Barney is an Angel Now.

[jennielynn1970]

How's Barney doing this past weekend?

[Emeraldgreen]

JennLibrarian wrote:

How's Barney doing this past weekend?

Well, we've had a good and not so good weekend. The good part was really neat. My husband was playing the piano and I thought that maybe Barney might be able to feel the vibrations from the music. I went and got him and bundled him up and brought him inside. Scott was playing and I sort of sandwiched Barney between me and the piano. He perked up and seemed to hear it! It was so cool. Then I sat down with him by the fire and he spent the whole time watching my husband playing the piano and his ears were moving all over the place. He was very calm though and stretching his paws out and kneading them in the air. I think he liked being able to hear/feel something.

The not so good part was that he was scratching his left ear while I was dishing up his food and his ear started bleeding. I think it is because I had just trimmed his nails when Angela was here and they were maybe a bit jagged. It was unbelievable how much it was bleeding, I was really freaked out. Everytime he shook his head, blood was flying everywhere. After about an hour, the workshop had blood splatter covering alot of it. Finally, it started to clot and the bleeding mostly stopped. There is still some blood when he shakes his head but nothing like the other day. I looked it up and Prednisone is supposed to help stop bleeding and he is already on that to help shrink the tumors so I will make sure he continues to get them every morning and night.

He is no longer fond of his low glycemic wet food and I need to make sure he eats so I'm giving him Fancy Feast and he eats it up. He also isn't interested in Pill Pockets anymore so I'm grinding the pred up and mixing it in his wetfood.

The daughter of my boss brought in some videos for Barney to add to his collection. He now has 'That Darned Cat' and 'Benji' and a couple of other similar movies to watch.

I'm going to be boarding Barney at the vet for a couple of days while we take a short road trip. Probably towards the end of the month. I have someone staying at our house but I just don't want to leave Barney with all of his special needs. It will be good for him to get out of the workshop for a bit. I'm worried that the vet is going to suggest that I let him go after they have him under their care for a few days and see his ear and stuff. But maybe it will be the opposite, they might help get him in better shape with glucose testing and hopefully some more dematting and just good attention from people who know what to look for with regard to everything that is going on with him.

One other thing that I've noticed in the past few days is that the tumor on his neck that leads up to behind his right ear seems smaller now. Just a week or so ago, it seemed larger but he had only had a few doses of the pred at that time. So I think it is working.

All in all, he's doing okay. He perks up whenever I go in there to see him and feed him and we have our good moments. I guess I'm just discouraged about his ear but hopefully in a few more days with more prednisone, it will get better. I will post in a few days and let you (all of Barney's Angels) know.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry that I haven't been keeping up with this thread but I'm so glad to see Barney's reunion with Angela and to hear that the pred is starting to shrink his tumors. I hope he'll continue to get stronger and improve. He remains in my thoughts and prayers.

[Barbara]

So Barney loves the piano? That sounds great. Filou and Tigris play themselves but they don't seem to care too much if anyone else plays
Sorry to hear about the ear. Sounds scary.

[critters]

JennLibrarian wrote:

Well, we've had a good and not so good weekend. The good part was really neat. My husband was playing the piano and I thought that maybe Barney might be able to feel the vibrations from the music. I went and got him and bundled him up and brought him inside. Scott was playing and I sort of sandwiched Barney between me and the piano. He perked up and seemed to hear it! It was so cool. Then I sat down with him by the fire and he spent the whole time watching my husband playing the piano and his ears were moving all over the place. He was very calm though and stretching his paws out and kneading them in the air. I think he liked being able to hear/feel something.

The not so good part was that he was scratching his left ear while I was dishing up his food and his ear started bleeding. I think it is because I had just trimmed his nails when Angela was here and they were maybe a bit jagged. It was unbelievable how much it was bleeding, I was really freaked out. Everytime he shook his head, blood was flying everywhere. After about an hour, the workshop had blood splatter covering alot of it. Finally, it started to clot and the bleeding mostly stopped. There is still some blood when he shakes his head but nothing like the other day. I looked it up and Prednisone is supposed to help stop bleeding and he is already on that to help shrink the tumors so I will make sure he continues to get them every morning and night.

He is no longer fond of his low glycemic wet food and I need to make sure he eats so I'm giving him Fancy Feast and he eats it up. He also isn't interested in Pill Pockets anymore so I'm grinding the pred up and mixing it in his wetfood.

The daughter of my boss brought in some videos for Barney to add to his collection. He now has 'That Darned Cat' and 'Benji' and a couple of other similar movies to watch.

