Aw Barny, my arms just ache to hold you, little boy, but I guess Mom Lara will have to do it for me by proxy. You're looking better and better in every video and pic. (((HUGS)))) to you.
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Aw Barny, my arms just ache to hold you, little boy, but I guess Mom Lara will have to do it for me by proxy. You're looking better and better in every video and pic. (((HUGS)))) to you.
He definitely looks fluffier and his front paws are losing the staining. What a fine set of whiskers he has, gleaming in the sunlight. I love those beaten-up old boy cats!
Oh my goodness, look at him making those biscuits!! I love the dens you fixed for him, that's just perfect.
I just called his vet and donated a little for his next visit. It sounds like he has a fan club there, too! The little heart stealer!!:love::love:
Hugs,
Mary
Proud Member of the Barney Fan Club!!
I am so glad that Barney got to sit in front of the fire with you!!!! Will celebrate his progress on Thanksgiving, something to be very thankful for!!! YEA BARNEY!!!
LOL!Quote:
Originally Posted by Purr-tender
Thank you so much Mary. Glad to hear that they are fond of him at the clinic. It's hard to ignore his fighting spirit stuffed into such a tiny little body. lol
Robin (the vet) said to me at the last exam (this was after we learned he had gained a pound but before we knew he had cancer) "if I can turn this cat around, I can help ANY cat!". She was as happy as I was when we weighed him. It was great.
I'm going to be boarding him there for a few days while my husband and I visit his parents for our pre-Christmas visit. I didn't want to leave the insulin injections to our petsitter as that is a bit much to ask of someone. And I feel good about him being under veterinary care while we're gone. There will be more activity for him to watch then there would be in the shop so it will be good. My husband agreed to donate the cost of the boarding as a christmas present to me. It's actually a gift to both of us because he knows that if he wasn't at the vet, I'd worry the whole time and it would ruin the trip. lol
We'll just be gone for 4 days but it will feel like forever. I hate leaving my pets. :( Anyway, it's not for weeks yet.
Barney's diarrhea has completely cleared up and his poops look totally normal again so I'm so relieved. He has received 2 doses of the pred so far and he seems to be scratching less. So far so good!
I will be putting him on Immunocal instead of the Transfer Factor. Angela left me with a whole box of the stuff and it is a natural Whey Protein that has just received a patent and is used to boost the immune system and fight cancer. Angela gave it to him for a few weeks before he came to stay with me and his system seemed to agree with it. I probably should not have stopped giving it to him but at the time of his arrival, he was on so many different things I was concerned about overwhelming his system. But I think it's okay to give it now and will begin that tonight.
Angela emailed me from Salt Spring Island, where she is staying for a few months before returning to Ontario. She is coming to Quadra early next week and will be coming to visit Barney. I'm sure he will be so happy to see her. She said that she was depressed for the first week or so after she left Barney but it has gotten easier with time. She said she still really misses him. It's too bad that he can't be with her but her accomodation wont' allow it and to be honest, I've become too attached to him I think to let him go. :)
Pomtzu wrote:Yes, I will definitely get a picture of that. I would like to have it as a keepsake as well. Good idea! :)Quote:
That's great news - that Barney got to come in the house and sit by the fire with you. Have hubby take some pictures of that next time, and send them when you get whatever problem you're having with your computer straightened out. I'd love to see a shot of that, as I'm sure others would too! Bless you for all that you're doing for this sweet little guy! You're an angel on earth!
Lizzie wrote:That is very encouraging to hear about the prednisilone! I really hope it helps him and soon!Quote:
Isn't that a good feeling! Like Barney, my Diego has a condition that no-one can do anything about except to use drugs for as long as they will help. (By the way, Pred. really help to shrink a facial tumor that one of my fosters had, so hopefully they will help the one on Barney's head.) As Diego is cuddled warmly into my side, I picture him huddled down, wet, cold and fearful, in some city hiding place he has found, suffering through the pain of the bb-gun pellets in his body, and then the massive wound to his neck made by a racoon (probably over food), and I look down at him and think "At least I can give you this, warmth, safety, comfort, a full tum."
