Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Callie's home...but...

This update brought to you by The Callie Noos Station! All Callie, All the Time!

So, Callie is home now. Which is a good thing! I missed her terribly. But oh my poor baby...she's not looking so hot. She's not quite skin and bones, but she's noticeably skinnier. And she lost a lot of furs on one arm, one leg and her belleh because of the various IVs and for the ultrasounds. The poor dear is just looking a little pitiful right now.

As for the 'but'...at least so far, after one evening and one morning, the intensely-hoped-for appetite increase hasn't happened. She's had a little milk and a little water and that's it, no interest in food whatsoever. She's never much cared for stinky goodness (I hear you kitties gasping in horror) and she's extremely picky with her dry food too, which is why I hoped having her home with her regular familiar food would be helpful. But no go. Mr. Hendrix in a comment yesterday suggested baby food; I'm willing to try anything so I'll go by the store on the way home tonight and get some.

I've got a better idea of what's going on, sort of, but not really in a way that I can explain it. It really is a lot up in the air as to exactly what the problem is and how to fix it. It's pretty clear that it's a blockage of sorts in the gallbladder/biliary tract, but exactly what and why isn't known. It's possible that it could clear on its own (Dr. Vet has seen that happen) or surgery may be needed. If surgery is needed, it may be that draining the blockage will be enough or it could be that a re-routing of tubes will be necessary (or something like that). And even if the draining or the re-routing surgery is done, the problem could come back, or there's a real 50/50 chance she won't survive the surgery. This is a pretty serious thing. And that's assuming she doesn't get too weak from lack of food/nutrients before surgery can even be attempted.

And, as much as I hate to even mention it, there's the expense involved. Don't get me wrong, I'll do everything I can do to get her well. But after spending several thousand on Bugsy since the summer with his medical issues, and nearly a thousand just for this past week on Callie with the tests and meds and all, looking at potentially a few thousand more for surgery makes the ol' savings account squeak loudly. (That's not a request for help, just a comment.)

For now, we'll have Callie home for at least a couple of days, trying to get her to eat, giving her a couple of meds twice a day, and seeing if we can love her back to health. I'm looking for a genuine Christmas miracle here...




30 comments:

JC said...

I am glad she is home but sad that she is still having trouble.

I so hope she turns around for you.

We are praying for her ... imagine five sets of paws ..

** please help me find a home for the boys .. stop by my blog and mention them on yours **

Jans Funny Farm said...

And we hope Callie gets that Christmas miracle!

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

We are so glad she is home but sorry that she is not eating. WE will continue to purr for her!

SuziQCat said...

Here's purring for the Christmas miracle for Callie too. Could you syringe some chicken broth into her mouth? At least that would be some calories, and maybe easy to digest.

CCL Wendy said...

We are all praying for Callie. It sure would be good if it could clear up spontaneously. It would be difficult for anyone who isn't independently wealthy to continue to foot those heavy vet bills.

I just hope for all of you, that things will go the right way and that you won't need to shell out any more cash, or risk Callie's life in surgery.

Anya said...

We are all puurrrrr for a miracle!
Its nice to hear that she is home
at home is the best place to be !!
Take care ...

((HUGS))
Kareltje =^.^=

Amy & the house of cats said...

We are sending a ton of purrs and prayers for that miracle to happen. Come on Callie - eat a little at least! I think the baby food is a good idea - we have used it with good luck in the past. You could also try grinding up some of the cat food and mixing it with water if you think that the flavor would be good - we actually have done that with the kittens we have had when they first come home and it makes something like a wet food. There is also that nutrical stuff (I have to mix it in things to get my cats to eat it but you never know) and I have also mixed powdered kitten milk in with food and water to try and add a bit of nutrition (if you have it around that is). We are keeping our paws and fingers and everything else crossed that she will start to eat again - sometimes it takes a little while for them to eat more.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We are glad Callie is home with you but wish she could eat a little. We are purring for the Christmas miracle that being back with her family will encourage her to eat and get better.

The Creek Cats said...

We are purraying very hard for that Christmas miracle for sweet Callie. When Cal stopped eating, our vet prescribed mertazapine (rameron) to get his appetite back and it really helped. I don't know if that is possible for Callie, but I just wanted to suggest it.

