June 9, 2011-We don't know what Skipper looked like, except that he had long black hair. We do know he was just a baby...6 years old. His momma loved him; he had been to the vet annually for an exam and shots. Although never the same vet.
But mom got sick with her own diabetes, had to lose her foot to the disease, and is now in a nursing home. Mom and her sister tried many things to find a home for Skipper, but none was found.
DCIN found out about Skipper yesterday when the sister made an appointment with a vet that had never before seen Skipper. The appointment was to destroy him. Not euthanasia--ending a life to relieve pain and suffering. They were killing him because there was no longer a place for him.
We were so close. The vet with which the sister had scheduled Skipper's last day refused to medically board him until Saturday. That vet knew nothing of his condition. All the sister had to do was drive Skipper across town. Take him to his regular vet. The folks at his regular vet were waiting for him. I had talked to the tech and the vet, three times we spoke.
Enough, the sister said. She had gone far enough on this journey with Skipper. She could not go the few extra miles to put him into a safe place where we could retrieve him. Uncle Don in Virginia was ready to foster this boy and nurse him back to health. We knew something was wrong with him being 6 years old and on 14U insulin twice a day. Diet, appropriate insulin management with hometesting. That's all skipper needed.
And a lap to sit on. The sister said that Skipper was a people cat. He liked to sit on a lap and be petted.
That's all he wanted. A lap and some petting.
Damn, we were so close.
I know the sister will read this. I told her how to find DCIN. My tears come because I am tired. I was only dozing during the night, keeping myself alert in case there was a phone call about Skipper. I feared this end, but I also prepared myself for it. Fly free, baby. There are so many people who can feel your fur as you sit on their laps humming your joyful purr. Long and silky, your fur is. Rest now, baby. No one will ever dispose of you again.
...June 2, 2012--Please help DCIN pay for Musette's final expenses.
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Princess Fluffybutt
June 1, 2012--Yesterday afternoon, Mel and Jon lost Musette to anemia. (((((Mel and Jon))))) Thank you for teaching Musette how to play with toys, what catnip is, how to accept hugs, and how to enjoy kisses. Thank you for giving her her brothers and sisters. Thank you for sharing with her your bed and pillow. Thank you for loving her clear blue eyes and bringing her nekked body back to its lustrous full coat. Thank you for holding her forever in your hearts.
Musette, you finally found the hearts and home that you always deserved. For a year you were able to hold those hearts in your paws, cherishing every moment. Enough love for a lifetime. Fly free, dear girl.
Our deepest sympathies also to Uncle Don who first brought the discarded Angel to his home and nursed her back to wellness so that she could travel home to Mel and Jon. Angel stole his heart, as she did so many. ~The DCIN Team~
Still waiting on the vet to call me back so that I can inform him that I'm springing my girl tomorrow...may have to do it without his blessing but she and I had a talk today when I went to see her, and she wants out and out now. And I don't like asking about her glucose and her ketone readings at 1pm in the afternoon and being told we don't know...go pick up her chart and tell me. You can tell me I don't know off the top of my head I'll go find out, but don't just shrug your shoulders and walk away. Okay rant off.
Home NOW, Mom.
As far as Musette herself she is much much better today but clearly wants out of there and back home with mom, unless the vet can tell me something they are doing for her that I can't do here, I'm breaking her out tomorrow...my little girl that never has jumped off anything higher than my bed was willing to try to jump off the exam table and with two paws bandaged and multiple tubes in her. If I wasn't going to take her home today she was gonna walk out on her own. I had to catch her twice to keep her from trying to jump off the table, so I finally sat down on the floor with her, she came over snuggled in my lap for awhile and then once again went to the door, tried to paw it open and walk out...that tells me loud and clear she feels well enough to have momma play nurse.
May 24, 2012--Our little puffball is still at the after-hours vet. She had an esophageal feeding tube inserted on Tuesday afternoon. That procedure went well and she is tolerating the feeding well. A/D diluted with Clinicare. She was tested for pancreatitis (results still pending), was diagnosed DKA, and is on pain meds and antibiotics.
