Conference misery::feline

    
    
      I am so very sorry to hear about Dusty, that is so sad.  I have dealt
      with tumors before but Sylvesters wasn't of the same symptoms
    (blindness), his were spread throughout his body and detected through
    X-rays, after alot of vomiting.
    
    Wishing you lots of prayers that Dusty comes out of this well.
    
    
    Diana, Domino & Tykey

    You're in my thoughts also.  Is there anything that they can do besides wait
    to determine what's causing this?  x-rays, etc.?  Do you think your vet is on
    top of this, or perhaps a specialist vet or a second opinion (from a vet
    in your area perhaps recommended by a Feliner?) might help?
    

     
    
    The vet told me she could call Tufts vet hospital today to speak with
    a neuroligist there. I just feel uncomfortable with this not knowing
    what it is and a vet that is just watching to see what happens. I feel
    as if I have to push for results. Maybe I'm just in a bad mood for not
    knowing.
    
    
    Thanks for your concern,
    
    
    Lu 

    
    
    I would like to thank everyone for their replies and to inform you
    I called the vet and insisted that they contact Tufts so Dusty can
    be transfered there rather than wasting time not knowing what is
    wrong. I was told an xray would not show the tumor thru the skull
    and a catscan would be required. I know I will feel better once he
    is there and getting the best care and knowing I'm doing everything
    I can for him. Now I sit and wait to hear when they can take him.
    
    
    lu...Dusty/Tiger and Jessy(dog) thank you

    
    I would suggest that you continue to push your vet so she will contact 
    Tufts real soon.   Tufts is a wonderful hospital with so many specialist
    that will get involved to diagnose the problem and develop a plan.
    It can be expensive...but in my eyes my furfaces are well worth it.
    
    Keep positive thoughts...and please keep us posted.  
    
    Sandy
    
    

    Illnesses like FIP, FeLV, and FIV can sometimes attack the optic nerve
    and cause rather sudden blindness.  Has the cat been tested for any of
    these?  Also, there is an illness called Progressive Retinal Atrophy
    (PRA) that will cause blindness.
    
    Jo
    
    
    
    

    Good luck to you both.  And all of our best wishes.
    
    Me, Guido Tiggerini, Chuck-y-Cheese, Christopher and the new
    Lady Elizabeth Chillipepper

    
    I just received a call from Dusty's doctor at Tufts and it doesn't
    look good. They did the catscan this morning and found a massive
    growth at the base of his scull which is inoperatable, they can only
    hope to shrink it with medication. He hasn't been able to breath on 
    his own since the scan so it is now just a waiting game. They will 
    call me back as soon as there is any change. This is a very hard day
    and it's hard to make a dicission as to whether we should keep trying.
    

    My heart is with you......Tuft vets will be honest and help you
    made the decision if you should continue trying!!  Weigh all the
    options and made the decision based on what is best for Dusty!
    
    Your in our thoughts and prayers...
    
    Sandy

    I'm very sorry.  You both are in my thoughts.
    
    Karen
    

    Ditto.....
    
    Nancy

    
    This is a very sad day..Dusty was unable to breath on his own after
    the catscan and was taken off the resperator last night and put to
    sleep. It was a hard decission to make but he is now at rest but will
    never be forgoten. I will miss him very much...he was such a love and
    so easy going. If he had started to breath again he would still have
    faced the problems of the massive tumor which was in his brain. Things
    just won't be the same at home without him. Tiger and Jessy seem to
    sense something is wrong.
    
    Once again I would like to thank everyone for their support during this
    sad time.    Dusty is now in kitty heaven 

    I'm so sorry.
    
    Steffi

    I'm very sorry,
    
    Karen
    

    So sorry to hear the bad news about your kitty.  Know now that his
    suffering is over and he's watching over you, thanking you for
    all you tried to do.
    
    Pam

      many condolences on your loss, having been through it many times,
      I know how you feel...
    
