"Lil' Bit's" off to the white coats at 3:30

**carla and mike** · 09-07-2004, 06:54 PM

Great work so far Jan.You're a hero.What about the hole.Did they say it will close soon with meds?Boy he went thru terror.He's just so happy to be loved even though he's in such pain that he can't stop purring.Probably never dreamed of happiness like this.You holding him.Feeding him thru syringe,exc.He's so very gratefull to you.It's so obvious.He loves you so very very much.

**jazzcat** · 09-07-2004, 06:58 PM

That poor little guy. Bless you Jan for taking such good care of him!

Thank you for the update and we will continue prayers on this end.

**Grace** · 09-07-2004, 07:05 PM

Poor little thing - I feel so badly for him. Luckily he has you, Jan.

Why is there a 6 month quarantine?

**catnapper** · 09-07-2004, 07:06 PM

Thank you for the update! Sounds like he's really feeling better and gettign some spunk to him! I hope those holes heal and his tongue starts to work properly. Keep up the fabulous work!

**catcrazylady** · 09-07-2004, 07:11 PM

Oh I'm so relieved but still heart broken at what he has been through. He sounds like such a wonderful little guy that it brings tears to my eyes. Purring and happy after all life has put on him. What a very special little boy!!
Jan, can we tell you enough how wonderful you are? How special and kind? You are a very special lady and Lil Bit is a very very lucky boy!!!

It sounds like your going to be very busy feeding this very hungry kitty. It will probably take him a long time to get full and realize that food will always be there.
How come he needs to be quaratined of so long?

I'm jst so happy to know that he is going to be ok. I still truly believe that he will recover and be able to eat on his own! PT prayers are still coming and we all know what miracles they can work!

**kimlovescats** · 09-07-2004, 07:16 PM

What a pitiful yet lucky little fella. Gosh, what terror and pain he must have been through with whatever attacked him.

Thank you so much for making this little one a high priority of yours, Jan!

God Bless You!
Kim

**QueenScoopalot** · 09-07-2004, 07:23 PM

The six month quarantine is the law in Mass. when it's a wound of unknown origin. Being bitten so badly around the head by either an aggressive tom cat, or possibly a young racoon means he may come down with rabies. The further from the bite wound, the longer rabies takes to travel through the nervous system, but if (and I doubt it) he does develop rabies it will be a quicker onset due to it not having to travel as far to reach the brain. *sigh* Just got done with another messy meal, and a hot soak on all his boo-boos. And I took a few pics....but other kitties are waiting for dinner, so I probably won't post them tonight. He looks so much healthier already! Pinker nose, and fluffy clean coat of fur. He never stops purring sweet little boy.

**leslie** · 09-07-2004, 07:26 PM

The 6 month quarenteen is due to Mass laws regarding rabies. Whatever bit him has to be assumed to have been a carrier. Every one in contact with the kitten, by law is advised to get rabies shots (i ain't gonna do it and jan is prevacinated). This boy was grabbed by the head by some animal, let go and in the split second the animal let go- he got away. (Probably from the trash dumpster right up the duct into the store- Dr. Bird said wounds are approx. 1 week old; oh so maybe not). Anyway, she thinks the anemia is primarily from initial severe bleeding from these 5 teeth wounds, and that the fleas likely feasted on it and then left for the most part- as he was depleted of rbcs. The damage to his tongue could be muscular, neuro, or both. Dr. Bird said it is not worth sedating him and finding out right now, best to let him heal first, and see what happens with his tongue as he heals. The only way he can eat is by Jan holding the bottle up so the liquid food can go straight down his throat but not so fast so he'd aspirate. Since his tongue isn't working, the food has to roll down to point where he can swallow. The damage is maybe at the early part of the esophogeal (hindering the tongue's ability to reach). He LOVES his bottle! He loves to grab the nipple as it stands up right to say, time to feed me! The bite wounds are horrific. He has live round worms but no eggs (odd) so jan will continue with Strongid. She needs to do hot to wrist compresses as frequently as she can through out the day to wounds and continue bottle feeding. clavamox twice daily for 2 more weeks. Then call with update. Dr. Bird was very thorough. No temp! Age guess- born in June.
What ever the animal was- this boy was lucky the bite didn't include a pull on or shake on it!
Jan, gonna show everyone how clean he is now? (BTW, the hole in chin does not perforate through to his mouth but it is possible that the bottom of his mouth debrided some from muscular atrophy (which Dr. Bird did see under the tongue) and that is what the pinkish stuff was- the rest could have been leaves or veggies from trash)...
Jan is gonna be busier than ever! fyi Feline Hospital is the vet my cats go to that from time to time I post about here because they are so good- expensive but thorough! It's worth it when one doesn't know what one is dealing with! I'm glad Jan decided to get sqeezed in today!

**QueenScoopalot** · 09-07-2004, 07:32 PM

LOL Leslie...you must have been typing just as I was! Thanks for coming along for moral support (I needed an extra brain as mine's malfunctioning) to sort out everything, and ask questions I might not have.

**leslie** · 09-07-2004, 08:30 PM

pictures of the pretty boy? You can do it! Gotta do his bird feeding and compresses anyway!

**rg_girlca** · 09-07-2004, 10:08 PM

My heart is breaking thinking what this poor little one has been through.

I hope and pray that his boo-boo's heal well, that his tongue will function normally once again and especially that he doesn't have rabies. Poor sweet soul.

Thank you Jan and Leslie from the bottom of my heart in helping this poor little fella.
Glad you were there Leslie, for moral support for Jan.

Looking forward to seeing pictures of him again.

**Laura's Babies** · 09-07-2004, 10:13 PM

Poor little guy has been through it hasn't he? This is one of the most disturbing stories I have heard in a long time but he seems to be one major little fighter!! Thank God he has all of you to look after him and see that he gets what he needs.

Bless all of you for helping this wee bit of a thing, EVERY life is prescious!

**leslie** · 09-07-2004, 10:25 PM

you are so right! Dr. Bird showed us exactly what kind of teeth went into each hole (canine etc). he is so lucky to have gotten away from whatever grabbed him! I just keep wondering why the animal didn't shake him and keep coming back to Tom cat. A really starving tom might do that much damage and let go without ripping (inlike a raccoon or possom). Hopefully he will gain strength in his tongue. Jan was funny at the vets today, "I don't think I can keep feeding a 5 year old cat this way!" (kitten was eating out of the bottle like a bird...

**aly** · 09-07-2004, 11:18 PM

Oh wow. The poor little guy

Seems as though he's got a guardian angel for sure though

I have been thinking about him and the vet visit all day long! I absolutely cannot wait for new pictures of him. I really wish I was closer so I could help you out with his care. Sounds like you will definately have your hands full!

**QueenScoopalot** · 09-08-2004, 06:24 AM

Pictures posted on a new thread...maybe I should rename him "Birdie"??? That's actually cute for him Leslie and it does remind me of feeding a baby bird!

Peep...peeepp..peeeep..Aly, I wish you were local too...I'd put you to work and fill up your house lol! Peep