Mel went to see Musette yesterday (Wednesday) and reported:
Musette is a little more animated today than on Monday, but still clearly a very sick little girl. And she seems to have to do everything as quickly as possible not only did she crash like this on me virtually overnight, but she went from being fine to starting to turn yellow before they could get the feeding tube in her yesterday. Today when I saw her, her beautiful skyblue eyes were actually green looking.
I can't not go see her everyday, but it is so hard to see my fluffy-bouncy girl so ill, and to hear that awful death-rattle of a purr coming from her...She did briefly brighten up when she saw me, and tried to wiggle out of the tech's arms to get to me. Then the minutes she was in my arms she buried her head against my chest and wrapped her little paws around my arm. She has so many tubes and stuff attached to her, and she is getting so matted again...it is heart-breaking.
So many tubes, Mom.
We sat and cuddled for awhile and I sang to her the song I always sing when I test her or when we are settling down to go to bed...and for a few brief moments I got to hear her normal sweet little humming purr. It was very weak but it was there, but then she started to get wiggly again and acted like she was looking for her carrier, I think she thought I was there to spring her from the bad place that keeps poking her and prodding her. She wants to come home so bad and always looks so sad when I have to leave her again. I just hope by going to see her everyday she will realize I'm not abandoning her there, and that she just needs to get well enough to be able to come home.
Good news is that she did have a bowel movement yesterday and again today so things are getting better there. At the very least it looks like she will be there over the holiday weekend and then they will talk to me about bringing her home next Tuesday. They are kind of waiting to see what the bloodwork that they sent out has to say so we know exactly what all is going on with her, before releasing her to me, to make sure I have all the meds she needs and with a 3-day weekend coming up they are being cautious with her.
I love you, Mom.
The other good news at least I think it is...is right now they aren't giving her insulin because her BGs aren't elevated enough to need it, even with all she is going through her BGS yesterday morning was 132, last night even after several feedings she was down to 118 and this morning she was I believe they said 92....what they can tell me is that she doesn't have an infection. They asked if there was anyway she could have gotten into and eaten anything that could have caused the liver disease..I told them not that I knew off because there really isn't anything in the house that would be dangerous to her that isn't kept under lock and key. So we are still baffled.
May 22, 2012--Musette is still with the after-hours vet and still very sick. Her liver values and urinary ketones are high, her electrolytes are out out whack, and she is not eating. She is on IV fluids with electrolyte supplements, PZI insulin, and syringe feeding. If she is not better later today, we will be talking about putting an Esophageal feeding tube into her. We still don't know what brought this on.
Mel wrote me yesterday afternoon: "Just got back from going to see Musette...she looks so sad and so didn't want to be left there again, she was burying her head in my neck and chest and hugging my arms and neck when I would hold her. The picture is the best I could get with her either wrapped up round me or her trying to stand up and jump off the table to get back to me holding her."
May 21, 2012--Yesterday afternoon Musette was out of sorts and not eating for the past 24 hours, and then showed moderate urinary ketones. She didn't have especially high blood glucose numbers and Mel said she wasn't dehydrated.
DCIN sent Mel and Musette to the after-hours vet. The treatment plan was BW, ketone check, IV fluids and (if needed) electrolytes, assisted feeding, insulin management--the normal ketone/DKA protocol. (Musette is a DKA survivor, so we have to be careful.)
12/28/2011--Musette has come a long ways from that poor thin shaved bobble head doll that arrived in our hearts and home last June 25th. She is up to 8lbs now which looks just about perfect on her. She has filled out wonderfully, she has learned to play, and has discovered the joys of catnip. Every morning we are now greeted with whisker kisses, head butts and paw pats, as well as a giant purr. For such a tiny little girl she has a purr as big as all outdoors. Oh and she talks now, if you talk to her she tries to answer you back, or if she thinks you are taking too long in getting something she wants she tells you about it. She doesn't really meow but has more of a raspy little voice like she really is trying to mimick human speech.