      Denise 

I am saddened to read of your losing Dusty, my thoughts are with you.
Karen

        The following note is from Karen Kolling regarding her
        kitty, Sweetie.   Prayers and warm thoughts are needed her way
        because Sweetie is being operated on today!!   She promised to
        keep me posted.     Sandy
        
From:	US3RMC::"[email protected]"  3-SEP-1993 18:22:37.03
To:	willee::merritt
CC:	[email protected]
Subj:	Sweetie, another mast cell tumor.


Sweetie's vet just called, and it turns out that Sweetie
has another mast cell tumor, this one on his tail.  I think I
talked about his first one in FELINE a couple of years ago --
the vet took it out, said it looked like it was in the benign
end of the range, and Sweetie then had blood tests every three
months for a year to see if it had spread, which, thankfully,
it hadn't.

So, I thought he was home free until I noticed this little "cut"
on his tail a week or so ago (I actually thought he and Little Bit
had nipped each other) and took them in to make such things weren't
going to abscess.

It's really a miracle I did that, since the cut really looked too
small to worry about. The vet said it was almost certainly just a cut,
but to keep an eye on it because of the mast cell history if it didn't
go away in a week or two.  Well, the scab came off, and by chance I
happened to have Sweetie in for something else yesterday, and even though
the vet was running really late, I waited around an hour to have him look
at it, never really thinking that something so small was anything
but a little residual scar, but...

So, please keep Sweetie in your thoughts next Tuesday when the vet operates,
that he does okay in the operation and that the result is benign...
I'm worried about the anesthesia too, since his lung condition gave him
some problems last time.  He seems bright and happy, though, even though
the poor baby seems to have to go thru one thing after another.

Karen

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% Message-Id: <[email protected]>
% To: willee::merritt
% Cc: [email protected]
% Subject: Sweetie, another mast cell tumor.
% Date: Fri, 03 Sep 93 15:23:22 MDT
% From: [email protected]

        Update on Sweetie!!
    
    
From:	US3RMC::"[email protected]"  7-SEP-1993 15:31:23.72
To:	willee::merritt, dkas::fease
CC:	[email protected]
Subj:	Sweetie, so far so good


Sweetie's operation has finished and he's awake.  Now we're waiting
for the results of two tests -- a tissue test to see if the tissue
was malignant (results about next Monday, sigh) and a blood test
to see if there are mast cells in the blood (results in 24-48 hours).
My impression is that if the cells show up in the blood then the tumor
was both malignant and has spread.  So he needs more crossed fingers and
paws from everyone...  Thanks a lot for your support,

Karen and Sweetie

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% Message-Id: <[email protected]>
% To: willee::merritt, dkas::fease
% Cc: [email protected]
% Subject: Sweetie, so far so good
% Date: Tue, 07 Sep 93 12:32:47 MDT
% From: [email protected]

         Another update on Sweetie....keep those prayers coming!!
    
From:	US3RMC::"[email protected]"  8-SEP-1993 14:26:17.75
To:	willee::merritt, dkas::fease, bpsof::egyed, juliet::cordes_ja
CC:	[email protected]
Subj:	Re: Sweetie, some good news


Yeah!  The blood test results came back, and the stuff is not in the
blood.  So, now we're waiting for the tissue results (due about next
Monday), which will tell if the growth itself was benign or malignant.
Thanks so much for your shoulders,

Karen and Sweetie (who had taken the bandage off this morning, sigh.  I
put it back on and am waiting to see if it's still on when I come home
tonight.)

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% Message-Id: <[email protected]>
% To: willee::merritt, dkas::fease, bpsof::egyed, juliet::cordes_ja
% Cc: [email protected]
% Subject: Re: Sweetie, some good news
% Date: Wed, 08 Sep 93 11:26:41 MDT
% From: [email protected]

        Another update from Karen...GREAT news!!
    
    
From:	US3RMC::"[email protected]" "Karen Kolling" 13-SEP-1993 12:17:00.78
To:	studio::colaianni, juliet::cordes_ja, [email protected], dkas::fease, willee::merritt
CC:	[email protected]
Subj:	Hurray!!

