can anyone help me please.... [Archive]

pookyandjo

05-03-2009, 12:09 PM

Hi everyone... very happy to have found this site... especially after having a read through some fo the threads.. im sure that i will get a lot of support for the problem that i have.. where do i start...
here goes... Today my soul cat.(Tinky Winky) had to have his right hind leg amputated... Its a long story.. but the short version is that early January this year he was dianosed with haemaniosarcoma.. he had surgery and they removed a tumour the size of a closed fist.... it was subcutaneous.. and they belived they had all the tumour... 4 operations later... there was one part of the wound that hadn't healed... we another biopsy was taken on Monday.. and yesterday found that there was still cancer present..I was referred to a surgical oncologist... i rang them right away and had an appointment this morning...and this afternoon my baby boy was operated on...
My head is a mess at the moment..i swing between thinking i have done the right thing to thinking that i havn't.. i am scared about bringing him home in 2 days time.. I went and saw him tonight and he was being looked after beautifully... he was very spacey... but alive... and the nurses said that he was doing very well... I had to take some of his food into the hospital so they could feed him... he has a protein allergy (diagnosed about 4 years ago) and has a special diet... they have put a feeding tube in his neck because he is notorious for not eating after surgery for days at a time and always has to be put on appetite stimulants to get him back eating..
Im hoping that anyone who reads this and has had experience with caring for cats who have undergone amputations might have some advice, or information that might help me get my head around this whole situation.. Tinky has been through sooo much in the last 7 weeks...i know for a fact that i am almost at the end of my rope with this... and i have had the easy part..I just want to do the best thing for him... if anyone can help me with information i would be very thankful
:cry:

yola

05-03-2009, 12:36 PM

Hello, and welcome and I'm sorry you're joining us under such stressful circumstances. I'm afraid I don't have any direct experience of amputee cats but I understand that on the whole they tend to recover quickly and rapidly learn to compensate for their lost limb. However I know Tinky has a longer history of illness so he may well need additional care and his recovery may be slower.

I wish you and Tinky all the very best. Your love for him comes across so strongly in your post so I'm sure you'll give him all the care, attention and affection that he'll need.

Mags

05-03-2009, 01:29 PM

Hi, welcome to Catsey....

So sorry to read about Tinky Winky's circumstances, you must be so worried for him.

I've had no experience of an amputation with a cat myself but a few of our members have in the past.

I hope these threads from members will help you to understand and cope with your fears......

http://www.catsey.com/showthread.php?t=19409&highlight=leg+amputated
http://www.catsey.com/showthread.php?t=19690&highlight=leg+amputated

This thread is rather long but if you start at page 12, post 113, that will be when Pebbles goes to the vet for her amputation.......

http://www.catsey.com/showthread.php?t=14170&page=12&highlight=leg+amputated

I hope this helps you to come to terms with Tinky's situation better. You yourself are still in a state of shock at the thought of the amputation but over the coming weeks you will be surprised at how well cats can adapt to losing a leg.

Please do keep us updated of how he gets on, I'm sure we will all be interested to hear about his progress...

Good luck! :)

angieh

05-03-2009, 03:05 PM

Tinky Winky is obviously a very special cat to have so much love and care. I do hope that he can adapt after his amputation. Cats and dogs do tend to get on so much better than people. As Mags says, you are in shock from the news that the cancer was still present and the operation. I'm sure that you will be fine bringing him home again and that you will be able to continue to give him the very best of care.

Please let us know how things progress.

dinahsmum

05-03-2009, 03:50 PM

Hello and welcome. I do hope Tinky Winky comes through this Ok and thrives.
If the cancer is contained I'm sure he will be OK without his leg and will learn to enjoy life as a tripod. You may need to think about keeping him indoors or only allowing him out when supervised, so he isn't suprised by eg dogs or fierce neighbouring cats.

If the cancer returns than you have the saddest decision to make. Don't let your good friend suffer needlessly will you? He enjoys life because you love him and because his body works. If his body doesn't work, and if he is in pain or distress, then, sadly, your love is not enough.

Wishing you both well.

(Edit: I should have said that I have known 2 happy tripods. One was a front leg amputee, umpty-tump years ago when I was a little girl. he'd been caught in a wicked gin-trap; the other was an rta victim, who lost a hind leg. Both were great)

Leesy

05-03-2009, 03:52 PM

Hello and welcome to Catsey, what a stressful situation for yourself and Tinky Winky(Luvvv his name).
As everybody has said so far as traumatic as it is cats and dogs do cope well in these situations, particualy when they have obviously got such a loving and caring owner as you.
Your head is bound to be a mess at the moment wondering if you have done the right thing or not, I do cetainly think that you have as he will still have a high quality of life as before if not the same, he is one lucky cat having an owner like you to look out for him;) .
I hope that Tinky Winky makes a speedy recovery and Good Luck Xx.

Elaine

05-03-2009, 06:16 PM

Aww poor baby, I am sure he will adjust in no time. The beauty about animals is that they dont hold onto the past as we humans do and he will just move forward and get on with living his life to the full.
Welcome to catsey and all the very best to you and Tinky Winky xxx

pookyandjo

06-03-2009, 05:33 AM

Hi all.. thank you so much for the messages of encouragment..I have been to see him today.. and actually got to feed him through his feeding tube.. nerve wracking but im told i'll get used to it..The nursing staff told me that they like to keep them in until they are at least up on their feet so at this stage he is staying in until Monday.. it's Friday afternoon here in Australia as i write this).. he was still a bit spaced out when i got there... but was VERY happy to see me... nudging my hand and purring, putting his chin up to be scratched underneath.. i can tell you it certainly did my heart good for him to be responsive.. he didn't move whilst i was there and has a MASSIVE suture line.. he still has an IV drip with pain relief and and a Fentanyl patch for pain also.. he still has a urinary catheter in place so i suppose it's no wonder he hasn't shown any inclination to move or try and stand up..
The hospital where he is in an hour away from where i live but i plan to go twice a day so i can help with the feeding... (so i can see him and let him know that i haven't abandoned him and also so that when he comes home and i am tube feeding him i am at least comfortable with that aspect of his care.. I am leaving home in a few minutes to go and collect a cat crate so that he can be confined in my bedroom when he does come home.. so i am keeping busy with preparations for his return home..Im not sure ehhe will react to be confined... being an indoors cat he is used to having run of the house..but all will be revealed as the coming days unfold.
I am feeling a little better about things but a lot of thought overnight has made me come to the realisation that i didn't really have a choice about how yesterday unfolded..
On Wednesday morning i had a cat that had a wound that wasnt healing... on Wednesday afternoon i had a cat that again had cancer...
On Thursday i was given a choice.. operate and have a chance of saving his life.. or dont... and have him die within 3 months... and then.. there is my beautiful Tinky Winky.. who that morning...had been annoying me for food and giving me kisses in an attempt to get food (he was being fasted in preparation for the specialists appointment) how could i deny him the opportunity to live and selfishly deny myself fo his presence in my life...
Sorry if this is rambling... it feels good to vent and who knows... if it helps someone else at a later time who, like me, fins themselves in this situation.. well then that can only be a good thing..
I will keep you updated

