Ellie-Mae off to the whitecoats...

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Prayers on the way from me for you both too.

[dehlers43]

Would removing all of her teeth help at all? Growing up, the family kitty lost all of her teeth (we didn't have a clue about cat dental care) and lived quite happily for at least 4 years until she died at the respectable age of 16 1/2. She even caught a huge gopher and brought it home to us....

[carole]

Taking all Ellie's teeth out is not an option because the success rate is only like 30 per cent, you could put her through all that and she will still have the condition ,there are no guarantees, and it is too high risk for Ellie.,and way to traumatic for her, she would be so stressed, that she would probably get the cat flu again, and she could potentially die from that, anyhow i did look in to everything possible and i have made my decision to keep her comfortable for as long as i possibly can, i will not be putting her through any surgery,or any further pain.

Yes when i say ginger i mean orange, it sounds like Sam's condition is slightly different, ellie has trouble eating all her food, i have to mash up all her cat food, trouble is if it is too moist it sticks to her mouth, and if too hard , she cannot eat it, we have to try and find one just right, at the moment i have found one that is quite good and she likes, she can eat dry biscuits, but she only swallows them whole, and she prefers wet food.

I am happy just to get her to eat to be frank, so whatever she can manage she will have.

[katladyd]

Know that I am sending up good thoughts are prayers for you both. Feel better precious Ellie-Mae!

[dehlers43]

Taking all Ellie's teeth out is not an option because the success rate is only like 30 per cent, .

Well, you have been so diligent in treating Ellie-Mae that I figured you had already explored this option but I thought I would mention it just in case.....sending you both positive, healing thoughts.....

[carole]

Yes and thank you for your advice, believe me any option is worth mentioning, you just never know, i had even looked into alternative treatment, i would like to explore this more, but the expense is probably more than i could afford, i had read to put on an aloe vera gel which is safe for cats and can help with pain relief, do you think i could get one in our health food shops, not on your life, had the drinks etc, but no gel, however that was a while back, so maybe i will try again.

Again all comments are appreciated, as is all the kind words of support and caring that i know i can always rely on here from my PT friends, and fellow animal lovers.

Ellie is quite a bit brighter today, so i think the injection has helped, it only really helps for two weeks though, not much longer, but still it could be just what she needs right now, and hopefully her steroids will help her the rest of the time until she crashes again.

Ellie sends you big soft miaows of appreciation for your concern.

[phesina]

Sending all our love and prayers and comforting wishes to Ellie-Mae and you both, Carole. I am so sorry.

[mrspunkysmom]

Glad she is feeling better. Sam actually has stomatitis, but it sounds like it hurts like gingivitis. While he prefers dry food, he eats a lot of wet food these days. He is stubborn about people touching him, so the smell test and a vet visit determine if he has flared. If he is snacking on dry food I know that he is feeling good.

Hope she continues to improve.

[carole]

Ellie has stomatitis/gingivitis, sounds like a very similar thing, i guess it depends on how good your cats immune system is as well, their age, gene pool , all kinds of things, she has had a rough life, before i rescued her, so it all could have a bearing, i do know that is can be genetic, so i have been worried about her daughter Nikki, so far so good, her gums are nice and healthy pink.

Unfortunately Ellie is not at all well today, i could hardly get her to eat anything, so sad, as you can tell she is hungry, the steroids stimulate her appetite, but everything must not smell so good and it hurts to eat, just been to get her some new food to try, so here's hoping, she just looked so unhappy today, i was crying my eyes out, patting her trying to get her to eat, believe it or not when i started crying , she started to eat, as if she knew it would stop me crying and make me better, i swear that kitty knows, she is the only kitty who when i am ill comes and lies with me, which is not something she does that often normally.

So wish me success with the new food, and pray hard that Ellie will just be going through another rough time and pick up again, this so reminds me of what i went through with my Ash, he had renal failure but it was complications , his mouth that took him from me in the end.

I just want to see that contented happy look on her wee darling face of her's, just have to hope for the best outcome in a very bleak one at that.

[Catty1]

Carole - do you have an aloe vera plant, or know someone who does?

It's easy to cut off a bit of - and squirt the insides of - the 'branches' or whatever they are and get a bit of the gel that's inside. It would certainly be organic.

Continuing prayers for Ellie Mae.

[carole]

No Candace i don't know of anyone with one, but i will look in to it, at the moment there is no way i could even attempt to do anything to her mouth, it would be beyond being cruel, she just is not a happy girl today, and i am gravely concerned,it looks all too familar,what i went through with Ash, having said that, he often did a turn around when i least expected it, and Ellie has been bad before, perhaps just not this bad, i am hoping maybe it is that she is just a little more unwell due to her flu vaccination, i do know her mouth is awful though, she did eat a little of the new food, but not much, she is enjoying basking in the sun, so i think she must be feeling cold, it is a hot summers day here down under.

Thanks for the continuing support for me, prayers for Ellie, we sure need em, my girl will do a turn around i am sure of it.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Carole, I'm so sorry that she won't eat today. Has your vet ever mentioned about possibly putting in a feeding tube for her? I've never had it done to any of my cats so I don't know what's involved but then she could still get all of the nutrients she needs without having to use her poor sore mouth. Just a thought. She remains in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[carole]

No he hasn't and i would not go for that, she is eating still, just not a lot, i just got her to eat some biscuits, my main priority here is to keep her comfortable, i won't be putting Ellie through anything that i consider traumatic for her , i appreciate your thoughts though, just not an option i wish to pursue, but thanks anyhow.

[Catty1]

A small idea...if you could maybe get a small container of aloe drink or liquid, and a small spray bottle from a dollar store or some such, perhaps you could spray her gums or mouth without having to touch it.

Just a thought, Carole - I know you are getting ideas from all sides here, and it can be overwhelming.

[Laura's Babies]

Prayers for her are on their way again. May whatever time she has left with you be quality time for her and for you! Give her soft kisses for me...