Another one?

[farthing]

I've just had a call from the vet about a stray cat they have had handed in- he is old, possibly hyperthyroid and has fluid in his abdomen. However he has been in for a week and is very bright so the don't really want to PTS. There is a question whether he has FIP ( although I didn't think they lasted very long with the wet form), he has a heart murmer and they will test for FIV/Felv. We have been asked to consider him for short term care, they do think whatever he has is terminal and he may only have a few months but because he is happy and bright think it would be nice to give him a retirement home.
They will PTS on Friday if no other option can be found, but will keep him until Fluffy's stitches are out and she can go back with the others- IF we agree to take him. He can then have a stress free life in the spare room until his time comes.

[yola]

Do you know, you're an angel. Selflessly taking on cats who you know will break your heart when their time is up. I hope this puss can live out his days in gentle contentment with you both and may his retirement be a long and happy one!

[angieh]

Bless you farthing xxx

[dandysmom]

You are an angel indeed, farthing. That poor old boy can spend his last days in a loving and caring environment ... xxx

[farthing]

Things may still be dependant on blood results and there may be no choice. Mike is in Holland for the day- I sent him a text asking if he wanted another cat- old stray, terminal will be PTS tomorrow if no home found- he replied 'when is it coming home.':lol:
We are going to see him tomorrow, the vet has called him Donald and he only has 3 teeth left but I don't know anything else about him. Hopefully its his heart condition causing the fluid as we can deal with it for a time and if he is hyperthyroid- well we are becoming specialists in that area.:lol:

Thanks Yola, I am appehensive about taking him on for possibly a very short time, usually there is a bit of hope, but its a life that can be given comfort and we will just have to deal with the upset when it happens- its a small price to pay.

[Tink]

Bless you, fingers crossed for blood results, I know he'd be cared for with you.

[jacks]

You are such a kind and wonderful person Farthing.I hope he gets to spend the last part of his life with you.

[farthing]

Well, we've been to meet 'Donald' and he is lovely. He is gray with a bit of white underneath and some rusty tones on his back. He looks very thin in the face, but has a very distended tummy. His bloods aren't too bad and he is FIV/Felv negative- so we will take him home on Tuesday.
One of the vets is pretty sure he doesn't have FIP, and they did take enough blood to send off a sample but we decided it wouldn't really tell us much, a thyroid test will be sent of on Monday and we are all pretty sure that will be high. The vet thinks the fluid is due to his heart and not liver ( bloods are good and they can feel no masses), but can't really tell what is going on with his heart because it is going so fast- if he is hyperthyroid this will explain his heart and once we get that under control we will be able to hear what is going on a lot better.
It was funny because one of the nurses already had our name on his record sheet, and they were delighted we were taking him because he is a bit of a favourite already.

[angieh]

Poor Donald - so glad he'll be going home with you next week. How's his breathing?

[farthing]

His breathing seems fine, he was in his box when I went in to see him but when I spoke he came running out and was squeezing his nose through the cage to see me. I took him out and he was so happy, just a lovely old man.

[JBalways2000]

He sounds like a heart melter:smt007 Glad that all his tests are normal so far, really hope you get longer then expected with him-sounds like either way he is going to be leading a very happy life with you:D Looking forward to seeing some piccies of this little old man!

[dandysmom]

Bless you! And give Donald a cuddle from me, please.

[cats' staff]

Bless him, and you- he'll be happy for whatever time he has and who can ask for more?

[EmmaG]

Awww bless you Farthing for taking in this old chap.

Do you think the fluid could be in relation to heart failure (I know of two people who have had large amounts of fluid build up in their body (around their tummys) due to heart failure - they are both now ok - one having a heart transplant. Perhaps it is the same for cats? What happens it that the heart starts to fail and the rest of the organs start shutting down and you get a build up of fluid.

[calismum]

He sounds like a v loving boy. Hope he does well with you.

[farthing]

Surprise, surprise- Donald IS hyperthyroid. We collect him tomorrow and start him on vidalta.

[dandysmom]

Wonderful that he'll have a safe haven for his declining years!!

[Kim]

Well done Farthing, you are an angel. Lucky Donald to be spending whatever time he has left in your caring hands.

[Tink]

So glad he is coming home with you, he sounds like he's already taken a liking to you, was meant to be.
Can't wait till you get him home and we can hear all about him :D

[Shelley123]

You are so strong to be able to do this for Donald. I must admit to feeling very upset just reading this thread.
I hope he manages to have plenty of time with you.

[Moli]

Bless you giving this poor boy some love and care....

[farthing]

Shelley, don't be upset, I thought it was quite a nice story (in a way) because the vets didn't just have him PTS.

Donald is home and settling in the spare room, I have tried to take some photos but he is a bit hyper. The vets are quite pleased with him and are hoping that treating his thyroid will help his fluid problem. We are to get him blood tested in 2-3 weeks time agin and see how we go from there. I will post some photos when I get some decent ones.

[JBalways2000]

Yay!:D So glad he is home with you, really looking forward to seeing some piccies of this old guy, give him a cuddle from me please!:D

[Shelley123]

Shelley, don't be upset, I thought it was quite a nice story (in a way) because the vets didn't just have him PTS.

Donald is home and settling in the spare room, I have tried to take some photos but he is a bit hyper. The vets are quite pleased with him and are hoping that treating his thyroid will help his fluid problem. We are to get him blood tested in 2-3 weeks time agin and see how we go from there. I will post some photos when I get some decent ones.

Great news that Donald is home safe, it's fantastic that he will be well cared for and loved.
I know i shouldn't get upset but unfortunately i am so sensitive were animals are concerned. I'm afraid to say that i don't think i could do what you do voluntarily.
When our Dog was ill and had horrible fits we of course dealt with it and were realy positive because we had to be.
I look foward to hearing more about Donald in the future.

[Manyana13]

Poor Donald (I love his name byt the way). It is so lovely that he has found a loving home and hopefully he will settle in well. I wish I could do what you do for these animals. I just couldn't for the same reasons as shelley. Who knows where the world would be without people like you in it! :-)

[dandysmom]

A far, far worse place! With more people like that horrid woman who binned the cat!

[farthing]

Meet Donald-

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/halfpenny_bucket/cats/008-2.jpg

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/halfpenny_bucket/cats/009-1.jpg

His unusual colour-
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/halfpenny_bucket/cats/016.jpg

You can see he is quite swollen in this one-
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/halfpenny_bucket/cats/020-1.jpg

[angieh]

What a lovely old guy! Gentle cuddles all round I think.

[dandysmom]

Awww, bless that sweet old boy! So happy he's with you now.

[JBalways2000]

Oh my, isnt he gorgeous? he definately landed on all fours finding his home with you, please pass along some more cuddles from me and i shall be keeping my fingers crossed that he starts getting better soon.

[Elaine]

I love Donald, he looks adorable, love his little upturned nose.
You're a good egg Louise xxx

[Shelley123]

He's a lovely old chap

[EmmaG]

awww bless him xxx

[jan]

your such an angel - donald is a very lucky old boy - god bless! Jan x

[farthing]

I love Donald, he looks adorable, love his little upturned nose.
You're a good egg Louise xxx

Mike usually claims I smell like a rotten egg!:oops:

[Tink]

oh bless he looks like a total sweetheart, give him a hug from me please :D