thanks

Jo... And Tinky Winky

Mags

06-03-2009, 10:21 AM

Hi Jo....... I'm so pleased to hear Tinky's op went well and you've been in to see him. It was a good idea of the nursing staff to let you feed him through his tube.....by starting now it will give you experience and it won't be such an ordeal for you when he comes home.

I'm sure he'll adjust to the cage while he goes through the recovery stage, maybe let him out for short periods until he's steadier on his feet.

You do 'sound' more confident today which is good, each day will get better.

I hope all goes smoothly with your visits to him, he has lots of Catsey aunties here wishing him well so extra chin tickles to Tinky from us all...:)

dinahsmum

06-03-2009, 10:52 AM

Hello Jo.
Well, that's the worst 24 hours over for you and time should make things much easier. As Elaine said, animals don't 'mourn' when they lose a limb. As long as they are pain free they just get on with it.
You sound a lot better today ... recovering from the shock I guess.
All fingers crossed that the drastic measures work - you have ceratnly done everything you can. Stay positive!

farthing

06-03-2009, 12:55 PM

Hi, sorry to hear about Tinky, and hope the cancer is removed now.
We had a cat who lost a leg, he caught it in a snare and it was too badly damaged to save. His owners didn't want to pay for the op so he was going to be PTS, until we said we'd take him. We took him home 2 days after the op and the wound looked big and swollen, but gradually the swelling went down and the wound healed. 12 days later the stitches came out and he began to settle in. He was quite wobbly on the 3 legs to begin with, but soon learned and was as agile as the other 4 legged cats within a year.
In walk he looked a bit clumsy, but when running you couldn't tell he was minus a leg (it was his back, left leg).
The only thing we experienced initially was it was hard for him to toilet and he was a bit constapated, but he was given a painkiller and this helped.
Triger was an outside cat and could catch rabbits, sit on fence posts, we even caught him on the roof a couple of times.
We did also foster a 3 legged indoor cat, his only problem was he was too fat, and it is important to keep their weight down.
Hope this reassures you that you have done the right thing, and he will be his old self again soon.

Kim

06-03-2009, 10:03 PM

Hi, I can't offer any help as no experience of amputee cats myself, however I really hope all goes well. x

dandysmom

06-03-2009, 10:38 PM

Jo, I've no experience with an amputee cat, but with the love for him that comes thru so clearly in your posts, I'm sure he's going to be all right and adapt once the recovery period is over. Please do let us know how he's coming along, we care.

Moli

06-03-2009, 11:18 PM

I have no experience either, but hope and pray Tinky makes a speedy recovery....

jan

07-03-2009, 12:49 AM

Hi there,
I also think you have done the right thing for tinky winky - my neighbour s cat was run over and lost his leg amongst many other three legged cats I have and do see about at times, he recovered fine and even went out whenever he wanted. It didnt stop him doing anything he seemed to want to as far as I could see. I think you are in shock at everything happening so quickly but in a few weeks you will be used to it all and will know you have done the right thing. I wish you well, and Tinky Winky too of course! Jan x

pookyandjo

07-03-2009, 09:53 AM

Hi all,
Thank you for all the posts.. they are a great perspective check. I have just got home from the hospital after spending the day with Tinky and doing his feeds... the first couple with help and the last couple by myself..and am feeling a little more confident about that.. I am going to go back tomorrow and do the same again.. one can never have too much practise..Tinky was VERY pleased to see me this morning when i arrived..he had been up on his leg and made some clumsy attempts at getting to the tray... and of course there was litter everwhere... He still has an i/v drip in and a urinary catheter so they can keep a check on his input/output rates.. the nurse was just about to tidy up his cage when i arrived... so she popped his bedding on the floor and I sat with him whilst she went about her duties.. well he tried to get up and show me how he could move around... and then.. under the cage next to his.. he spied his basket...that was it... he tried to get to his basket and get in it!
He had decided that he was going home!!!
I was pleased but scared at the same time.. because i didn't know how to handle him with his walking..(i use the term rather loosely!) how to support him /where to place my hands etc.. so as not to hurt or damage his suture line.. a few mins later we moved him back up into his bed... and he settled down and had a little sleep.. whilst i helped prepare his food ready for a feed.. That went well as did the following 3 feeds that i gave him through his tube..
again.. thinking about my situation overnight...(have you worked out yet that im one of those people who is constantly thinking about things..lol) i realised that my apprehension with him coming home is because i have lost some confidence in my ability to care for him.. after 4 surgeries plus other invasive procedures in the last 6 weeks that havn't worked...i have become a little paranoid about things concerning him.. because everything went pear shaped... i dont yet trust that this wont as well...I have an open mind yet it's till a day to day proposition at this point, but im working on that...:)
I have also realised that spending today at the hospital with him has been good... apart from him being happier whilst i was there and getting a handle on the tube feeding... I was also able to see how they handled him... and the things he did... asking question about things he was or wasn't doing...I feel a little bit more confident that i did at this time yesterday... I am going to go back again tomorrow and do the same thing..
The staff are happy with his progress.. he was doing a little bit of grooming today.. including my hand...his pain relief was working well but he was still a little more alert than yesterday..and he made some attempts to get up and try to move...so to sum up Day 2 post op showed further improvment ..
I will give a further update after i have been tomrrow

Thanks again

Jo and Tinky Winky

Mags

07-03-2009, 10:24 AM

It's good to hear your day went well with Tinky at the hospital, Jo. Each day you spend there you will gain a little more confidence and gradually learn how to handle/lift him. Your visits are also good for Tinky too as he'll feel happier seeing his mom daily which is bound to aid his recovery.