I'm so glad Diego has your love and care and warmth for however long he has left. I'm so sorry to hear of all the suffering he has gone through. I know what you mean though, when I'm feeling like what I'm providing isn't enough, I imagine Barney being tossed out on the porch by my coworker's partner (which is what would have happened had he not come to our house when Angela left) and I feel better. It's not the best situation for Barney but it is a thousand times better than the alternative. And you guys have all helped make that happen. :love:
Thanks for posting those pics for me Randi! :)
Have to go to work!
p.s. I'm having a friend fix my computer on Monday and he is going to back up all my files and pics and re-install Windows XP for me so I should be able to post Barney movies by Tuesday! :D
Hope everybody in the States had a happy Thanksgiving.
Barney's care package from Jenn arrived today!!! I've PM'd her but wanted to post about the wonderful parcel in his thread too. I will post the pictures tomorrow when I go to work that would normally go along with this post. So for now, try and imagine all the goodies. ;)
I opened the large box and inside was:
A soft, leopard print self heating pad, about 2.5 feet by 1.5 feet in size.
The CUTEST little sweatshirt made for a small dog with a hoodie. It is red and yes, I managed to stuff him in it but now he hates me. LOL!! I got a picture of him and he looks sooooo mad! I wasn't able to get his left arm through the arm hole but other than that, I got it on him. He really was attacking me wildly so I had to take a few pics and shut it down before he had a melt down.
A whole bunch of cat toys, including 3 'MOUSEBALLS'. They are these miniature tennis balls that have these furry tails.
A furry green cat nip frog that Jenn named Barney Frog!
A catnip mouse, a deluxe model unlike the cheapy ones I normally buy. lol
Some cat ring toys.
A whole pile of Temptation Natural Treats!
A can of Kookamonga Cat Nip Treats.
A couple bags of Pounce Treats.
Bones, bones and more bones for my two shepherds! Boy, are they going to go crazy for them tomorrow!! I will get a movie of them when I present them to the boys.
And a beautiful carved wooden sculpture of a girl with angel wings holding a cat. I told Jenn that when I opened it, I said to my husband "This looks like the sculpture your parents gave us as one of our wedding presents" and I went and got it and sure enough, it is made by the same company 'Willow'. So now I have a set! :)
And my husband's personal favourite, the chocolates. :D I'm ashamed to say, we've already eaten half the box. Yikes, but it had to be done. They were/are so good.
THank you so much Jenn. My own brother has never sent me so much stuff! LOL I'm going to tell him about it and maybe he'll get the hint for christmas. lol I always send him a parcel bursting with stuff and sometimes he remembers to send me a card!! He has ADD so I cut him some slack. ;) And to be fair, he does send stuff sporadically (every other christmas lol).
I've put Barney's warming pad in his bed and I think he's really going to like it.
I will post the pics tomorrow morning from work. Thank you so much. :love:
I'd better log off soon. I took a Benedryl because I'm having an allergy attack from visiting too much with Teenie and Tiny (I'm allergic to them but not to any of the other cats) and I sneezed about 60 times today. This Benedryl stuff is strong!! I'm starting to see double. lol
Here are a bunch of pics of the carepackage and Barney. At the very end there are a couple of pics of my cats Wallace and Grommies with the mouse ball. :)
Below the video is a picture of Wallace and he is NOT amused! LOL
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...h_827a0d8f.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...orepics020.jpg
So glad it finally got there!!
Oh the look on Barney's face with that sweatshirt on him, LOL!! Poor Barn-Barn.... I didn't send it to you to torture you, I swear!!
Hugs to Barney!!
That's just too cute! I love the expression on Barney's face: "Oh the humiliation one must endure". LOL
That is so wonderful! Barney looked so happy to be in that red hoodie ;-). What a cutie, That was the nicest care package ever Jenn!! You are quite the saint! Now barney has a whole bunch of treats and toys to make this little gy as happy as happy can be. :love::love::love:
Aww, presents for Barney. :) Isn't that red sweatshirt cute on him! I bet he'll soon get used to the heating pad - and love it!
Good thoughts for Barney and lots of kisses also. :love:
I am sure glad we cannot read Barney's mind as he sports his new jacket!!!
My computer is finally fixed. Turns out the majority of my problems were connected to my Norton antivirus and I just needed to un-install it and replace it with some other virus software that is less crippling for my computer! Out of nowhere it wasn't allowing me to upload pics or videos to photobucket or youtube and a few times it wouldn't let me attach a picture to a post, though I was able to finally do that the other day.
