Guys and girls, please pray for my cat...

[Adam]

Hey everyone. I want to apologize in advance if I don't come across as thoroughly clearheaded in this post. I've been really stressed and on an overall lack of rest since the other night. Long story short, my best little friend, my cat Penny, was real close to going into insulin shock. She's diabetic and, though we did not have any idea at the time, apparently her dosage requirements have decreased. Anyway, she was acting so sluggish the other day that she could barely move after a while. We made the decision to take her to a 24 hour animal hospital and she has been there since. They put her on a glucose drip to get her levels back to normal. That worked, but ended up getting a little higher than normal, so they then switched to a drip sans the glucose. Last I heard about half an hour ago, she has leveled out and doing very well. I am hoping she'll be able to come home tonight.

The logical part of my brain tells me that she will be just fine. A friend of mine has a sister that once went into insulin shock and, after a trip to the hospital, leveled out and recovered. Penny was not actually in shock, which is good, but it still freaked me out on a level that you cannot imagine. I love this animal with all my heart. Some of you may have noticed me bouncing around online here the other night and joking around, really just to try to take my mind off of everything else going on. I hope she can come home tonight. I know she's frightened and probably thinks she's been abandoned. So, if you could, just say a little prayer. Or if you're not religious, any kind of well-wishes would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for listening.

 

[rhiannon]

O boy, I'm so sorry to hear that! I know how hard it is when something bad happens to your pet. My cat had leucosis, it was really bad.

I hope she'll be fine!

 

[Adam]

Thanks, hon. I had to do a quick web search to find out what leucosis is, and it does not sound pleasant. Is your cat OK now? In any case, yeah, it sucks. Hard. These knots I have in my stomach will not be gone until she is safe and sound at home, and I am convinced that she's out of danger. I actually just heard a minute ago that her glucose levels got a little high again, so the doctor on duty wants to hand her back over to the night time physician when she comes in at 8pm. This has been Hell on me and I just want her to come home.

 

[rhiannon]

No, unfortunately he died from it. In 99 already. But it still sucks to think about it, I know how you feel. I was very scared when he got an outbreak of the leucosis. 🙁

 

[AngelOfDarkness]

Awwww, I hope she'll be ok. <3

 

[Mz Chaos]

awwww... my best to you and your little one. I truely hope she is well and comes home to you soon.

I had my old scare with my big guy last week. He is a St. Bernard / Burnese Mountain Dog. He is 12 years old (will be 13 at the end of August). He started getting a limp in his left hind leg a few years ago. It started in the winters only but has progressed to an every day thing that has required medication these past two years.
Last monday was the first day that he couldn't stand at all. It was heartbreaking watching him. I was a basket case. While I was pondering about the thought of having to put him down (I can't bear the thought of him suffering), a visit to a vet aleviated my worst fears that he would NEVER stand again. The Doc said that as in humans with arthritis, he will have good days and bad and that somedays, as with humans, he will want to rest.
He was up and around by that evening and was back to his usual self by the next day.

So I feel for ya... to some folks, pets may be just animals... but to some of us... they are so much much more.

Give the kitty a big smooch from Auntie Chaos when you get her home.

 

[Adam]

Thank you for the kind word, everyone. Rhiannon, I'm sorry that your cat didn't make it, regardless of how long ago it was. Angel, you know that we can relate as it comes to our cats in many ways. And Mz. Chaos, I know how you feel. And you had better believe that my cat is getting a big smooch when she comes home. But I will have to temper my enthusiasm when she does. I imagine she's going to be pretty shaken from the experience.

Gah, I hate this. Seriously, those of you who have my cell phone number, call me or something. The doctor has my land line, so you won't be tying up the phone. I could use any distraction that you all may want to provide.

 

[venray]

Dont worry Bro as she appears to be in good hands at the moment...pets are like kids, only even more difficult to care for at times cause they cant tell us when there is something wrong....

She will be ok....

 

[cabalist]

Your Penny looks like almost a "carbon copy" of my Charley, although he was a male (neutured) and half Siamese, but had the same tabby coloration/markings, even right down to the eye color. In fact, he was the longest pet I ever owned, and it was devastating watching him die slowly before my eyes (also in 1999) from a condition which it was too late to alleviate. But being only a couple months shy of his 20th birthday, I guess he had a fairly long life for a cat.