Looking forward to your next report on your brave boy....

dinahsmum

07-03-2009, 12:17 PM

Thanks for updating us Jo. Little TW certainly has a lot of world-wide support!

Talking of support, I've seen dogs who are recovering from injuries being helped to walk by their owner looping a towel under their belly and walking alongside, taking some of their weight with the towel. Nice and supportive without risking hurting either party. You could ask your vet team if it would be appropriate.

Best wishes, Tinky certainly sounds a character.

Edit: Hope this link (http://www.handicappedpets.biz/xcart/images/sling/combobelly.jpg) works, to help explain what I was rambling about.

calismum

07-03-2009, 01:47 PM

Hi Jo - just catching this post. I am glad things seem to be going well for his recovery. Once he is home he will be much more confident because he'll know where he is.

My sisters cat fractured her pelvis in a RTA and as a result was to have cage rest for 6 weeks. This was a very active outdoor cat. She adjusted very well and was not 'stir crazy' at all.

I look forward to hearing how you are both doing, and to hear of all his adventures once he is up and about.

angieh

07-03-2009, 03:47 PM

I think that going to the vet hospital has and will do you the world of good, Jo as it will help you feel much more confident in how to nurse Tinky Winky. It has obviously helped himself to know that you are still there for him - you both have such a bond which is obvious from reading your post.

Great good luck to you both. Do you have any idea when you will be able to bring him home?

dandysmom

07-03-2009, 05:18 PM

That's such encouraging news, Jo! Please keep us updated on how it's going.

pookyandjo

08-03-2009, 12:59 PM

Hi all.. Day 3 post op not so good today... infact.. not good at all..I was so exhausted after yesterday i slept late and didn't get there until the just before the 1 pm feed.. (he is being fed every 2 hours at present).. whilst he was pleased to see me the staff were and are concerned that he is depressed.. because he isn't making any attempt to move around he has some problems with fluid/bruising where he is laying..and also i noticed some bruising in his chest.. way away from the surgery site... they did some bloods on the spot and what they found was the protein level in his blood has gone down... ideally it should n the low to mid 20s his this afternoon as 18.. apparently its common for cats following amputation to lose a lot of protein as a result of the surgery.. Tinky's problem is that he cant have foods high in protein to fix the problem because he has a protein allergy... which is why he is on a special diet (hills prescription Z/D) and has been for 4 years. The vet on duty is quite concerned.. not so much becaue fo the protein drop... she is hoping that with his 2 hour feeds that it will slowly rise... but his depression is concerning her at present.. she said that at this point she has seen cats just drift off...to that end she gave him a dose of an anti depressant to see if it made a difference.. today he was just flat..didn't groom... didn't move... just laid there.. he really wasn't interested in me being there after the initial hello that i got from him.. yesterday whilst i was there.. if i left the room even for a few mins... when i came back in he was sitting up a little looking for me... where as today.. there was no response to me coming and going.. The vet said she would like to see him do SOMETHING... rather than just lying there... even grooming would be a good start..it's now nearly 11pm i left the hostpital a little over an hour ago..and there hadn't been much of a change.. he was propping himself up a little but not much really... the other thing is that today they had scaled back his pain relief a little to see if that was making him depressed.. he doesn't appear to be in any pain... they have moved him a couple of times today and he didn't give them any grief.. so that's about it..
im having a cup of tea as i write this and when that's done im off to bed... im exhausted!

until tomorrow

Jo and Tinky Winky

dandysmom

08-03-2009, 04:13 PM

I'm so sorry to hear that, Jo; hope the change in medication will ease the depression. Your vets sound very good and caring; he's in good hands and they're doing the best for the little guy. Get some rest, and hope things will have improved by tomorrow when you visit. Take care ....

angieh

08-03-2009, 04:14 PM

Oh Jo, that doesn't sound very good. I am sorry. Do hope he manages to perk up.

calismum

08-03-2009, 05:57 PM

So sorry to hear that. I hope he perks up a bit with the change in meds.

Fingers crossed he is better tomorrow.

dinahsmum

08-03-2009, 06:04 PM

Chin up Jo!
We're all rooting for you both

pookyandjo

09-03-2009, 01:11 AM

Hi all,
am writing this BEFORE i go to the hospital this morning...I woke with a start at 0510 this morning and and felt that someting was not right.. I laid there for about 30 minutes tossing and turning trying to get back to sleep..my husband said maybe i should get up, shower and go in if that's what i wanted to do.. but i decided that i would ring first to see how he was..(i did leave the hospital with instructions that if i was needed that i wasnted to be called becauseif someting looked like it was going to happen i didn't want him to be by himself when it did) well i rang... and the nurse that took the call said i must be psychic... the had taken out his urinary cath at around the time i woke cause he had bitten a hole in the tube and it was leeking.. and in the ensuing 30 minutes or so he was up and moving wanting to use his litter tray... also.. earlier in the morning around 0230 he got up and used the tray to have a poo.. that was the first in nearly 48 hours.. but they weren't concerned about that because the Z/D food that his is on is highly digestable and doesn't make much stool... not like the dried version of the same food which has a more fibre... the other thing they did with him overnight was get him out on the floor.. and gave him a little gentle physiotherapy... he had a bit of a clumsy hop around.. for a few mins...they said that there may be a little muscle loss in his remaining hind leg... because of the inactivity.. but they are hoping that by keeping him moving a little that will be minimised.. he wont be coming home today as they had thought.. as i think they want to make sure his protein level is on the way up before they discharge... and see if they can kick the depression, plus his fentanyl patch comes off at 5 pm today so they will want to be sure that the orral pain meds are sufficient to keep his pain at bay... im off to have a shower and head in there now to spend the day
i'll let you all know further when i get home tonight

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers
it means a lot from people i dont know that all share a common bond of our love for our fur babies.. If love could make him better he'd be the fittest cat on earth!

bless you all

Jo and Tinky Winky

dandysmom

09-03-2009, 02:00 AM

What happy news! As you said, we're all people you don't know, but we do care and have been sending prayers and healing thoughts. Awaiting today's report, Jo, hope it will be good. Bless!

