Conference misery::feline_v1

4209.0. "Do the right thing...." by AKOCOA::FALLON (Isn't that a Mooncat?) Thu Nov 29 1990 12:43

    You can make up your own mind about this article, but I thought it
    would help some of us.  It is copied without permission from the
    December CATS magazine and is the article Let's Talk Cats written by
    Susie Page.
    
    "Doing the right thing"
    
    Let's talk about how our domesticated cats depend upon us to take care
    of them properly and look after their health and safety.  They cannot
    speak, of course, so it is up to us to read their thoughts by their
    body language and good or bad behaviour.  You'd be amazed at how well
    we can communicate with them in this manner!
    
    We try to keep up with the latest advances in medicine, and if at all
    possible financially and physically, ensure that our cats recieve all
    of the protective immunizations available.  We also keep tabs on
    strides made in perfecting cat food and try to feed what is best. 
    Sometimes, we discover years later that the food we've fed was lacking
    in certain nutrients and we feel guilty.  We shouldn't, though, as all
    we can do is go by what the experts tell us and try to do the right
    thing based on this knowledge.
    
    Perhaps the most difficult decision that we have to make is when we
    subject our cats to anesthesia.  For as long as I've been in the cat
    fancy, some 30 or more years now, I've heard horror tales about cats
    taken to the veterinarian for grooming and succumbing to the
    anesthetic.  Others report that cats needing bandages taken off their
    paws had to be sedated, and some did not come our of it.  Still others
    told me about cats dying when taken in for routine tooth cleaning or
    spaying.
    
    As I say, I had heard these stories, but had never personally lost a
    cat to an anesthetic, so went happily on my way, content that this
    horror would not strike me and mine.
    
    I read everything that comes my way and am always a willing listener to
    cat owners with problems, so I was aware of the various advances made
    in the choices of anesthetic available.  I was also told by my
    veterinarian friends, though, that the soundest, healthiest cat could
    sometimes fail to come out from the anesthetic despite the best efforts
    of the best veterinarians.
    
    I do want to make clear the fact that I deeply respect veterinarians,
    their education, training and experience and that I do no diagnosing of
    illness myself.  Andy time a cat is off its food or has an eye
    irritant, he or she goes to the vet immediately!  I know that to lose a
    cat on the operating tabel or in the recovery room can be just as hard
    on your veterinarian as it is on you.  The point I wish to make clear
    is that despite the efforts of the most skilled veterinarians, there
    are times when cats will fail to come our from the anesthetic.  Wheter
    it is because they are more sensitive than other animals, I don't know,
    but when you consider that very often, humans do not survive
    anesthesia, it is possible to see that this is a natural occurance,
    even though a devastating one.
    
    I've also read that if your cat is having surgery with a general
    anesthetic, that safety chances are increased if your veterinarian is
    authorized to perform blood work, and EKG and an X-ray first, just like
    is done for us in the hospital before surgery.  Well, this certainly
    sounds desirabel and I'd love to have all of those test run, but just
    how many of us can afford blood work, X-rays and EKG's each time we
    have a cat's teeth cleaned , or have your cat neutered or spayed?
    
    For may of us, it takes all of our ding to raise the funds for daily
    care of our cats and any time teeth cleaning or spaying is called for,
    it can pose a real hardship.  So even though in theory the testing
    sounds ideal, in practicality, it's just not possible.  So we are left
    with the choice of either haveing the teeth cleaned or the surgery
    performed or not.  In effect, we are forced to do the right thing.
    
    Along with the decision to go ahead with the surgery or tooth cleaning
    comes the unbidden thought that what if my at doesn't pull through? 
    The grief that comes along when your pet dies is multipled a hundred
    fold when your guilt at haveing contributed to it is added in.  I know
    we've all been there, and will be again.
    
    I believe that it is in our cat's best interest to have it neutered or
    spayed. Not only do we help the unwanted kitten overpopulation problem,
    but we make our pet a happier one.  Altering also serves to reduce
    stress in the cat both physically and emotionally.  It is actually
    cruel in my opinion, to domesticate a cat and keep it safely indoors,
    but not alter it.  The frustration at not being able to mate with the
    opposite sex can lead to all sorts of behavioral problems, not to
    mention mental ones.  So it is a kinder thing to do to have your pet
    altered and it is truly doing the right thing.
    
    Then we come to tooth cleaning.  It seems as if most of the indoor cats
    collect a lot of tartar and many of them have bad gums.  Now whether
    this is because they eat soft mushy food and do not have access to the
    bones of little animals or the cleansing actions of grass, I don't
    know. But I do know that very few of us seem capable of cleaning our
    cats teeth, so eventually we are faced with the problem of having them
    cleaned.
    
    Since bad teeth and gums can lead to other infections, not to mention
    not eating, it is important that you hve their teeth attended to by
    your veterinarian when you suspect a problem.  Again, you are measuring
    the effects of the decay and gum problem against their health and try
    to do the right thing by having them cleaned.
    
    But what do you do when a cat is older, say 8, or 10 or 12 years old? 
    Do you still risk the anesthetic?  I have no answers for you.  This is
    a question that can only by answered by you after consulting with your
    veterinarian.  You measure the risk of anesthetic at an older age
    against the physical problem and then make your decision, hoping that
    it's the right thing.
    