I'm going to be boarding Barney at the vet for a couple of days while we take a short road trip. Probably towards the end of the month. I have someone staying at our house but I just don't want to leave Barney with all of his special needs. It will be good for him to get out of the workshop for a bit. I'm worried that the vet is going to suggest that I let him go after they have him under their care for a few days and see his ear and stuff. But maybe it will be the opposite, they might help get him in better shape with glucose testing and hopefully some more dematting and just good attention from people who know what to look for with regard to everything that is going on with him.

One other thing that I've noticed in the past few days is that the tumor on his neck that leads up to behind his right ear seems smaller now. Just a week or so ago, it seemed larger but he had only had a few doses of the pred at that time. So I think it is working.

All in all, he's doing okay. He perks up whenever I go in there to see him and feed him and we have our good moments. I guess I'm just discouraged about his ear but hopefully in a few more days with more prednisone, it will get better. I will post in a few days and let you (all of Barney's Angels) know.

I'll spare you all the details , but he may well have a conductive hearing loss rather than "nerve deafness," in which case touching the piano may let him hear it! What a neat idea to let him do that!!

If you don't have styptic powder, you might try a little dab of flour the next time he gets a bloody spot.

Congrats on shrinking the tumors!!!

[Medusa]

So now Barney is a lover of the arts. Boy, he's really getting some perks for being sick. LOL I'm glad that the lump on his neck is shrinking but the ear thing is scary. Well, as you say, while you're gone, maybe the vet and staff will be able to do some other things for him that you wouldn't be able to do. Besides that, I'm sure you could use a break by now. Barney is just short of thriving thanx to you so you deserve a little time off w/family. The usual prayers and (((HUGS))) are headed your way.

[Purr-tender]

What a cozy picture you've painted. Scott at the piano, you with our Barney all bundled up in front of the fire...Ahhhh!! It doesn't get much better than that!

How awful that ear is acting up again. That must have been very upsetting to see so much blood. I would've freaked, too. It's good that his one tumor appears to be shrinking. As far as thinking that the vet may suggest letting him go...I don't think that will happen. It will be good for him to spend time at the vets while you and Scott take a much needed break. I'm sure Barney will get plenty of extra TLC while there, but there's nothing like your gentle touch and love. I'd send something of his with him when he goes, like a special blanket and toy.

Warm hugs for you and Barney,
Mary aka Barney's Angel!

[jennielynn1970]

While they may not suggest letting him go, I'd make sure that they don't do something while you're gone. Just me being paranoid. I'd get something in writing that they'll call if his condition changes before they'd do anything (which if he's good with you, he should be good there as well).

[Medusa]

While they may not suggest letting him go, I'd make sure that they don't do something while you're gone. Just me being paranoid. I'd get something in writing that they'll call if his condition changes before they'd do anything (which if he's good with you, he should be good there as well).

Yes, I second this.

[kb2yjx]

Was Scott playing Mozart??? Glad to hear Barney is happy spending time with you and Scott!

[Medusa]

Was Scott playing Mozart??? Glad to hear Barney is happy spending time with you and Scott!

He was probably playing "Alleycat".

[catwhispers]

Sorry this is long, but hopefully there is a lot of good info that might help.

If Scrawny needs surgery, perhaps some help can be found somewhere in this list. I recommend checking it before doing anything further as I think some of them will only kick in if there has been no payment to the vet as yet. I've listed the ones I could find below.

Another idea. When I took in Deja Vu she was a stray who was very, very pregnant and the kittens, who were born just a few days later, began to develop respiratory problems. I am on a fixed income and had an older cat at the time who was diabetic and having problems, so my money had been going towards him, and unfortunately I could not afford to take them all to the vet. I called all the local no-kill rescue groups and one of them was willing to help. They paid for me to take one kitten to a vet they dealt with, and arranged for the vet, if medication would be needed, to give me medication for all, including the mother, because if one had a respiratory infection, they all did, and they didn't have to pay for 6 office visits, just one. That's exactly what happened, she gave me meds for all, and even though they didn't ask, I kicked in as much money as I could toiwards it. Thank goodness that was all that was wrong, the medicine worked, and when the rescue group brought them all to be checked out by their vet before putting them up for adoption, he said they were among some of the healthiest kittens that had come across his path in a long time. I felt good about that. Deja Vu and one baby (see my avatar!) stayed here, as Fuzz, my other kitty, had passed during this time. I ended up fostering for this group eventually.

The point of all this is that perhaps a local no-kill rescue group, because the woman is attempting to help a stray, may be willing to offer some aid. Maybe not, but it's worth a try.