Triple thank yous are in order!! Thank you Kb2yjx and Mary(Medusa) and Mary (Purr_Tender). :) I received two cards with donations in the mail today and when I called the vet today to ask what they charge for a box of syringes the receptionist told me that a donation had been made. Thank you guys and thank you everybody for all of your help, now and in the past. Everyone has been so great and Barney is well set up for a good long time, or for however long he has. I feel very blessed that his care will not be expensive with the continued treatment of insulin and prednisilone and food. We are just about to open the bag of food that Momtomany donated a few weeks ago and that should last at least a month. I know there are some folks on here who are struggling with pets in need and Barney has already been so well looked after by his huge Pet Talk foster family and he is going to be safe and cozy and well fed until he lets me know it's his time to go. Thank you everyone for helping making this guy so comfortable. I will be sure to keep him that way for as long as I can (meaning as long as he is not suffering) and you have made that possible. He and I could not ask for more. :)
I've uploaded the video from his outdoor adventure last week and will post it below. He hasn't been out since because it has been raining every day. I have forgotten what the sun looks like. lol
Barney was motoring around pretty well I think. I'm planning to take him out a few times a week so he gets some exercise (weather permitting). And the best part of the video is that you can actually SEE HIM!! All my videos are so dark because I'm using a camera that doesn't have light for videos, just for pictures. But since he is outside you can really see him.
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...h_0403a04d.jpg
I've been bringing Barneybear into the house to sit by the fire a few evenings a week and he just loves it. I asked my husband to take a picture of us (as Pomtzu suggested ;)) and it is below.
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...k/IMG_4899.jpg
Here is a video of Barney in the workshop and the vcr set up for him with Frosty the Snowman playing.
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture007.jpg
We went to town today and stopped by the Salvation Army and found some great videos for Barney. They were super cheap (one was only .39 cents!!) and they are just perfect for him. One is about lizards, another is about baby birds and the other is about frogs and butterflies etc.. I'm sure the people shopping there thought we were strange! We were looking through the shelves of videos and we were each finding videos for him and shouting out "OMG, this one is perfect! A lizard video!!" LOL Thankfully I don't care what they think. :p
Here is a pic of some of the videos we got for him today.
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...cture004-2.jpg
Wow, video overload in this post but they got a bit backed up with the computer issues I was having.
Barney has another week or less of Baytril and he is still getting 5mg of Prednisilone twice a day. The insulin injections are going okay but he growls when I get him on my lap in preparation for the shot. He's been trying to bite me more now than ever, even when it's not shot time because he thinks I'm always trying to give him a shot, even though I'm mostly just trying to pet him. :( But, then I'll climb into his enclosure to sweep and clean his litter box and collect his dirty food dishes and he rubs up against my legs and when I sit down, he crawls into my lap and does head bonkies against me. If my hands move in any kind of 'suspicious' manner, he goes after me though. lol What a guy. Gotta love him.
My husband is growing fond of him and he goes into the shop multiple times a day to change videos for Barney (up until today, he was changing the videos from Frosty to Rudolph but thankfully there will now be a better variety) and he has climbed in there to clean his litterbox and give him fresh water and sometimes pets him on the head. I've never asked him to do any of this. I always thank him though and he says "well, how can you not want to help him, look at him?!?" lol He is a bit wary of Barney's biting though and when he pets him, it's just a few quick strokes on the head. The funny thing is, that I think he REALLY likes my husband, maybe even more than me!! (darn it!! lol). Whenever he opens the door and comes into the shop, Barney POPS UP and meows and goes right to the side of the enclosure where Scott is standing. He does do this with me but not with the same gusto he does with him. lol
Maybe the 'caregiver' (and I use that term lightly) in Barney's past was a male. In any case, I'm grateful that they have struck up a friendship because it is so much more comfortable for me to take care of Barney and have him in our lives when we are both on board with it.
Angela is coming over at 1:00 tomorrow to see Barney. :) I will take a few pics!
p.s. Jenn, the self heating pad is great and Barney is cozy as a bug in a rug. Thank you.
What an absolutely wonderful update! All things considered, Barney actually looks healthier except for his eyes, which reveal how sick he truly is. He sure does have a good life, though. Boo was sitting on my lap while I was viewing the video and he looked at me as if to say "Why don't we have one of those enclosures?" Barney looked like he enjoyed his little romp but I'm sure he's had enough of the outdoors considering that it's been so rough for him. I'm willing to bet that he likes his snuggle time by the fire w/you much better, Lara. I knew that Scott would come around, too. After all, Barney can tug at the heartstrings. You sure have made his last days, however long they are, cozy and secure and full of love. I'm proud to know you, girl. Gentle pets and (((HUGS))) to you and Scott. :love:
I've tried not to get too wrapped up in Barney's story, but it's a lost cause! It's great to see him filling out and looking more comfortable. Hey, Barn-Barn - keep eating lots of yummy food! I bet the shots won't bother you as much when you're a bit heavier!