Great news, the tissue test came back not malignant, and all of
the growth was removed (I guess they look at the edges of the
tissue sample to tell the latter.)  Yeah!  Hurray!  Thanks so much
for your shoulders,

Karen and Sweetie

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% Date: Mon, 13 Sep 93 09:18:44 PDT
% From: [email protected] (Karen Kolling)
% Message-Id: <[email protected]>
% To: studio::colaianni, juliet::cordes_ja, [email protected], dkas::fease, willee::merrit
% Subject: Hurray!!
% Cc: [email protected]

    Yet another update on Sweetie from KAren! YEEHAW!! Some good news
    coming our way!
    
    Yonee
    
    
    
From:	US3RMC::"[email protected]" 22-SEP-1993 18:18:59.89
To:	studio::colaianni, juliet::cordes_ja, [email protected], dkas::fease, willee::merritt
CC:	[email protected]
Subj:	Sweetie good news update


Sweetie had the stitches removed today, and he doesn't even need to
have the followup blood tests that he had to have every three months
after the last time he had a mast cell tumor;  the written report 
came back completely benign.

And, the vet says that he probably doesn't have to stay on a strictly
RD-only diet, since the prednisolone he used to take might have
contributed to his diabetes flareup and he's been off the pred and
stable for quite awhile now;  so I can feed him a chicken dinner
once a week and we'll see if that's okay.  Yes!

Karen

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% To: studio::colaianni, juliet::cordes_ja, [email protected], dkas::fease, willee::merrit
% Cc: [email protected]
% Subject: Sweetie good news update
% Date: Wed, 22 Sep 93 15:17:33 MDT
% From: [email protected]

    Oh god...oh how frustrating!!  My sister (lives upstairs from me)
    got very bad news yesterday regarding her 16 year old kitty, Mitzi.
    
    Mitzi has been a very healthy little girl for her entire life.  2
    years ago she was diagnosed with Hyperthyroid and has been on pills
    and was doing very good.   The other night my sister noticed a bump
    on her left paw and that Mitzi was limping a little.   Yesterday 
    the vet did a bunch of test such as X-rays and needle biobsy...and
    even though all the results are not in, the Vet suspects a Malignent
    tumor.  The reason for this is the tumor is on the bone...and the
    X-ray showed that Mitzi only had about a 1/3 of her bone left in
    that leg.  Once the other tests results are back...it will confirm
    if it is Malignent and they can possibly tell if it has metastasized
    and if it is through all her bones. (sigh)
    
    The only hope is possible amuputation of the leg...but the question
    is can a 16 year old survive the operation...and learn to cope
    and live a quality life with only 3 legs.  The other question is..
    how far as it spread.     Has anyone heard of an older kitty that
    has had this done???   
    
    Mitzi has been with my sister for 16 years...and as you must know
    my sister is devastated by this news...because Mitzi is her baby.
    Mitzi is still acting like a kitten...eating like a pig...so
    thinking of putting her down right now is very hard.  BUT...my
    sister is torn because she doesn't want the leg to snap (that's
    what will eventually happen) and cause Mitzi alot of pain.
    
    This is especially hard because we lost our mother to bone
    cancer...and the pain and suffering was very bad.  It's also
    hard...because we just lost Mr Meow and are still going through
    a critical time with Ziggy.  I understand that when you have
    as many cats as we do upstairs and downstairs...you will go
    through rough times just because you have so many.  BUT...three
    critical issues in one week is just too much to handle....
    
    AGain...all your kitty prayers, hugs and comfort is needed.....
    
    Sandy (who is so sorry for bumming everyone out every day this
           week...but I know you understand)
     
                                           

    I spoke to you about this last night, but still wanted to offer my
    support in the notesfile... They say bad things come in threes,
    so this is the third thing, and now only good things are in store
    for you and your babies.
    
    I know Donna (your sister) will do the right thing when the time comes.
    I think she should trust her vet to let her know when it's time
    that Mitzi's life is no longer a quality one.  As long as she's
    eating and playing, I believe she's in no pain.
    