Here's a list of places that might help:

In Memory of Magic (IMOM) is dedicated to insuring that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.
http://www.imom.org
IMOM, Inc
PO Box 282
Cheltenham, MD 20623
Phone (866)-230-2164 Fax (301)-599-1852

United Animal Nations established the LifeLine fund in 1997 to aid companion animals in times of life-threatening emergencies when their caregivers, with low or no incomes, are unable to afford the entire cost of treatment.
http://uan.org/lifeline/index.html
United Animal Nations
P.O. Box 188890
Sacramento, California 95818
Telephone: (916) 429 2457 fax: (916) 429 2456
LifeLine Fund - http://www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=28

Help-A-Pet is a nonprofit organization, which provides financial assistance for the medical care of pets whose guardians are unable to afford the expense
http://www.help-a-pet.org/home..html
Help-A-Pet
P. O. Box 244
Hinsdale, Illinois 60521
Telephone: (630) 986-9504 fax: (630) 986-9141

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Programs provides financial assistance for emergency medical care for cats.
http://www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/
FVEAP
1641 Elizabeth Lane
Yuba City, CA 95993
Fax: 888-301-4264

Cats in Crisis:
http://www.catsincrisis.org/crisisFund.html

Cats in Crisis Stripes Fund
http://www.catsincrisis.org/stripesFund.html

Cats in Crisis Gillie Fund
http://www.catsincrisis.org/gillieFund.html

FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATIONS (Specific animals needing veterinary care):

http://www.catsincrisis.org/
http://www.imom.org

American Animal Hospital Association
http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/home/
"The heartbreak happens all too often ? a pet owner is unable to
afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the
price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the
cost of care may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook.
Perhaps they have been victimized by crime, property loss or a job
layoff and are experiencing a temporary financial hardship ? making it
too difficult to afford pet care. And some animals, brought to clinics
by Good Samaritans, don't have an owner to pay for treatment. Whatever
the situation, the fact remains the same: When sick or injured animals
are unable to receive veterinary care, they suffer. Through the AAHA
Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured
pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is
experiencing financial hardship."

Angels 4 Animals
www.Angels4Animals.org
"Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner
Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian
angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult
financial situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners
should not have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our
work is accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across
the country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as
possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment
to those pets and pet owners in need."

Care Credit
www.carecredit.com
A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care.
"CareCredit, the leader in patient/client financing, has helped more
than 3 million patients/clients get the treatment or procedures they
needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for
treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan
and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every
budget."

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)
http://www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/
"The NEED & The HELP: Seniors, People with disabilities, People who
have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any
of these folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved
companion."

The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501
(c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and
kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save
their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.

Help-A-Pet
http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html
"Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the
working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged
individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more
than a diversion."

IMOM
http://www.imom.org
"Mission Statement:
Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and
abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no
companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker
is financially challenged."

The Pet Fund
http://thepetfund.com/
"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that
provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need
urgent veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer
needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or
emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the
difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical
needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is
to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal
medical care need never be made on the basis of cost."

United Animal Nations
http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html
"The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued
animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require
specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve
Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured
animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens
and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care."

[rg_girlca]

Wow, what a difference in Barney since I last checked in and that video of him with Angela was priceless. I am so glad that he is in the best care possible. I can't thank you enough for all that you have and continue to do for this precious boy. The poor thing has been dealt such a terrible blow in life that I am so happy that he is able to be loved and cared for the way he so rightfully deserves. I also pray that he will be treated just as well at the vets as he was in your care.

Enjoy your holiday, you definately deserve it.

[kittykatharine]

I have been so busy with Sydney and life, I haven't read this thread in a little while. I was devastated to hear about Barney's diagnosis. I know how that diagnosis feels. you must remember, Barney has had the most wonderful loving time with you - probably has been the happiest time in this whole life. He is loved and taken care of - which is every cats dream. You have given Barney so much in such a short period of time. I am going to be praying for the little guy, because I am keeping hope that a miracle will happen. This guy deserves it so much!!! My heart goes out to you guys! Oh, btw, the video was absolutely precious!!!

[Emeraldgreen]

Sorry this is long, but hopefully there is a lot of good info that might help.

If Scrawny needs surgery, perhaps some help can be found somewhere in this list. I recommend checking it before doing anything further as I think some of them will only kick in if there has been no payment to the vet as yet. I've listed the ones I could find below.


The point of all this is that perhaps a local no-kill rescue group, because the woman is attempting to help a stray, may be willing to offer some aid. Maybe not, but it's worth a try.

