Life At K & L's

[K & L]

Hello Everyone

It’s been awhile since I’ve been here so thought I’d update you on what’s been happening with the Doyle menagerie. Besides being extremely busy, our son-in-law was in the hospital, we’ve been taking the oldest granddaughter back and forth to the orthodontist, and have been taking the cats in 2 by 2 for exams, the long hairs shaved for the summer, and vaccine updates.

Beavis, Parker and Olive came through with flying colors. Got their shaving, update on shots, and a clean bill of health. Bailey and Bear didn’t do as well. Bailey had to have 13 teeth extracted and Bear 16! Bear also had a slight URI and painstakingly had to be medicated. He’s still traumatized by the whole ordeal. He runs whenever I’m around and hides anywhere he can get to.

Now for Blaze…a little update on him. He is the most feral we own and it’s a miracle if we can even touch him. The last vet appointment (years ago) was so traumatic we decided it wasn’t worth it, and wouldn’t do it again unless necessary. Just trying to catch him caused such trauma to him he pooped and peed all over the place. Well this morning during feeding hour Blaze went near one of the carriers whose door just happened to be open. I set his plate in front of it and as he turned to eat I easily shoved him in the carrier and got the door shut. I figured we’d have him shaved, shots updated, and possible teeth extractions. The vet just called and Blaze has some kind of growth in the back of his throat. They will be running blood work and doing a biopsy so we won’t know anything until tomorrow. The vet said it’s either a tumor or something from a weak immune system. We’ve had Blaze for around 8 to 9 years now. There’s big concern because he will be next to impossible to medicate. If he needs a checkup (which I’m sure he will) to catch him again will be a miracle. Anyway, we’ll do whatever needs to be done and if he has to remain at the vets for a week or so, then so be it.

We still have several more to take in for exams and shot updates so hopefully we won’t get anymore bad news. Alot of our cats are reaching the 6 - 9 years of age so I'm sure things will begin to happen more and more.

Thanks for listening especially since I’ve missed so many of your posts.

P.S. As for Scooter he is doing very well. He waits by the bedroom door for his diaper to be put on and then runs all over the house. He loves the cat tree and chasing Mouser.

Here's Blaze:

[Laura's Babies]

Poor Blaze, he is beautiful but looks scared out of his wits! Hopefully, whatever that growth is, it can be removed and he be alright.

Sounds like you have been keeping yourself busy as a bee.. Please check in from time to time here so we will know you are OK... OK?

[AbbyMom]

I've been wondering where you were...hope your son-in-law is OK.

Blaze is a beauty and I'm glad you got him to the vet after all these years. Good luck with all the others!

[catmandu]

We are going to add both Blaze and Your Son In Law to Our Prayers and we hope taht they both will be well.
I know what you mean as Rocca as cute as she is is Peronna Non Grata at 2 Vets,and she would be , like Blaze impossible to catch and deal with.
Its good to have you back where you belong.

[Lizzie]

Ferals and medical care are an extremely difficult mix I know, and I don't have nearly the experience with this that you have. Congratulations on getting Blaize into the carrier! It's usually serendipity that allows this to happen occasionally. Are you so experienced that you don't have to quell your heart-pounding feelings as you move in to capture, just in case the cat can sense them?

It becomes very difficult as they age, even if they do mellow a little, since you know the vet visits become more vital and know that medication is near impossible. Do you have a vet who is very experienced with ferals? You must have or you would not be able to leave Blaize there. My vet has a large gouge mark in the plaster wall of one of the examination rooms from where Macduff raced up it on his second visit and I don't think he (the vet) has ever quite forgiven me for it.

I hope Blaize can be treated, he looks lovely. And good luck with all the other check-ups.

[CultureJunky]

I hope your family get better and all is well, myself and Jack & Sunny are wishing and hoping Blaze is okay and doesnt' have to go through too much trauma, paws crossed.

[Beauty17]

I hope for the best for poor little Blaze. A tumor scares me. I hope it isn't that. Wishing for the best for you and Blaze.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I figured you've been extremely busy and yup, I was right!

16 & 18 teeth removed?!?!? Makes you wonder just how many teeth they have to begin with. Poor kitties.

And poor little Blaze. He does look scared in that pic, but, if you remember Jonza's Fister's stories, it seemed everytime Fister spent time at the vet or the pension, he was much more relaxed, calm and talkative once he got back home again. Hopefully the same will be true with Blaze.

So cute about Scooter how he waits for his diaper. So glad he's able to get out and about and is mingling well with the others.

Good luck with all the rest of them. I can't imagine having to take.....21 is it now?....cats to the vet - whew!

[K & L]

Thanks everyone! Answers to some of the questions:

(Q)Are you so experienced that you don't have to quell your heart-pounding feelings as you move in to capture, just in case the cat can sense them?

(A)This happened so fast I didn’t even have time to think about it. I knew Blaze needed to go to the vet since I noticed some drooling on his chin and figured he was having teeth problems like the others. When I saw him near the carrier I just figured it’s now or never. He had his back to me so I grabbed, tossed, and shut the door. After it was over with I was shaky!

(Q) Do you have a vet who is very experienced with ferals?

