Barney is an Angel Now.

[Taz_Zoee]

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.

Aww, thank you Lara. I am going to call my vet tomorrow and see if I purchased this collar (I don't see it on my breakdown invoice). If I did I would be happy to send it to you once Taz is finished with it. That might be another week or so. Or I just found one online here. If you could order that one it may get to you sooner. It's reasonably in expensive too (not including shipping of course). I checked out the shipping page and it doesn't list any restrictions. I hope you can get it to help Mr Barney!! Or let me know if you want the one I have. It just may take a couple of weeks to get it to you.

[Emeraldgreen]

Aww, thank you Lara. I am going to call my vet tomorrow and see if I purchased this collar (I don't see it on my breakdown invoice). If I did I would be happy to send it to you once Taz is finished with it. That might be another week or so. Or I just found one online here. If you could order that one it may get to you sooner. It's reasonably in expensive too (not including shipping of course). I checked out the shipping page and it doesn't list any restrictions. I hope you can get it to help Mr Barney!! Or let me know if you want the one I have. It just may take a couple of weeks to get it to you.

Thank you for the offer and for the link! I didn't realize that it was bendable like that. It's even better! Please don't worry about sending Taz's because I think I will try and find one locally at a different clinic if mine doesn't have them. I'm assuming they don't because they gave Angela the clear hard plastic one. I need to find something to stop the scratching asap. Thank you again though.


Randi wrote:

Oh, that poor boy. It's sad to see how he has scratched his ear so it's bleeding again - he does need a collar on. Any chance you can cut his nails?

I know, it's such a setback. We did cut his nails when he was at the other house at the end of October. I cut them pretty short so I think they will be good for awhile. I guess I could put a sock on his foot but that would get pretty messy in the litter box.

Medusa wrote:

Our little Barn-Barn. I just love that boy. I feel so bad about the ear polyp.

I'm starting to wonder if this might be a tumor. I did some research online today and found a photo of a cat with a similar scabby nose and this cat has Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Here is the story and photo.
I hope this is not the case but if it is S.C.C. then it is possible that the growth in his ear could be too. The vet said it is either a polyp or a tumor. It would also explain the high white blood cell count. I'm praying that this is not the case. I know this is icky but I saved the bit that fell off his nose and put it in a plastic bag in case the vet can look at it under the microscope or send it off.
In the meantime I will keep putting polysporin on his nose and tomorrow I will try and find one of those soft collars for him. And hopefully his bloodwork will show that his white blood count is down. I'll pray for the best, just a scabby nose that isn't healing quickly, an ear polyp that is benign and that he is improving on all the other fronts as well (diabetes, thyroid etc..).
But if he has cancer, I will do what I can for him with the leftover Transfer Factor I have and keep him comfortable. He can stay with us if his time is short. There would be no point in shuffling him around.

Catty1 wrote:

what you do is put together a short video of Barney - say 90 seconds or even 1 minute...and write out a short narration to accompany his journey. (And spaces of silence for his 'frog squawks!')

Then email or FTP it to the TV news stations! A visual will catch attention.

They may even just phone you and run bits of YOUR video...which will be the best!

Thanks for the info Candace. I talked with my husband today about it and he kind of freaked out with the thought of a news crew being here at our house. I have been trying really hard to make the whole Barney thing seem like it's not a big deal by not asking for his help too much and not talking about it alot because he didn't want me to bring Barney here in the first place. But I'm trying to explain to him that this could actually be the stepping stone to getting Barney out of the shop and into a home. He does have a fondness for Barney but it only goes so far. I'm working on it.

[Medusa]

Saving the scab that fell off Barney's nose was a good idea, Lara. Looking at the pic and reading the story of SCC, it sure looks like what Barney has, doesn't it? Well, I'm going to do the same as you; I'm going to hold the thought that it's just a scabby nose and an ear polyp. No sense in borrowing trouble. Such troubles in the world. Gentle and soft belly rubs to our boy Barney.

[Taz_Zoee]

Thank you for the offer and for the link! I didn't realize that it was bendable like that. It's even better! Please don't worry about sending Taz's because I think I will try and find one locally at a different clinic if mine doesn't have them. I'm assuming they don't because they gave Angela the clear hard plastic one. I need to find something to stop the scratching asap. Thank you again though.

Like I said, I had to specifically ask for it. They would have given me the other kind had I not asked. Because I asked if he would have an e-collar and she said yes and I asked what it looked like. She described the hard plastic ones. Then I asked if they had soft collars. She wasn't sure, but they did. I think they automatically give the hard ones because they are probably cheaper.
I hope you get one for Barney soon!

[Emeraldgreen]

Like I said, I had to specifically ask for it. They would have given me the other kind had I not asked. Because I asked if he would have an e-collar and she said yes and I asked what it looked like. She described the hard plastic ones. Then I asked if they had soft collars. She wasn't sure, but they did. I think they automatically give the hard ones because they are probably cheaper.
I hope you get one for Barney soon!

That is great! My vet might just have it then. I just now read your post in Taz's thread about having to ask the vet for it. I hadn't seen that when I last posted. LOL I was thinking "when did she say that?" and I couldn't find it in this thread when I looked for it. I'm so glad that you posted the pic of Taz with the collar, or I would have never known about it. It is such a good idea. Those hard plastic lampshade ones are the worst!

[jennielynn1970]

Oh gosh.. I hope that he doesn't have cancer, that would be heartbreaking. He's such a spunky little guy, I just want him to pull through so badly.

I'll be keeping him in my thoughts and prayers, as I always do , and hope that he will keep improving.

Hugs to you, as well, as you're such a trooper for doing this!

[Catty1]

Yeah, maybe leave the TV thing alone til you get the other health info.

I would hope they would just use YOUR video, as they don't want to go to the island just for more photos. They can do it via cyber!

[Emeraldgreen]

Yeah, maybe leave the TV thing alone til you get the other health info.

I would hope they would just use YOUR video, as they don't want to go to the island just for more photos. They can do it via cyber!

That's true, they probably would. Once we have a better idea of what's happening with his ear and nose, I will begin the Barney shoot!