UPdate on Ellie-mae...

[JMCsGirl]

Sounds like she is doing very well. I read all the posts and seems you have been on quite a roller coaster but are nearing the end of the ride!

[carole]

yes we have indeed, but considering what Ellie has been through, i am very proud of her, she is trying her hardest to get better, would like to see her eating more, but then i feed her little and often, so she is probably eating more than i realise.

She nearly ate a small tin of fancy feast yesterday, she had some turkey mince, some biscuits and cat milk, and that was the day without her steroid, keep in mind all were in small quantitiies.

Today not so good, a little cat food, some biscuits, small handful and more cat milk, still the day is young, only one more steroid to go, on monday and then she is off them, i guess she is a small kitty and she may never eat that much, as the steroid did increase her appetite.

Anyhow she is still in recovery, the stitches on her wound are looking great, healed so nicely and the fur is growing back,that will take a while though as she is quite shorn,just as well she is in a warm place, as she would indeed feel the cold at the moment.

She did venture downstairs for a small bite to eat, a pee and a look outside, then straight back upstairs and on the bed to sleep,i cannot believe what a great patient she has been, i thought she would be so hard, and trying to get out all the time, i leave the door open, for her to come downstairs, but she just stays upstairs,which is all good, as easier for everyone.

Love you my sweet Ellie, you are such a brave wee girl and such a fighter, now just eat some more and i will be so....happy.

[carole]

Day 16

Just to keep you informed, Ellie is doing well, progressing nicely,i can tell she is not so sore in her mouth and is eating better, but she still needs to eat more, she has lost quite a bit of weight, only 2.9kgs at the moment, she was around 3.2 at the last vet visit,so when her weight starts to go up i will be more satisfied that she is doing well.

Her wound looks fantastic, the healing as been quick, and amazing really, she had a little vomit early this morning, but was told can be a side effect from taking her off her steroids.

When i really think about it, she had to have three steriods a day so she could eat, now she is eating as well without anything, so that is all good.

She is still enjoying the pampered side of life, sleeping our our bed with electric blanket,her cuddle blanket and the pink pillow(lexies pillow)lexie was sleeping on the bed not far away from her , giving her dagger looks, as if to say why have you got my pillow, lol.

However she did venture downstairs, for breakfast today, she has only done that twice so far,she seems to feel secure up here ,if you pick her up she really struggles, i think she thinks we are taking her away again ,poor wee girl, never been much of a cat for been picked up either,but you can tell she starts to panic, not that i blame her, and they say cats forget, well maybe in time, but Ellie is my most intuitive kitty, she is very sensitive and senses everything going on around her.

Anyhow that is all to report for now,all going well, so far, and yes hopefully we are off that roller coaster ride for good now, here's hoping.,THANKS again for the huge amount of support and love from everyone here, it means more than words can say.

[phesina]

What a fine report, Ellie-mae! Thank you for the wonderful update, Carole. Continued prayers and good wishes.

[carole]

thank you Pat, you have been one here who has continually supported me, and i am ever so grateful, as i am to many others as well.

My only concern is her mental well being, she really is not her old self yet, Ellie was one who always had much spirit,and it is a bit odd that she does not even want to come downstairs, and remain upstairs,she is very inactive, but then my other two who are not sick, are pretty lethargic too, so i guess she is still in recovery.


Hoping that all continues to go well and she will improve even more than now,i do believe cats suffer from depression, and i have to ask myself is this where Ellie is now at?Your thoughts appreciated.

[Karen]

Could she be bribed to eat more with high-calorie kitten food? Tuna? Still, it is good to hear she is progressing, recovery may take some time, especially as we don't know how long for sure her teeth ached, as sadly cats tend to hide such things from us.

[carole]

karen i do have some kitten food and she quite likes it, believe me i have a gourmet of food for her to try, but when it comes down to it she really is a plain old Chef girl, always seems to go back to the chef food, don't know if you have it over there, just inexpensive supermarket tin food, but has good things in it, she is enjoying the cat milk i bought for her, and it has been a godsend, when i was feeding her and she had kittens to feed (she wasn't mine then) she loved it, but has not drunk it since until now, it is loaded with nutrients and good vitamins, and of course lactose free.

Yes i know her mouth is still sore, but i believe it cannot be any worse, infact maybe better than it was before, luckily she was on a high dose of steroids, which helped with the inflammation and would have reduced her pain somewhat, but she must have been in pain for sure, poor wee soul,here is to a painfree life from now on for her.

When she gets her spirit back i will be happier, i like my fiesty natured wee girl,she sure is loving all my loving and attention though,she has never been on overly affectionate wee kitty, but she is lapping it up, excuse the pun lol.

[katladyd]

I have been following Ellie-mae's recovery as well, and I am so glad she seems to be doing better. I'm sending both you and Ellie-mae good thoughts and you are both in my prayers.

[dehlers43]

I have been following Ellie-mae's progress and am so happy to hear she's improving.
And I love how you call her your "wee girl"....that's just so sweet and charming....
Hugs to all of you!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I've also been following this thread. I'm glad to hear that Ellie-mae is doing well and I hope she'll continue to do so. Prayers and positive thoughts are being sent her way.

[phesina]

She's coming back on a long, hard recovery, so I'm sure that must be very tiring for her. But just look at how hard she is working and how far she has come! I think I'd be pretty pooped and not very active or enthusiastic at times, too .

You just keep on keeping on, dear sweet beloved little Ellie-mae! Your Meowmie and your whole family love you so very, very much.

[carole]

you are so right Pat, i think that way too, i just wish her eating would improve,she is skin and bone at the moment, and today was particularly bad, i did get her to eat some biscuits,she just swallows them whole, and a bit of wet food,but she certainly won't regain any weight eating like this, i still think that mouth is sore,i offered her around six different foods, she just sniffed and was not interested.

I do think she has meowmie wrapped around her little paw though, if i kiss her and pat her, hmm yes well she will eat some,i have always had to encourage her for the last two yrs to eat,but now i think one is used to it and playing on it a little lol.oh well whatever it takes lol.

Hoping for a better day food wise tomorrow,i am finding it a tad stressful watching my little girl,not eating very well, fingers and all paws crossed for a healthy appetite to return soon.

I think if she does not improve appetite wise in a week or two, i will consult my vet and take her in to see him and get that mouth re-checked, also i have to keep in mind the vet mentioned she could have some withdrawal symptons from the steriods,which of course certainly would affect her appetite,however she really does need to eat more.

Gosh i have one cat who eats too much and one that wont eat enough,such is life lol.

[phesina]

Have you tried baby food? The meaty, creamy kinds without vegetables in them are often quite a draw. Or maybe even chicken or beef broth, to see if the flavor will appeal to her.

[kuhio98]

You might try warming her food a little.
Seems that brings out extra "stinkiness". The better they smell it, the more likely they are to eat it. Could be worth a try.

[carole]

She ate much better today, i managed to see her mouth a little, she was not so keen on me looking , it still looked red around the gums to me and i could still smell it, so i am thinking it is not that great and will it ever be?

Lisa my Ellie always has her food warmed,just have done that from day one, as i think i would prefer my food warm not cold from the fridge,have not tried baby food, will as a last resort, but i believe you can only give it to them short term, as does not have the nutrients required for a kitty in it,i just have to be more patient maybe,,she is much better today than yesterday, thanks for the advice and help ,always appreciated.

Here is a pic of the girls, ellie and her daughter nikki, yesterday i went to have a afternoon nap,as had a bad headache, and i had all three kitties with me snuggled up on the bed, it was awesome. ( I think Ellie looks rather good in this pic don't you)