(A) Our vets are WONDERFUL. I can’t say enough about them. They work with us on everything, including all the park cats. We never have to make an appointment. They just let us drop-off at our convenience. We even got them to start ear-tipping for us. Blaze is in GOOD hands.

(Q) I hope your son-in-law is OK.

(A) He went to the ER last week, and believe me something had to be wrong since we can never get him to go to a Dr. He was having severe chest pains. They admitted him for a possible heart attack because he was having an irregular heart beat. He is out now, but has a follow-up with the cardiologist because a test came back that something is not functioning properly. So we were picking up after school and babysitting while my daughter stayed at the hospital, all very nerve wracking.

(Q) I can't imagine having to take.....21 is it now?....cats to the vet - whew!

(A) Well it’s 25 now and I’m losing count! Not only is it difficult time wise for 25, the expensive is breaking the ole credit cards. Bear & Bailey alone was $950! No telling what Blaze will run, and we still have several to go.

Thanks you all for missing me. It’s hard to get on PT from work (my boss is away for a bit right now so I snuck on), and with home life being so chaotic, I haven’t had much time there either. I will try and catch up soon!

[K & L]

**UPDATE**
I talked with the vet today, and although the biopsy results are not in he said Blaze is doing well. They had to extract several teeth. Why all our cats are having this issue is beyond me. It must be due to their genes since most came from the park. The Dr. believes we're dealing with reactive tissue, which if this is the case, is chronic. Blaze kept turning blue while under and they believe it was due to the tissue flapping over his wind tunnel. He will remain there this evening so they can administer more antibiotics. This problem may be due to his teeth, but we won't know all until biopsy results are back. His blood results came back with a high count on something, and I can't remember what he said. He does believe the high count is due to the growth. I will let you all know more when I hear the results. They said they've been approaching him very slowly and trying not to spook him too much. Poor guy.

[Lizzie]

**UPDATE**
I talked with the vet today, and although the biopsy results are not in he said Blaze is doing well. They had to extract several teeth. Why all our cats are having this issue is beyond me. It must be due to their genes since most came from the park. The Dr. believes we're dealing with reactive tissue, which if this is the case, is chronic. Blaze kept turning blue while under and they believe it was due to the tissue flapping over his wind tunnel. He will remain there this evening so they can administer more antibiotics. This problem may be due to his teeth, but we won't know all until biopsy results are back. His blood results came back with a high count on something, and I can't remember what he said. He does believe the high count is due to the growth. I will let you all know more when I hear the results. They said they've been approaching him very slowly and trying not to spook him too much. Poor guy.

I think it has a lot to do with genes also, just as it does for humans. My 20 year-old cat still has most of her teeth and only had them cleaned twice. Her sisters also had most of their teeth into old age. I have a 6 year old who has just one tooth, the shelter had to extract the rest.

Was the high count perhaps protein and red blood cell count? I know they get that when they have an infection, and that would be a result of so many bad teeth.

Please continue to keep us updated on Blaize. Do you expect the results on Monday?

[rg_girlca]

Oh Lisa, I am sorry I am just seeing your thread now.

I am so glad to read that Parker, Olive and especially my big hunk, Beavis, hi sweetie, got a clean bill of health.

Poor Bailey & Bear though. That's a lot of teeth that had to be pulled. I pray they are doing okay from it.

Poor scared Blaze, I'm glad to read that he is back home and pray that the tumor is something that can easily be taken of.

Boy you really have your hands full that's for sure with all those vet visits coming up and the vet bills.

And here I thought my $217.00 vet bill was a lot. Geesh, that's peanuts compared to yours. Poor you.

((((((HUGS))))))

[K & L]

Was the high count perhaps protein and red blood cell count? I know they get that when they have an infection, and that would be a result of so many bad teeth.

Please continue to keep us updated on Blaize. Do you expect the results on Monday?

I do believe it was high protein. He's not a happy cat in the bathroom. I've been up all night hearing him protest vocally. They said they should have the results the beginning of the week so let's hope it is Monday. If it comes back negative then Blaze can go back to his comfort of the garage and cat run. He loves it out there. He's been given shots of antibiotics so we're hoping this clears things up. Since he was turning blue under anesthesia they don't want to subject him to that unless necessary. Because of this it's going to be very hard to tell if the infection has improved. I will just have to watch him very closely and see if there are any changes for the worse. It's easy to deal with ferals when you're fixing and feeding, but boy when there's a health issue that's when you have a problem.

Thanks everyone!!

[sandragonfly]

..turn blue. how is he doing today? my black bratty, midnight who's three now had eleven teeth out and probably is going to have other half out someday.

amelia & brock - uh, no - not too late, justam hoping that brock will be back . . . and that what would you do. amelia's great! (here it is).

there, little mouser! gooood to see your name. I hope your meowmie will get an update picture of you and every of your furriend someday? I'm so very happy things are going well for you, dear.

I admire you doing this, lisa! I wish finanical & time would allow me. how do you do all this when you're going out on a vacation.. or dou ever? finding catsitters for my little ark is one most challenge!

[K & L]

We're waiting for the vets office to open to see if we get to bring Blaze home. I will update as soon as I know anything.