pookyandjo

09-03-2009, 08:26 AM

Hi all,
I have been home from the hospital for nearly 2 hours.. i had to come ...i am losing the plot in there...and i feel so bad about it...Despite Tinky being given some meds for the depression and him perking up a liitle it has ben short lived and by 10 am this morning the staff were writing on his chart again that he was very depressed... When the vet gave him these meds last night and i asked how long the dose should last she said 3 days... well it barely lasted 12 hours.. when i arrived at the hopsital today at 1230.. to get ready for his 1 pm feed.. he looked at me... but that was about it... they said that they had given him some gabapentin (sp) which is a drug that acts on the nerve endings incase he was getting some phantom pain in his leg...and that would knock him out a little.. i gave him the 1 pm feed... and after that he got up a few times to go to the little tray... missing each time... but hey.. i can overlook that.. .. because he missed each time they had to clean out his bed... and i sat with him on my knee whilst they did that... he didn't wat to sit there he wanted back in the cage...so we put him back in there because it seemd that he was most comfortable there... i sat with him for a while and he dozed.. i went to prepare his 3 pm feed and we had a problem with the line...once we sorted it.. i finished the rest of the feed... and within about 10 mins... he started wailing... and then started vomiting...it was horrible...and i lost it totally..... they suggested that i come home and have a break for the rest of the day...I have just got a phone call from them to say that they repeated the blood test to check for protein and it has dropped a little it's down to 17 now.. in the 24 hours since his last test..
i asked would the vomit have any effect on that test and they said no... so they were going to rest his tummy for a few hours and re intorduce the feeds at 8 pm..i asked them was it time to bring this to an end and they said no... i have lost all my objectivity at the moment after nearly 8 weeks of him being unwell and having surgeries.. i dont know how much more either of us can bear... he is certainly a fighter... but how much fight he has left is something only he knows

Thanks again

Jo and Tinky Winky

p.s. on a lighter note...whilst i am typing this there is some banner advertising on the quick reply screen... for weight loss... called the "Gabriel Method".. lose weight without dieting... is their boast...ahhhhhh you guys probably wont see it cause ive just seen that the website it tells you to go to is www.gabrielmethod.com.au so it's an australian one that probably only shows up to Aust ISP's... well have i got news for Gabriel....i have been losing weight without dieting... without trying and its all due to the cat stress diet.. maybe i could market that..

dinahsmum

09-03-2009, 10:38 AM

Poor you Jo
I've never had a cat this ill, but do remember a period of maybe a couple of weeks with a young dog who had the most awful time post-spay, and who I was convinced was going to die about twice a day. 'Emotional roller-coaster' is an over-used phrase, but it describes what's going on in the scrambled egg which has replaced one's brain. You really get to the stage where you're thinking that you need to make the most difficult but most basic of decisions - a life and death decision indeed - but you can barely remember how to dress yourself.
Is the hospital helping you? I hope they are trying to keep you well informed and going beyond the abc facts of the surgery and post-surgery period.
Shall we swap worries for today? I'll worry about Tinky Winky and his amputation and you can worry about the disappearance of my Chester (7th day now). A bit of trans-world thought transfer.
I hope things look better for you in the morning light (you're night time now, aren't you?). I don't envy you the next few difficult days but hope maybe the worst has passed now. It's so difficult weighing suffering and unhappiness today against potential happy life for the future. Stay strong. Get some sleep. x

farthing

09-03-2009, 12:27 PM

Try not to worry too soon, he has just had a major op and will be uncomfortable. Triger was really grumpy for the first week or so, and got really aggressive when the vets went to give him any needles, this turned out to be totally unlike him as he was the most loving cat once we got to know him. If he is finding it hard to go to the toilet, this may well upset him too. I, hesitate to say it, but he may well be depressed because he is in the vets and you might find he perks up a lot when he gets home.

pookyandjo

09-03-2009, 01:03 PM

hi all,
thought id check my mail before i head back to bed and try and get some sleep... it's nearly 11 pm here... am waiting to call the hospital after 11 they were re introducing feeding at 9 so i figure if i ring after 11 he will have had two feeds by then... they haven't called me... so im working on the assumption that no news is good news...The hospital have wonderful... yesterday when i was there one of the staff that was on the first eveing when he came out of surgery called in on her day off to see him... and really the staff have been very patient with me...they did say that they have concerns with Tinky... but he's not at the point where we say its time..one of them promised me faithfully today that she would let me know if we got to that point.. i did ask them about whether he would be better off at home and they said yes... but they also said that he's not well enough to come home yet
Dinashmum...I hope that Chester comes home soon... after 7 days i would be out of my mind with worry...has he done this before?
Thank you all again for your care and support
Jo and Tinky Winky

PoshPuss

09-03-2009, 01:07 PM

Dear Jo, pardon me for not writing sooner but I've only just picked up this thread, don't know how I missed it but I just want to give you my support and best wishes. You have had a real rollercoaster ride with Tinky Winky but I know if lovce will pull him thru you'll do it. He's had a big op and time will tell.
So glad you joined us and that some of the more experienced cat owners here are able to help you. I'm sure you'll get great advice and backing from them.
It's good to just vent your feelings tho and we who love our furbabes know where you are coming from :)
Chin tickles for Tinky Winky and hugs for you,
from Posh and me.

Leesy

09-03-2009, 04:00 PM

I wish with all my heart that he will pick up soon and be well enough to go back home with you as I think it will be the best thing for both of you and you will then beable to give him all the TLC you can give him in the world, as I then think he will come on in leaps and bounds, it`s surprising what effect coming back home can do for them.
We are sending lots of get well vibes to Tinky Winky and lots of love Xxx.

pookyandjo

10-03-2009, 07:45 AM

Hi all...
have been to the hospital today.. there has been good and bad... he isn't tolerating his feeds at all... and promptly vomits them back up as soon as they feed him... they did an xray to check that the feeding tube ws in the correct position and it wasn't... so they moved it back to the correct spot... and then fed him... and he still vomited... so it's back to the drawing board on that score... they have hooked up his food to the machine they use to administer the drugs... so they can feed him at a REALLY slow rate.. to see if he tolerates that...personally i think the reason he's being sick is his IBD.. as he isn't just reguritating food... there is foamy bile in the vomit as well... and his vomiting is really violent... even the nurse looking after him this afternoon commented on that...The vet gave him a dose of an antibiotic that is sometimes used in IBD cases... so we will see how that goes....He was brighter when i got there at lunch time today... he was talking to me... the surgeon came in and spoke to me briefly whilst he was scrubbing for another surgery..and he told me that the wound is doing ok... there was one spot that he thought might break down... but he said he is less inlined to think that now... he has some ooze coming from the lowest point of the suture line.. but they are not conerned about that...
He had a little physio today with a towel around his back half for support.. to try and build up his leg a little so all those things are good...
he is still depressed somewhat.. and apart from being tired from his surgery he is exhausted after his vomits and certainly the feeding is a VERY big issue that has to be sorted out.. because without nutrients going in... he will go down hill very fast... they did give him a vit B6 injection this afternoon as well... which may help him a little..