Hi there, thank so much for your post. That is alot of valuable information and I think something that so many pets could benefit from here on PT. But alot has changed since the beginning of this thread, including Scrawny's name which is now Barney. Over 325 posts is alot of reading to sort through so I certainly understand your reading just the beginning. LOL

Barney is no longer with Angela and lives with me at my house in my workshop. It had been my original hope to get a polyp removed from Barney's ear but after his 3rd exam, it was revealed that he has cancer after a fine needle aspiration was done on what was originally believed to be an enlarged thyroid and is actually a tumor. The vet believes that the growth in his ear is a tumor and not a polyp and he has one on the right side of his head as well that starts on his neck and leads up behind his ear and is also inside his ear. His scabby nose is also most likely cancerous.

I was very saddened to learn this because at his age (the vet is guessing he is about 14) surgery is not a viable option, especially with his diabetes. And, if it were, I'm not totally sure it would be the right choice for him because it could involve alot of recuperation and wounds etc.. and the cancer would most likely return. I went through this with my Maine Coon a few months ago and he had surgery 4 times to remove tumors and still lost his battle. Tiger was very robust and big and strong compared to little Barney and I don't think it is the way to go with him. But I really appreciate all of your ideas and information. It's so kind of you.

In the meantime, Barney is out of the cold and rain and gets lots of food and snuggles. I'm treating his diabetes with insulin and the vet prescribed prednisilone to help shrink the tumors and it is definitely making a difference. I'm also giving him an immune booster called Immunocal and my hope is that it will help fight the cancer. It is a whey protein that Angela (the woman who first saved Barney) swears by. She takes it everyday and I'm thinking it might be a good thing for alot of my animals who are suffering different ailments.

We did have a bit of a setback a few days ago when he scratched his ear and it began bleeding badly but it is under control again and I'm so thankful.

Barbara wrote:

So Barney loves the piano? That sounds great. Filou and Tigris play themselves but they don't seem to care too much if anyone else plays.

That is so neat! Have you seen that video where Nora the cat plays the piano? It is on youtube. I saw an amazing show on Animal Planet a few months ago that was about the healing properties of purring. It showed that cats like vibrations and can be drawn to them, like the sound a piano makes. Purring is supposed to resonate right down to their bones and literally heal them. And this show was talking about how scientists are trying to come up with machines that can mimic the purr so they can treat athletes with certain conditions. That would be amazing!

JennLibrarian wrote:

While they may not suggest letting him go, I'd make sure that they don't do something while you're gone. Just me being paranoid. I'd get something in writing that they'll call if his condition changes before they'd do anything (which if he's good with you, he should be good there as well).

I agree with you and Medusa. I will be very clear with them that if anything happens with Barney or if they think he isn't well, that they call me. I'll make sure to give them the number I will be at. I don't think they would do it as they all seem so fond of him but with stuff like this, it's just better to be 100% sure.

Critters wrote:

I'll spare you all the details , but he may well have a conductive hearing loss rather than "nerve deafness," in which case touching the piano may let him hear it! What a neat idea to let him do that!!

If you don't have styptic powder, you might try a little dab of flour the next time he gets a bloody spot. Congrats on shrinking the tumors!!!

That is interesting, I haven't thought about different kinds of hearing loss. Thanks for sharing that, I will definitely look into it. For the most part, the vet feels the tumors are blocking his eardrums but it did seem that he could 'feel' the music and he was receptive to it.
Thanks for the styptic pencil and flour ideas, those are great. I don't know if Katie knows about that but it might be good for Andy too. I remember my dad using that when he shaved. (the pencil, not the flour! LOL)

Medusa wrote:

So now Barney is a lover of the arts. Boy, he's really getting some perks for being sick. LOL I'm glad that the lump on his neck is shrinking but the ear thing is scary. Well, as you say, while you're gone, maybe the vet and staff will be able to do some other things for him that you wouldn't be able to do. Besides that, I'm sure you could use a break by now. Barney is just short of thriving thanx to you so you deserve a little time off w/family. The usual prayers and (((HUGS))) are headed your way.

Ahh yes, Sir Barney is a very distinguished fellow and enjoys music, long walks on the beach and videos about frogs and lizards. Okay, maybe not THAT distinguished! LOL

kb2yjx wrote:

Was Scott playing Mozart??? Glad to hear Barney is happy spending time with you and Scott!

No, lol, but he is trying to learn Mozart. He said it's pretty tough. But he did play Barney some of his regular tunes and some christmas music.

This is a video that I posted last christmas when Scott was playing the piano and our cat Paddy was intently listening. We had adopted Paddy just a few months before so we were so glad to see that he was fitting in so nicely with us.

Thanks Krazyaboutkatz, rc_girlca and KittyKatharine for your posts too.