    But don't even think about this until you get the final results
    of the tests.  All my thoughts are with you and Donna that it's
    a false alarm and nothing serious.
    
    Many kitty prayers...
    
    Pam, Mocha, Sneakers, Pretzel, Lily, April and foster kitty Lucky

    Kitty prayers and hugs from Calif.  I sure hope Mitzi will be alright. 
    From what I've read here, cats seem to adjust well to a missing paw.  I
    hope that will be true for Mitzi if necessary.
    
    Hugs,
    Steffi

    Update to Mitzi:  
    
    Well more good thoughts and prayers are needed for Mitzi, who will
    be having her leg amputated tomorrow!   As of the last time I wrote
    (note 490.23) Mitzi has gone through multiple tests to determine if
    the cancer has spread and to see if she was strong enough to make
    it through the operation. (she's 16 years old).  
    
    The tests shows that there are no other visable tumors in her body,
    her lungs are like a kittens lungs, her heart is a bit enlarged but
    they believe that is because of the known thyroid problem, and her
    blood profile came back great.   Dr Fallon stated that there is still
    a risk of operating because of her age...but yet the tests results show 
    there is NO reason why she wouldn't make it through the operation.  As
    a matter of fact he has an agreement with my sister that if she makes
    it okay through the amputation, he might also take out her thyroid so
    she no longer as to deal with daily pills.   If the amputation is not
    done...Dr. Fallon believes the leg will break within a few months and
    Mitzi will be in ALOT of pain and would have to be put to sleep.
    
    So after multiple family discussions to talk about cost because my
    sister is a single parent living on a very tight budget and about
    the quality of life with or without the operation....my sisters family 
    decided that they had to "atleast" give Mitzi a fighting chance and
    she will be having the operation tomorrow.
    
    Your warm wishes and prayers are needed once again.....hopefully Mitzi
    will make it through the operation and learn to cope with only 3 legs!
    
    Sandy....

    Paws and fingers are crossed here, and kitty prayers are heading your
    way for Mitzi.
    
    Steffi

    Ditto.
    
    Deb and The FIRM

    Plenty of prayers and good thoughts coming your way from northern
    Califiornia for Mitzi.
    
    Carl, Marie, and Les Six

    
    Paws crossed for Mitzi, kitty prayers too!
    
    Shaw

    Yes, we are here, paws & fingers crossed.
    
    Smokey & Sue & Nat
    

   crossed here too,

   Debbi, Ginny, Matt (prayers & fingers & toes!)
   Peanut, Lipton, Missy, Patches, Cuddles, Dickens (purrs & paws !)

    Well Mitzi made it through the operation fine.   She did so well that
    they even removed her thyroid too!  What a little spunky old lady!!!
    
    My sister, Donna went down to visit her last night and had quite
    the shock!  Poor Mitzi is bandaged from head to toe.  Her neck is
    completely bandaged where they removed the thyroid and her little
    tiny 6 pound body is covered with bandages with the exception of
    her head, her front paw and her behind!!  Mitzi was still "drugged"
    because they had only operated on her a few hours ago, but what
    was truly amazing was Donna was talking to her and really couldn't 
    get her to respond...UNTIL...she popped a baby food jar cover and 
    Mitzi  perked right up!!  She started to eat the baby food from my
    sisters fingers...and Donna almost had her finger chewed off because
    Mitzi wanted more!!  The vets were shocked that she wanted to eat
    already....and said it was a very good sign!
    
    BUT...it will be tough on Mitzi for awhile.  She had a VERY hard time
    just trying to change the position she was in...but I'm not sure if
    it's because of her missing limb or because she was so bandaged up!
    It was quite the sad sight for donna...her heart broke watching her 
    baby trying to move.
    
    The amazing part is...she might be coming home today or no later
    then tomorrow!!  Donna has a cage set up for her and is ready to
    spoil her rotten.  I'm sure there will be a list of medical needs...
    but heck...we've both been through so much with kitty prblems, I 
    know we'll be able to handle anything!
    
