Not Out of the Woods Yet
Published by Gail June 30th, 2006 in Critters + Creatures, Hugh
I visited His Hughness this morning after a Soak Up the Booze Breakfast (not mine) at Tim Horton’s — which I’m sure has a longstanding tradition of nursing hangovers with coffee and bread products.
I brought a fresh, unopened package of Greenies with me to the vet, which made poor Hugh perk up when he saw me open his cage. The techs told me he hadn’t eaten anything and he hasn’t used his litter at all, only piddling on his towel. I suspected Hugh wouldn’t use the litter there because he has a very particular way to pee, perched on the edge of the box, and with his bandaged front paw this would be downright impossible for him.
I handfed Hugh like I did last night, starting off with the Greenies. He then moved on to the K/D, shoving his face in the bowl. Hugh won’t eat if he’s stressed out, no matter how hungry he is, so my goal is to encourage him to eat as much as I can while I’m there.
I stayed as long as I could, but I chose to leave after about an hour or so because the cat in the cage next to Hugh was dying, and I wanted to give her owner some private time with the cat and the vet. When I arrived, the woman was cradling her cat and told me that the kitty is likely to have lymphoma. She hadn’t eaten in something like a week, and has been at the vet’s all this time, syringe-fed and on IV. The cat isn’t improving, and the woman started to cry because the cat was already showing signs of marked weakness and probably wouldn’t last the weekend. The owner, who’s about the same age as I am (and also brought her cat up across the border, from Maryland) already refused invasive surgery and was just hoping her cat would improve on its own, but it isn’t happening.
I kept petting Hugh and concentrating very hard not to start crying, myself, because I wanted to keep him calm (there was a dog barking incessantly and making him anxious). But I couldn’t help but think of how terrible I’m going to feel on the day that Hugh passes, because he’s been my single greatest comfort since David died. And I am all too familiar with the emotional conflict of trying to prevent a loved one from suffering, but realising that ultimately the only end to their suffering is death. I am hoping this won’t be a decision I’ll have to make in the near future.
I spoke to the vet quickly, because I’d be back later in the afternoon, and he said he wanted to keep Hugh on fluids for one more day and release him in the morning. It’s apparent Hugh won’t eat unless I’m there and he’s better off convalescing at home, but they still need some time to monitor his vitals while he’s on the hyperthyroid medication (methimazole, brand name Tapazole) and make sure his condition isn’t worsening or the medication brings about harmful side effects.
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Oh Gail, I’m so sorry this situation has to remind you so much of caring for David last year. I really really really hope that Hugh will be pooping and peeing his displeasure on your floors for a few more years.
Yeah, me too. I visited him again this afternoon before they closed for the day, and he’d been having a rough time of it. Major diarrhea, and feeling lousy. I held him for a while so the tech could clean his cage, and he’s so fed up with being cooped up and bandaged that he’s growling at everybody. He wants to escape, so I put him back in the cage and had to close the door. Poor little guy keeps looking at me, pleading to let him out, and banging on the door with his IV paw. It’s so pathetic, it breaks my heart to see him like this. I hope tonight passes without incident, so he can come home in the morning.
Gigi’s here now, so we’ll see what his mood will be like when he gets back!
Gail, I am so sorry Hugh has a major health problem. Even afer going through a flood, I conceder myself lucky to have a healthy cat. I love that little monster cat. That is all I have left too. She is my comfort too.
Take care.
Helma
Awww, Hugh, get well wishes from me and Winston & Simba.
Hang in, there–both you and Hugh. It could be that Hugh’s diarrhea is a good sign in disguise: if he hadn’t been moving his bowels at all, it’s got to be an improvement that he’s able to go again. Maybe things’ll settle down now that he’s cleared his system, so to speak.
Yeah I think Socar might be on to something here. The diarrhea could also be from nerves, if those little ones are anything like humans, the stress and change in diet, medication etc could cause it to happen.
In any case, I think any bowel movement at all is good news right now!
It’s a shame that this is all happening so soon for you again and I hope Hugh will be with you for a long time still. I think it’s good in a way that he’s growling and banging at his cage telling you to take him home. I’d be more worried if he did nothing
Olive, Pearl, Puck, Clyde and Opie all send powerful kitty vibes over to Master Hugh to hurry up and get better, his mommy needs him! I’ll be checking in regularly to see how he is doing.
I know how heartbreaking it is to see the little furrballs when they are ill and stuck in a cage. So sad. The look on their faces is unbearable.
Do the vets know if his diarrhea is from the medication?
I hope Hugh makes a full recovery soon and is causing grief at home where he should be.
**HUGS**
This hits WAY too close to home, so I’m sitting here with tears rolling down my cheeks. But it’s good to keep grieving for Tugger, and reading the sweet words you wrote about Hugh helps me do that. Thanks for your words about letting the suffering end . . . I’m still having a hard time with letting Tugger go so quickly, but I know it was best for him. Just not best for me or Brent.
I’m praying that lil’ Hugh is peeing and pooping on you for years and years to come! LOL! Isn’t it funny that those things don’t matter when you think about losing the furry lil’ guy? We love you Hugh!