August 13, 2011--I get frequent updates from Mel about Musette. This is the latest one:
She has gained almost a full pound since she has been here. And she is absolutely the cuddlest cat in the household, the minute there is a lap to be had she is in it. Her fur is starting to come back and from the looks of it, she is going to have a lot of tortie markings when it is all back in. Her shoulders and hips are becoming very mottled in peach and smokey gray. Once we got her treated for fleas her aggressive side disappeared. I'm pretty sure she came here with them as everyone here has been kept on Advantage. It was really weird I never saw a single one on her, so when I treated everyone with their monthly flea treatment I just went ahead and did her too, the next day when I went to brush her out the dead ones came off her in buckets. The only thing I can figure out is that they were staying up around her next and tail where she actually had fur left. But now that they are gone, she is no longer turning around when she is being petted to take a chunk out of us.
She is still very much a Daddy's girl, she sleeps cuddled up to her daddy every night, ironically right where Muse use to sleep. Muse always preferred sleeping on Jon's pillow to mine, and that is the spot on the bed that Musette has claimed as hers...Which suits Maxwell just fine as momma's pillow is his. So far she is getting along well with everyone except Myrrdin, but then again no one really likes Myrrdin...as he is still just such a shitten.
Her numbers are still being difficult to get down and keep down but they are getting better, most days she stays in the low 200s, but I have been testing her for ketones and so far none to be seen. And she seems to be a happy little girl, as you barely look in her direction and she turns on the motor, and she wakes us up every morning with purrs, head butts and paw pats. Although I think she may have some arthritis in her hips, as I have noticed that when it is stormy here she will walk a little more stiffly and on those days she doesn't like me to pet her near her hips. But I really can't fault her there, when it gets stormy I ache pretty good myself.
June 30, 2011--Musette is now home with Mel. Her transport was uneventful. Thanks to Don, Marcy, and Mel for handling the ground portions of her transport. Here are some pics of our little Bobbette in her new home. I am told that Musette is purring in the full face picture. She does look happier than in other pics I've seen of her.
June 21, 2011--Musette goes home to Mel and Jon this weekend. She flies Continental Cargo out of Dulles into Denver, where Marcy (and Klinger) will pick her up and drive her into Nebraska, where Momma and Dad will grab her and lovingly take her home.
DCIN is trying to raise the $500 it has spent for Musette's vetting up until now and her flight. Please help to send Musette home if; you can. If money is tight, please send happy flying vibes for Ms. Musette.
Click on "Fly Musette" to contribute through PayPal for Musette's costs.
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June 18, 2011--A little update on Musette. She has been doing well with Uncle Don. She is eating like "a little piggie" and is happy to be there, purring for Don when she gets her blood tests. Yesterday, she crawled into his lap to have it done.
Musette went to the vet earlier this week because Don was concerned with her bouncy BG levels. On a single cycle, she can go between 60 and 400+ mg/dl. Don's other diabetic cats are fairly flat in their curves, and this had thrown Don for a loop. The vet had quite a handle on the situation, and helped Don to understand some techniques he might use to minimize that bounce. He has put them into place and found that they work. But Musette still has a way to go to tight regulation.
DCIN was going to fly Musette Continental Cargo from Dulles into Omaha next Friday. But the Omaha airport is at risk of being flooded by the Missouri River. Marcy (and Klinger from the FDMB) stepped in to help, and we changed Musette's landing point to Denver. Marcy will drive into Nebraska and meet Mel and her DH Jon with Musette. The date also has been changed to Saturday, June 25.
We are fundraising for Musette's costs to date, which include treatment (except boarding) at her rescue vet, treatment and rabies VAX at Don's vet, her interstate health certificate (which she needs to fly), and her flight cost. Thankfully, we don't have to buy a carrier to transport her because Don is donating the one his Toby came in. The total of her costs so far are $490, so I am going to ask Jennifer to make up a Chip-in widget for Musette for $500. (Chip-in won't let me join, and there is no support on that site to help me with my problem.) Until I get the Chip-in code from Jennifer, you can go to these instructions on the blog to make a donation.
Thank you all for your support, both financial and through prayers and well wishes. Mel will especially need your energy while Musette is in the air. I will be posting, probably on DCIN's Facebook page, information about how to track Musette's flights a week from today. I will be out of town, so Hope (and Baby from the FDMB) will be moderating the transport and keeping you up to date. She will be posting on the FDMB's Health Forum so that all, even those not a member of that Board, can follow the progress.
