Prayers, please . . . Muskrat is doing poorly

[AvaJoy]

Muskrat has not been feeling well and has not been eating for several days. I took her to the Vet prepared to send her to RB since she is FeLV+ and I felt the signs were similar to when Meeshe (also FeLV+) was asking to humanely depart, to which I obliged.

However, the vet did not feel Muskrat was presenting with terminal symptoms, and since she was running a fever the vet felt she may only have an infection and prescribed antibiotics. Having a fever could explain why she does not want to eat. She was also given subq fluids and antibiotic. She said Muskrat should improve within 24-48 hours, but it has been longer than that and she still will not eat. I try to put a bit of her wet food, baby food and water to her mouth so she will lick it off and get a tiny bit of nourishment, but I know it is not enough to sustain her for much longer, unless she decides to really consume food on her own. She is rail thin, yet somehow has the strength to emerge from her bed to sit on my lap, and surprisingly to urinate in her litter box which makes me think she must be drinking some water, but not much as I don't see her water bowl level any lower.

Of all the cats I trapped and did TNR for, she was the first and only true feral that I tamed. About four years ago when I trapped her I nursed her through an abcess and bone infection due to a broken leg that did not heal properly. She almost lost her leg but finally she recovered from that. She has always walked with a bowed back leg because the vet did not want to re-set it as it was not painful to her even though it healed improperly. Muskrat trusts me and I want to do right by her. When I took her to my Vet a few days ago I was fully prepared and had come to terms with her probable demise, so I was gratefully surprised that her fever indicated that she may only have an infection that the drugs could cure. But now, I'm not sure how I feel; my hopes are a bit dashed. I only wish Muskrat could tell me herself if she wants to fight another fight and get better like she did before, or is ready to join Meeshe at the RB. :( I asked her to tell me in my dreams, because sometimes I remember what I dream. I will be calling my vet tomorrow to inform her that this medicine is not improving her condition.

I guess I am just reaching out for prayerful folks to kindly remember her when praying, and others to keep her in your "wishing well" thoughts if so inclined. Thanks so much.

[rg_girlca]

Dear Muskrat, you will definitely be in my prayers tonight. My goodness you have had such a rough life haven't you sweetie. Thank goodness you are with someone who loves you so very much.

I'm so sorry AvaJoy that Muskrat isn't doing too well. Look into her eyes, she will tell you if she is ready to go onto the RB to be with Meeshe.

((((((HUGS)))))) for you as I know this is not an easy time for you.

[BC_MoM]

Muskrat will be in my thoughts and prayers. I really hope it is just the fever spoiling her appetite and that she pulls through A-OK!

[AbbyMom]

Prayers and good thoughts on the way for Muskrat.

[Catty1]

Prayers for little Muskrat...

Come on, baby, eat something for your meowmie, she is so worried and loves you!


Avajoy, some people here have tried a bit of really stinky food, like tuna, to wake up their cat's nose and stimulate appetite. Maybe try that? Or a bit of canned salmon(watch the bones)?

HUGS!

[jenluckenbach]

I am so sorry that Muskrat is doing poorly. :( It is a very hard thing not knowing the right thing to do. But I am certain that you will do only what is in her best interest. Even if that means you must say good bye.

PRAYERS for dear Muskrat.

[Barbara]

Sending all my best thoughts to you and Muskrat- I hope she still has a happy time with you before the big journey starts...

[Cataholic]

Prayers for Muskrat on the way.

[Logan]

I will definitely keep you and Muskrat in my prayers, Avajoy. It is so hard to know what to do, but if your vet felt a bit encouraged, then I definitely would have done what you did and given her a chance to improve.

Keep us posted on her, please. We will be thinking of you.

Logan

[momtomany]

Prayers and Hugs to both you and Muskrat at this time. Muskrat is fortunate to be loved so well by his meowmie......you will know what it right.

[Miss Z]

I'll be thinking of Muskrat, and I know that you'll do whatever's best for her. I hope she pulls through, keep us posted if you can.

[kb2yjx]

Prayers for Muskrat and YOU!! Have you tried chicken baby food? That is the bribe food that usually get the sickest cat to eat. I used that alot with Ralph.

[kimlovescats]

I said a prayer that God would show you what is the right decision to make for dear Muskrat!

Hugs,
Kim

[AvaJoy]

Muskrat and I are thankful for all the prayers and good wishes for her well-being. :)

I took her back to vet today, because facing another day of her not eating was just intolerable to me. The vet took blood and urine to send out for analysis, and tomorrow the results should be back from the lab. The vet also gave me special food to tempt her, and appetite stimulant pills which I am to start administering tomorrow. She had to be sedated to obtain the blood/urine samples, so she can only have water tonight. Her fever is gone, but I am to continue the antibiotics unless the lab results indicate otherwise.

She is such a trooper, and I am so proud of her. :)

While she was sedated I thought vet would do an xray just to rule out any GI tract obstruction, but vet will consider that later depending on the lab results. Her gum color has lightened, so anemia could also be setting in. As she explained, FeLV+ cat's symptoms can be on-again, off-again. She also stated the kidney problems can make a cat feel nauseous and lose appetite.

