Conference misery::feline

    I lost one of my cats to a blood clot that lodged in the spinal
    tract, causing paralysis in the hindquarters.  After extensive
    treatment (IV with dissolving properties) and discussing the options
    (no real options are available....surgery to remove the clot works,
    but the space just refills with another clot...) and the cat developing
    pneumonia, I had to put him down.  They need to find the cause of the
    paralysis to see if there are any options.
                                                     

    It does sound like a clot, which can be the result of many things. 
    Cardiomyopathy (failure of the heart muscle) is one of the common
    illnesses that can cause clots.  The ultrasound should be able to
    detect any enlargement of the heart walls as well as muscle thickness.
    
    I agree with Lynne.  The cause of the paralysis must be determined
    in order to effectively treat the problem.
    
    I am sorry to hear that your baby is sick and will keep you in my
    thoughts.
    
    -Roberta
    

    
    
      A couple of things, just suggestions as I haven't tried either.  I
    have see though in the back of cat fancy magazine this thing that is
    used for cats with back legs that are paralized, it is a bit of a
    contraption and god only knows if a cat could really get used to it, I
    believe it has wheels and a kind of brace.  The other you might want to
    try is a natural/homeopathic Doctor.
    You mentioned NYC but i'm not sure if that's where you live or just
    took your cat there to a specialist, but there is this natural Dr that
    I was going to take my cat to in Haverhill, Mass cause my cat has
    terrible allergy's, but I haven't yet due to waitting out his regular
    allergy shot.  These are merely suggestions and I do truly hope that you
    can find something for your furry baby.  I know what it's like having
    to put a loved one down and it was the hardest thing I ever did and I
    only did it once he started to suffer from cancer..
    
     Wishing you the very best of luck in your search.
    
    Diana,  Domino & Tykey
                                               

    Those carts that allow a paralized cat to get around are fine if
    the cat has control over bodily functions.  In Bailey's case, the
    blood clot was in the spinal column and she didn't have control.
    To put her in a cart would have meant my being there most of the
    time to express her bladder for her and so on with the other 
    function.  The vet treating Bailey said she's have done great in 
    a cart if it wasn't for that.
    
    Once you know what the problem is and how treatable it is, trust 
    your cat to let you know what to do.  When I went to visit Bailey 
    that last time and watched while the vet expressed her bladder and 
    cleaned her out, it was very clear to me that I could not let her 
    go on like that.  It was obvious that she had given up fighting to 
    get better too.  Since the vet estimated that she only had a 5%
    chance of recovery from her paralysis, the decision was made to put 
    her to sleep.  I know it was the right decision even though I miss
    her like crazy.
    
    Jan
    
    

    My thoughts are with you and Frankie.  Here's what I'd do:
    
    1.  Make absolutely certain I had an excellent vet.  When I
    don't know anyone in the area, a call to the local volunteer
    animal shelter will usually find someone who can recommend a
    good vet, since the volunteers there will likely have many pets
    themselves or know a vet who donates his/her time to the shelter.
    (A city-run shelter might have a rule against referals.)
    Once I had a vet I trusted, I'd take the procedures as far as
    he or she thought would be helpful.
    
    2.  Those carts were originally developed for dauxhaunds (sp?)
    and seem to work very well for back leg paralysis, which those dogs
    are prone to.  
    
    3.  I don't know how the current vet can predict that Frankie won't
    regain the use of his legs if she doesn't know what's wrong.
    
    4.  I've trusted my vet about decisions like euthenasia;  I ask, what
    would you do if this were your cat?  But, I'm fortunate to
    have a wonderful vet.
    
    I really feel your concern and hope for the best.  I'm sure Frankie is
    comforted by your love.  Please let us know how things are going.
    
    Karen
    

    Thank you all for your help and concern.
    
    my heart is broken...
    jeff

    Jeff, you're in our thoughts.
    
    Karen
    

My cat sitter has a client cat with no hind legs. When she
told me about this cat, I got a bit upset, thinking it was
cruel to keep the animal alive under those circumstances.

But she told me that there was so much love in this home
for this cat that the cat was very happy.

Don't know if I could do it, though.


                                 Susan

    I didn't feel much like writing last night. Here's waht happened:
    
    I brought Frankie to the Animal Medical Center here in NYC. They have
    the reputation for being the best, most advanced facility in NYC.
    
