Barney is an Angel Now.

[Emeraldgreen]

I'm w/ Candace on this one, Lara. As for the ear pain, I can't recall ever having used Metacam for any of my cats, even Puddy after her kidney removal. She was on Torbutrol pills and also something squirted into her mouth by syringe but I can't recall what it was. Same w/Yodie and her ear polyp removal.

Hmmm, I have some Torbutrol left over that was prescribed for my dog Muddy. Don't worry, I won't give him any until I speak with the vet to see if it's something she recommends and find out how much of 5mg tablet he would get.
Barney has been really good about letting me wrap him up in a towel and give him his ear drops in his right ear so maybe the metacam is helping a bit.

As for news coverage, I was thinking of TV. When people actually see Barney and the reaction of the news person, it makes an impact. I don't know your situation there on the island so it may not be possible.

We've had a news crew come to the island, but only for big stuff, like ferry strikes and that story about Nick's dog being shot and killed. I don't think they'd come for Barney but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try.

As for the money, I'm glad you're getting so many donations but I would think w/the holidays here that people would be more generous. I guess the economy has everyone scared, though. As soon as I get paid again, another check will be on its way to you. We'll figure something out to get Barney what he needs, don't you worry.

I do think times are tough and scary now and to be honest, I'm completely amazed that so many donations have come in. And some twice! lol
But you hang onto that third donation and keep it for Pollywog Tripod!!!
I sure hope that works out for you.
Continued prayers would be awesome though!

And when I said that Barney's improvement was all due to you, Lara, I meant it. Yes, people have donated money and various items and true, Angela was there and made a huge contribution and the vet has given Barney good care. I certainly don't mean to disregard them but you're the one who has kept Barney going and you're the person that he most loves. I can see it in his eyes, that sweet boy. I've never been so touched by a cat as I have Barney. That's why I think that if you can get some TV news coverage, it'll make a huge difference. Seeing his videos makes me want to hop a plane and be there w/you. (If only)
So many prayers are being said for Barn-Barn and you and hubby, Lara. This experience has been a spiritual and magical one, to be sure, for all of us, but especially for you.

Thank you so much for this Mary.

Lizzie wrote:

I've been reading about Barney for a while now and greatly appreciate what you are doing for him.

I have used Metacam on several of my cats and have found it useful, as have some of my rescue friends.

Thanks Lizzie. I've used it on a couple of cats too and it does seem to help them. I know my old vet sends a few doses home with cats after certain surgeries to help with pain and inflammtion. I guess some are wary because it is for dogs (and people in Meloxicam) but hasn't been specifically put out for cats or properly tested. It is a bit worriesome but his organs are in good shape so I think it's okay to use it short term.

I haven't posted in Barney's thread for a few days because it all seemed kind of redundant, especially in light of what was going on with Andy and Taz. Continued prayers going out for both those boys for their recoveries!!

Barney has had a couple of things come up in the last couple days that have taken us a few steps backward. His polyp has started bleeding again and it's a mess in there. I'm going to look into getting him a collar like the one I saw in Taz' pics. I'm not sure if we have them here or not but I've got to try something. We got him a plastic cone shaped one but Angela ended up cutting it because she thought it was too long for him to eat but now it's too short to be effective. I might be able to make one of those collars like the one Taz has with some cardboard or something.

I've been putting polysporin on Barney's barnacle. lol And I don't know if it softened it or what but when I turned around for a second and then looked back, he scratched half the scab completely off! It was pretty gruesome. I'm posting a few pics of it below but be warned, they are ugly.





Later that night he scratched the other side off and it turns out that Barney doesn't have a black nose at all, it's pink! But by yesterday morning it was scabbing up again. I'm continuing with the polysporin. Here are some pics of his nose yesterday and one of his polyp ear.





I'm going to google it. Maybe the scabby nose is a symptom of something.

Anyway, he's pretty much the same. Some days it seems like he isn't improving all that much but maybe that's because I see him everyday and don't notice it as much. He does have energy which is good but his ears are still horrible and I guess the vet doesn't want to sedate him to get them clean but maybe I can get some help to wrap him up and clean them when I take him in. I'm going to book an appointment with Robin probably this Thursday morning before work. He had his last dose of Clavamox this morning so now all he will get is the Tapazole in the morning which will reduce his intake of Pill Pockets which is good because I don't think those are good for his diabetes.
I'm going to use a couple of rubbermaid containers to give him a bath. I'm going to fill one with warm sudsy water and the other with just water and wash him that way. I'm not allowed to bring him in the house so I have to do it this way. I will blow dry him after to make sure he gets nice and dry. I haven't bathed him since he's been here and he isn't grooming himself so he's one dirty little guy. He needs a good scrub!

I'm also thinking that if diet alone is not reversing the diabetes, then maybe he could go on insulin and then be weaned off it. I think it was Moesha who had a similar situation? If it would speed things up with regard to lowering his glucose so he could safely go under anesthesia, then I think it would be good.

I haven't heard back from my old vet yet regarding my proposal. Not sure what the delay is. If he wants to say no, he can. It would just be nice to hear something!

That's the scoop on Barn-Barn.