Tonight Muskrat is still kind of wobbly due to the anesthesia wearing off, but seems pretty good considering everything. I hope tomorrow she will want to eat and try to get through this O.K. I wasn't supposed to offer her anything to eat, but I did put a bit of wet food on my fingertip and she licked it off, so hopefully that is a good sign! ;) She also drank some water.

Muskrat is not out of the woods yet, but a major THANK YOU to everyone for your much appreciated, kind concern.

[jenluckenbach]

It IS very hard to know they aren't eating. :( Glad you took her in for tests.

Hope the results can give some positive hope.

[Catty1]

Hee hee...being a cat, she WOULD take some food from your fingers cause the doctor said not to!

Hopefully, she will regain some appetite!

Hug that little gal for me.

How old is she? Any pictures of her?

Healing prayers continue for Muskrat!

(Do you ever call her nicknames? Like "Mussie"?)

[AvaJoy]

Muskrat is in my Avatar, but it is not a very good shot. Here is an old picture of her, back when she was caged and still a wild-child. She still has plenty of Tortie-tude and is scared of all people except my husband and I. Needless to say, that trait makes her extremely uncooperative at the vet.

As for nicknames, I call her my little Reeses Peanut Butter Cupcake as her coat looks like a combination of dark chocolate and peanut butter. I also tell her she has caramel, praline, butterscotch and toffee all mixed in . . . such a yummy and sweet little confection of a girl. She used to always fluff her skinny tail out when I petted and talked baby talk like that to her . . . so cute.http://home.earthlink.net/~jemdoll/muskham1.JPG

[Barbara]

I always would offer some food. Hand feeding does the trick sometimes- they just love the extra attention.

Filou who has kidney failure most of the time eats well- but when he doesn't it's the most yummy food and it is hand feeding. ;)

Filou sends headbumpies to Muskrat.

[Sonia59]

We are sending our best thought to you and Muskrat. I hope she eats better and that the results will be good.

[Logan]

I have been thinking about the two of you and wondering how she was. Thank you for the update. Hope today is a good day! :)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent Muskrat's way. She sure is a cutie pie and I hope she'll start eating on her own very soon. Please take care.

[kb2yjx]

Muskrat is a real tortie beauty!!! Continued prayers...

[columbine]

The Petco near me has bonito flakes in their Treats section - BOY do they smell! And they were the bridge from "don't put that canned food in front of me, it's got icky medicine in it, I just know it" to "Hmmmm, maybe I'll try this stuff after all" for my Smudge. Try adding bonito flakes to Muskrat's favorite mushy stuff - they're apparently irresistible...

[zoey]

Muskrat is in my prayers....

[AvaJoy]

I am sorry to report that Muskrat went to Rainbow Bridge yesterday. :(

I had a long talk with vet about her prognosis. Since she had gone almost 2 weeks without eating anything substantial (except for licking (against her will; merely instinctively) what I was touching to her lips, and water), and her blood work showed her to be quite anemic, her weakened state at this point would not make a recovery possible, even if she did miraculously begin to eat on her own accord. I was giving her appetite stimulant pills prescribed by vet but they were not working. When I decided to take her to vet for the last time, vet could tell by the color of her inner ears that she was showing slight jaundice which meant she was now going through the critical fatty liver issue that befalls cats when they go so long without eating. Vet reassured me that I was making the right decision in the best interests of my darling, brave little Muskrat. She also said how FeLV is a "sneaky" disease, and it can remain dormant, so to speak, for many years before suddenly taking hold of an infected cat's health and rendering the kitty terminally ill. I went through this with my FeLV+ Meeshe, but was hoping that Muskrat was maybe not in such dire straits, and could rebound. Sadly, that was not to be the case.

Thanks to all of you who kept her in your thoughts and prayers. I so appreciate your posts and words of support; whenever one of my "children" is in crisis, Pet Talk friends are where I turn. Thank you so very much. I am extremely grateful for your kindness.

I hope that Muskrat has met up with her big brother Meeshe at RB, and he is once again looking out for her welfare.

I will post a tribute to her in Cat Memorial when I can formulate my thoughts a little better . . . right now, I just need to grieve and put flowers on her grave.

[Miss Z]

Oh Avajoy, I am truly sorry. The pain is horrible when you lose your feline friend. It was her time, and you did everything you could. Once again, my deepest sympathies :(

[jazzcat]

I'm so very sorry to hear about Muskrat.

Rest in Peace sweet one.

[Catty1]

Avajoy....your Muskrat knew she was loved, and I don't doubt Meeshe is looking after her.

{{{{hugs}}}} to you...you did the right thing.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear about Muskrat's passing.:( You did the right thing and now she's painfree and not suffering any more. RIP sweet Muskrat.:(

[jenluckenbach]

I am SO sorry. :(

RIP Muskrat. You were loved and shall be missed.