That is about it for now...
i am going to ring the hospital shortly and see if he has tolerated the feed at the really slow rate... unfortunatley even if it works it's not a viable proposition for his feeding because it would require him to be still for over an hour whilst he is connect to the pump..... but it should establish if its a tube problem or a capacity/time per feed problem

thank you again for your coninuing thoughts and prayers..

Jo and Tinky Winky

Leesy

10-03-2009, 08:33 AM

I do so hope and pray that things begin to improve for Tinky Winky you must feel like you are going up and down on a emotional rollercoaster, and you must feel so worn out yourself physicaly and mentaly so please make sure you are getting enough food and rest yourself.
Give Tinky a big chin rub for us when you next see him and a big big cuddle,
Wishing you both well and good luck Pauline, Maxi & Maisy Xxx.

dinahsmum

10-03-2009, 09:06 AM

Oh Jo *big sympathetic sigh and arm round the shoulder*
Chin up.
It can't keep going like this much longer my dear ... let us all hope that the movement will be upwards and that you will see your boy turn the corner. The surgery itself seems to be going along well, so that is a major plus.
Why does he need the special feeding arrangements still? I'm sorry if I've missed anything but I don't understand why he can't have the feline pleasure of lapping up some mushed up food. I think that might raise his spirit - it would also be one less damn tube!
Is he weeing by himself yet, or still catheterised?
Have they given you any idea when you can expect him home? I think you both need it, as soon as it is a practical proposition.

All good wishes, as ever. Let's hope today is the day everything turns and all movement is upwards.

Elaine

10-03-2009, 09:46 AM

So sorry to be reading this,you must be beside yourself with worry. Poor Tinky Winky, I hope and pray that manages to eat and hold it down.
Sending lots of well wishes and possitive thoughts xxx

pookyandjo

10-03-2009, 10:01 AM

Hi all,
just off the phone to the hospital..it seems he has tolerated being fed this way... so they are continuing this for the next 24 hours or so to tray and get some nutrients into him... they are giving him some physio every 4 hours... so hopefully that will help... the reason he is not eating by himself is that quite simply he wont... he has food and water in his cage (i hate that word)..but his usual thing after surgery is to refuse to eat...i ALWAYS have to resort to periactin (appetite stimulant) to bring him back to feeding... ( i might ask the vet tomorrow if that is something that we can give him as well to try and make him want to eat on his own.. the tube is placed so he can eat orally if he wants to) the other problem is because of his IBD...he has cortisone injections from time to time when the inflamation of his IBD makes him vomit bile.... Cortisone is contra indicated for post surgery as it interferes with the skin healing....I wasn't concerned about the feeding tube initially... because i thought... ok.. this will be easy... and when he is healed... he'll have a shot or cortisone... and then he will turn into the eating machine that he usually is... but because he has had so many surgeries... he hasn't been able to have his cortisone shot... and as a result his IBD isn't under control... since he's been sick there have been a couple of occasions where he has had a bile vomit but to be honest... im suprised there hasn't been more.. of course IBD is also made worse by stress... but removing the stress doesn't make it better in the short term... there is only one thing that does that... cortisone... so time will tell...he was better today though... inspite of him vomiting... and tomorrow he can have another dose of the anti depressant... so if that works like it did last time.. then that will be a good thing too..
His urinary cath is gone... he chewed a small hole in it so they removed it... and i forgot to write earlier that when we arrived at the hospital today his IV had veen removed... so that is another step forward.
I have to say im not feeling quite as dark as i was yesterday...although one of the vets there today wanted me to take him home this afternoon... this was 1/2 an hour after he vomitted up his food...(he had vomited 3 of his 4 previous feeds..) i had to be quite firm with her and tell her i would love to take him home but not until we could establish his feeding... she had to eat a slice of humble pie... 20 mins later when after re positioning his tube he was again fed and he again vomited...in all honesty... i am hoping that i can bring him home either tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday) or Thursday..once they have re established his feeding... given that its costing us a small fortune to have him in there..... and when i added upp what he have spent in the last 8 weeks... i think i will have to change his name to Cha Ching! or money bags or something similar...

Again thanks for all your support...

Jo and Tinky Winky

Mags

10-03-2009, 01:17 PM

Jo, I sincerely hope the hospital can find a suitable feeding pattern for Tinky Winky soon, it must be so stressful for both of you. I'm sure when they have managed to get that stabilised and Tinky is allowed home with you, he will improve in leaps and bounds.

I admire your immense strength and bravery coping with this, every good wish to you and Tinky..... *hugs*

dandysmom

10-03-2009, 04:15 PM

Fingers crossed that they'll get the feeding stabilized and that he'll be home with you on the road to recovery; this has been such a dreadful ordeal for you both. I too admire your bravery throughout it. Thinking of you today, (((hugs)))

Natalie

10-03-2009, 08:31 PM

Sorry that I have only just found this thread. I'm so sad to hear your story and sending you and puss lots of cyber get well vibes.

pookyandjo

10-03-2009, 11:29 PM

i dont know whaat to write i cant even see the keyboard clearly..the hospital rang... he has taken a turn for the worst... he bit one of the vets... and they have suggested that the time has come... i have to go.. i can bear this im sorry

Mags

10-03-2009, 11:35 PM

Oh Jo, I'm so, so sorry ........be brave (((hugs)))

If the time has come, remember, you are giving Tinky Winky your greatest gift .....you are releasing him from all his suffering and he will be at peace.

Love to you both.....x

dandysmom

10-03-2009, 11:39 PM

Oh Jo, so very very sorry......you've done your best, and it seems it's time for him to be out of his pain now; God bless, love and ((((hugs))) .....