June 7, 2011--Musette's story is complicated, as many are. On June 1, DCIN received an email from Laurie in VA, who had received an email from HART, which knew a vet that would soon receive a diabetic Himalayan (Himi) cat. The cat's owners wanted to kill the cat because they no longer wanted or could pay for its diabetes treatment. The cat was named Angel. My goodness, what a maze of folks to work through to find the cat. DCIN often has to do this kind of A to B to C to D kind of searching for a diabetic cat that we learn about through email.
This one was easy. It didn't take much time to find the vet that had Angel. I knew that Mel wanted a female Himi, so I called her about Angel. Don had given me a "wild card" to send one more diabetic his way, either as a foster or for a permanent home. I called the vet, asked whether Angel was FIV/FeLV negative (which she is), and asked whether someone experienced with feline diabetes could visit her. Within a couple hours, Ronda (a volunteer and foster Mom for Fancy Cats) was there and told me that Angel was in good shape.
I told the vet tech (Jessica, bless her) that DCIN would "pull" Angel. I asked that Angel be given IV fluids and antibiotics, because she was dehydrated and had a UTI. The vet's office did this, and also shaved her because she was matted. This was done, and thus our bobble-headed kitty above.
On Saturday, June 4, Ronda and Don transported Angel to Don's house. Angel is doing fine, and the photo here was taken in the outdoor enclosure Don has for his cats.
Don would love to adopt Angel, but the following is why he is only Uncle Don to Angel. This is Mel's post about her dream about this cat, now named Musette by her soon-to-be Mommy, Mel.
On the day that was [Muse's] 1st anniversary at the bridge, I had spent the day going between bawling my eyes out and looking at himmies up for adoption. Since Muse passed I had been watching the breed rescues looking for that special himmie that called to my heart, and no one had, until I ran across Alex in Florida, but he can't be adopted outside of the county where he is, so he was out. But I really wanted another Himalayan, didn't need to be a purebred, but I wanted a female, and I wanted that one that really needed me. By the time for bed that night came I was exhausted both mentality and physically and was asleep I think before my head hit the pillow.
That night I had a dream of being in bed and having Maxwell jump on the bed and curl around my head like normal, then Lady Jane joins us and curls up under my arm, again this is her usual spot. But then I hear the radio playing in the background, and can see light coming from somewhere but the bedroom door is closed. I still remember thinking in the dream that Jon must be in the bathroom and that was where the light was coming from. I recognize the song on the radio it is "Send me an angel" suddenly there is a third cat on the bed with Maxwell, Lady Jane and I, she is laying in Muse's spot I roll over and there is Muse, lighter than she was in life, but the same face, just a more moonlit version of my girl. I hear a soft purring voice, sort of like how you can almost hear voices in a running stream that seemed to say, "I'm sending you an Angel, look for me in the eyes" and then Muse and the voice was gone, but I had this weird sense of peace and felt Maxwell and Lady Jane snuggle in closer. It didn't even dawn on me that Muse couldn't possibly have known or been with Maxwell and Lady Jane, as they joined the family after she left, it just seemed so natural that they would be there with her, as Muse was the only one before Maxwell and Lady Jane to be allowed to sleep with the humans at night.
The next morning I get a call for Venita, with "Guess what I found?" and its a she named Angel. I asked what she looked like if she was dark pointed or light pointed, Venita at that point didn't know but Ronda (Ginger's Foster Mom) was on her way to check her out and was taking a camera. Then I saw the first pictures of then Angel, now Musette. I was looking right at the face in my dream. That same moonlit version of my Muse. So the call went out to DH, "Can we please save another one? They want to kill her if we can promise them a home for her" at that point we only had a stay of execution until Saturday. He stalled, until I showed him her picture and he saw what I had seen...Our Muse's eyes looking at us from another face...it was then a quick yes, if she could be saved she would have a home to come to.
Now I hadn't told Jon about my dream when he started telling me about how he had dreamed that same night of Muse. His was a different from mine, but in his Muse had been lost and he was looking for her because I was upset and crying for her. When he heard her meowing to be let in the bedroom so he opened the bedroom door, with oh she must have just been sleeping downstairs and we didn't see her. He said when he opened the bedroom door this lighter version of Muse walked in and jumped up on the bed with me and touched her nose to mine before he woke up.
