Conference misery::feline_v1

    I will be keeping good thoughts for you and for Bitser's recovery. 
    Keep us posted.
    
    Giudi +3

    I am also thinking about you and Bitser.  I hope her recovering her
    appetite is a good sign.  please let us know how things are going.
    
    Karen
    

    I'm sending hopeful thoughts Bitser's and your way.  May she come thru 
    this with flying colors, and have many happy years with you yet!  
    
    Linda

    
    
           prayers for Bitser,
       
           Denise and the gang of 10 almost 11
    

    Don't hug her too hard.  I had hepatitis once and my liver got
    swollen, and very painful.  Hugging hurt!  ;^}
    
    Keep a positive attitude.  We'll be thinking of and praying for
    Bitser.  Please keep us posted.
      Nancy DC
    

    I should also add that, at least in humans, the liver is located
    over the stomach.  Since my liver was already swollen and painful
    there wasn't alot of room for my stomach to expand when I ate.  Also,
    once I'd eaten and my stomach started churning to digest the food
    things got rather uncomfortable.
    
    If she's eating then that's a good sign.  Watch for her to eat
    frequent small meals.  Don't expect her to consume a large amount
    at any one time.
      Nancy DC
    

    All fingers and paws are crossed for Bitser.   Your in our
    thoughts and prayers.   
    
    Sandy

    Thoughts, prayers and good wishes to Bitser from Tai, Figaro and me.
    It's had to see a "loved one" sick.... 
    
    Gloria
    

    I'm sorry to hear Bitser is sick. We are rooting for her, too. 

    Did your vet suggest giving her Nutrical? When my cats are sick and not
    eating or not eating much, I try to get some into them so they're at 
    least getting some nourishment. I believe just a small amount (one  
    tablespoon?) will fulfill a cat's daily nutritional requirements. Since 
    it's a gel, it's fairly easy to get into them even if they're not feeling 
    well.

    Hoping for the best and thinking positive thoughts for you,

    Linda & MCTTPSWJ

    Well,  I took Bitser to the vet this morning fully expecting to be
    leaving her for the last time.  During this past week, she has started
    to eat again and seems better, but I didn't want to get my hopes up.
    
    He checked her color (which they do by looking in the mouth).  It is a
    lot better than last week.  Even I could see the difference.  So he
    decided to keep her on the antibiotics, keep feeding her the baby food
    that I have been (boy, does she love it!!!), not give her anything with
    fat in it (fat is very bad for cats with these problems), and he gave
    me some K/D and P/D to try.
    
    He also was very cautious about the prognosis.  He said that some cats
    recover, but not all.  I know she is old and her chances aren't great,
    but I am so happy to have her still with me.  I cried all the way home
    this morning.  Of course, I would have cried if I had had to leave her
    too, so I guess I was bound for tears no matter what!!!
    
    So, thanks for all the positive energy you sending our way.  It has
    helped.  At least I live with the knowledge that Bitser has had a good
    live with a lot of love and never has been abused or neglected.  She
    has always been top cat.
    
    Ellen

    I'm keeping my fingers crossed and a prayer in my heart that 
    Bitser continues to improve. Her increased appetite is certainly good
    news!! I'm happy for  you both.
    
    Pat

    how is Bitser doing?

    Gee, thanks for asking.  I do have a question.  Where can I get the
    Nutrical that was mentioned a few notes back?
    
    She is not eating much again.  She spends most of her time on the
    kitchen table curled up on a magazine.  Now, normally I would not allow
    this, but after all......
    
    She is somewhat active - she perks up when I get home, she takes her
    amoxycillin like a champ - in fact led me to the refrigerator this
    morning.  She talks, but VERY softly (she is part siamese - the mouth
    part!!! and has always talked up a storm).
    
    I guess I just don't know.  I think deep down I feel that she isn't
    going to make it.  But so long as she isn't in pain, I can't bring
    myself to put her to sleep.
    
    The cutest thing about this is that Bob, who is this large, fluffy,
    usually aloof pussycat, was caught yesterday stretched up to Bitser
    and licking her nose.  When he saw that I caught him, he jumped down,
    put his regal tail in the air, and huffed off.  But later he was right
    back checking up on his friend.  It's like he knows that all is not
    right and he wants to know what he can do to help.  He even curled up
    next to me last night - a place that up to know has been reserved for
    Bitser.
    
    Ellen

    You can get Nutrical from your vet, probably for $4 to $6. I bought a 
    tube recently at a cat show for $3.50 and I'm sure it's more expensive 
    at the vet's. But it's worth it, and a good thing to have on hand.