Leesy

11-03-2009, 12:19 AM

Oh Jo I am so so very sorry to hear this news and my heart goes out to you, as painful as it may be you have got to let him go and be at rest free from any pain or suffering. You know that you have done your best by him and shown him lots of love and caring support when he has needed you most that is all you could have done.
Lots of love and big hugs to you both.......Xxx.

pookyandjo

11-03-2009, 03:56 AM

Hi all, Tinky and I are home from the hospital... i go there went and saw him and then went into a room to speak to the vet... and a few mins later on of the girls came in and said that he had slipped away.....i cant think right at th minute... i can hardly see the keys to type i feel sick and i have an aching i cant describe in words.. at the moment he is wrapped in towel.. in his basket... and is sitting on my bed.. his favorite place to be...i have called a pet undertaker and they will be here around 7 tonight to take him.. my husband has taken back the cage that he was to have used when he came home... it would just upset me to have it here... the same for all the special food that i went and got and pain meds in preparation for his coming home... all so pointless now.. for now my baby is asleep on my bed... my other baby george is laying on the floor even with the point at where the basket is... just looking at me...Tinky was the boss... and there was an unspoken rule that mummy's bed was HIS bed and george wasn't allowed.. there was never a fight about it.... george just never jumped on the bed... ever! and if i tried to put him up there he woulld bolt... as if to say.... ****! i hope Tinky didn't see me on here...i dont know what is going to happen when they come to take him away... i juust dont know..im sorry for rambling... i will try and get some things down on here soon that will show you all what a wonderful quirky, handsome, silly and loving boy he was... i love him so much... and i cant bear what has happend... but at the same time its happened for the best

thank you again

Jo and Tinky Winky

Elaine

11-03-2009, 08:58 AM

I am so very sorry Jo, big hug to you xxx
R.I.P. Dear Sweet Tinky Winky xxx

Leesy

11-03-2009, 09:22 AM

Jo I am so sorry to hear that Tinky slipped away last night, the love that you had for him shone through with every post that you sent us, and Tinky knew that you loved him as well with all your heart which is the main thing, at least he is at peace now as hard as it is for us to bear, my thoughts are with you, take care, sending you lots of ((((HUGS)))) Pauline Xxx.

dinahsmum

11-03-2009, 09:44 AM

Big hugs
You did all you could; gave him every chance and though he tried he couldn't make it.
Don't beat yourself up over anything you did or didn't do. Work through the pain and, in time, start to have happy memories of a healthy cat who you loved and who loved life. Remember the good times and minimise the bad - they were only a tiny part.

If you want, when you're ready, you can post an obituary in the Gone But Not Forgotten section - put in some nice pics, talk about his kitten pranks etc.

We're all with ya kidda - take care and don't think too much. x

MrsH

11-03-2009, 10:05 AM

I've just been reading through this whole thread. :cry:

Oh my goodness, how wonderfully well you've cared for Tinky and his conditions. You must be feeling so exhausted by now, he couldn't possibly have had a more supportive Mum. You did everything possible, your love for Tinky shines through your posts. Take care of yourself.

RIP Tinky.

PoshPuss

11-03-2009, 10:18 AM

I'm so sorry Jo but like the other members have said you have been a wonderful, caring and supportive mum to Tinky and you'll have precious memories to hold on to.
Bless you and Tinky, sleep sweetly dear little one, your hurting is over. :(

janey83

11-03-2009, 10:48 AM

Im so sorry. He was so lucky to have you as his mummy. R.I.P Tinky xxx

yola

11-03-2009, 11:03 AM

Oh Jo. I'm so very sorry. Both you and he fought so hard for his life but in the end he was just too weak and tired to fight any longer. He is in a good and happy place now and whilst you need time to come to terms with your grief there will come a time when you will smile when you remember instead of cry - and please give poor George a lot of love - he will be mourning his friend too.

I'm sat in the office with tears in my eyes and OH is looking at me strangly - so I must go and mop my face. Your story has been an extraordinary one and I am full of admiration for you and the determination you have shown in trying to help dear Tinky.

I would love to see some pictures of Tinky when your feeling up to it.

Mags

11-03-2009, 01:23 PM

I'm so very sorry Jo, you did everything you possibly could for Tinky and your immense love for him shone through to all of us here.

You are really hurting at the moment, I know, but your lovely boy feels no more pain and is sleeping peacefully. The day will come when you will be able to think of him and remember all the little things he used to do with a smile on your face ....... he was a very special friend.

Take care, love to you and Tinky's friend, George... xx

dandysmom

11-03-2009, 03:56 PM

Oh Jo, I'm so sorry. He was a fighter to the end when it was too much and now he's free from pain. Do take care, thinking of you and George. Please do keep in touch and let us know how you and George are doing. (((hugs)))

tilly

11-03-2009, 04:21 PM

I have just read through your thread I am nearly in tears for you. Tinky fought his best.I hope you are OK.

((((HUGS)))

Tilly

Natalie

11-03-2009, 07:40 PM

I'm am truly saddened to hear of your tragic news. Play happily at the bridge Tinky. :(

emsie

11-03-2009, 10:49 PM

I've just read your thread, I really am so sorry to hear your news.
You just have to think that he knew how much you loved him, that is obvious from the way you speak about him.
Thinking of you & George.xxx