So we took that as the final sign that Muse did indeed send her mom an Angel. She knows how much she is loved and missed and she too wanted mom to stop crying and did the only thing she could think of sent mommy a gift from the bridge. Plus Jon and I had just been talking about how the family would be complete again if we had one more girl (that gives us 6 girls and 6 boys), and also how much we thought Maxwell would like to have someone his own age to hang out with when the kids get to be too much for him. Maxwell is about 12 years old the next in line by age is almost 5. Musette is 11 perfect age to be a buddy for Maxwell. And well that I really wanted another Himmie as I've always had at least one himmie around. This is the first time in a long time that there hasn't been a himmie in the house. But we also decided when Muse passed away and we adopted Maxwell that all new animals in the household had to met two criteria they had to be special needs and had to be at risk of PTS.
So now you have it, that was the dream and why our household is expending again, as soon as Lady Musette is well enough to travel, even if that means I don't get to snuggle her until later this summer or even if I have to wait until early fall. I would love to have her like yesterday, but I know she is in excellent hands until she can come home to us. And I don't want to rush her getting here until I'm sure I won't put her health at risk either in transport (flying in the heat) or once she gets here (she is kind of wobbly from neglect atm) and she will have big brothers and sisters here so she needs to be steady on her paws. And while we had intended to call her Seraphim, after seeing how much she resembles Muse in the face, the only logical name was Musette in honor of the beautiful angel that told her mom to be on the look out for the Angel that needed a mom and dad and an Uncle Don to love her.
DCIN will be transporting Musette to Mel and Jon once Uncle Don has nursed her back to wellness. Musette needs to gain weight, gain confidence, and get regulated on insulin. It may not be until the fall that the stars will align to get Musette to her new furever home. But she will, in time, be snuggling on the bed with Mel, Jon, Maxwell, and Lady Jane.
One of DCIN's two primary projects is the Financial Assistance Project. Under this project, the conditions of which are described here, DCIN helps to pay diabetes treatment costs to keep a diabetic cat in its own home or to help a rescue/shelter/foster.
Financial Assistance is the DCIN project on which I prefer to spend my time. I would much rather keep a diabetic cat with an original, responsible owner than put the cat through a rehoming, which is traumatic on the cat and frankly not all that easy because of the shortage of available homes and the distances that we usually have to move the cats.
Many of the costs of financial assistance do not show on an individual cat's account. Someday, there might be enough man- or woman-power for DCIN to account for the distribution of donated and advance-purchased insulin and supplies to individual cats. Presently, a cat's account is only charged for those items if they are purchased specifically for and shipped to those cats.
Someone implied to me the other day that DCIN should be providing a hand up, not a hand out. While I empathize with that sentiment, these are tough times. There are many people who have been unemployed or underemployed long-term and whose foreseeable, financial futures do not so not look too bright. Sometimes the unemployment comes after a cat is diagnosed diabetic and the caregiver has to make difficult choices about trimming his or her budget. Other times, the caregiver is unemployed when the cat is diagnosed, and the costs of treating the cat push the caregiver's budget into an unmanageable situation. Many of us know of situations in which a vet has not been all that careful with a caregiver's tenuous budget when a cat is first diagnosed diabetic. God forbid the cat become ketoacidotic (DKA) and require thousands of dollars of critical care.
At the present time, DCIN is providing financial assistance to several diabetic cats with caregivers with serious financial problems. In many of those cases, the help provided appears small, or even nonexistent, on DCIN's financial accounting because it involves insulin or diabetic supplies that DCIN's accounting does not assign to individual cats. However, there are four such cats that have required and will likely continue to require significant cash resources from DCIN for vetting, food, or purchased insulin.
For those four cats, DCIN is seeking monthly sponsors. DCIN is seeking people who will commit to having a set amount...as small as $5...withdrawn from their PayPal account each month. The presence of sponsors will give the caregivers some peace of mind about their ability to continue to care for their diabetic cats.
