Chestnut: update P 4 #60 Jan 31.

[Freedom]

Thanks, Mary, and you are so right, it is frustrating because we just don't KNOW what is going on with him.

[phesina]

Sending prayers and good wishes and healing energies to dear Chestnut.

Love, Pat and kitties

[Freedom]

Thanks fo all the payes and wishes.

This evening, I went in and vacuumed in that bedroom. Mandy has a routine, she sits at the very top of the cat perch while I do the room; then she hops down and sits in a corner while I clean the perch.

Chestnut stayed curled up in the pet cube on the floor, while I worked around him. He did raise his head to see what I was doing, but then just settled back to sleep.

This is NOT like Chestnut at all, he HATES the vacuum. Normally he snarls at it a few times, and then moves to another spot. As I work from room to room he continues to follow me around the house. And periodically reminds that vacuum who is boss!

I wish I knew what more to do for him. I just can't see spending $1200 for the MRI. Am I wrong? Maybe I need to rethink this?

[Catty1]

I don't suppose there is a vet school near you that might do it for less?

Hugs and prayers for Chestnut!

[Freedom]

I don't suppose there is a vet school near you that might do it for less?

Hugs and prayers for Chestnut!

No . . . . Thanks for the hugs and prayers for my orangie!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Sandie, I'm so sorry to hear that he's not much better. No, I don't think that you're wrong for not spending $1200 on a MRI. It sounds like it would still be inconclusive any way.

What I've learned to do with my cats is to only have tests done on them that are necessary to help diagnose illness or health related problems and to also know when enough is enough. Then I try to make them as comfortable as possible until they let me know when it's time to let them go. I'm not a rich person and I have to also remember to not let my finances get out of control. Of course only you can make this kind of decision and if you do decide to pursue more tests then there's nothing wrong with this either. I hope that Chestnut's health will improve and also his quality of life. Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

[Freedom]

Thank you.

[cassiesmom]

Continued prayers and good thoughts for Chestnut!

[kaycountrygal]

I'm sorry your Chestnut is still not up to par. Sometimes it's hard to know what to do or not do and vet bills can add up quickly. Hope he gets better. Kay

[Medusa]

It's never wrong to consider your finances, especially in this economy, b/c you have others to consider as well. I know very few independently wealthy people who would think nothing of a $1200 MRI. That's a major decision. If I feel that it will help me get to the bottom of things and it's an affordable expense, then I do it. Before Boo died last November, I spent $860 on procedures to warm him up and keep him comfortable and I don't regret doing it. However, it didn't last and 24 hours later I was faced w/the same decision. If I had spent another $860 and could have some assurance that the procedure would last more than 24 hours, I would've done it but to put Boo through all that again and again...no. Plus I'm not made of money. I couldn't have done that for long. I have other furkids to consider. Somehow you'll make the right decision, Sandy.

[phesina]

No . . . . Thanks for the hugs and prayers for my orangie!

Sandie, could you get him to Tufts? I don't know if the small-animal part of their vet school is in Medford (outside Boston) or way out in the country.

[BarbPond]

Just reading this and I sure hope that your Chestnut improves. He is such a cute little orange guy!

Love, hugs, and prayers going out to both you and him!

[Catty1]

525 South Street, Walpole MA

http://tuftsvets.org/

The Small Animal Foster Hospital
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/fhsa/contact.html

Foster Hospital for Small Animals
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
200 Westboro Road
North Grafton, MA 01536
Phone: (508) 839-5395
Fax: (508) 839-7951
Emergency Services: (508) 839-5395

Financial info: http://www.tufts.edu/vet/fhsa/financial_policies.html

More prayers for Chestnut. Come on, baby boy, get better....

[Freedom]

I am going to speak w/ my vet and discuss options including a possible referral to Tufts.

[Freedom]

Had a long phone conversation w/ the vet this morning.

Chestnut is not able to groom himself, so that twisting action must hurt. He eats and uses the box fine. If you stroke your hand along a cat's back, as you approach the tail you should get "elevator butt." The rear end rises, the cat goes up on her toes. Chestnut just sits down, no matter how light my touch. He has finally realized he's been in that room a week and is bored, wants out every time I open the door.

We aren't anywhere near the PTS issue, not at all. It is just, do I resign myself that he is this way, or do I try for more diagnostic work? So that's what we discussed.

There are only a few things this could be:
- cancer and / or tumor. An MRI would show that. Then what? Would I put him through surgery (cost $3000 to $5000) which is high risk and may or may not be successful? No, I wouldn't.
- spine degeneration. An MRI would show that. Nothing you can do but keep the cat comfortable.
- slipped disc. An MRI would show that. May or may not require surgery. Would I put him through the surgery ($2700 to $3000) which is high risk and may or may not be successful? No, I wouldn't.

So we are going to treat this as a slipped disc which can be addressed w/o surgery. Keeping him on the prednisone for anti inflammatory. Only been a week, if he really aggravated it jumping the baby gate to eat, and going up and down stairs to use the box, it could be 3 to 6 weeks before we see any improvement. Adding a pain med, tramadol, for now.

I am going to take some time to close the cellar door and let him out so he has a change of environment. As he can't get up on the perch to look out the window, there really isn't much for him in Mandy's room. So of course, he just sleeps. I'll have to watch him, we don't want him trying to get up on a chair, sofa etc. And can't leave him out too long, as the others need to get the cellar door open again.


I feel more comfortable having discussed this with the vet.

Thanks you all for your support and prayers.