of Amber and Oliver. Susannah (my wife) actually said that if you wanted them we could take them as far as Nevada if you could find someone to meet us there. I think you have made a friend without ever talking to her.
Hugs,
Mike L
Thanks for the offer Mike, very kind of you and Susannah, but it's going to be a while before I feel like taking on a new pet, I think.
I did have four cats, originally. Kermit's mother, Grendel, was a stray cat who got into the garage and had three kittens in an empty box ... Data, Spot, and Kermit. Grendel and Spot dies in 2005, Data just last year. Kermit's 17 now. They were indoor cats - you should see all the cat furniture here :-)
Hi Crystal,
Kermit really is an old friend then, about the same age as Kiki was. They certainly do manage to get their claws into our hearts. Kiki spent 5 years with us aboard our boat, and put 5,000 to 10,000 miles cruising with us.
I was having her kidneys checked when they found the lump. After talking it over with the vet we decided that the best for all of us was to love her until she stopped eating, then quickly put her to sleep before she starting hurting. My only regret is that we could not move onto our property and let her wonder before she died. On the other hand she seemed pretty loath to leave the RV, so maybe it didn't matter. One of these days I will have to spread her ashes under the oak trees.
Susannah is slowly thinking maybe we should take the two kittens. We do have 6 1/2 acres here, and even Amber at a mouse or two a day can't patrol it all. The problem would be bed space :). Our cats are house cats at night, and their choice during the day except when carrying mice, then they are outdoor cats.
Hope your Memorial day is full of pleasant memories.
Hugs,
Mike L
Thanks Mike :-)
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