Cracker Jack needs prayers

[smokey the elder]

Poor Cracker Jack! Fingers and paws crossed that you'll be ok.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
{{{{{{{{{{{DEBBIE}}}}}}}}}}}

No matter what the outcome, we will be here for you. Cracker Jack needs you and even if that turns out to be for only a short time, there was a reason for him to be sent into your life. He needs all the love you can spare. Being sick and alone in a cage was NOT to be his destiny. He will know love again for the remainder of his life. I will be praying that "that life" will have many, many more years. I'll continue praying until those test results come back. Hang in there, we are all here with you.


{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}

Thank you so much everyone. Now that I've had a little sleep (even a little bit helps), I'm feeling more positive and I'm feeling just about exactly how Jen says. Jen, I don't know how you do it, but you always manage to say the right thing.

I haven't heard anything yet, so it's just a waiting game for the vet to call. And yes, even if it is the more serious result, I will not turn my back on sweet little Cracker Jack. The vet asked me about that last night because the blood test is kind of expensive (the total bill for last night alone came to about $250.00) so he wanted to make sure I was ready to "spend the money" or if I just wanted to "call Hinsdale and return him." I immediately assured him that I would most definitely NOT be sending him back, he is too special of a boy for that. I will, however, most definitely be calling them and letting them know what's going on, no matter what the results. All their paperwork assures the adopter (me) that they want me to have a healthy cat and if there are any problems at all, to contact them - so that's what I will be doing.

Right now I am of the mind set like a few of you mentioned. He is simply not allowed to be seriously sick, and that's all that's too it.

Like Barbara mentioned, it's amazing how forgiving they are. Once we got home I had to give him some goop (Probiocin). It comes in what looks like a huge hypodermic needle thing, without the needle. It's a paste that I have to shoot into his mouth. He fought like the devil. I got a little bit in - then he bit my thumb and that was the end of that(the bite is not serious, but I'm watching it closely for spreading of the infection). About 1/2 hour after that, he was ready for me to love on him again. He was tentative at first, and ready to bolt, but when all I did was pet him he relaxed.

Oh, and I know this is getting kind of long, but after we got back home, I put him in the bedroom so he could calm down a bit. A little later Terry let him out....and Peanut copped a sniff! CJ was standing looking up at his daddy, and Peanut walked right up to him from behind and sniffed his tail! Only one minor little hiss when he decided to move and interupt her sniffing. She didn't hiss the rest of the night either, even when they came really close to each other at one point. Maybe she's mellowing a bit, or what I was thinking is that maybe he smells like the vet now, and she's used to that smell on Tubby.

Anyway, I'll be sure and update once I hear from the vet. I am thinking only positive. He will be ok, he will be ok, he will be ok!

[QueenScoopalot]

Sending lots of purrayers that it's nothing more than that abcessed tooth. Hope you have the strength to get those antibiotics into CJ.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Was looking over the bill and thought I'd just let you guys know what the vet all did last night.

--Examination
--Cystocentesis/urinalysis - found extremely high protein levels in urine.
--Fecal check - found no parasites or anything
--Giardia ELISA test - negative
--CBC with Profile - blood test that I'm waiting on right now
--Prescribed Probiocin - I believe this is the "good" bacteria to help get rid of the diarrhea
--Metronidazole - mild overall antibiotic to help fight tooth infection and whatever else might be going on

He said the Metronidazole is really nasty tasting, so they put it in little capsules. They said if I were to take it out and crush it and put it in his food he will not eat it because it's really bitter. And if the capsule should break during "insertion" into kitty, he will start foaming at the mouth because it's so nasty tasting. I've already noticed he's a drooler when it comes to medication, so hopefully I can get them all in without the capsule breaking.

[slick]

{{{HUGS}}}....I've just sent you an email.
slick
xo

[lynnestankard]

Hiya CrackerJack

We're a bit worried 'cos your nice new Meowmie says your not feeling too good. Whatcha doin' big lad? You gotta take your medicine now like a big grown up boy - it'll help you get better very quick.
My two brudders Ketchum and Dan both said to tell you - chin up and get lots of loving - but TAKE those medicines for Meowmie and Pawpaw.

Don't want Peanut goin' thinkin' your a wussy boy do you????

C'mon CJ - we're all rootin' for you

GET WELL SOON.

Luv Bagel and Ketchum and Dan xxxxx

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

YIPPEEEE!!!! HOOORAAAYYY!!!! If you think you've ever seen anyone do a happy dance before - you ain't seen NOTHIN' until you see how I'm dancing now!!!

Yes, I just got a call from the vet. He said the blood test came back normal. The protein was a little elevated, but he thinks that is just due to the infected tooth. He said the white blood cell count was just a little off too, but that is probably also because of the infected tooth. Kidney function and liver function are completely normal. CJ has also lost 1 entire pound since the shelter weighed him. I'm assuming they weighed him when he was first brought in, so since Thanksgiving he has lost 1 pound, but this could be because of all the stress of being in the shelter and all, and the infected tooth.

The vet wants me to call him on Thursday to report about the progess on the diarrhea. He said there should be a noticible change. There was no change this morning, but it's a little too soon for that since he first got his antibiotic this morning.

He'll get his tooth out after we get the diarrhea thing under control.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[catlady1945]

Good news! Best wishes to Cracker Jack for a speedy recovery.

[kimlovescats]

*HAPPY DANCE, HAPPY DANCE* CONGRATULATIONS, Debbie, oh what a relief!!!

Extra scritchies to sweet Cracker Jack and huggies to mommy and Peanut too!

[NKBurlington]

That's great news! I was so worried for both of you.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I forgot to add that I know it's the power of PT prayer that pulled CJ through this, and I want to thank you all again for your support - and THANK YOU GOD!!!!

And not to take away from CJ, but I do hope you all remember the other PT kitties that are in need of prayer - Clarice, Ebby and others that don't come to mind right now, and not to mention Sandra and K9Karen. Please divert your PT prayers to them because now that we got the good news, they are in much more dire need of prayers.

[Corinna]

WAHOOO!!!!!!!

[Lacey]

WAHOO! This is such great news! (Who knew folks would happy dance over an infected tooth?) Once the poopie's under control, that tooth'll come right out and CJ'll be good as new! {{{HUGS}}}

[krazyaboutkatz]

Debbie, this great news has made my day!!!! Once again the power of PT prayers have given us another miracle.

[Logan]

This is marvelous news, Debbie, and news that I know Karen and Sandra would rejoice over as well, and will, when they are back online with us! We all needed this good news today, I think!!!

Hugs to all of you!!!!