The four cats for which I am presently seeking sponsors are Cheryl Lynn's Bella, Karin's Charlie, Deb's Nikki, and Marty's Ruthie. Each of those pages has a custom button link to take you to PayPal to sign up for a monthly sponsorship.
Thank you for helping, either with your sponsorship or with your best wishes. Both mean so much.
If you don't want to subscribe but want to send a one-time donation, DCIN accepts PayPal donations at ennis93 @att.net (remove space). Use the "Personal" tab and the radio button for "gift" to avoid fees on cash and checking donations. If you use a credit card, you can choose to pay the fee to maximize your donation to DCIN. In the note section of the PayPal page, let me know the cat to which you are donating.
If you wish to sponsor a different cat, please let me know and I will build a sponsorship button.
June 6, 2011--Welcome to the DCIN family, Cheryl Lynn and Bella!!
Bella owns Cheryl Lynn and her family. But Bella's family couldn't afford to treat her diabetes, and turned to Maine Coon Rescue (MCR) to have her adopted. MCR turned to DCIN, and DCIN was pleased to find that Bella's family wanted to keep and treat her.
Because it had been awhile since Bella's vet had diagnosed her diabetic, DCIN sent Cheryl Lynn a glucometer and strips so that she could test whether Bella's blood glucose (BG) levels were high. DCIN also found an experienced caregiver from Diabetic Cat Care in Bella's town who provided a hometesting demo and chat about feline diabetes.
When Cheryl Lynn's hometesting found Bella's BG levels were in a diabetic range, DCIN paid to have Bella vetted for an insulin prescription and provided Lantus. Cheryl Lynn joined the Feline Diabetes Message Board as BellaCat. Bella's BG spreadsheet is here. DCIN also sneaks Bella a case of low-carb Fancy Feast from time to time.
July 24, 2012--Nanner has been home with Suzanne for a year now. She writes:
Happy 1 year Gotcha day, Nanner!
"You are truly a silly boy who loves to eat cobwebs, chase his own tail, and hang out on the top of the fridge all day, looking for treats. Thanks to Jennifer J for helping me find him, Paula for fostering him so wonderfully, and Venita and Wendy for helping him get home to me last year despite crazy travel hijinks!"
November 29, 2011--Nanner sure landed softly when he chose to live with Suzanne. It's been four months that Nanner has been with Suzanne, and this little Siamese boy with the floppy ear melts his mama's heart on a daily basis. He's also one to keep a close eye on, as he loves scouring the kitchen for fallen food items! His diabetes remains well regulated despite some fallen pasta excursions.
Today Nanner will be getting a dental with a few extractions too - ouchie! Please send all the healing vibes possible his way.
July 25, 2011--Suzanne + Nemo of FDMB adopted Nanner and he was flown to her on July 22. Or, he was to be flown to her. Paula and her husband drove him to ST. Louis, MO, to catch a flight to Newark and then on to Syracuse, NY, but he got stranded in Newark because of severe hot weather.
Wendy and DH pulled him from the Newark airport, kept him overnight, and drove him halfway to Suzanne the next day.
June 6, 2011--In the past few months, DCIN's adoptions of unwanted diabetic cats have generally involved cats that were at risk of being killed simply because they were diabetic. Nanner isn't presently at risk. However, how can you look at that face and not want to give him his own home and heart?
The folks at the KattyShacK in Smithville, MO, are Nanner's angels. Nanner's family lost their home and could not take him with them when they moved in with relatives. Nanner was taken to the vet to be killed, but then surrendered to KattyshacK for adoption. Nanner is currently in a foster home to be able to better control his diabetes.
Nanner is a tabby Siamese mix. Oh my goodness, look at those blue eyes. He is about eight years old and is neutered and front declawed. He is small and underweight, currently weighing about six pounds.
Nanner was diagnosed diabetic with very high blood glucose (BG) levels in November, 2010, when he was taken to the vet for weight loss. His foster Mom Paula (an experienced diabetic caregiver) doesn't think Nanner has ever been properly regulated since he was diagnosed. She is unaware of any past diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Nanner is thin and drinking too much water, but his water intake is reducing as Paula is working on regulating him on ProZinc, twice a day. Nanner is getting used to hometesting. Paula says that right now it is a two-person job as Nanner squirms (no biting or scratching). Nanner's BG levels are improving under Paula's care, which includes a diet change to low carb canned. Nanner is not a picky eater.
