My little Puddy

[slick]

Any news Mary???

[Medusa]

No, Dr. Lee didn't call me and he's very professional, so I'm sure he would've called if he got the biopsy results. I'm going to call him tomorrow, though. I have an important business networking event that I'm hosting this Sat. and I'm holding my breath because I have to do it and I'm trying not to stress about all this.

Puddy seems to be holding her own. She eats a little cat chow now and then. She keeps refusing everything else, so may as well let the little girl eat what she wants. She's moving around, too, and soaking up the rays, so I'm hoping that I'll get a good report. I think the antibiotic is finally kicking in.

I'll post as soon as I hear something, believe me. Thanx for asking. I really appreciate it.

Blessings,
M

[Medusa]

I just got off the phone w/Dr. Lee. The way he views it, and thus, so do I, is that it's all good news. Puddy has a complicated disease but then, it's Puddy. What else could I expect? The name of the disease is too long for me to remember. But....she is essentially operating on one kidney, her liver is inflamed and so is her colon. He was concerned that she had a tumor on her pancreas but she does not. Our plan is that starting next week she'll be on prednisolone for inflammation and will prob. stay on clindamycin for a while longer. He is also going to teach me how to administer subcutaneous fluids which will have to be done weekly, prob. for life. He said that because Puddy is so feisty (nice word for 'cranky') that I may not be able to do it and may have to take her in once a week for the procedure. That's something I hope doesn't transpire because it's over an hour drive each way. Not sure how I'll manage that w/this schedule of mine. Plus the added expense of weekly vet visits and procedures. But I'm going to think positive and hope that Pud will allow me to do it.

She goes in on Monday to have her sutures removed and depending on how she behaves then, he'll determine whether or not I'll be able to administer the SQ fluids. And he'll start her on the prednisolone then. He said to start it too early deters healing. He said that no wonder the little girl was crying in pain, that if I could've seen how her colon ran, it's a wonder she lived at all. Then when she got hypothermia after surgery, he was worried that she wouldn't survive. But my girl Puddy fooled us all!

So, there ya have it. More good news than bad. Just gotta make sure she keeps eating and somehow I've got to get those SQ fluids in her. Since my previous vet has come out of retirement and he's only 10 min. away, I may see if I can work something out w/him and see if he can do it, if Puddy won't let me. Either way, Dr. Lee said that she could live a long life, provided that her other kidney doesn't shut down because she does have nephritis, too, and she'll be on a special diet.

Thanx again, friends, for your support and prayers. You have no idea how you all have helped me through this and all the other "cat astrophes".

Blessings,
M

[Barbara]

Ok, that's interesting and I understand all your doc says. The pred is for the inflammations and once they are kept down, they may even stay away.

The subQ fluids are for the kidney problem. If you cannot do it (and I know what you are talking about as Filou also doesn't keep quiet for one second and certainly not when I come with a needle) any vet can do it- you don't have to drive 2 hrs.

So we hope Puddy can lead a longer and happy life again

[Medusa]

Yes, Dr. Lee said that his goal is to get her off the meds entirely. But the SQ fluids will prob. be a lifetime thing. I know any vet can do it, so I'm not concerned there. If I had to drive 2 hours, I would. Anything for my fur posse. I guess I'm just worn out. Working 2 jobs is taking its toll, I think. Makes me whiney. But I'm happy today because I know that Dr. Lee works a lot on instinct. He has the knowledge but he also has the feel and I need that in a vet. I feel blessed to have found him. He worked wonders w/Yoda and her ear polyp and I know he'll give Pud the best care.

Blessings,
M

[TopCat3]

Well that's good news. Sort of, I mean not that she has a condition-for-life but that her health can be managed after she gets over this difficulty. Poor little cat. And you sound much relieved, I can hear you broadly grinning through your written words! I know about the two jobs thing, been doing it for ages, cobbling together a fulltime income from 2 or 3 part-time jobs has become so natural to me now I don't think I could handle the monotony of just one job. Unless of course it paid enough to cover unforseen and mighty vet. bills perhaps! Speedy recovery Puddy!

[furrykidsmother]

Puddy what a fighter you are!! Glad to hear the good news. Yes, I agree Feisty is a nicer word then cranky, but even cranky is good, that means she has fight in her and sometimes that is what is needed to get through things. Puddy be a good girl and when it comes time, let Meowmie make you feel better by taking the fluids. Maybe if you have someone to hold her and you try doing it in a small area like a bathroom you might be able to do it. I hope so anyway. It is always traumatic to have to take the furkids to the vet so the more that can be done at home the better, also a little easier on the pocketbook.

[Medusa]

Easy on the pocketbook is good. Gotta make sure I have enough money to take care of the rest of the fur posse. I'm just so encouraged right now that nothing can break my stride.

Blessings,
M

[Jennie Lu]

Way to fight, Puddy! Keep it up and you'll be off all meds before you know it!

[slick]

Oh Mary, I'm doing the happy dance here!!!! Good luck administering the SubQ fluids.

{{{hugs}}} and I look forward to many more positive uppydates.