Love, Columbine
I am sorry I dont post often, I really want to but I am so busy sometimes, I just say a prayer instead!
Anyways, Barney looks WONDERFUL! I LOVE his enclosure (wish I could get one for myself!) And he looks so comfy and sweet.
You made out like a bandit Barney! Look at all of those goodies.
Have you ever thought of buying him the video catnip vhs? I only have the dvds, but the tape is VERY cheap on ebay. Also, I have 2 music cds, made for cats. It really helps mine! One is called cat naps, the other I bought at Petsmart for 7 dollars.
My cats have 3 dvds.. 2 are video catnip and then some other one made for them. Bet he would like them!
Anyways, he is so lucky to have a devoted meowmie to care for him! And he could NOT be any cuter;)
Keep going strong Barney!;)
Thanks for the update and Videoes. I loved seeing Barney outside in the enclosure, he really seemed to enjoy that! :) And also being in your lap by the fireplace. :) I can't tell you how happy I am that he found you, and it's great to hear your husband is growing fond of him and wants to help, too.
LOL about the videoes you bought for Barney, he will surely enjoy some critters on the TV. :D
I hope it continues to go well with his shots and medicine!
Lots of kisses and gentle scritchies to Barney, and hugs to you! :love:
I'm sorry I can't contribute with more, but I have a horrendous dentist bill to pay soon.
I'm sitting here with Momma Lily on my lap reading and watching Barney videos with a huge smile on my face! Like Mary said he looks so good but you can see in his precious eyes how sick he really is. He is so very, very blessed to have such a wonderful, loving caregiver. How good he must feel when he is snuggled with you in front of the fire. Ahhhh!! The videos you picked up for him are so cool!! Are you sure they didn't have stickers on them that said "Hold For Barney"?! Wow, that enclosure is great. Is it for your house cats? I have been wanting to build something like that for my crew, especially after my Molly was killed a couple of months ago. I want them to be able to get fresh air and exercise. When I do let them out the first thing that they always do is starting grazing. I've had a couple of people that were suppose to give me a quote on building one attached to the cat cottage but I never heard back from them.:( I'll try again in the Spring to find someone.
I've had a trying morning, so your update and videos were just what I needed! Thank you.
Warm hugs,
Mary
Thanks Mary. :) I agree, he's got the eyes of an old man whose been through alot, physically and more. I hope I can have another few months with him but we'll just take it one day at a time. The right side of his head is swollen now more than before. It's kind of like his tumor (that the vet thought was the enlarged thyroid) which is on the right side has joined up with the tumor behind his ear and it is much more noticable now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Medusa
Columbine wrote:lol! Barney has that effect! I just don't get how he didn't win someone over all these years but I guess no one stopped long enough to give him a good look and get to know him.Quote:
I've tried not to get too wrapped up in Barney's story, but it's a lost cause! It's great to see him filling out and looking more comfortable. Hey, Barn-Barn - keep eating lots of yummy food! I bet the shots won't bother you as much when you're a bit heavier!
That is a good thought, if he manages to gain a bit more weight, the shots should be easier to administer. And as Mary (Medusa) wrote in an earlier post, the prednisilone should help with the weight gain as well. I will have the clinic weigh him when I bring him in to be boarded for a few days later this month and will let you guys know.
kt_luvs_kitties wrote:Prayers are so appreciated Katie, thank you for thinking about Barney. Prayers going out to your Andy too! :)Quote:
I am sorry I dont post often, I really want to but I am so busy sometimes, I just say a prayer instead!
