Tucker to the vet today! :o(

[kimlovescats]

Just got up to check on everyone .... it's far from over yet.

Grace (my alpha girl) seems worse now ... I thought she was not going to get too bad, but it seems she has just taken longer to progress in this thing. The same goes for Roxie .... she took 3 days to show any symptoms, now she is starting to slow down too! Harper is seeming a bit worse too now ... but he is still eating his tuna.

Hallie (my next girl in line) is not eating or drinking again .... as soon as hubby gets home (around 7am) I am going to get his help in giving her another steroid shot. It's just too difficult to give them by myself. I've had two bad experiences so far. First, Bonnie escaped with just the needle (no syringe) and she ran around the house until it finally fell out .... SOMEWHERE!
Second, Harper jumped while I was administering one of his shots, apparently it made the needle hit him in a nerve or something. It was horrible!!! He screamed bloody murder for several minutes (seemed like hours) and fell over on his side with his leg all retracted up!!!! I thought I had lamed him!!!
When he stood up, he was still holding his leg up to his belly, I was terrified, bawling my eyes out ... with no one to help me.
I finally got him down, rubbed his leg and gently pulled it back "out" from his body... it was fine.... THANK GOD! Needless to say, I am afraid to give any more shots without my hubby to assist.

Dexter is getting more congested as well. Apparently he was another slow progresser.



Tucker is doing a little better again .... trying to eat / drink a little ... and Boots drank lots and lots of water and ate lots of tuna just now! THAT is the bright spot for this update!

Babies are still fine for now... but these ones who I thought were "ok" but are just slow progressing, are making me more worried that the babies may still take sick!

I'll check in later today.

[Kirsten]

Oh Kim, this is such a tough time for you and your kitties to go through... And these horrible experiences with these shots! Poor Harper would have scared me to death!
Poor poor baby - and poor you! I don't think I could give my baby a shot either, and I hope things work better with your hubby's assistance!

I'm keeping you and the kitties in my thoughts, get-well-hugs to all of them,

Kirsten

[tuxluvr]

Kim, I've been off Pet Talk for a while and was reading this today for the first time. My first thought was, 'Kim and hubby must be exhausted!"

Take care of yourself - we all know that angels are watching over all of your furbabies, and that you, yourself are a guardian angel in human form for these babies.

Ritzy says "us tuxeedos are tuffies" and to hang in there, you'll be inspiration for the other furries to get better too!

God's blessings

[sasvermont]

Kim, you have such a way with kitties I just know that the illness will subside soon! I promise!

Cats can manufacture such interesting illnesses - I know. Not all illness turn out to be lethal. I bet you're kitties will have a recovery like you have never seen before!

I trust your little ones will be fine too!

SAS

[Steffi N]

Kim, I did see the new pictures you posted in Cat General of your precious babies. I just know everything is going to be all right. I worry about you, being so tired. I hope you were able to take Jen L's advice and that your hand will heal quickly. I am sure you are trying to be very careful about handwashing and surface sanitizing. Again I wish there were a way someone could give you a hand while your husband is at work.
My heart goes out to you and your kitties.

[Bari_d]

I know we all hoped you'd seen the worst of this, and that everyone was on the mend, but the good news is the first ones ill ARE getting better. This virus is a nasty one, to say the least, and I know you are exhausted (probably because "people" call you on the phone in the middle of your naps!!!)

I read some of your postings I hadn't seen before about your wanting to quit rescue. I do hope you will feel better about everything once your babies are well. The rest of us will just try to give you the support and prayers you need to keep going right now! I only wish I lived nearby and could help you! When our babies came down with the URI in Jan/Feb, we hadn't had ANY outside contact at all...don't blame yourself.

One thing I did do (and kept doing for weeks after they got well) was to put a container of Clorox wipes on the kitchen counter and I continually cleaned with those and threw them away. I also mopped with Pinesol and washed all their bedding every week. I don't know if all that was necessary, but we didn't have a second go 'round!!

It is good news that Boots is now eating and drinking. We will all keep our hearts and prayers going your way...

Bari and the Pride

[felinefriend]

Awww, Kim, my heart goes out to you and your WHOLE FAMILY!!!!!! Like Bari said, I too wish I lived by you and could help you! You must surely be exhausted, even just from keeping all of us updated in these posts. You are SUCH a GOOD PERSON!!! Just know all our LOVE and PRAYERS are with you every moment!!! Bari had some good suggestions, seeing that she had to nurse all her babies through that terrible experience as well! GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU THERE!!!!!! Take care of yourself too, although I know that feels so difficult right now! Love, Ginny

[kohala]

You really are doing a marvelous job, honey. Consider that you and your hubby are also going through a form of greiving, and that in itself tends to make our minds lay all kinds of trips on us. So sit back (when you can ), do something for you that you enjoy - a candle lit bath, a moment with a good book, or time in prayer or meditation. I wondered how you are giving the shots - do they tell you to give them in the loose skin behind the head? Having never done that myself, I ask out of curiousity, not as an advisor. However, Dad has vetted many animals in his day and tells me for cats that's the place - my vet says the same. Never hesitate to call your vet for guidance and support - after all, they're there for us as well!!
Much love and many prayers for you and yours - and many thanks for taking the time out of your busy life to inquire about Grasshopper. You're quite the delightful being. Love, Ko & Grasshopper

[Cataholic]

Kim,
Hang in there!!!!!! I know it is getting to you, and I feel so much for you, but, it WILL get better!!!!!!!