Quote Originally Posted by catwhispers View Post
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.