Almalfi- the boy in a bag

[rosethecopycat]

Well,
To start, you need to see Malfi's history in a previous thread.

His splinted leg only got worse the week the splint was on. It was so raw and goopy the vet said she could not put it back on, the wound must dry out.
Then came the E collar.
At over twice the length of his head, he could not manuever it. It would just tip him over, remember he's not putting weight on that broken leg.
He was truly helpless. After that weekend, he saw the vet again and they took biopsies, because all the feet looked to be getting infected. But, home he came with the giant E collar. It was taking a serious toll on his spirit and humor. So after spending 6 days in the e collar, I thought, well he's totally dependent on me, even to get to the litter box. I'm going to make a cat sack out of a pillow case. I sewed up the case with some velcro and after one large modification, for more front leg room, he's much happier than in the collar. only his head sticks out.
He can sleep like a cat, in many positions. I can put him under the covers, his favorite place.
Now we are 6 days in the cat bag. He is desperate to lick his feet, all four which are infected. We dip his feet in antiseptic every night. The process takes over an hour. Cleaning his toes, which had been stuck together by infection and clumping litter. (I changed litter to crystals)

I am with him 24 hours a day, with some break time given by my husband, when he's not working. He got us a TV up in Malfi's room, for my sanity. And a baby monitor for when I must leave the room to feed our cats.

The biopsy reports should be complete by Wed.
Pray they find the cause and it is treatable. This patient boy really deserves it.

Despite all that, he is a loving boy, who is purring more than before this happened.
Sweet Malfi, the boy living in a bag...


Cinder & Smoke... your prayers please.

[AmberLee]

OMG! Prayers and ~~~ healing vibes ~~~ headed his way.

[jazzcat]

Poor baby. That sounds horrible for you all. Bless his little heart.

Prayers on the way.

[rosethecopycat]

Well the answer is here.

Pemphigus Foliaceous


It is a controllable condition he may have for life, but the treatment is Prednisone.

It is an autoimmune disease, and he can go into remission. He may need small doses of pred from time to time, and his blood count monitored.

Vet says I can try ‘letting the cat out of the bag’ in 2-3 days to see what he’ll do with his feet.
Right now, I know he’d have them completely bloody in minutes, if not seconds.

I think this is rather good news for the ‘best boy in the world’ who let’s mama dress him like a doll baby.

Thanking God for looking after Malfi.


Rose

[QueenScoopalot]

OH MY! Poor Almalfi! I can't visualize the cat in the bag you made, but I think pictures are in order! Glad you have a diagnosis, and hope the pred kicks in fast for the poor guy. How old is he?

[rosethecopycat]

Here's Malfi in his cat sack. I made a major modification to give him more front arm room, but you can see he is relaxing.

[rosethecopycat]

You can see that he can get into a normal cat position for sleeping.

[rosethecopycat]

As you can see his cone was giant, and he was inconsolable. He's much happier now.

[slick]

Oh Rose, bless you for loving this little kitty. I can't believe that any kitty could possibly get around in that e-collar. {{{HUGS}}} to you and kisses to little Almalfi.

[QueenScoopalot]

That's one sacked out kitty! Couldn't the E-collar have been cut down more? Or would that allow him to still reach his legs to chew on them? Poor guy...give him a kiss for me! He's very handsome!

[rosethecopycat]

No, I begged the vet for a smaller E collar but they said: No.

I was breaking my heart, the expression on his face, and the fact he could get no rest.

I thought, he's totally dependent anyway, so, why not make a comfortable sack instead.

He is my dress up doll baby mow. Although he does grumble when he goes back in the bag. He wants to lick SO badly.

[Laura's Babies]

That is really love and devotion on your part and I know I speak for all of us when I say, you are a angel for helping this poor baby and devotiong yourself to his 24 hour a day care. You are AWESOME! He looks very comfy in his sack though and I know he has to like that so much better than that old ugly collar.

Prayers are already going up for Malfi and the healing he needs. God has already belessed him with you to take care of him and he will continue to bless Malfi and YOU!!

[GraciesMommy]

He is so blessed to have such a caring family! I hope he gets to feeling better now that you know what the problem is and the pred works!
Bless your heart and his! ~big hugs

[rosethecopycat]

Malfi's paws are about 70% better now, with the exception of the broken rear leg, which is scabby and not as good.

He is more active now, and being kept in the sack is starting to drive him crazy. He is SO restless, he keeps me up all night and much of the day.

I started giving him 'supervised' visits with his 3 good paws. He really licks them. One toe on each can get rather pink, but he hasn't drawn blood, which is the problem if he goes at his bad paw.

I have been authorized to get him a sedative, to buy him a few more days of healing, before he comes out of the bag.
His appetite was a bit off today. I hope I can keep him eating for the next few days.

Continued prayers needed for us and this boy.
It's been 17 days of round the clock care, and we are getting weary.

[Barbara]

Rose it is so wonderful what you are doing for this little boy

I hope your patience will be rewarded and he is better soon.

BTW: by looking at your signature I notice Bella with her adorable face. Please post some new pics of her and Snowy- are they still best of friends?