Barney is an Angel Now.

[Catty1]

Use some of the older video, Lara - so you can have a collage of "then" and "now".

I REALLY hope the nose thing turns out ok, and the ear thing too.

BIG PT Prayers for Barney (Barn-Barn!)

[Lizzie]

You have probably bathed Barney by now, so this may be of little use, but when I needed to bathe a very sick hospice foster with a fiery nature, I used two buckets. I held her back legs in one hand while lowering her back end into the lukewarm water and let her hold onto the edge with her front legs. While there was a period of time when she tried to haul herself out, she gradually relaxed into the water. And the shelter hadn't ever been able to bathe her at all, the poop on her was months old!

Critters - yes, it's Gabapentin, and it works very well on the pain, but it wouldn't matter how it was flavored because just a touch on his mouth causes him to scream and slash his mouth with his paws.

[Emeraldgreen]

I've booked an appointment for Barney for Wednesday morning. I'm going to have them give him an exam, draw blood for thyroid, glucose and white blood cell count and have them help me wrap him up in a towel and clean out his ears a bit and xray his skull. Basically the works but it makes sense so I just have to get it done so we have a better idea of where we are at with him.
I asked them if they carry the soft e-collar and they don't. They said they could order it but I'm heading to a nearby town today with a bunch of clinics and will check with them so I can get one today for him.

I'm about to give him a bath in a few minutes so thank you for the advice Lizzie. This will be the first time without using a sink. He was pretty good about standing in the sinkful of water when he was at the other house but it will be interesting with the rubbermaid containers. I will use your suggestion and lower his back end in and let him grip on to the edge until he feels okay about being entirely in the water.

Candace, that is a good idea to use some of the old footage. I could piece it altogether with some newer movies. Thanks.

[Purr-tender]

Oh, that sweet, pitiful Barney!! It hurts to look at him and not be able to hold him. I cringed when I read that his polyp (NOT cancer) was bleeding again. And that poor scabby nose! I hope you are able to get the soft collar for him. I can't imagine what he would be going through, or even if he would still be alive, if you and Angela hadn't taken him in. And Lara, don't worry about thinking it is redundant. I look forward to any word on him. Can't wait to see photos after he has his real bath. I use the rubbermaid containers, too. My rescue kitties seem to enjoy being wrapped in the big, warm towels and rubbed afterward

Lara, you are an angel. Thank you for taking such good care of this special boy! Give warm hugs to Barney for me.

Mary

[lvpets2002]

Darn Barney wish you would not half to endure those set backs.. Have meowmom ask the Vet for a Elizabethamm Collar like my Zolene had to have after her surgery.. Gentle Whisker Kissess on that wittle pink nose & on your forhead & lots of belly rubbss for you too.. Oh I so wish I could just cuddle you..

[kb2yjx]

Barney is in very good hands!!! Glad to read about his improvements!!! Please give him a kiss from the Clan!!!

[Lizzie]

Good luck on Wednesday. I know many will be clicking onto this thread repeatedly until we receive your update.

Once Barney has the soft e-collar on (I got one from Mud Bay Granary for about $17), you should find it easier to treat his nose. When treating such "barnacles" on other fosters, I've moved to using zinc oxide ointment (the diaper rash white cream) and found it superior to antibiotic ointments since a cat sometimes reacts to those and the irritation becomes worse.

[jennielynn1970]

can you order one from amazon? I found this one on there... not sure about shipping.

[Medusa]

don't worry about thinking it is redundant. I look forward to any word on him.

I second that, Lara. We're all so emotionally invested in this that we want to hear absolutely all news about Barney, good, bad or anywhere in between. Sweet boy.

[catmandu]

AND THE FOUND CATS ARE ADDING THIER PRAYERS FOR BIG BARNEY, THAT THERE WILL BE GOOD NEWS SOON, AND THAT BARNEYS WILL BE HIS OLD SELF VERY SOON.

[Emeraldgreen]

Thanks for that link Jenn, it sure is cheap on that site! But I ordered one through my vet today and it will arrive by Wednesday when I bring Barney in for his appointment. She said it's about 20.00 but that is Canadian so in U.S. plus shipping, I guess it would be about the same. I'm just so happy they can get it in so fast! I think Monday is their order day so the timing was just right.

I gave Barney his bath this morning and thank you so much Lizzie for that great advice! I filled the rubbermaid buckets, one with sudsy water and the other with clean water and lowered him in slowly and allowed him to grip the top edge. He hung on like a crazy man and it was great because it allowed me to wash his tummy and stuff. He freaked out at one point and was growling and tried to bite me a few times but all in all, it was a great success! And thanks for the idea about the zinc oxide. I bought a tube of that once to put on my RB cat Charlie's ears. He was an orange and white cat and his ears were mostly white and they used to get sunburned. A vet suggested I use the diaper cream and it worked for awhile until we discovered that our other cat Jimmy was grooming Charlie and licking all of it off!! I might still have that tube in one of the pet supply drawers and will give it a try. The polysporin doesn't seem to do much so far so the zinc cream might be just the ticket.

Thanks Mary and Mary! (lol) I really appreciate that Barney's posts are of interest and will happily continue posting them until he is well and adopted.

Thanks to everyone else who posted too!! I enjoy reading them all.

Here is some video and pics of his bathtime! The end part is dark but he is purring up a storm so I included it.

[Taz_Zoee]

Aww, that was a great video. He is looking so good! I loved the purring at the end.

[Medusa]

Yodie watched the video w/great interest and when she heard Barney purr, she pressed her nose up against the monitor. Then she looked at me as if to say "You're not gonna try that w/me, are ya, Mom?" Looks like you had a pretty good success to me, Lara.

[lvpets2002]

WoW that was another Great Video by Barney.. He is looking to be doing so much better.. Now you know if Barney comes up missing then I sure hope no-one follows him to TX.. He just makes want to cuddle cuddle him && give all kinds of Whisker Kissess & Loves..

[Purr-tender]

Now he's all handsome for his little trip to the vet tomorrow! There's nothing wrong with that baby's purr machine!! Music to my ears!

Praying for a really good check up tomorrow. Maybe once the vet is able to clean his ears out thoroughly he'll feel even better. What time is his appointment? I think you are 3 hours behind us here in Ohio. Needless to say, I and many others will be anxiously waiting for what the vet has to say.

More prayers and hugs,
Mary