pookyandjo

12-03-2009, 10:56 AM

hi all,
Thank you all so much for your posts...i appreciate them all so much... and im sure that in time i will come to understand everything that has happened. This is such a new feeling for me..
4 years ago when Tinky was diagnosed with IBD.. he was very sick... they did surgery to get samples of his liver, bowel and stomach.. because they thought he had cancer.. luckily it wasn't.. it was the protein allergy that had cause his sickness... and after he recovered from the surgery.. he was back to his feisty self..I remember before he had the surgery... they had shaved his tummy and given him an ultrasound... it showed that his whole liver was compromised.. thats why they though he had cancer... it was compromised because of the feline hepatic lipidosis.. i can still remember the day that my vet rang me after they had finished the ultrasound...and told me that he needed to see me..i pushed him on the phone for the result...he avoided my question and again repeated that he needed to see me..i told him that i would come down right away.. and i did...when i got there he told that he thought it was liver cancer because the whole liver was compromised with this pattern that looked like cancer..but that he wouldn't know unless they did surgery to get samples..
i thought overnight about what to do... and rang him the next day..we would go for the surgery.. of course.. as i said before... the biopsies came back clear...we changed his diet... and he had 4 more years...more importantly 4 more GOOD years.. visits to the vet were spaced anywhere between 3 and 8 months..he only had the cortsione injection when he had a bile vomit.. which was the sign that the inflamation had built up... other than the couple of scheduled teeth cleaning procedures he was just a happy, precious mummy's boy.. i remember at the time making a deal with God...if he would just left me have him for a while longer...i would be satisfied with that.. having him for 6 years wasn't enough.. well i got my wish.. but i didn't keep my side of the bargin cause im not satisfied.. I have so many feelings at the moment...i feel relief that he is no longer in pain...I feel guilt that i wasn't there with him when he passed..(i promised him every time i left the hospital that mummy would be there when he needed me...I feel guilt that i pushed him to far...but he had always bounced back after these surgeries... in fact before he was initially diagnosed with the haemangiosarcoma.. he had become fearful of noises... we had to disconnect the doorbell he wouldn't sit in his favorite spots around the house, instead under my bed was where he would spend most of the time... only coming out to use his tray and eat...he stopped sleeping on the bed with me...the first time since he was a baby.. again preferring to be under it..after the initial surgery..when they removed the tumour...his first day was a bit rough but he got better and better... and infact the second day after his surgery he was back sleeping on the bed with me and by around day 5 was back in his favorite little sun spots around the house and within a week... he was back up sitting on his stool at the kitchen bench... supervsing me whilst i cooked dinner all the time expliaining what i was doing..If my daughter or husband came in and started talking and i stopped talking to him... he would meow loudly as if to say..."'EXCUSE ME SHE WAS TALKING TO ME FIRST'" The following surgeries were all in relation to the one part of his wound that wouldn't heal.. and that's when i pushed my vet... to do a biopsy prior to what was going to be a final and sucessfull attempt to fix the wound in his groin... a notoriously difficult area to heal because of its constant movment. (My vet had consulted another specialist surgeon for advice on which would be the best procedure to do.. and everyone was working on the assumption that the cancer had been removed in the first surgery)
Of course the rest is history... the path came back, the cancer was still there and we were referred to the specialist.. and you know the rest...
I didn't take this final option lightly... he has always been a bit of a stressy cat... in some ways i defer to my very first post... swinging backwards and forwards..wondering did i make the right decision... or did i not... did i push him too far... or did i not...at the moment i cant get past the guilt of him being by himself when he passed... he bit one of the vets... and that was so not him at all...i was wondering for days before yesterday had the time come... but they kept telling me no...
Has anyone else been in this situation where they feel guilt at not being there cause at the moment i cant seem to move past it.
I got some lovely flowers from my vet today..with a card signed by all the staff and vets at the practise..the card said they had made a donation in memory of Tinky to the ACAHF (Australian companion animal health foundation) which is a lovely thing to do..
Of course life goes on... george is going to the vet tomrrow for his annual check up, immunisation and wellness blood screen.. he was due about a month ago... but with everything that has been going on it kept on being put on hold..

last nght was very hard... before the pet undertaker came i laid on the bed with tinky and talked to him for a couple of hours..i dont think it did me any good... who knows... in the coming days i might feel some good about it but at present i just feel empty.. Tinky will be home in around 5 days..im hoping when that happens i will be able to be feeling a bit more peacful about the whole thing

Again im sorry to vent... but i feel so lost at present

thank you for your thoughts and prayers.. my little boy used to wait in the window for me each time i went out and greet me at the front door each time i came home... i pray that hes waiting by heavens door for me.

Leesy

12-03-2009, 12:08 PM

Oh Jo don`t feel sorry for venting that is what we are here for to help you with your pain and the loss of your little boy Tinky who you loved so dearly, it is so hard coping with grief of any sort and you need people to talk too that can understand the pain you are going through.
I only wish that I had known about this sight last year when I lost my beloved Charkie who I still miss so dearly, every day I still think about him and I know I always will, the pain does get better but I can still just suddenly burst into tears when something reminds me of him, I just try to remember all the good times that we had together wich I feel were not long enough as he was only 8 yrs old when he passed away, it should have been a lot longer.
Oh no I have got to go I am now rambling and in tears again myself :oops: :cry: .
Keep in touch and take care Pauline Xxx.

yola

12-03-2009, 12:52 PM

Jo - just keep talking . . . keep telling us about your feelings and about Tinky and eventually the pain will begin to subside and gain some kind of perspective.

I understand the guilt you feel - I left my lovely old Ferdy at the vet for a routine dental only to have the phone me a couple of hours later to advise he didn't recover from surgery :( My other cat passed away suddenly on his own by the side of the sofa only minutes after me holding him . . . BUT I wasn't with him. We found him already dead - what went through his mind in those last minutes; was he scared; why did he lie by the side of the sofa when he always used to lie on it? These losses continually prey on my mind, I don't think anyone who has lost a pet suddenly can really put the thought away fully.

You are so brave and so dedicated to stand by Tinky Winky like this - but I can understand how you feel you've let him down. Please don't think that - instead you tried to give him hope for a future that sadly he wasn't strong enough to see.

We're here for you Jo - hang on in there!

dinahsmum

12-03-2009, 03:28 PM

All your feelings are perfectly natural and normal. All part of the grieving process.
Wait till you get those joint joys of huge relief because the situation has ended, TW isn't in pain or distress any more and you can start to pick up the peices, coupled with BIG GUILT, because you feel that relief. Try to keep your guilt feelings in perspective; you've nothing to feel guilty about. Really
It's good to be able to express your feelings and probably pretty good to be able to express them to a non-judgemental, supportive, messageboard community.
So - just carry on, as long as you like.
It will get better, it really will.

dandysmom

12-03-2009, 04:16 PM

Jo. I can't add anything to what's already been said. You did the very best you could, no one could have been more loving and supportive than you, and his time had come before you could possibly get there. Like Yola, I lost my dear Patches and wasn't there when she passed...she was 20 and died in her sleep downstairs in her favorite chair. I have always felt guilty, what if she'd been in pain and cried out and I slept thru it? The support I got here on the Forum was a great help to me, and I've never forgotten it. You're not venting in a bad sense, you're just pouring out your feelings now to a group of understanding and caring people who know what you're going thru. Please do post as often as you want; I believe thoroughly that it helps the inevitable grieving process. (((hugs)))

dinahsmum

13-03-2009, 11:57 AM

Just in case it might help, jo, and in case you don't have anything like this in Oz, our Blue Cross animal welfare charity runs a bereavement service. Here's (http://www.catsey.com/showthread.php?t=29514) a link to a previous post with more details.