I would like to get Barney one of those tapes and will keep my eye out for one but the VHS tapes are harder to find these days. And now that I've found the lizard and frog videos, I think they will entertain him pretty well. I know what you mean though, those cat videos are so great. I have a dvd one for my house cats called 'Kitty Goes Hunting and Kitty Goes Fishing' and it has hamsters and birds and fish and butterflies and some of my cats are quite interested in it. Others don't even notice it though, not sure why! :confused: lol I also have a bunch of other dvd's that I alternate for them including old tv shows (Beverly Hill Billies, Dick Van Dyke and Alice), these ones are always really cheap at the store. Right now they have the Yule Log video playing. It's just like they have a fireplace going in their playroom and you have the option of choosing the crackling sounds or you can select the music option which is quite peaceful.Quote:
Have you ever thought of buying him the video catnip vhs? I only have the dvds, but the tape is VERY cheap on ebay. Also, I have 2 music cds, made for cats. It really helps mine! One is called cat naps, the other I bought at Petsmart for 7 dollars.
I think the music cd's for Barney would have been a wonderful idea but unfortunately he is deaf so he wouldn't be able to hear it but I do hope the videos will entertain him a bit.
Randi wrote:Oh my gosh Randi, you have donated multiple times already! And thanks to you and everyone else, he is doing just fine and is well taken care of. Thank you so much. Prayers and good thoughts are all that Barney needs now. :love:Quote:
LOL about the videoes you bought for Barney, he will surely enjoy some critters on the TV.
I hope it continues to go well with his shots and medicine!
Lots of kisses and gentle scritchies to Barney, and hugs to you!
I'm sorry I can't contribute with more, but I have a horrendous dentist bill to pay soon.
I hope that you are able to tackle the dentist bill that is upcoming. I'm thinking of getting dental insurance for my husband. He has periodontal disease and just went to a specialist. He is due to go in for 2 cleanings one week apart in February and they will be 3 hours long each time at 150.00 an hour. I'm hoping to get the insurance lined up prior to the cleanings but I think there might be a 3 month wait before it kicks in. Do you have dental insurance in Denmark?
Purr_Tender wrote:LOL!! That is what I was thinking! :pQuote:
The videos you picked up for him are so cool!! Are you sure they didn't have stickers on them that said "Hold For Barney"?!
Yes, we built the enclosure a few years ago when we moved here. We built the dog 'yard' first and then decided to take a 1/4 of the dogs space and make it for the cats. A friend of my husband's helped us and we used fencing that has holes that are about 2 inch squares for the sides and chicken coop fencing for the top that we connected with wire (but if we build another one if we move, I think I would use fish netting or deer fencing on the top because when it rains, it gets a bit rusty. The deer netting would work just as well, if not better). We used 6 foot fence poles, the ones that look like giant pencils and dug holes about a foot and a half deep to put them in. Then when we were done, we walked around and looked for any potential escape spots and put rocks and pieces of drift wood to close them up. In the summer, we put a huge blue tarp across the top of one end so they have shade and we also put one of their really beat up cat trees in there which they like to sit on. The enclosure is about 70 feet long and about 20 feet wide but if we build another one in the future, I think I would like to make part of it tall enough for me to get in and stand up. It is hard on the back to carry them out there in their carriers and then bend over to get in there to let them out and then round them up. I would also make it closer to the house next time! LOL It is about a 100 feet from the house so it's kind of a pain to get them out there. I bought a dolly last year and I stack their carriers on that and wheel them out. It is hilarious and I'm sure my one neighbour who has a bit of a view of our place must wonder what the heck is going on!Quote:
Wow, that enclosure is great. Is it for your house cats? I have been wanting to build something like that for my crew, especially after my Molly was killed a couple of months ago. I want them to be able to get fresh air and exercise. When I do let them out the first thing that they always do is starting grazing. I've had a couple of people that were suppose to give me a quote on building one attached to the cat cottage but I never heard back from them. I'll try again in the Spring to find someone.
Here is a video of the enclosure in the summer. We let the grass grow a couple of feet tall inside because the cats like to race through it and hide and stuff. I do take the weed whacker in there once a month during the summer though and cut a path for them so they have some areas that are clear. It's really dismal right now and the cats don't go out much this time of year.
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...h_1a0da6ef.jpg
My heart sunk when you said the side of his head is more swollen. That doesn't sound good at all. Are his tumors cancerous or is his cancer in his lymph glands? Since he does have cancer I guess surgery to remove some of the tumors, when he is stronger, is not an option, right? Do his ears still bleed since the vet cleaned them?