Nanner is very friendly. He likes to sit on laps and get petted. He is sleeping in the recliner that is in our office, which is where he is staying while becoming used to us. I've never had him at the vet, but his general behavior indicates he should behave well.
Nanner was fine with other cats while he was at the shelter, we sometimes put up all the dry food and let him run around with the other cats that aren't in kennels. With ours, I'll know more when he's seen more than someone's paw under the door. His former family had kids so he's OK with them.
Nanner has no other known health issues, no observed behavior problems (he's been good about using the box), and has tested FIV/FeLV negative (date unknown), and the status of his vaccinations also is unknown at this time.
November 20, 2012--The extended chip-in on Pete's challenge also lapsed, so here is a new one for the remaining $153 DCIN can claim from the $1,000 challenge grant for Pete. Please help DCIN reverse the deficit that Petey's hospitalization caused. (Chip-in widget removed.)
October 20, 2012--The chip-in on Pete's challenge lapsed, so there is a new one here for the remaining $305 DCIN can claim from the $1,000 challenge grant for Pete. Please help DCIN reverse the deficit that Petey's hospitalization caused. (Chip-in widget removed.)
October 5, 2012--Pete has improved immensely. His blood glucose levels have fallen such that he hasn’t had insulin the past couple days. He had his feeding tube pulled yesterday. We hope for new pictures of a happier, healthier Petey soon.
DCIN had just not been able to raise the full amount to match the $1,000 challenge grant for Pete. Thankfully, the challenge donor is willing to keep the challenge there as long as needed. And Missi's September Love Auction, which would have helped Pete and five other animals in need, was not as successful as the auctions have been in the past.
DCIN still has to raise about $1,500 to fully cover Pete's bill without using our depleted general fund. Please help us if you can. (Chip-in widget removed.)
September 29, 2012--Pete's follow-up with the specialty vet was put off until next week. But we are still trying to raise funds to completely match the $1,000 challenge.
September 26, 2012--Pete is doing very well and is keeping his foster Mom on her toes. He started to eat on his own about ten days ago. Ever since then, his blood glucose levels keep falling. Every couple days, his foster Mom does a night-time curve or a mini curve to make sure he’s not getting too much insulin and adjust his dose if necessary.
Sweet Pete returns today to the specialty hospital for a follow-up exam, some bloodwork, and perhaps to have his E-tube removed. DCIN is still quite a bit in the red over Pete's hospitalization, and we haven't been able to claim the full $1,000 challenge donation for his care because we haven't received all the matching donations we need to do that. Can you help? Even $5?
September 11, 2012--Pete came home from the hospital last night, and is very, very happy to be home. After a nasty bout with acute pancreatitis, Pete came home with a feeding tube (what a mess feeding is!) and on anti-nausea medication, an appetite stimulant, and insulin. Before this sudden illness, Pete didn't need insulin, and Shari is hoping she can return him to that state.
This hospitalization cost a bit over $4,000. So far, DCIN has received very generous donations of $465 toward that cost. In addition, Pete will be the benefited cat in Melissa's next Love Auction. But even with the auction money, which hopefully will be about $500, DCIN still has to raise about $3,100 to keep from going back into a deficit from this hospitalization. Can you help us with a donation?
But, wait, DCIN just received a $1,000 challenge donation. For every $1 we raise from someone else, our anonymous donor will donate $1. Up to $1,000. This is AWESOME!! Can you help? For this challenge, we are opening a separate chip-in, just so we know where we are with claiming the anonymous donor's $1,000. (Chip-in widget removed.)
September 9, 2012--Pete is still in the hospital with Pancreatitis, but his foster Mom says he has rounded a corner and is doing "a THOUSAND times better" than he was two days before. "He was awake and affectionate and very active. His personality is coming back. Apparently he’s tried to escape his cage twice since yesterday when they’ve opened the door. That sounds like Pete!"
