I am really down

[waterflow]

I'm still worried about Patches and the kittens. she still at times can't use her back legs. Doesn't seem to be getting better. maybe I should have had her tested for the leukemia. Just seems when something wonderful happens something awful follows behind it. I called the SPCA today but they were no help. don't even know why they are around. Nothing like the ones on animal cops where they help any animal at any cost. I know if I call any of the other vets they will jsut say bring her in and it was too much on her and the kittens. Something wonderful has turned into a very sad wait and see what happens time. I found a cat group on the interent and posted about it but so far no replies. Anyone have any other ideas what to do??

[Trishann]

Oh Mary that is so sad. I don't have any advice but I hope someone can reply and help you to find some help with this situation. It is so heart breaking to see an animal suffer.

Sending hugs, Trishann

[GriffsMommy]

I'm so sorry Mary. I hope that she's okay. Have you tried to look up the symtoms to see if you come up w/ anything or tried looking up the symptoms of leukemia in cats to see if these symptoms match up?

[GriffsMommy]

Mary
I found this on feline luekemia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feline_leukemia_virus I hope it helps, didn't have time to read it all, about to go w/ hubby to a dr's appt.

[tigger_gal]

so sorry that you are going thru this.. I hope that patches is ok.

[Papillion]

I am so sorry that you are going through this......I have been following Patches' updates. I am a huge animal lover and I feel for you soooo much!!!!.......As a young girl I would bring home all of the strays.......even abandoned duck eggs......til I found someone with an incubator!! My mother said enough when one of the stray cats sprayed her back bedroom.......oops! I have two cats that I adopted from the nearby rescue village....It is sooo hard when they are sick or need treatment. I wish they were able to tell us more..... my boys I call them.....My son makes three!
I will pray for her health and look for your updates.

[leelee88]

Mary,
I got this off the internet.. The more I read about this disease the more I do not think patches has this awful disease..

The signs of FeLV can include listlessness, weight loss, fever, pale gums (anemia), jaundice, enlarged lymph nodes and miscarriage. Because feline leukemia depresses the immune system a host of other maladies with varying signs often occur.

[ICNDonna]

I think it might be well worth the effort to take her in for a blood test. Then one way or the other, you will know and hopefully the agony will be over for you. I so hope it isn't leukemia, but if it is you will want to have her treated; some cats do recover and I know you want to give her that chance.

And if it isn't, you can stop worrying.

Sending gentle hugs,
Donna

[sandramac]

[petrie86]

Mary,

How old is patches?? I know this probably has no relavence to your cat. I had a golden retriever who was gettin gold and one day I got up and went to say good morning to him. He couldn't get up. He couldn't use his back legs at all. We took him to the vent who gave him a steroids shot b/c he had bad arthritis. It got so bad that we had to put him down. It was so horrible, I know what it's like to watch your loved one whether it be a cat or dog go through so much pain. It's very sad... I have a feeling your cat is quite young so I'm sure that's not the problem. I would bring patches to the vet. The vet will know what to do, god forbid something happened to the kittens or patches. Keep us posted.

Rachel

[lnseagraves]

cat owners home veterinary handbook

Hey,

I decided to check out my "Cat owner's home veterinary handbook" for you about patches.

What it says about back leg weakness (or paralysis)-
"A pelvic fracture is commonly mistaken for a broken back. In both cases the cat is unable to use the back legs and will show pain when handled in the area of injury. It may appear that outlook is poor, even though cats with a broken pelvis typically recover completely."

It also suggests it could be a ruptured disc or Arterial Thromboembolism You can check if its the arterial thing by checking for either an absent or reduced pulse in the cat's groin.

What it says about postpartum diseases-
The only one listed with leg issues is Milk Fever or eclampsia. "Eclampsia is a muscular spasm with a low serum calcium...The first signs of eclampsia are restlessness, anxiety, rapid breathing and pale mucous membranes. A queen frequently leaves her kittens to pace up and down. Her gait is stiff-legged, uncoordinated and jerky. The face will tighten and expose the teeth and gives the face a pinched look. As the condition worsens, she falls on her side, exhibits leg spasms and salivates profusely.
Milk fever is an emergency. Notify your vet at once. If rectal temp is over 104 treat for heat stroke in addition to treating for milk fever."

The book has a very long section devoted to feline leukemia. PM with her symptoms if youre interested. Its way too long to copy onto here.

I hope this helps and isn't too dire. I really like my "home veterinary handbook" as its very detailed and saved me a number of vet visits for my kitty.

[traceann]

Oh gosh, I am so behind! I am so sorry Mary to hear that about Patches. As much as you'd like to avoid it, I really think that you should take her to the vet. It could be something so simple and easy to fix, and if it's a bit more complicated they can handle it and get her better as soon as possible. This doesn't sound like something that can be taken care of otherwise since it seems to have all of us stumped - the vet will know what to do.

Sending you and Patches and the babies lots of warm fuzzies, prayers and lots of hugs, I know she's in good hands with you!!!!

[waterflow]

The vet said Patches is about 1 1/2 old. She is fine now. I do think maybe she damaged something in her hind leg while giving birth.

lnseagraves, do you know author of the cat book? Maybe I can get one at the book store or have them order one. They will need the author to look it up for me. She did have a fever of 103 but the vet said her milk area was fine. I do want to get that book and thanks for telling me about it.

Racheal, I'm so sorry about your dog. It is hard when you have to make that decision. We had a german sheppard who had arthritis in her back legs and hip. She had pills at first to help and she was like a puppy again but she went down fast after one year. Within 3 days she couldn't get up to walk either and we had to have her put to sleep. I know I never got over having to put all 5 dogs to sleep. (different times)

Patches is all fine now and the kittens are growing like weeds. She's running and dashing all over with me almost falling over her. It's back to watching where I step when she is around.

[Berkshire Road]

That's great news, Mary. I know how worried you were. Patches is lucky to have a 'mom' who cares so much about her.

[lnseagraves]

Home Veterinary Handbook

[QUOTE=waterflow;327698]
lnseagraves, do you know author of the cat book? Maybe I can get one at the book store or have them order one. They will need the author to look it up for me. She did have a fever of 103 but the vet said her milk area was fine. I do want to get that book and thanks for telling me about it./QUOTE]

Hey,

I can give you the book information with pleasure. I have the Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook written by Delbert G. Carlson, D.V.M., and James M. Griffin, M.D. with special contributions by Liisa D. Carlson, D.V.M. Liisa's name really is spelled with TWO i's. I have the revised and expanded version and it was published by Howell Book House, NY. copyright, 1995.

My hubby and I got it as a Christmas present from my BIL after two emergency vet visits last fall that ended up being nothing. Its a reallly good book, with a lot of tips on how to deal with emergencies, how to get a skittish cat to the vet, and how to even SEE emergencies as most cats are good at hiding problems. It is not a substitute for a normal vet visit by any means but its a really really really good asset to have at home. I have seen it in some pet stores, but since I didnt buy it I don't know where Andy got it.

Good luck, glad to hear she's up and around and healthy again.