Sending lots and lots of love and purrs!!!

Mishkat said...

We are very sad that Callie is still not feeling well. We're sure she feels more comfortable at home though.

Our mom has had to syringe-feed a cat before - the vet gave her food called Feline a/d (it is a Hills product). The cats who were not sick would not eat it so we are not sure how good it tastes but it is very high calorie and supposedly nutritious. (It is a wet food, though - not sure if there is a dry equivalent.)

We're sending you all many good thoughts.

Love and hugs from Franklin, Dobby, Tasha (and Katie)

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

Oh, Callie, darling girl, please eat.......please, please, please. We continue to purr and purray for you, Callie. xxxxxxxxxxxx

Brian's Home Blog said...

Callie, my sisters and I are sending the best loving and healing purrs your way. Please try to catch them sweetie.

Daisy said...

Oh, Callie, please try to eat! Sometimes the longer you go without eating, the less you want to eat, so you might need a bit of force feeding with a syringe until things start working right again. Meat baby food (without onion or garlic added) would be tasty! If you sprinkle a bit of nutritional yeast on top, it's even more delicious! I'm purring for you, Callie.

The Island Cats said...

Oh we hope Callie starts eating soon! Try the baby food. There's also A/D which is very palatable and provides lots of nutrients. We're purring so very hard for Callie!!

Anonymous said...

Oh our poor sweet cousin...Call. We are ppurraying really hard for a Christmas miracle for you. Mom wants to see what next week brings and well, we'll just leave it at that...Get well cousin. We love you!!!

Angel Gracie=^o.o^= said...

I am glad that Callie is home, you all will give her the love that she needs to make her feel better. Snuggle close to her and spoil her as much as you can. My prayers are for things to get better. It's that time of year for good things to happen.
Please email me at grcie1915@yahoo.com
Neeed to send you something.

JEWELGIRLS KATZ said...

Oh, my heart goes out to you and we
are praying and purring for Callies
recovery. Get well soon sweet tortie Callie! :)

Sweet Purrfections said...

Poor Callie and poor mom. I hope she will start eating soon and everything will clear up on it's own.

Meadow said...

Just in case (I know you have gotten a ton of feedback already). Second the nutrical (even if you have to put a bit in her mouth...), Canned A/D from the vet, Tuna, ground turkey (browned and drained well), cooked chicken breast (boiled or browned up but patted dry). Those are fav's around here for sick kitties! Good luck! :)

Cats in trees said...

So good she is home, we hope it will inspire her too start eating again. And a little Christmas miracle of her getting all better again is really all we want.

Anonymous said...

we will purrs and purrs for spontaneous healing!

Max said...

Have the stabby people tried putting her on an appetite stimulant? Sometimes that helps. and there's this goop called Nutrapaste or something like that you can smear in her mouth so she at least gets calories. It's got a TON of calories and is kinda tasty.

Turkey baby food is good...just make sure there's no onion powder in it.

Ivan from WMD said...

Baby food just might do the trick! Warm it up a little first so it smells really good and if she doesn't try it then, put a little on your finger and touch it to her teeth or nose.

Hope Callie's resting comfortably. I bet she's glad to be back home with her family.

Noir the Texas Tabby said...

This is the season for miracles!! Callie is at the top of our prayer list...! And I feel she will eat, and eat well!

Noir

Quill and Greyson said...

We will purr and send hugs during this really difficult time. One day at a time, you'll do the right thing for her.

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

You nom lots little Callie!! We thinking about you.

Teddy Westlife said...

I am still purring my hardest for Callie right now! Come on Callie, you have to get better!

Milo and Alfie said...

Poor little Callie. We're gonna keep on purring for her to get well.

Mom said she understands the worry about the cost of vets' bills. They seem to charge an arm and a leg, every time yoo go. Mom considered insurance for us when she had us ~ but even that was too expensive. So although we can't suggest any quick solutions ~ we're sending yoo our support and understanding. And smoochies.

badgirl33 said...

I will pray for your little cat that she gets better soon.

The Monkeys said...

We are glad you're home, Callie! Now you gotta start eating! We know you can do it, sweetie!

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