jan

14-03-2009, 02:08 AM

Jo, I am so sorry - I am sitting here tears pouring dowm my face - thinking also of all the cats I have loved and lost - it does get better but the sadness comes back at times like this and somehow the only people you want to talk to are also animal lovers as some people just dont understand at all and that hurts so much too. Do take care and everyone is thinking about you Jan x

pookyandjo

14-03-2009, 04:31 AM

Hi all,
Its raining here today and is dark and stormy... a bit like my mood... yesterday was hard... my husband and daughter were out for the whole day and didn't get back until nearly midnight.. they had tickets for the international airshow that is on in victoria this week.. and they had been looking forward to it for ages.. so I made them go so i could have the house to myself.. I took George to the vet for his immunisation and checkup..he was a very good boy though he wasn't impressed at getting in the basket to go to the vets... he cried all the way... I wonder what was going through his little mind.... was is something like... "Tinky went in the basket, was gone for a week and then when he came back he didn't move... and now he's gone again"..or am i just giving him too much credit for cognisant thought...
The girls at the vets made a fuss of him and said he was very well behaved.. even when they took blood.. he just sat there.. but when it came time for him to get back into the basket to go... he just sat there... refused to move... and when i picked him up... he went all floppy and was very uncoperative.. and then he cried all the way home.. just for the record... so did i...
I decided that i needed something to do... my baby wasn't the only death in the family on Wednesday morning...my usual practise every morning first thing is to turn on the computer to see what i have going on during the day... and it wouldn't boot up, so i have been using the lap top since then... so i took the CPU down to the computer shop so they can fix it.. (I should get it back Monday afternoon)
I started looking through some pictures...pre digital in albums and the rest of them digital which i keep on a separate portable hardrive as i do all my photos...and i decided that i am going to get some enlargments and copies done of some photos of my baby and get a photo mat cut and have the whole lot framed... I have just the spot in mind on my bedroom wall... right next to my bedside table which is exactly where he will sit when he comes home..I have chosen a nice dark timber box for his ashes with a place for a photo on the top of the lid... i have also ordered a special silver plated keychain that has a thimble shaped locket on it big enough to hold a little of his ashes..
funny thing that occured to me yesterday whilst i was looking at pictures was that i remembered there were some shots on the camera that i hadn't put onto the hard drive..It occured to me also that in the weeks prior to him going into hospital.. our interaction had been so intense...like i said in my previous post... before his first surgery.. he had stopped sleeping on the bed with me.. and had become fearful of noises or strangers in the house...within a couple of days of the first surgery he was getting back to him oldself... and it was almost like he was making up for everything that he missed out on in those few weeks prior... for some reason... dont ask me... because i dont know the answer...i started taking photos of him...lots of them..(there were 184 on my camera that hadn't downloaded) and not just photos of him as a whole.. pictures of his feet... pictures of the back of his head... close up pictures of his face... where i could see where his whiskers exited his cheeks...its funny cause he loved having his picture taken... he would sit up proudly and pose.. he had such a handsome face...he didn't mind when i stuck the camera right in close and snapped away..he always took it in his stride... when i finish writing this i am going to try and work out how post pictures on here..
The other thing i did yesterday, well last night.. was to go to the vet again and organise to see my vet so i could ask some questions about all of this... there are some things that i need to get set straight in my head so i can move on.. so on Monday afternoon at 2 pm i am off to the vet...and hopefully that will be the last time i need to there until this time next year when George will be due for his immunisations again..
When my husband and daughter got home last night.. Daughter (Cait) went to bed and Hubby (David) and i sat looking at some film of Tinky when he was younger.. funny we were ALL younger... our daughter was 10.. it really hit home just how long he had been with us... its very easy to say "We had him for 10 years" but people have grown.. our house has changed a lot through renovation, we had got older all in that time.. and he was a constant through that... he was the baby that we couldn't have after i had been diagnosed and treated for cancer (Cait is an only child).. We both had a cry.. we talked about how some people had ridiculed us for spending money on his treatment... after all "he's only a cat" is something that i have heard only too often in the last 8 weeks..I suspect if some people knew how much we have actually spent they would try and have us committed!..but im rambling here... the main reason for this post was to let you all know that i am trying to desperately to do something positive...my house feels so empty..even with George here... I suppose that's because Georges's special person is Cait...I have no one following me from room to room...and whilst the first night was revolting.. the last two nights have got a tiny bit better.. but i have still woken each morning and within the first couple of seconds the realisation hits me that it is all very real... and all very raw still
The other thing that happened yesterday was the i got the pathology report from his final surgery... the margins where clear.. there was another small tumour in his right hind leg behind his knee which was like a little time bomb waiting to go off...(haemangiosarcoma (cancer of the blood vessels) tumours are usually not noticed until the rupture) so the surgeon was right in his assement that his best chance of survival was the amputation..of course none of this makes any difference now
Thank you all again for your thoughts prayers and concern...IT DOES feel good not to have to justify my actions on here...As Jan said in the post above...it does hurt when people dont understand.. he may have been "just a cat" but he was our "just a cat" and we couldn't have loved him anymore if he was a real baby

Jo

pookyandjo

14-03-2009, 09:41 AM

this is a test to see if i followed the instructions on posting a photo... hopefully you will see a picture of Tinky ...its not a recent picture probably taken around 3 years ago..

http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/pookyandjo/tinkybedroom.jpg

pookyandjo

14-03-2009, 09:54 AM

great it worked... ill post some more

this was taken in 2005.. its the picture i have of him on my desktop

http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/pookyandjo/tinky021.jpg

this one is him drinking from the tap in our ensuite bathroom... every morning... he would sit there waiting for my to get up and turn on the tap for him... he would sit there patiently formaybe 1/2 an hour... and if i didn't get up to turn on the tap for him... he would start knocking things into the sink.. starting with the plug.. then the liquid soap dispenser...then anything else that he could pick up and drop into the sink... my toothbrush was a favorite item... he was very good at fetching things.. and would often carry things from room to room.. this pic was taken in his last week before he went into hospital for his amputation

http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/pookyandjo/Picture105.jpg

this one was taken at the same time as the last one... no explanation needed

http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/pookyandjo/Picture110.jpg

i wasn't trying to be creative with his one... it just worked out this way... he is laying on the desk return which has a glass top... hence the reflection... one of his favorite places to be when i was on the computer... when he had had enough of sitting up there with me... he would decide that it was time for me to stop being on the computer and move over and sit in front of the screen so i couldn't see what i was doing

http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/pookyandjo/Picture055.jpg

finally this one is him when we brought him home from the shelter as a kitten..sorry for the quality but it's pre digital... and only a small photo.. check out the size of his ears.. he was about 8 weeks when this was taken

http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu204/pookyandjo/babytinky.jpg