Anyway, although I'm not religious, you and your Penny have my best wishes for her full recovery and longevity.

 

[Adam]

Thank you, Ray. That's what I keep telling myself. But, as I'm sure animal lovers can understand, I still worry like hell. Speaking of kids, that's like what she is to me. My little baby girl. And a thank you to you, Cabalist, as well. I am sorry to read of your experience. 20 years is indeed an incredibly long life for a cat, but I know that it was heartbreaking to lose him.

 

[Gothika]

sorry to hear that dude i know how it feels hope everything goes well for ur cat

 

[Adam]

Thanks Goth. I remember your post about your dog. So, yeah, you know how I feel. I appreciate the kind sentiments.

 

[Dussicar]

Penny is an almost spitting image of my cat, Lillith, just like Cabalist's cat.

Obviously, this hits close to home because Lillith suffered a urinal tract infection two years ago and sent me through the stratosphere with worry. It was up in the air as to whether Lillith would live or die.

Keep us updated on Penny's condition, if you will...Please.

Lillith...

 

[Adam]

Dussicar, Lillith is beautiful and you're very right about the resemblance. I'm glad that she's OK and I hope the same for my beloved Penny. Thank you, and I will certainly keep you all up to speed.

 

[Bugman]

I just got home.Sorry to hear that Adam.Hopefully Penny will be home some and all will be well.

 

[Musicroxmysox]

Oh Adam, I hope you Penny gets well again. Good luck to her, I'll keep both of you in my thoughts as she recovers.

 

[steph]

I'll pray honey~best wishes!
XOXO

 

[Adam]

Thank you Brad, Melanie and Steph. Not too long ago, I was told that she very well may be coming home tonight. She's leveling off and they're trying a bit of insulin. If her glucose levels don't drop like a rock again, we'll be able to pick her up and bring her home. I'm keeping everything crossed!

 

[Bugman]

Other then the eye color and gender she looks just like Tom,a cat we had when i was a kid.Get well soon Penny.We are all pulling for you.🙂

 

[Tiger.Lily]

Best wishes for your kitty.

 

[Marquis De Sade]

Keeps us updated Adam. My thoughts are with you and kitty. 🙂

 

[Sandrock74]

I feel really bad now after reading this. I hope your cat will be alright.

 

[ViperGTS]

Here's hoping all works out well! I love my cats too so my thoughts are with ya.

 

[desdemona]

So sorry to hear about your cat. Diabetes can be a hard battle with felines - they just don't follow the same rules and unlike dogs, getting them to eat can be a pain.

So to distract you...what kind of insulin is Penny on? And what kind of food? After they get a cat's glucose up to a reasonable (if not too high level...), they sometimes will put the cat on a drip of regular insulin until everything is "normal" - that means glucose, electrolytes, and acid/base status (in case she started to go into ketoacidosis). I'm sure the 24hr hospital was the best choice you could have made and they are handling these things admirably.

PM me if you'd like - I've never had a diabetic cat myself but I've treated many in the past 12 years. They are tough little critters and your love goes a long way to helping her pull through.

 

[Adam]

Gin, Marquis, Sandy, Viper and Desdemona... I thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. Penny is home now! 🙂 She was a bit frazzled when she first came home around midnight and didn't really want to get too close or anything. Not that I blamed her at all given her traumatic experience. Aside from attempting to shake the bandage off of her left, front leg, she was really focused on grooming since she was given a catheter and her hind legs were very wet. She hissed at us once we tried getting the bandage off (which we were given permission to do), but that's understandable. I'm sure she was tired of people poking her with things in that area by that time. But anyway, she is dry and bandage free now... with a nicely shaven, poodle-like front leg to keep her nice and cool during the hot months. 😉

So today, she seems to be back to normal. She came up to me earlier and was rubbing herself up against me. She seemed very happy to be pet and even more content once she was fed. Right now, she is resting comfortably in front of the air conditioner. Cats are really good at picking out the comfiest spaces in the house. 😀

Thank you again, everyone, for your kindness during the past few days. It means a lot to me that I can come here and get a little reassurance when things like this happen. I'm sure Penny would appreciate it too.