    It was a rough day on Donna's whole family...but atleast this part
    is over with and hopefully every day Mitzi will recover more!  It's
    amazing a 16 year old  little lady can handle this major operation.
    
    Hugs to you Mitzi.....
    
    Sandy

    Nothing like good news to start the day!
    
    Hugs to Mitzi and Donna.
    
    - Lauri
    

    I was worried about Mitzi all yesterday; I'm so glad she pulled thru!
    
    Deb and THE FIRM
    

    What a relief!  Hugs to Donna and Mitzi from the West Coast.
    
    I am curious as to why Mitzi was totally bandaged, not just the 2
    operation sites?
    
    Steffi + 4

    Steffi...my guess is that once they amputated the leg...they had
    to bandage the body to keep the bandage from falling off!!
    
    Just my guess.....I'm wondering if she will come home with or
    without bandages????
    
    Sandy

         That's fantastic, Sandy.  Please tell Mitzi what a good girl she
    is - can't give her a hug with all those bandages!
    
    					- Andrea

    Way to go, Mitzi!!  We're pullin' for you all the way.  Here's hoping
    for a speedy recovery.
    
    Carl & Marie & Les Six

        
        When Lefty had his  leg  amputated by Dr.  Mulcahy, he was also
        heavily bandaged, and had a  lot  of  trouble  moving until the
        bandages were removed.  He was  sorta  going through the "kitty
        in  the  harness"  syndrome,  as  the  bandages  didn't  really
        restrict him as much as he thought they did.
        
        Hugs and best wishes to Mitzi from the Fraser gang.
        
        

    Yeah, yeah, yeah! Good news! Go on, Mitzi! Here my hugs, but take them
    only if you shall be able to!
    
    Nat

    Well Mitzi didn't get to come home last night because they wanted
    to keep her one more day to make sure there is no infection and to
    give her more fluids. 
    
    Mitzi is still bandaged quite heavily...but not as bad as the first
    night.  The vet said they bandage them that way to help stop the
    swelling.   Mitzi looks bright eyed, she eating good...but boy is she 
    pissed off!   When Ernie and I went to visit (hey we're the aunt and
    uncle) Mitzi was laying in the cage with her face to the wall.  I
    called Mitzi and she just turned her head to look at me...gave me
    a look of disgust..and turned her head back to the wall.  The good news
    is....she acted that way for Donna too, but then Donna fed her baby
    food and brushed her and Mitzi was purring up a storm!!  I think
    it will take awhile..but I think she'll forgive us!  My nephew and
    his girlfriend also went to visit...so Mitzi had ALOT of company
    yesterday!!! 
    
    She will most likely be coming home today and the vet suggest to
    only cage her when Donna is not home and let her roam free when
    someone is there.  The key is they want her to learn how to
    maneuver around right away with her three legs.  It's going to be 
    tough trying to watch her learn how to do this....because at this
    point she barely figured out how to get from a laying position to
    a standing one!!!
    
    A cute story:::  My sister asked "with only three legs and her missing
    her front one...how will she cover her poops with litter".  My nephew
    responded "god Ma...she never covered her poops when she had four
    legs..what makes you think she'll cover them now!!!   
    
    Sandy

    Well Mitzi is home...and what a little amazing old lady she is!!!
    She totally played possum at the vets...and would barely more and
    acted so mad!!  BUT...as soon as she came home she started hopping
    around the house, purring her head off, meowing for baby food, and
    she can even jump off and on the sofa and beds!!   She is doing so
    well...she has not had to spend a minute in the cage.   It is truly
    amazing to see...and truly wonderful to see the smile/glow on my sister
    and her kids faces!!
    
    She is still lightly bandaged......and she has a follow-up appointment
    for next Monday night.   Her only medical needs is antibiotics three
    times a day!!!  
    