I can just picture you with a dolly load of cat carriers:D that is funny, but it works! Do you treat the grassy area with any kind of flea and tick repellent before you put the cats out there, or do you just use Frontline or something like that on them? I want my enclosure to attach to their cottage so I can put a doggy door in so they can go out whenever they want to. I would probably lock the door at night to be safe. I have an acquaintance whose husband built an incredible enclosure attached to one of those sheds that look like a little house. It has hollow logs and dead trees cemented in place. She insulated the shed and had electric run to it. In fact they are in the process of building a second "cattery". I don't have that kind of money but I took some photos of it this Summer for when I finally get mine we'll have some kind of an idea what to do. Thanks for sharing the video of yours, it looks like cat heaven.
Mary
I am so glad that the note arrived!!!! Anything to help out that sweet fellow!!!
Oh I hope that immune stuff Angela uses will help...if there was only some way to reduce the tumours, if just for his comfort.
I know most tumours are solid - but if these are lymph tumours, could they be aspirated and drained?
DEAR little boy! Kisses to him!:love:
How wonderful to see Barney outside and enjoying himself. I am so grateful that Barney has you in his life. I know my soul is up lifted to know that his final days will be spent with love and that he will not suffer like he was and would be if his circumstances hadn't changed. God gave him an angel and that angel's name is Lara. I know God will bless you for what you are doing for Barney. Thank you.
amen!!Quote:
Originally Posted by momtomany
Mary, you and I think so much alike sometimes. That's what I was going to post. So I'll say "Amen, sister!" to your "Amen". LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by Purr-tender
Purr_Tender wrote:Quote:
Originally Posted by momtomany
Medusa wrote:Quote:
amen!!
Thanks guys! These posts made me think of something. Since everyone here has been so helpful in every kind of way to make Barney's life a better one, we can call ourselves 'BARNEY'S ANGELS' instead of Charlie's Angels. ;) lolQuote:
Mary, you and I think so much alike sometimes. That's what I was going to post. So I'll say "Amen, sister!" to your "Amen". LOL
Today 06:45 PM
Purr_Tender wrote:The tumors in his ears and the scabby nose have never been biopsied but the area on the right side of his neck that Robin originally thought was an enlarged thyroid was tested with a fine needle aspiration and the sample was sent to the lab and that came back as cancer. I still have to talk with her to find out if this tumor is 'in' the thyroid or a lymph node or just a tumor by itself. I will definitely get an answer about that soon.Quote:
My heart sunk when you said the side of his head is more swollen. That doesn't sound good at all. Are his tumors cancerous or is his cancer in his lymph glands? Since he does have cancer I guess surgery to remove some of the tumors, when he is stronger, is not an option, right? Do his ears still bleed since the vet cleaned them?
Robin feels very sure that the ear tumors and the nose problem are also cancer as it just makes sense and she thinks that it could be Squamous Cell Carncinoma. His liver is also more than twice the normal size which she feels could now be related to the cancer. I could have the tumors and nose biopsied but each one costs about 125.00 to biopsy and surgery to remove them would be very costly. My old vet (the one I was trying to trade the website work for surgery with) never did get back to me until recently when I sent him an email saying to forget it because he has cancer. He wrote back and apologized for the delay and said he had just sold his practice the same week and was really overwhelmed. He still works there though but I don't think he would be able to do the surgery for trade.
Robin doesn't feel he would survive the anesthesia with his diabetes. I'm not sure why and should do some research on it. But it does seem that he is such an old guy with multiple tumors that would require multiple surgeries and his recovery, if he survived, could be very difficult for him. I don't know how much time he has but I would feel so terrible if the last month he had was filled with wounds and sutures and drugs. :(
But I am hoping that the Immunocal will help him. Here is a link to the website about the product. When Angela first brought Barney in from outdoors she said that his eyes were so cloudy that she thought he might be blind. She immediately started giving him Immunocal mixed in with his wet food and within less than a week his eyes had cleared up. They were still old man eyes with brown blotches but the cloudiness went away. I'm going to make sure he gets some everyday and hopefully it will make him feel stronger.
Catty1 wrote:He is on a steroid (pred) right now that is supposed to help shrink the tumors. Even though it feels like the tumors on the right side have become one larger one, I think it's really helping with the one in his left ear. The scratching has reduced by 70-80% which is great. He isn't tilting his head as much (the way he was in the outdoor video) and the bleeding in his left ear seems to have stopped. So it is helping which is great.Quote:
Oh I hope that immune stuff Angela uses will help...if there was only some way to reduce the tumours, if just for his comfort.
I know most tumours are solid - but if these are lymph tumours, could they be aspirated and drained?