    The plan was to perform ultrasound, a mylogram and a spinal tap.
    However, after the ultrasound, the vet sat me down and explained
    they had found a large mass pressing on the spinal cord. She explained
    that they could try chemotherapy but their past results have not
    been encouraging. Additionally, they found signs of cancer in the
    liver and kidneys and felt the disease would advance quickly over time.
    The vet also explained that any pressure on the back paws brought
    Frankie a lot of pain. The vet then explained that it was time to start
    thinking about putting frankie to sleep. Anyhow, I guess you can all
    guess the rest.
    
    I woke up last night and, before I was fully awake, I felt Frankie
    lying by my feet in his usual postion. Of course it turned out
    to be our dog...jd
    
                                                  
    
    

    Jeff, I'm so sorry about Frankie.  You did what was best for him, and
    I'm sure he was grateful for that and for all your love.
    
    Steffi + 4

    Jeff,
    
    Frankie was lucky to have someone who loved him enough to give him
    every chance and make the kindest decisions for him.  I'm sorry for
    your loss.
    
    Linda

    
    
    Jeff,
    
      I've been there before and it totally broke my heart & still hurts
    alot.  I just keep remembering that I gave my furry baby the happiest
    days of his life.  I am so very sorry.
    
    Diana

    Jeff,
    
    I'm so sorry to hear about Frankie.  Just remember that you gave him a
    wonderful, love-filled life, and you did your best for him.
    
    Best,
    Michelle

    Jeff,
    
    I'm so sorry to hear about Frankie.  Although you did what was best for
    him it doesn't ease the pain much, does it?
    
    hugs for your broken heart,
    
    Nanci

Please accept my heartfelt condolences.



                               Susan

    My thoughts are with you.  I've been there recently and I know
    how painful this can be.  Take comfort in knowing that you gave
    him the best care possible.
    
    Jan

    
      so sorry to hear about Frankie,  these decisions are always hard,
      but in the end it is the right thing for one who is suffering.
    
      Denise and the gang

    I'm so sorry.
    
    Karen
    

    So sorry about Frankie. I've lost two two liver cancer this year so I
    know how hard your decision must have been. Please do yourself one
    favor, though, and give yourself permission to greive. 
    
    Deb and THE FIRM

    My sincere sympathies to you.....you made the right decision for
    Frankie!  I just had to make the same decision for my Sasquatch
    who had a huge cancerous tumor on his face...and with him Chemo
    was not a good option either!!    It took me a long time (three vet
    visits to three different vets) to accept the fact that we could
    do nothing to help this kitty.
    
    Someday all the wonderful memories of Frankie will shine in 
    your heart and the pain will go away!
    
    Sandy

    
    
    I'm sorry for you and Frankie. It's so hard to do the right thing 
    sometimes. Denial, you know.
    
    Several years ago our oldest/first cat, Wild Cat, strated looking
    threadbare. She was 14. My wife kept asking me if I thought we should
    bring her to the vet and perhaps put her down, but I didn't let myself
    see it. Denial.
    
    One cold January day she went out and didn't come back. I went looking
    for her and found her lying on the front lawn. It was snowing lightly
    and my first thought was, "stupid cat! what are you doing lying in the
    snow?" But when I picked her up my heart skipped, because she was
    completely limp -- paralyzed, except for her eyes, which followed me.
    Horrified, I ran inside with her, put her in her bed, and called the
    vet.
    
    The upshot was that she had had a collapse due to a deteriorated
    circulatory system/blood. Her blood just couldn't carry enough oxygen
    any more for her body, so she went paralyzed when she was stressed by
    something -- maybe a dog chased her -- who knows. It was horrible 
    sitting with her, stroking her and talking to her, and her only able 
    to move her eyes, watching me, watching me. Asking me to help somehow.
    
    The vet put her down and we buried her in the flower garden.
    
    I don't want to put another of our cats through that. Sometimes it's
    just time.
    
    ken                                                                   
    

    thank you for all the sympathy. My wife and I still have dreams about
    Frankie but we're not as blue as we were. Maybe in 6 months or a year
    we'll be ready for another cat.
    
    thanks again,
    jeff

Dear Jeff,
I may be late in reading this, but I hope you will still accept my 
condolences.  I had to put to sleep some of my very precious animals over 
the years and it never gets easier.  I am very sorry.  Please do get 
another cat, you will truly enjoy a new one!
Karen