Monday, January 25, 2010

A Hope-Ful Update

Things with Hope have certainly been eventful. The above pic is from last week. Her wound is no longer bandaged and has formed a very nice scab. All closed up and healing nicely. That is the good news. The bad news is, last night she could no more than hold up her head. Once again, I was stunned to find she survived the night. She had 70 cc's of a baby food meat/pedialyte soup yesterday given orally with a syringe in 10 cc increments. That stuff stinks and she is not a dumb cat and soon learned to close her throat so she could spit it out. Still I pressed on, unwilling to give up. This morning she was holding her head up better, but still unable to sit up or stand on her own. When she needs to use the litter box, she struggles to get up and I carry her over to her box and hold her up while she does her business. I got a very welcomed e-mail this morning from a blogging friend who has experience with sick animals. On her advice, I contacted the shelter lady again.....since she is mentioned so often I may as well call her by name.... Jane listened as I asked pleaded BEGGED for more help. I asked for a bag of lactate ringers and a needle. She finally said she would do her best and within the hour, Jane was at my door with a bag of ringers under her shirt (keeping them warm) and some hypodermic needles and a 60 cc syringe. She showed me how to put the fluids under her skin with the needle. We are putting 30 cc's at a time in her and that is wonderful!!! It takes me hours to get 30 cc's of the "soup" in her. Hope is cooperating for the most part, but has some fight in her yet. Jane only got 23 cc's in her before she pulled away and the needle came out. I got the whole 30 the next time, and the time after that I only got 15 before she started to pull away. We will continue to give her up to 180cc's a day of the ringers, sub-q, through tomorrow. I ran up to the store and got some of the stinkiest wet cat food in liver, as she is anemic, and for the first time in a couple of days, Hope ate on her own. Not a huge amount, but she ate. She is able to sit up now but is quite wobbly. She still is unable to walk at all. I am hopeful, as always, that she will pull through. It has been decided that if she does, Hope will stay with us for the remainder of her days, whether it be 1 day or 10 years. She is our cat now!!!!

19 comments:

Libby said...

Yeah! I was hesitant to check your blog today! I think that we are all in love with Hope! I want her to get better! I am thankful that she is able to spend her days with such a loving family!
Libby

Kathryn said...

Then I HOPE that she makes it, and gets to stay in your loving home. It's wonderful to see such love for an animal when there is so much cruelty out there toward them. I'm praying she'll be ok...

Mrs. Sew and Sew - Karen said...

Bren, I have been waiting for the day you would claim her for your own! I knew it would happen....lol! I really felt like you all had already become too attached to let her go to another home. I am still praying and pulling for Hope! You are good people dear Bren!!!! Hugs, Karen

Sarah R said...

I am so glad you have taken Hope in and are caring for her. If you need assistance with cat food for her please email me and I will send you a gift card for a pet shop. I know how expensive the "good" cat food can get. We have 3 cats in our house and I would love to have more, but my husband has said 3 is enough :) Since I can't bring another one in I would love to help you get this one back on her feet. Just let me know if you need any assistance.

Sarah

Sarah R said...

sorry didn't leave my email = it's sarahroethele@gmail.com

NeeCee said...

I am rejoicing over her accomplishments, no matter how small, they are improvements. I'm praying for Hope's complete healing.

Congratulations on your newest fur blessing.

The Ag Teacher's Wife said...

Hooray! Though she may not be out of the woods yet, Hope sounds like she is doing better! Still praying!

Rita said...

Bren,
I am excited to hear better news about Hope. :) Nice to know what you are doing for her and what is working. We take in a stray from time to time so you are keeping me up to date with vet tech advice :)
I'm so glad you have taken her in.

SandyQuilts said...

Bless You. I'm praying for Hope.

Edna said...

I have been keeping up with Hope's Saga and, I have to tell you, today's update brought tears to my eyes. I am praying that Hope will come through this and I am so happy you have opened your heart and home to this little blessing.

Mary said...

I check your blog several times a day to see how Hope is doing. I am so glad she's with you!

Angela said...

Our lil rescue kitty Timmy ate cottage cheese, baby food chicken/rice dinner and that nasty potted meat in the little cans. He really thrived on all this. He had ingested so many fleas that they about killed him. He had to take the pill for that and he improved quickly. The tape worms will kill them (looks like dirty rice). Just passing along what worked for us. Good luck!

Meggie said...

Oh Bren, I have so much 'going on' I had not read about Hope. I am sending health & hope vibes for her, poor little cat. I can scarcely believe she came home from the vets in a worse state, but I do not doubt it. I hope she does make a recovery for you.
Hugs & sincere loving thoughts to you.XX

SewCalGal said...

I'm still praying for Hope.

Are you familiar with Barley soup in a mild (no salt or minimal salt)? Some pets I know have enjoyed drinking it and I have heard good things about how this helps kidney failure, as well as good when there isn't much appetite.

Please keep us posted and do let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Can't give up on Hope.

Hugs,

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

She's obviously a fighter Bren, glad to see a decision has been made about her future. I must be the only one who doesn't know what a ringer is?

Libby said...

Sounds like things are looking up for Hope *s* She's clearly a fighter (and so are you!)

Crispy said...

I agree, I think we are all in love with Hope. I truly wish her a full recovery. You have such a good heart Bren.

Crispy

Love Bears All Things said...

I'm so happy to hear she is still with us. You are so good to go to all this trouble for her. She is responding to the love she has found in your home.
Mama Bear

Just Ramblin' said...

I was so sorry to read about Hope no longer being with you. I, too, absolutely adore cats and had to put my Friskers (Blue Persian) down a couple of years ago. He was just short of 19. Just like one of my children. He was my dear companion through cancer. If you have an email address, I'd love to send you a "Pets Prayer" that was given to me by me neighbors when Friskers left me. Nola