DEAR little boy! Kisses to him!
That is a good question about the tumor being drained if it is in the lymph node. I will ask Robin about that as well. :)
Purr_Tender wrote:A cat door is a GREAT idea! If we move and build another one, I would like this feature too. It would be awesome if they could let themselves out during the day.Quote:
Do you treat the grassy area with any kind of flea and tick repellent before you put the cats out there, or do you just use Frontline or something like that on them? I want my enclosure to attach to their cottage so I can put a doggy door in so they can go out whenever they want to.
We don't use stuff for fleas, on the grass or on them. I have used Revolution sporadically but it has always been for ear mites. And I bought a can of Siphotrol and learned from the clinic how and where to spray it when we first moved here because I thought the house might have fleas from the previous owners pets but no one started scratching so I never used it. I have no idea how we've escaped the curse of fleas and ticks but I'm so thankful. When I lived in Arizona, we definitely had ticks in the area and it was awful but thankfully they haven't bothered the pets here. My husband's friend got one on him when he was riding his mountain bike on the northern part of the island. It was stuck to his side. :eek:
I just filmed the dogs getting their bones from Jenn and though this is Barney's thread, I'll post it here because the bones came in Barney's parcel. :)
Plus, there is a cat in the video. Sneakers can be heard in the background meowing her disapproval of the attention being given the canines and how it should be lavished on her, the feline queen of the house. :rolleyes: lol
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...h_64d0447a.jpg
OMG your dogs are so great! What a treat to watch them enjoying their Jenn treats!! Poor Sneakers, where's my treat Mom?! I love your living room! It looks sooo comfortable and cozy!
I was hoping that the tumor that's on the side of his neck/head area wasn't cancerous and could be removed/drained and maybe give him a little relief. But, if Robin doesn't think he would survive the anesthesia I would probably trust her judgement. I just so desperately want him to really get well. I'm sitting here with tears starting. I need to just focus on a day at a time like you've said. He is doing well right now and that is a good thing. He is warm and safe and very loved. Now how can I be sad about that?!
Barney's Angel :D
Mary
I wasn't able to view the video but I've been having problems even loading PT, not sure why. Anyhow, just wanted to comment that I'm proud to be one of Barney's Angels. What a privilege and an honor. He could be the poster boy for love and hope. As for the surgery, if Robin says he wouldn't survive the anesthesia, then it's best not to do it and just make him as comfortable as possible, which is what you've been doing all along. More gentle pets to Barn-Barn and the usual (((HUGS))) to you, Lara. :love:
Thanks so much for all the shots of Barney that you are sending. The video of him outside was so sweet, and of course the one by the fire was absolutely precious. He seemed to be watching the fire so intently - all wrapped up and snuggly warm in his angel's arms.
It's difficult - knowing what his ultimate fate is - but seeing how well he is being cared for and loved - makes it a little easier to accept I suppose. I don't know how you do it - I am just reduced to tears when I read some of your posts! As my mother used to say when someone did a good deed - "There's another star in their crown!" I think your crown will need to be "super-sized"! :)
Thank you guys for your continued words of kindness. Honestly though, he is no trouble at all and if he showed up at your door, I'm sure you'd do the exact same thing and maybe even more. It is no effort at all to give hugs and meds and clean up after this little guy, it is wonderfully simple and as someone else mentioned in an earlier post, he is a gift and a blessing. I almost feel guilty that I have him all to myself and even more guilty because you have all helped so much and I'm the one who gets to benefit from having him here! lol But I will keep posting vids and pics of him at least once a week so you can see his little froggy face.
Angela was supposed to come over yesterday but we had some miscommunication about the time so she ended up coming about half an hour ago on her way to the ferry. Her husband had flown in from Ontario and drove up Vancouver Island with her so he got to meet Barney today too.
Barney seemed sooooooooo happy to see her and he was very snuggly and gentle. I got some footage of him rubbing his head on her shoulder and it is the sweetest moment. Angela thought he looked great so I was relieved. It's hard for me to tell because I see him everyday but she thinks he has really improved and she couldn't believe how strong he was when he was doing paddies on her arm. She gave me a whole box of the Immunocal and told me some amazing stories about it and I'm going to make sure he gets it every day.
We bundled him up and she held onto him while I clipped his nails. I can't believe how long they had gotten in just a month! I'm sure he will be much more comfortable now.