    My poor sister has had limited support about this decision to operate
    from the teachers she works with (they think she is crazy) or even
    her boyfriend who thinks it's crazy to spend that amount on a cat!
    So yesterday I printed off (headers stripped) all your responses to
    Mitzi's original note and let my sister read them!!  You brought
    tears to her eyes...she was surprised to see responses as far away
    as California..but when she ever saw Nat's response from Hungry...
    she just said "Oh my god..what a bunch of wonderful supportive people".
    Your caring and support put her on cloud nine and she's happy to know 
    that there are other folks around that would definitely support her 
    decision!
    
    Sandy
                  

    
    
    It is so nice to read about Mitzi's courage and quick recovery. 
    She is one lucky cat to have a human like your sister to care for 
    her. My special thanks to Mitzi for brightening up my day ;-)
    
    Shaw

    
    Thank goodness, another happy ending.
    
    len (for Merlin, Rocky, Little Robin and Beautiful Blueberry).
     

    re: -1  Amem to that.  I was so happy to read about how well Mitzi is
    doing.  The way Mitzi has recovered certainly justifies your sister's
    decision to have the operation done, and encourages us for the future.
    
    Smiles and purrs from Los Gatos, CA
    
    Steffi + 4

    I was fortunate enough to visit this amazing kitty on Saturday - she's
    doing fabulous and despite the bandages - looks wonderful!  She showed
    me her new talent of hopping onto the couch.  It's hard to believe she
    went through major surgery only days ago and is well enough to get
    around as well as she does!
    
    Donna really is thankful for all the great support the feliners
    has given her - you guys are great!!
    
    Pam

    She is truly an amazing little furry woman. She is doing great and
    has learned to manuever around...especailly at food time.  The
    only problem she is having right now is using the litterbox.   She
    seems to have figured out how to pee okay....but so far she has had
    two accidents and has pooped all over herself and the sofa!  Her stool
    is pretty loose...and the poor girl feels so bad that after one of her 
    accidents...she goes and hides for awhile!!
    
    She goes back to the vets tonight to get her bandages changed and to
    have a checkup!!!
    
    Donna is truly amazed at the support from the file...the get well card
    Mitzi received and a money donations from two VERY special people
    who helped defray the cost of the operation. Your support has been
    truly wonderful...and appreciated so much!!  
    
    Sandy
    

    I thought I'd share the update on Mitzi to let everyone know
    how GREAT she is doing.   We cannot get over how a 16 year old cat
    could adjust so quickly to the leg amputation and recover from
    her major surgeries so fast.  All bandages have been removed and
    the stiches have been taken out.  Now all we need is the hair to
    grow back...and she will look as pretty as always!!
    
    On top of this...she also had a bout with an intestinal virus which
    was not related to the surgeries...but she ended up in the hospital for
    a few more days.  She is on some medication to help stop the diahrea..
    but she is back home and VERY happy!
    
    Nothing stops Mitzi...she has learned to manuever up and down the
    stairs...jump up/down on 4 foot counters....and win the hearts of
    anyone who see's her.   Mitzi has definitely proven that cats
    learn to adapt very quickly to three legs..even if they are on the
    older side!!!
    
    Sandy
    
    
    

    Having seen Mitzi personally - she's amazing!!  What a little trouper!
    You can tell how much she loves her mom (Donna) and "aunt" Sandy!!
    
    She's got more energy and drive than my four-legged Pretzel - and
    he's half her age!
    
    Pam

    I'd be grateful for some advice on my cat and would be interested to
    hear if anyone else has been in the same situation.
    
    He's 15 1/2 so is getting on a fair bit.  On Saturday he had a small
    stroke which has affected the left side of his bidy.  We took him to
    the vet immediately who gave him some cortisone to perk him up a bit. 
    Since then he hasn't been too bad - he's slightly wobbly on his left
    hand side, usually it's worse at night.  The vet seems to think the
    part of his brain which controls the nerve signals on the left side of
    his body is slowly deteriorating 0- we don't know if this will continue
    rapidly or nor progress at all.
    
    His diet now consists only of white meat and fish and a little white
    meat/fish cat food, the vet was happy with his liver and kidneys and
    said he didn't have a problem there.
    
