Update on Casey's condition - not good

[moosmom]

I just returned from the vet with Casey. As you know from my other post, the vet originally diagnosed him with a herpes virus. He was on Interferon and Orbax. The medication did nothing. Casey's breathing has gotten worse.

They took blood again (everything is normal) and did a chest x-ray. Although there is no fluid in his lungs (it seems to all be in his nasal passages) he is showing signs of asthmatic bronchitis. The vet gave me dyphenhydramine (antihistimine), Prednisone and Clavamox. She told me that he is also to stay on the Orbax and Interferon.

Dr. Barron told me that if he gets worse before Tuesday to bring him to an emergency clinic. She said that she did a probe up his nose and it is VERY blocked but she doesn't know what's causing it. If this stuff doesn't work, they're going to have to sedate him x-ray his head. She also said that it may lead to surgery.

I am so upset because I love this boy so much (he was an orphan at 2 weeks old and was bottle fed). He has been there for me through many of my own surgeries, problems, depression, etc., and I can't help him. So far my vet bill for him has been over $400. I don't know what I'm going to do if this medicine doesn't work. My job only pays $9.18/hr. At what point do we say "enough"????? I will do all I can to help him get better.

Can you guys please say a little prayer for my boy?? I am beside myself right now at the thought of having to put him down simply because I can't afford the testing to find the cause. Please don't think bad of me. I would do anything for my cats but never thought it would come to this.

[Karen]

First, of course we will pray for the little guy.

Second, talk to your vet about maybe a payemnt plan, or some other way to reduce or spread out the costs.

Third, I'm asthamtic, and know what "asthmatic bronchitis" feels like. Bleeaaah (wheeeze). It's no fun BUT it is something once can recover from! Better that than other things ...

[sasvermont]

I know that with a couple of cats from the past, I have been presented with that same problem, can I afford all this? Forturnately each time the cat was either too bad to cure or was good enough that it was cured fairly quickly. I bet your Vet might be willing to cut you a break or at least create "terms" so that you can pay this off asap. But there is a limit for everyone, I understand that. I can honestly say that if I were in your situation, I would decide what you can afford and then let the Vet know. Maybe he can refer you to a cheaper vet or maybe a vet school.

I will say a prayer for you and your kitty - and will think about your problem.... I know how much pets can weaken your heart - and pocketbook at the same time.

I hope he is better soon. Maybe the Vet should have started with the xray to begin with?

Keep us posted.

(((((((((((((((((Casey)))))))))))))))

=^..^=

[ChrisH]

Prayers on their way for poor Casey, and for you too.

Hugs.

[moosmom]

I forgot to mention that the vet said it could be a polyp, a tumor or a foreign object ( ) that's blocking his nasal passages. That's why she mentioned surgery.

It's not so much the money, but the fact that this poor little boy has been through so much poking and prodding with no relief. I don't want him to suffer. He is on 4 pills and 1 ml of liquid once a day (I don't know what I'd do if I had to do it more than once a day).

I'm praying that one of these medications works. It's a wait and see game. If they don't and he has to be sedated and have an x-ray of his skull taken, so be it. I'm not going to give up. It's just so emotionally draining. I'm glad I did have the money (Christmas Club money) to give him the care he needs. He's my boy and I'll do anything to make sure he's with me a long time.

Thanks for your prayers and listening. You are great friends and I don't know what I'd do without you. You're the best!!

((((hugs))))

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Prayers on the way for you and Casey. How old is Casey? When I had to make the decision on Leroy last week, his age played a factor. At 16 his chances of recovery were next to none so I decided not to put him through all the added misery of tests.
(((HUGS FOR YOU AND CASEY)))

[Miss Meow]

Good luck with Casey, get better soon little boy

I hope it's curable and affordable, what a terrible dilemma you have. We are thinking of you. Please keep us updated on Casey's condition.

[jenluckenbach]

prayers and good thoughts coming your way, Casey.

[TheAntiPam]

I'm so sorry to hear that Casey - and you - have to go through this difficult time. I'll keep praying that the vet can give you information and advice to help Casey quickly.

Many of us PetTalk people have fur friends that are now "worth their weight in gold" just due to vet bills. No matter what, we'll stand by you as you make your decisions.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Hello, God?

Hi, God ~
Cinder & Smoke here, onna Prayer Line...

Boots, our Kat, wuntz us to ask You for sum help wiff hiz Buddie, Casye Kat. Seemz Casey Kat iz all plugged up an haz trubbel breathin.

Kuld You send sum Speshul Help down to hiz White Coat, Doc Barron, to help figger out whut'z rong?
An mebbie You kuld send down a klowd of eezy-breathin air frum Heaven, too?

Thanks fur Your Help, God!

[moosmom]

*sniff*, what a sweet thing!! Thanks Phred and everyone. Is God's number in the book or is it unlisted???

Casey is resting peacefully, barfing twice after being given his meds. Maybe I should give them to him a little at a time and not all together. Oops. I hope SOME of it got into his system.

Momoffuzzyfaces,

Casey is 8 years old and has always been healthy, except for the occasional UTI.

[Uabassoon]

I'm so sorry to hear about Casey. I hope that he gets better soon. I will keep you and Casey in my thoughts and prayers.

[sasvermont]

Moosmom, again, I hope Casey is doing better.

What I find is helpful is that when I take the pet to the vet I usually ask what his plan of attack is, and then, all the alternatives. Xrays can usually rule out so many things and by starting with that, it often gives them a better picture. Yes, it can be expensive, something like $85 but at that point so many things can be ruled out. I think all too often vets hand out pills, much like doctors do, much to my dislike, when in fact things don't always get cured by pills.

I am not questioning your vet's decision but suggesting that you (and maybe you did) ask for ALL the vet's thoughts on this poor kitty's nose problems AND going at the heavy duty stuff first, so as to not drag this on and run up the bill - not to mention, putting your mind at ease. If you rule of the worst situation, you can take a breather and relax waiting for Casey to heal slowly. If you keep putting off the worse case, then it isn't fun for anyone. Does this make sense? Often Dr.s will rule out the worse case senario first..... you know, they scare the heck out of you when you get your report back...saying....well, it could be......and then they come back with, well, its just a bad cold!

Keep us posted. You are in my thoughts, obviously!

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( =^..^= ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[smokey the elder]

I pray that the vet can find out what's wrong with Casey and Casey will get better.

Message to Casey: Please be a good boy and let mommy give you your meds. (Maybe you can get an easily-digestible treat with them so you don't get the urps.)

[wayne0214]

Moosmom, does Casey breathe better when he is next to something warm, such as a heating pad or a furnace? If so, he could have the same problem as my Fawn. His nose gets clogged up and sneezes a lot at times. But then, it can clear up as soon as it forms, it has to do with the weather. I took him to the vet last month, and the did a complete blood sample analysis, but found nothing. The also gave me some pink stuff to give him, but that didn't help much either. Finally we had another weather front come through here, and it cleared up in about an hour. But, I have noticed that it comes and goes.

........wayne