Jackie has arrived! I took her home from the pet store on approval. If
it works out then I have to pay them the adoption fee and collect the
papers.
I really don't need a third cat. Espy and Nipsy are enough. But I saw
her sitting in the cage last week and just shook my head, knowing that
disaster was now impending. Today I brought her home and she is in the
Cat Introduction Room where all my cats have started their existence
with me.
This one was a bit different though. No hiding under the bed for two
days like the others. She came out of the carrier and marched around
the room investigating everything. Rubbing me, back to investigating.
Espy and Nipsy are outside the door sniffing like mad.
Well, here's the problem, and the reason I took her. She is around 12
years old or so (maybe, who really knows?). She weighs perhaps three
pounds or four. All skin and bones, and not a lot of those. I can feel
every one. Fur is not healthy looking but no gaping holes. Frankly, I
hoped to make her last year or so a comfortable one, hopefully not too
expensive for me.
I just fed her. She eats like a horse. Every last bit of the wet food
and some of the dry. Like she hasn't been fed in a week. But she has
been fed. The folks at the store told me that she eats like a horse.
Now verified.
Thyroid? Cancer? I can't believe a cat with cancer would eat like
this. I guess that means thyroid. She apparently doesn't throw up. I
didn't ask but they would likely have mentioned it. Maybe IBD but no
sign from either end, so far.
This is one delightful purring cat. Sort of browish tigerish looking.
Pure alleycat. No fancy breeds in this one. I hope she is ok. I can
handle thyroid treatments if necessary. I think that is the best that
we can hope for.
I pressured my vet into giving us an appointment tomorrow so I can get
their impression. I'll write after the vet visit.
dgk
Cathy Friedmann - 08 May 2004 01:15 GMT
> Jackie has arrived! I took her home from the pet store on approval. If
> it works out then I have to pay them the adoption fee and collect the
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>
> dgk
My personal bets are on her being hyperthyroid. Combo of her being a senior
cat, huge appetite, yet way too thin. Yes, let us know what the thinks,
results of her bw, etc. I hope it's just hyper-T & that some
Tapazole/methimazole will slow down her metabolism & put some meat on her
bones. She sounds like a lovely cat.
Cathy
--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
Karen Chuplis - 08 May 2004 01:32 GMT
>> Jackie has arrived! I took her home from the pet store on approval. If
>> it works out then I have to pay them the adoption fee and collect the
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
> "Staccato signals of constant information..."
> ("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
Indeed. And how nice of you to take in an older kitty. Keep us posted!
MacCandace - 08 May 2004 02:38 GMT
<< I pressured my vet into giving us an appointment tomorrow so I can get
their impression. I'll write after the vet visit.
dgk >>
You're so nice to take her in. I hope it works out and that hyper-t is all she
has. Maybe I missed an earlier thread but why was she in a pet store?
Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)
See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace
"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human." (Loren Eisely)
dgk - 08 May 2004 03:47 GMT
><< I pressured my vet into giving us an appointment tomorrow so I can get
>their impression. I'll write after the vet visit.
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
>than human." (Loren Eisely)
There actually was a brief thread about a week ago. I was hoping that
someone would talk me out of taking her. Some chance of that happening
here.
She was in a rescue home with 28 other cats and the guy got too sick
to care for them. But it was apparently much longer ago than I had
thought. Someone at the store mentioned that they had had her for a
year or so, but in the back. I'm not really sure what the deal is.
When I saw her she was in a big cage with maybe 8 other cats. Just
sitting on top of something, watching the other cats. I couldn't
believe what a rag-a-muffin she was.
MacCandace - 08 May 2004 04:36 GMT
<< When I saw her she was in a big cage with maybe 8 other cats. Just
sitting on top of something, watching the other cats. I couldn't
believe what a rag-a-muffin she was. >>
Oh, how sad. I'm sure she'll love having a nice home with you and reward you
with much love.
Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)
See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace
"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human." (Loren Eisely)
Laura R. - 08 May 2004 15:07 GMT
circa Sat, 08 May 2004 02:47:32 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
dgk (sonicechoes-spamless@zero-spam-hotmail.com) said,
> There actually was a brief thread about a week ago. I was hoping that
> someone would talk me out of taking her. Some chance of that happening
> here.
Hey, I gave you my thoughts on the subject! Oh, wait, I said you
should take her. Whoops. ;-)
Laura

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Cat Protector - 08 May 2004 02:47 GMT
That was very good of you to take this cat in. Even special needs cats
deserve a good and loving home.