    Now I will tell you about gentle Jenny.  Jenny was my oldest female
    Burmese and the official greeter to anyone coming to the house.  She
    never knew a stranger and would hop upon your lap as soon as you sat
    down.  Even when 9 weeks pregnant and so very heavy, Jenny would manage
    to climb into your lap to say hello.  Jenny had many kittens during her
    life and I still have her daughters and granddaughters, but none of
    them can ever measure up to the sweetness and gentleness of Jenny.
    
    Those of you who raise cats, and specially short hairs, will know what
    I'm talking about when I tell you that Jenny was in season every month
    the year round!  If she wasn't pregnant, she was in season.  Last year,
    when Jenny turned 11 years old, I hoped that her seasons would slacken
    as I didn't want to breed her at that age.  I was also afraid to have
    her spayed because of her age.
    
    This is one time that nature did not know best and continued to let
    Jenny have frequent and hard seasons.  This is not good for cats of any
    age, let alone one who was 11 years old.  The stress of the pacing
    and calling for a male, coupled with not eating very much, surely takes
    its toll.  If cats have frequent seasons and are not bred, they may
    contract uterine diseases.
    
    After a lot of thought, I finally decided to go ahead with the surgery
    and have Jenny spayed.  I thought that she deserved some respite from
    seasons and motherhood and looked forward to many more years of Jenny
    sleeping under the covers with me and greeting my friends at the door.
    
    I still remember the morning when I picked Jenny up and she gave me
    that little butt on the forehead that was her special greeting and
    looked at me with her trusting eyes of gold.  I took her to the
    veterinarian and about five hours later, the phone rang.  It was
    Jenny's doctor.  He said that she had not come out from the anesthetic. 
    My Jenny was gone.
    
    It has been over a year since I lost Jenny. I still fill up with tears
    when I think of her.  The nagging question always in my mind is did I
    make a wrong decision which cost Jenny her life?
    
    Realistically, I know that Jenny would hve been better off spayed and
    that none of us could predict that she would not survive.
    
    As I mentioned earlier in this column, we have domesticated the cat and
    thus we are now responsible for making decisions for their benefit. 
    When a right decision does not end to our satisfaction we can't just
    give up and stop making decisions.  Our cats depend on us and we must
    consider what will bring them the best of health and proceed.

    
    
    	sniff....
    
    	Good article...thanks for posting it.
    
    	JJ
    

    Yes, I read the article too and thought back to how many times my
    Black Thunder was *put under* for her surgeries.  I'm just so glad
    that she came through each time.  I was a nervous wreck each time 
    until the vet called to say she was OK.
    
    Remember what somebody in this notes file once said.  It's not the
    *quantity of life* that is important.  It is the *quality of life*
    that we must think about.
    
    Your decision about Jenny was the right one in regards to *quality of
    life*.  
    
    Sandi and the Storm Troopers
    
    

    I read that article with dread.  Tomorrow Marnie (my Scottish Fold)
    goes to the Vet to, as Lisa in the UK puts it, have his bits done.  I
    am scared of course.  Misha came though that operation without a
    problem, but...
    
    Keep your fingers crossed for him please.  Thanks.
    
    Steffi, Misty, Lizette, Misha and Marnie

    STeffi,  
    try not to worry too much!  Just think about how fresh his lttle teeth
    will smell and how much better he will feel!  Did you ask your vet to
    call when he is done?  That way you would know more quickly he is all
    right.
    Karen, Ruby, Stinky, Wing and Arthur

    Karen,
    
    Bits is bits!!!  She is talking about the other end, and I don't think
    he is going to end up feeling fresh and clean back there.  :^D
    
    Jo

    Sorry Jo and Steff!!  I got a laugh out of that one, but I honestly
    thought bits were teeth!  Now that's a horse of a different color!! He
    won't be happy at all!!! One consolation...it is a lesser surgery than
    spaying when they have to open the abdominal cavity!
    feeling sheepish 8'|
    Karen (the rest won't sign with me this time!)

    
    Good laugh for a Friday afternoon.   Steff no matter what bit
    he is having take of care of....I'm sure he'll be fine.
    
    I bet he would rather it be teeth!!
    
    Sandy

    Karen 
    
    You must have cats with a lot of dignity.  Imagine them not wanting to
    sign with you over that little misunderstanding.
    
    Anyway, I should probably let Steffi tell this, but I have been waiting
    patiently for her to enter a reply and she hasn't so...
    
    I got a call from she and her husband this morning.  Seems the vet
    called and said that she can't find the bits!!!  They haven't descended
    yet.  So, they decided to hold off and try for the surgery at a later
    date, perhaps encouraging the bits to come down in the meantime.
    
    Jo

    Thanks, Jo for explaining Marnie's condition.  I didn't have time
    earlier today, to get back in.  Thanks for the laugh Karen, I really
    needed it today.  I hope Marnie's bits will do the proper thing or
    surgery will be serious.
    
    Steffi and the kids (and a happy Marnie)

    Just read this note - what a hoot! I love being quoted !!!!
    
    
    Lisa plus Pookie, Rolf and Florence.