Here is a video of Angela and Barney's reunion. :)
And below that is a picture (I know that some people are not able to view the videos so I wanted to also post a pic)
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...h_f7aa06dc.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...lavisit001.jpg
That video was the best yet!! When he put his head on Angela's shoulder, I melted!! That was a WooHoo!! moment when she said he felt so strong. I'm sure she was amazed at how much he had changed since she saw him.
Mary
Gosh, I'm getting soft in my old age. That video brought me to tears. The reunion was so sweet. I can tell that Barney loved seeing Angela. And some people say that animals don't remember things like that. Please. :rolleyes: It did my heart good to hear Angela say how strong Barney has become. What a wonderful job you're doing, Lara. :love:
What a great video!!! And Barn-Barn was so happy to see Angela too! It really does brings tears to the eyes to watch him! He knows so much love now!
Big hugs to you and your husband for doing all you are doing for our boy!
How my eyes swelled up with tears when Barney snuggled up to Angela!!! He looked so comfy in his blue blanky!!!!
What a wonderful video. God bless you, all of you, for all you are doing for Barney.
How's Barney doing this past weekend?
JennLibrarian wrote:Well, we've had a good and not so good weekend. The good part was really neat. My husband was playing the piano and I thought that maybe Barney might be able to feel the vibrations from the music. I went and got him and bundled him up and brought him inside. Scott was playing and I sort of sandwiched Barney between me and the piano. He perked up and seemed to hear it! It was so cool. Then I sat down with him by the fire and he spent the whole time watching my husband playing the piano and his ears were moving all over the place. He was very calm though and stretching his paws out and kneading them in the air. I think he liked being able to hear/feel something.Quote:
How's Barney doing this past weekend?
The not so good part was that he was scratching his left ear while I was dishing up his food and his ear started bleeding. I think it is because I had just trimmed his nails when Angela was here and they were maybe a bit jagged. It was unbelievable how much it was bleeding, I was really freaked out. Everytime he shook his head, blood was flying everywhere. After about an hour, the workshop had blood splatter covering alot of it. Finally, it started to clot and the bleeding mostly stopped. There is still some blood when he shakes his head but nothing like the other day. I looked it up and Prednisone is supposed to help stop bleeding and he is already on that to help shrink the tumors so I will make sure he continues to get them every morning and night.
He is no longer fond of his low glycemic wet food and I need to make sure he eats so I'm giving him Fancy Feast and he eats it up. He also isn't interested in Pill Pockets anymore so I'm grinding the pred up and mixing it in his wetfood.
The daughter of my boss brought in some videos for Barney to add to his collection. He now has 'That Darned Cat' and 'Benji' and a couple of other similar movies to watch. :)
I'm going to be boarding Barney at the vet for a couple of days while we take a short road trip. Probably towards the end of the month. I have someone staying at our house but I just don't want to leave Barney with all of his special needs. It will be good for him to get out of the workshop for a bit. I'm worried that the vet is going to suggest that I let him go after they have him under their care for a few days and see his ear and stuff. But maybe it will be the opposite, they might help get him in better shape with glucose testing and hopefully some more dematting and just good attention from people who know what to look for with regard to everything that is going on with him.
One other thing that I've noticed in the past few days is that the tumor on his neck that leads up to behind his right ear seems smaller now. Just a week or so ago, it seemed larger but he had only had a few doses of the pred at that time. So I think it is working.
All in all, he's doing okay. He perks up whenever I go in there to see him and feed him and we have our good moments. I guess I'm just discouraged about his ear but hopefully in a few more days with more prednisone, it will get better. I will post in a few days and let you (all of Barney's Angels) know. :)
I'm sorry that I haven't been keeping up with this thread:o but I'm so glad to see Barney's reunion with Angela and to hear that the pred is starting to shrink his tumors.:) I hope he'll continue to get stronger and improve. He remains in my thoughts and prayers.
So Barney loves the piano? That sounds great. Filou and Tigris play themselves but they don't seem to care too much if anyone else plays :rolleyes:
Sorry to hear about the ear. Sounds scary.
I'll spare you all the details :D, but he may well have a conductive hearing loss rather than "nerve deafness," in which case touching the piano may let him hear it! What a neat idea to let him do that!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Emeraldgreen
If you don't have styptic powder, you might try a little dab of flour the next time he gets a bloody spot.
Congrats on shrinking the tumors!!!