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> Jackie has arrived! I took her home from the pet store on approval. If
> it works out then I have to pay them the adoption fee and collect the
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>
> dgk
Laura R. - 08 May 2004 15:06 GMT
circa Fri, 07 May 2004 23:47:47 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
dgk (sonicechoes-spamless@zero-spam-hotmail.com) said,
> Well, here's the problem, and the reason I took her. She is around 12
> years old or so (maybe, who really knows?). She weighs perhaps three
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> didn't ask but they would likely have mentioned it. Maybe IBD but no
> sign from either end, so far.
Off the top of my non-veterinarian head, it sounds like
hyperthyroidism, particularly because of the fur quality in
conjunction with the weight and appetite and apparent energy level.
With that said, cats with cancer can, and will, eat a *lot*. It
doesn't necessarily rob them of their appetite; it depends on the
kind of cancer and how advanced it is and a host of other issues.
> This is one delightful purring cat. Sort of browish tigerish looking.
> Pure alleycat. No fancy breeds in this one. I hope she is ok. I can
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I pressured my vet into giving us an appointment tomorrow so I can get
> their impression. I'll write after the vet visit.
I'm interested to read the results.
Laura

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Chris - 08 May 2004 16:05 GMT
Could be thyroid like some other posters have indicated but I noticed no one
mentioned worms--sounds like the poor thing was just thrown in with a lot of
other cats with not the greatest of care & worms are a possibility!
> Jackie has arrived! I took her home from the pet store on approval. If
> it works out then I have to pay them the adoption fee and collect the
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>
> dgk
dgk - 09 May 2004 00:17 GMT
>Jackie has arrived! I took her home from the pet store on approval. If
>it works out then I have to pay them the adoption fee and collect the
>papers.
...
We're back from the Vet. She weighs 5 pounds. Confirmed that she is FL
and AIDS negative. Also confirmed that 12 is a good guess of age.
No fleas or any skin problems, outside of general poor health. She
freaked out when they were trying to take blood and they only got
enough for the thyroid tests most likely, so that is what we are going
to start with. The Vet said that there was no point in doing a glucose
right now because she was so freaked out that the glucose level would
be meaningless due to stress. Except for the blood-taking scene she
was a perfect patient.
When she opened her mouth during the freakout session, the Vet noticed
that her throat has ulcers going far down. Her teeth (gums) are also
not great but he didn't want to prod her any more just then. I haven't
been able to get a clear look into her mouth either.
Chris pointed out that no one had mentioned worms. I did bring a poop
along (must have been 6" long) so we'll find out about that.
She's on antibiotics (Cephalexin) since she might have an infection.
No trouble giving it to her. Just put it in the food. Everything goes
down. I was warned not to give her too much food at one time since her
stomach can't handle it. Instead I'm feeding her every hour or so.
I brought her out of her room so the boys could see her. Espy gave her
a very nasty look and hissed. Nipsy (2yo 16lbs), the wuss, predictably
ran away from the 5 lb terror. Lion heart indeed.
She's back in her room now, eating of course. She is such a sweetie. I
hope it is something managable.
Thanks for everyone's concern. Thyroid test results due on Tuesday at
noon.
Laura R. - 09 May 2004 00:20 GMT
circa Sat, 08 May 2004 23:17:10 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
dgk (sonicechoes-spamless@zero-spam-hotmail.com) said,
> Thanks for everyone's concern. Thyroid test results due on Tuesday at
> noon.
Please let us know the results.
Laura

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Karen Chuplis - 09 May 2004 00:22 GMT
>> Jackie has arrived! I took her home from the pet store on approval. If
>> it works out then I have to pay them the adoption fee and collect the
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
> Thanks for everyone's concern. Thyroid test results due on Tuesday at
> noon.
Sounds like she needs a lot of love!! I bet the antibiotics will help some
at just getting her healthier. Keep us posted.
Karen
Annie Wxill - 09 May 2004 21:34 GMT
> >Jackie has arrived! I took her home from the pet store on approval. If
> >it works out then I have to pay them the adoption fee and collect the
> >papers.
> >
>..> Thanks for everyone's concern. Thyroid test results due on Tuesday at
> noon.
It sounds like Jackie is lucky to have you to care for her. Please let us
know how things go.
Annie