George Update - He is at the Bridge :-(

[Catty1]

Some of you know about George, a cat of about 15 years of age whose owner never took him to a vet his whole life. Several months ago, George was peeing so much that his person finally took him in. George is diabetic, and is doing well on 3u of insulin twice a day. He has put on some muscle, and his sweet disposition remains unchanged.

I look in on George when his person is away, which is usually no more than a weekend.

Several days ago, George developed a weepy eye. Eye drops from the vet did no good. George went back to the vet on Friday and he badly needs a dental. One tooth is so rotted that it is causing the eye infection, and several more may need to be pulled as well. It will cost about $1,000.00

I could get angry as all this - the severe infection and heavy financial outlay in a short time - could have been prevented. George's person worked as a musician most of his life, and did other jobs (as opposed to a career), so I understand from my point of view. Plus, the owner is not a mean or malicious person.

The owner will be discussing with his fiancee (a good friend of mine) whether to go ahead with the dental or look at euthanasia. The cost is one thing - George's age is another. Yet George still purrs, talks, bats a paw for his treats (his owner trained him to do that!).

I have emailed the new vet school at the nearby University of Calgary, but the website does not seem to indicate that they will treat a pet as part of the training. But they might know someone who can help.

I think George deserves to enjoy even a couple of years as healthy and pain-free as possible. He has pain meds and antibiotics that I give him twice a day, as well as his insulin. I also soak a piece of folded paper towel in very warm salty water and gently hold it on his eye, giving it a gentle wipe to clean it. Yesterday I got some crusty stuff off...today no crust, but faint red like there was blood in the discharge.

I am giving George the antibiotic directly instead of putting it in his wet food. I hope there will be improvement by tomorrow.

Prayers for poor George, please.

[Karen]

The poor thing! Hopefully he feels somewhat better, and I am sure appreciates the attention. Prayers on the way!

[Catty1]

Thanks, Karen.

I just hope he can get the dental and tests ok in the pre-op.

There is someone (not on this board) who owes me $500. That would come in really handy right now!

Thanks again.

[Catty1]

I was just over tonight again. His eye is not any WORSE...and he didn't sneeze at all like he did this morning.

I wish I had a pill popper. I got an antibiotic directly into him this morning, but he was having none of it this evening. The painkillers and AB are in his food, and I didn't overfeed him...so if it's gone by morning I'll know it's in his system.

Bathed his eye again, and trimmed his claws - many were broken off. But he purred and I gave him his Greenies treats as a reward.

He is such a sweetheart ...I hope the U of C vet school can recommend someone to do a dental at a lower cost.

[Medusa]

Oh how sad. The weepy eye is bad enough but that rotten tooth has got to be painful. Of course, prayers are being sent up right now.

[phesina]

Prayers for dear George that he is able to get the medical and dental care he needs. Thank you, Candace, for doing your best for him.

I'll send you a pill popper, if you'd like.


Pat and cats

[Taz_Zoee]

This whole situation brings tears to my eyes. Tears of sorrow that poor George is in pain. And tears of gratitude to you, Candace, for doing so much to attempt to help him.

I really do hope something can be worked out and George can get the dental he needs.

[Catty1]

I stopped by the house tonight and no one was home yet (9 pm) so I went in and managed to give George a pill and his shot. He hadn't eaten anything from his dish, but enjoyed a few treats.

When I got home there was a message from his owner - he was just leaving his fiancee's place after dropping her off...I must have just missed him!

I had updated the note to say I was there at 9:03 and did the shot and pill. I phoned twice, and managed to reach the owner before George got double-dosed!

As far as my loan offer, he said that he did have the money. He is just wondering about spending that much money on "an old cat." He said he didn't know if the present treatment would cure George - I said no, because his teeth would still be bad.

He is willing to shop around for prices.

I could hear George chirping happily in the background when I talked to his owner. George KNOWS his dad is not the pill meanie!

So we'll see....

[carole]

oh candace, i fear he may well make the choice to let him go because of the expense, his health issues and age, i am concerned ,i know it is his call and it might even be the right choice i don't know, but i do hope you can persuade him to help george to live some more years yet.

I know you will do your best to advise him and i just hope George gets to have his dental and all will be well, he is a high risk candidate really, and i can understand the owners tossing up whether to go ahead or not.

One thing i have to say, you said he had the money, but did not know whether to spend that on an old cat, well i did not have the money, but i still spent it to get ellie seen to , and paid for expensive treatment for ash for over two years, yes i put myself in debt, and would i do it again, TOO RIGHT i would,but i guess not everyone is willing to do that.

[katladyd]

I've gone into major debt for Ming on more than one occasion. He's been healthy for the last two years and I finally saved enough money to update my car! I haven't bought a car in years because of vet bills. I would do it again in a flash, though.

[Catty1]

First of all, George's eye looks totally back to normal.

I actually got to visit his owner yesterday. I thought George would start eating once he got home - but he isn't. He'll eat his Greenie treats, but nothing else.

The owner phoned the vet, and she said it could be pain in his mouth. I impressed on the owner that since George is so difficult to pill by mouth that he see about getting a pain patch. And maybe a long-acting shot of Convenia.
At least if he is in less pain, the antibiotics can be given. But George is about 15, so the less stress the better. The vet said to give it a couple of days, but with only one painkiller left the owner is taking him in first thing this morning!

I also got a better idea of what he is thinking regarding the dental. His main concern is if it will give George a better quality of life. If George will live with chronic pain afterwards, he feels euthanasia might be a wiser choice. I did say that he will be in pain right after the surgery, but will have a patch on him then for sure. And he will heal.

Aside from his diabetes and the tooth situation, George has a neat personality and can still jump up on chairs etc with ease. He is down right now, but that may well be because we haven't been able to get enough pain med in him.

I even brought over a can of Fancy Feast salmon wet food - stinky stuff. George gets real tuna mixed in with his regular food. Nope.

The abcess was draining out of his nasal passage, so his sense of smell may be compromised.

I hope we can get George through this one session and get him eating.

Thanks so much for your ongoing prayers.