    We have to take him back to the vet on Monday for her to do a spinal
    fluid/blood analysis/profile in the hope that it may reveal a bit more
    about what's happening to the old boy (apart from growing old!)  The
    vet was wuite happy that he wasn't in any pain and wasn't distressed
    about what was happening as he is not consciously aware of the lack of
    control - it seems perfectly normal to him apparently - just that the
    signals from his bain to his limbs telling him when to move are slower
    than normal.
    
    I'd appreciate any advice anyone has on this please!

    I forgot to mention that he was walking round and round in circles
    immediately after the stroke and again the next morning when we let him
    out.

    The symptoms you describe seems just like the symptons my sisters
    16 year old kitty had about 2 years ago.  In Mitzi's case what
    happened was all of a sudden her eyes bulged (look of fear), her
    neck was tilted to one side, and all she did was walk in circles.
    It appeared it affect one side of her body only.
    
    In her case, what appeared to be a stroke was really the vestibular 
    nerve in her neck.  The good news is...the vestibular nerve can heal
    itself and it appeared Mitiz got a little better every day and now
    there are no side effects at all.   How the vet tested for this was
    put Mitzi on a table and held her front paws.  He then moved sideways
    making her jump on her hind legs to the right side.  No problem...
    Mitzi hopped over.  He then attempted to do this on the left side,
    and Mitzi's left side just dragged because she had no control.
    
    Good luck...and keep us posted.  
    
    Sandy
      

    Hi,
    
    It was my mum who saw him have the stroke on Saturday, she said he just
    stood there and it was like he was heaving like when being sick, he
    then started walking round and round in circles immediately afterwards
    (like they do before settling down).  That
    night the vet held him on the edge of a table to see if he tried to
    put his paws onto it, he did with his right side but the left was
    a little delayed.  He is able to walk and seems better in the daytime,
    at night he becomes worse although he is still able to walk.  Some
    times he is better than others.  The vet mentioned something about a
    brain tumour in passing but didn't hang on the subject.  She agreed
    that he'd had the stroke and gave him some cortisone to perk him up and
    some vitamin tablets (B or E) for him to take for a couple of days. 
    These seemed to be working, the vet then said to stop giving him them
    as his is probably getting more distressed by giving him tablets than
    the good the tablets are doing!
    
    Also, it sometimes seems like he's forgetting to eat, I can give him
    something (chicken pieces etc.) which he loves, he'll take some and
    turn away, if you put some more under his nose he will eat it.  He
    isn't grooming himself as much these days which I know is a sure sign
    of things not being well.
    
    All you're help and advice really appreciated.
    
    On a good note, my sister picked up an abandoned female (18 months old)
    yesterday, she was spayed by the feline charity yesterday and is doing
    really well, she's tortoiseshell colours and is called Poppie.

    This note has been quiet for awhile.  Well, tuesday I noticed that my
    20 year old, Abby, was walking funny.  The only way I can describe it
    is his back leg kept slipping out from him, actually he was walking
    like he was drunk.  I don't believe he ate anything beforehand to cause
    this because he was sleeping most of the day on my son's bed.  He 
    staggered into the  kitchen and had a spasm of sort and actually 
    did a flip and landed on his side.  His eyes were wide and glazed.  
    He is going to the vets tonight to be checked out!  The poor old guy, 
    after this "spasm" he appeared to be fine...jumping back up on and off 
    the bed, coming out to eat, drink and used his litterbox.  He stayed 
    at the back door last night wanting desparately to go out but I 
    wouldn't let him.  I'm only speculating that he was having a stoke 
    or several mini-strokes.  Maybe I'm completely clueless as to what 
    it is.....could it possibly be something else?  Kidney?  Liver?  Tumor? 
    Has anybody's cat ever acted this way before?  
    
