update on elder cat
By savypat
@savypat (20216)
United States
November 17, 2009 3:06pm CST
I thought you would all like one last update on our elderly black cat who has been so sick. His name is Ebony, by the way. He is eating on his own, and all functions are normal. He is nothing but a bag of bones so I know it will take a long time for him to gain his weight back, but finally after two weeks he seems to be out of pain. We are both so relieved that he will be with us awhile longer and have finally made up our lost sleep. We relize that we have created a monster cat, he asks to eat two or three times each hour while he's awake but we don't really mind and will do whatever it take to make him healthy again. Blessings to all you send prayers and good wishes.
3 people like this
10 responses
@rg0205 (2636)
• Hong Kong
19 Nov 09
This is wonderful news. I hope Ebony continues to make his way back to better health. We're having trouble with one of our cats right now. The vet hasn't quite identified what's wrong with him. It could just be something viral and he is now on antibiotics.
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
19 Nov 09
Thank you so much for your good wishes. I just have one question for your Vet if what your cat has is viral why is he giving antibiotics. They have no power over viral problems they only help with infections. Make sure you ask questions, you need all the information you can get and after all you pay enough for it. Blessings
@rg0205 (2636)
• Hong Kong
19 Nov 09
You're most welcome.
Well, I didn't get into details but, we have one cat who has been quite sickly since he was little. He has an unhealthy coat and no matter what vitamins we'd given him, apart from a well balanced diet, he has not had any significant improvement.
Second to that, he's been having allergies. It's not mange because he's been tested but they're sort of allergies that make his skin break and cause sores. The vet says it isn't ring worm, either.
The vet recommended antibiotics for skin infection and some other medication for fever since he has a slight temperature. The vet has not identified what exactly is the problem and I don't know whether this is because of the lack of equipment or technology.
I am in Hong Kong right now and the cat is in Manila with my boyfriend. I fly back and forth over periods of time because of my job. We take our pets to a clinic that's supposed to be one of the top notch ones but still, they can't really pinpoint the issue which is quite frustrating. My boyfriend was the one that took the cat to the vet. He called to let me know what was going on.
While the cat has fever and allergies now, we think there is an underlying medical condition that hasn't been detected. Even when he didn't have the fever and allergies, he had bad hair (type that's thin and stiff), he eats a lot but doesn't gain weight and he sleeps a lot, too. He is susceptible to infections (fevers and allergies).
He has been dewormed and vaccinated on schedule. We hadn't missed out on giving him the basic essentials, that's for sure.
I'm just hoping that whatever the problem is, we'd be able to find out. Otherwise, I don't think he'll live long if he keeps getting sick like that.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
18 Nov 09
That is good news. You are so lucky that Ebony wants to eat often. My Friday is a bag of bones too and he does eat but so little at a time! I have to pick him up and place him near his food bowl and then he may eat but he is not as interested as he used to be. Do you have any tips on how to encourage a cat to eat more? I hope Ebony’s condition will improve; it should do if he is eating and I’m sure he will gain weight and hopefully stick around for a few more years!
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
18 Nov 09
We force fed him and in taht feeding I gave him a calorie rich paste made just for animal who were not eating enough. Why won't your cat eat? Does he have a problem with his teeth or gums? This is what we thought was wrong with Eb but of course it turned out to be much worse.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
19 Nov 09
My cat has inflammatory bowel disease which could be lymphoma although we don't know for sure because I could not afford the biopsy after I paid for the ultrasound! He does eat but very little and, although he behaves normally he has lost a great deal of weight and it's difficult to get him to eat more...Only time will tell...
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
17 Nov 09
I'm glad to hear he's doing so well. 2 of my 3 cats with stomititis have had their surgeries and the one who had it a year ago has come back all the way, and is actually fat, while Pong, who had it in July is still a bit under weight but on his way to being back to his normal weight. He had been down to 8 lbs before surgery, he's at 10 now and should weigh 12.
Solo, who still needs the surgery, isn't as bad as either one of the others, part of why he got put off. Unlike Taj or Pong, he has never quit eating and will still nibble on the dry even.
I'm so glad to hear Ebony is on the road to recovery and hope you have him many more years.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
18 Nov 09
I'm so glad to hear that Ebony is feeling better! Sounds as if he's getting top-notch care and service and I'm sure he deserves it. I hope you have some good years left with him. 
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@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
17 Nov 09
How wonderful, Pat! Pets are so meaningful, it's horrible to become so worried about them!
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