    There are some good suggestions for tempting a cat to eat in note 4355.

    Linda

    Keep a positive attitude.  EXPECT her to get better. You'd be
    surprized how sensitive cats are to their people.  It certainly
    isn't going to hurt to keep a positive attitude.  
    
    Talk to her and tell her how much you love her and for her to
    keep getting better.  She may not understand the words, but the
    love will come through.
      Nancy

    how is little Bitser doing these days?
    Pat
    

    I don't know how many lives cats have, but this one is sure taking
    years off my life.
    
    Bitser is eating well and is more active.  Her color continues to
    improve.
    
    However, just to keep things exciting, she managed to tear her side
    open yesterday.  My son called when he got home from school and I left
    here in a hurry.  The half hour drive home was terrible as I had
    visions of her in pain and dying.  Took her to the vet and had her
    stitched up - 7 stitches is alot in a cat that doesn't even weigh 5
    pounds.  Then last night she managed to pull out 2 of the stitches and
    bleed all over the place.  My son and I put a compress on the wound,
    and tied a piece of sheeting around her middle.  Then I lay on the
    couch holding her for about an hour and a half to get her away
    from licking and pulling on it.  That worked and we both fell asleep
    there.  About 1 this morning she got sick all over the living room
    floor - good thing I don't have carpeting - just wood floors.  I
    cleaned that up and fell asleep again.  This morning she had managed to
    push the bandage off the wound and open it up again.  So she is back at
    the vet's getting restitched right now.  I have to pick her up at noon
    and then get back for a meeting and class this afternoon.  
    
    The vet gave me some Nutri-Cal yesterday to add to her diet.  She isn't
    wild about it but I was able to get it down.  This will augment her
    diet of Tuna in water.  I gave her the tuna as a treat to get her eating
    and now that is all she will eat!!!!  Nothing like a fussy, sick cat.
    
    So that is how Bitser is today.  She is either going through her 9
    lives quickly or she is determined to put me through at least 9!!
    
    Ellen                                      

    This isn't going to put me on Bitser's favorite person list, but did
    the vet suggest an Elizabethan collar to keep her away from the
    stitches?
    

    Karen,  Not to worry, I'm probably not on her favorite person list right 
    now either.  Actually, I thought about the Elizabethan collar myself, but
    the vet thinks he has the problem licked (sorry for the pun).  What he
    did was to give her this lovely wide white belt of tape.  She now
    sports not only 7 stitches, but this wide band of tape around her
    middle.  I think she is so embarassed that she just wants to hide.  I
    think the embarassment is greater than the pain and bother of the
    stitches.  When I brought her home this noon, she just slinked into the
    house and hung her head.  Poor baby.
    
    Nancy, I have been telling her how much I love her and how good she is
    and lots of other mushy stuff.  She just lies there and purrs like mad
    when I talk to her that way.  I have always felt that this kind of
    talking helps (I do it to my kids when they are asleep, too - sort of
    trying to convince them via suggestion that they need to be good
    kids!!)
    
    On the whole, I am feeling much better now.  Bitser is once again
    stitched up, she went straight to her food dish and started to eat when
    we got home this noon (in spite of her embarassment), and I haven't had
    a call from my son about her.
    
    PS - my Colorado kitties (the ones who moved with my daughter) are romping 
    in the snow already!!! My daughter and I laughed about it last night - one 
    loves the snow and the other hates it....

    Sounds like Bitser is doing very well, especially if she's feeling
    well enough to get into trouble ;^}
    
    Keep up the good work.
    

    Here's the latest....
    
    Bitser continues to improve.  This cat is determined to outlive
    all those intruders (the other cats in the house that came AFTER her!!)
    
    She is now eating - lots of small amounts lots of times a day.  She
    is talking like mad again - drives us crazy.
    
    I took the bandage off her after a week.  She managed to immediately
    pull out 3 of the stitches.  The wound started oozing but, since it
    didn't open up, I didn't take her back to the vet.  Now it looks like
    it is healing well, although more open than it would have if all the
    stitches had stayed in.  I think that the wound hurt her up until
    a couple of days ago.  The last couple of days she has been more
    active, asked to go out (goes as far as the back deck, lies down
    for about 5 minutes, and then wants back in), and begs for food
    every time someone is in the kitchen.
    
    My hopes are rising.  There is a nice pink color in her mouth now.
    She was caught stretching this morning on the kitchen floor.
    