    Faith
       
    

    well, my Eirene was acting like that when she was in renal failure.
    She would have a period of activity, then would just flip over onher
    side and collapse. I'd have to shake her to revive her, and then she
    seemed as good as new. But whenthis happened, I'llnever forget the look
    in her eyes; wide open and glazed.She wasn't walking funny before or
    after, though, except when she had one of these seizures on a cat tree
    and fell and hurt her leg (I recall the bruise felt doughy)
    
    I'd suggest bringing the cat into the vet for a complete checkup,
    including blood work.
    
    good luck and I hope Abby will be all right.
    Deb

    I took Abby to the vet for a check-up.  The doctor said that he was
    doing well for a 20 year old.  As for the seizure, it could be epilepsy
    or a neurological problem - possibly a tumor in his brain.  If it was
    epilepsy, it probably would have shown up earlier in his age, say
    around 7 years of age, but he told me to call him back if Abby has 
    another seizure and he would prescribe him phenobarbital.  We decided 
    against a CATscan etc. because of his age.  The medicine would not 
    stop the seizures but would make them less severe when he would have 
    another one.  Also, the medicine would take 3 to 4 days to start
    working.
    I brought Abby home and within an hour he had another seizure.  Broke
    my heart.  I went and got the medicine and gave him some.  I then
    proceded to buy him Sheba to eat - spoil him a bit.  He really enjoyed
    it.  Abby had another severe seizure on Sunday; then Monday.  I 
    realized when I was at the vet's that this was a last hope for my guy. 
    Deep in my heart I knew this was it and that it probably wasn't
    epilepsy that he had.  I could not have him go through
    this for the rest of his life.  Every time he had a seizure, it took so
    much out of him.  I didn't want him to get hurt more when he had them -
    he could really hurt himself because he was out of control. 
    Yesterday, Abby was put to rest.  My daughter (21 years old) and I took
    him to the vets and stayed with him; it was the least that I could do. 
    All I can say was he was one heck of a cat.  What a personality he had.  
    Grumpy old men comes to mind.  He was a confidant when I needed one.  
    Whenever anyone was sick, he would go to them and just rest beside them.  
    Even though he had his mean streak, he also had compassion.  I could go
    on and on and on but I know everyone knows what I'm talking about.
    
    I loved you Abby, rest in peace.
    
    Faith 
    

    Faith....Abby lived many many happy years and you did the
    right thing by allowing him to go in peace.
    
    I know exactly what you were going through because I just lost
    my Ziggy in December who was also having seizures.  We made the
    hard decision when Ziggy had 4 seizures within a 1/2 hour....and
    as you said each seizure just took a little more out of him and
    they were so hard to watch! It broke your heart....
    
    I pray all my kitties live to be Abby's age.....and just remember
    Abby will be waiting for you near the golden litterbox in the sky.
    
    Sandy

    Faith,
    
    My condolences. Having just lost my Mikael on Saturday night I share
    your grief.
    
    Deb

   Faith,

   I'm so sorry about Abby !  We have a cat that has had seizures too but
   thankfully (so far!) her's are controllable with pheno.......

   my heart goes out to you - Abby's been added to the SLM listing.

   Debbi

    I'm so sorry about Abby, what a wonderful cat,
    
    Karen
    

         So very sorry, Faith.  Abby will be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge;
    he's got a lot of company to keep him busy.
    
    					- Andrea

    Please add my condolences for your loss. What a wonderful, long life
    Abby had! I hope the Colonel lives as long!
    
    Sari 

Oh my, your daughter must be devastated!  Abby had been part of 
your family for most all of her life (less 1 year).  I know how
this can feel -- we lost our Tabatha about 2 years ago and my
wife (who'd had her all of 20 years) still occasionally sits 
down and cries.

I know you did the right thing.  I hope you know that too.

You and your family have my condolences.

-Andy

    Thank you everyone.  I believe I did the right thing but...always a
    but; always looking for miracles.  I forgot to mention earlier that
    Abby also had fluid in his lungs, too.  
    
    Yes, we are all devastated.  Chris, my daughter, was only 10 months old
    when we got Abby, so he "grew up" with my daughter and she with him.
    
    Thanks again for your sympathies.  Thanks for this file and everyone in
    it.
    
    Faith