    So thanks for all your prayers and thoughts.  The energy has gone
    to her and she is getting better all the time.  Of course, she loves
    all the extra attention she got and isn't willing to give that up!!!
    
    Ellen - Bitser, Bob and Zelda 

    On Nov. 3, 1977, a very sweet, very tiny, very wonderful kitten came
    into my life.  On Nov. 3, 1991, this same sweet and wonderful cat
    joined her friends in kitty heaven.
    
    Bitser was dropped in my front yard on a cold, rainy November day.  We
    were out all day with friends whose son had died 2 weeks previously. 
    We were all trying to understand the sense of things.  And when we got
    home, there was this very wet, cold, tiny kitten with this cute little
    meow - saying "please take me in - it's cold out here!!"
    
    Well, in she came and in she stayed.  She was my very first kitten - I
    had always had dogs.  My two dogs loved her and she them.  When Monday
    came, she went off to the vet to be checked, etc.  The vet figured she
    was only about 4 weeks old - I mean TINY.
    
    Well, Bitser thrived in our home, watched lots of other animals come
    and go, but was always the top pet.  She gave of her love totally and
    brought us such fun and joy.  Bitser and I talked every morning - she
    would start, and would continue as long as I "meowed" back at her.  She
    never caused us trouble or concern.  She was just the best friend
    anyone could want. She was also a color that I have never seen in a cat
    again - a black tigerish coat that was silver underneath.               
    
    Last Saturday, she was fine in the morning.  By evening, she could
    barely move her back legs.  Sunday morning she seemed better, but as
    the day progressed, she seemed to slip in and out of a comatose state.
    Then, about 8:15 Sunday night, she sat up, gave a couple of shudders,
    laid back down and died.  Stephen (my 12 year old son) and I were there, 
    holding her as she went.  I don't know how long after that we sat and cried.
    
    Stephen did not want to bury her but asked if we could have her
    cremated and get her ashes to spread under the porch - her favorite
    place to wait for us.  So that is what we are doing.
    
    It is so odd.  I expect her to be there when I get home.  I have no
    feline to talk with in the morning.  Zelda, my black cat, came up to
    me Monday night.  She sniffed around Bitser's blanket that was on the
    floor next to me, pawed at the blanket, looked up at me and meowed her
    questions, and then curled up on the blanket.  She sleeps there still -
    she seems very lonely without her friend.
    
    Rest in peace, my beautiful friend.  You were loved and you are missed.
    
    Ellen, Stephen, and your feline siblings, Bob and Zelda.

    Oh, I'm so sorry.  She fought a valiant fight, and is at peace.  She
    loved, and knew she was loved.  Our condolences.
    
    Linda & Midnight, Kikay, Penny, Max, and Sebastian

    I would like to add my love and codolences foryour little one. I tired
    to reply earlier, but I was so teary, I had to head for the ladies room
    before someone came into my office.
    
    Please know that Bitser knows she was loved by you, and thet she is
    being taken care of in Kitty Heaven by all of our beloved friends that
    have gone on to that wonderful place.
    
    You are in my prayers.
    
    Yvonne, Feendoonie and Furby

    Ellen, I'm so sorry about Bitser.  She was a sweet, sweet cat.
    
    aq
    

    My condolences to you and your family.
    
    Jo

	Our sympathies as well.  That was a beautiful tribute to Bitser -
	I'm sure she knew how much you loved her.

	Sandy + 6

    I am so very sorry to hear about Bister - our thoughts and prayers are
    with you during this time.
    
    Hugs,
    
    Giudi +3

    So sorry...and all I can say is just keep talking to Bister because
    even though she is not by your side....she can hear you and will
    forever keep you company.   
    
    Thoughts and prayers with you during this time.
    
    Sandy

    Very sorry about Bitser...  The thoughts and memories of her will bring
    you comfort as time goes by. It is painful to say goodbye but the
    love and joy she brought to you are yours to keep...
    
    Our thoughts are with you.
    
    Linda 
    

    
    Sending gentle hugs...
    
    Marlene
    
    

    Very sorry,
    
    Karen, Sweetie, Holly, and Little Bit
    

    We are so sorry.. we went kittyhugs and pawpats and prayers..
    Kate, Happy, Preschie, Kissy..

    
        Bitser put up such a fight, what a tough little kitty!
    
        we are sorry too,  Denise and the gang of 11

    Crying at my desk, I'm very sorry to hear about Bister. He was so lucky
    to have a family like yours. Sending warm thoughts your way....
    
    Bonnie

    My heart goes out to you and your family.
    
    ng