The hospital has Pete's tube feedings down to three times a day (which is the frequency needed for home care) and he’s tolerating it. If all goes well today, his foster Mom will bring him home on Monday. His second ultrasound showed a lot of improvement in his pancreas.
Pete's foster Mom (and her sister who will be Pete's backup) have learned how to tube feed him. His foster Mom will work from home most of next week to make sure Pete is adjusting okay. "Knock on wood, fingers crossed, salt thrown over my shoulder, anti-jinx." (Chip-in widget removed.)
September 3, 2012--Pete's stay at the hospital has been extended until at least today. His fever is down. He is on ABx and an anti-nausea med, has been started on Lantus insulin (he's been OTJ for over a year), and on pain meds as needed.
DCIN needs help with the hospital and treatment costs. Please chip-in if you can. If that's not in your budget, Pete hopes to have your best wishes to get well soon. (Chip-in widget removed.)
August 31, 2012--Pete's foster Mom took him to the vet yesterday because he was clearly not feeling well. The vet send them onto the Specialty/Emergency Hospital because Pete had a temperature of 104 degrees. After a night's stay, exam, bloodwork, and an ultrasound, the vet has diagnosed Pete with pancreatitis. Pete will be getting an feeding tube (E-tube) this afternoon and staying at the hospital until at least Sunday.
Pete continues to be a real sweetheart. He wants nothing more than to be with his person. Unfortunately since he doesn’t like other cats he has to spend his time in another room. I just don’t get to spend a lot of time with him. He’s sweet, and loving and so easy to handle. He loves having his stomach rubbed and you can just roll him over and he’s fine with that. He’s a multi-tasker. He likes to lay there and play catch-the-feathers while I’m rubbing his tummy with my foot. He will make someone a wonderful companion.
November 28, 2011-- Big Pete, now named Sweet Pete, has been in foster care with Shari and her cats for a few weeks, but he has clearly told them that he wants to be an only cat. Shari has done all the right things to transition Pete, but he wants to be the only resident of his kingdom.
I really think that Pete needs to be an ‘only’ cat. I know he’s been here just a few weeks, but I can’t risk the stress with [my other cats]. I know that it may be a while to find him a home, but I think we need to keep his profile active [so that he can] be adopted, probably as an only.
Without the other cats, he is the SWEETEST, coolest, most adorable cat. Even my brother-in-law, who doesn’t like cats, thought he was pretty cool (no, they can’t adopt him). He will make someone very very happy. And it breaks my heart, because when it’s just him out, I absolutely fall in love with him over and over.
Pete has been hyperglycemic in the past, but he is now diet controlled. Please, if you know someone presently without a cat who would like to have a loveable "only" and keep Pete on a low-carb, wet diet, share this post with that person. I don't know how long DCIN can hold Pete in this loving foster home, but I do know we want Pete to be happy, and we want Shari's resident cats to find their peace again. ~Venita
November 9, 2011--Thanks to all, especially Shari, for helping with the costs of getting Big Pete to his new foster home. And thanks to Shari for giving Pete a foster home. She sent new photos (my goodness he is a handsome man) and this message:
Big Pete is approximately 16 pounds of pure affection. Very sweet cat. He has settled into his new room quite quickly. He was out of the carrier almost immediately and exploring everything. He’s so relaxed about everything and just loves to chase the toys. I’ve been introducing his scent to my cats with the towel from his carrier, and of course I’m well “scented” every time I leave the room. Tomorrow I’m moving him to a different room, where there’s opportunity for “under the door” introductions (the current room is pretty well sealed off when the door is closed) and my cats will be able to explore the room he’s been in . Big Pete is definitely curious about what’s on the other side of the door. Will keep you posted.
November 2, 2011--This weekend, Pete is flying to his new foster home with Shari near Pittsburgh. If all goes well, this will be Pete's forever home.
DCIN needs help with the costs to transport Pete. Please Chip-in if you can. If that's not in your budget, Pete hopes to have your best wishes on his travel and transition. (Chip-in widget removed.)
October 29, 2011--Message from Kirsten, putting Big Pete at risk.
Hi Venita, I appreciate what you have done this past week. We are getting snow in RI. Pete has wanted to come in the past two weeks from isolation. He has come in several times from my sunroom via door pushing his way in. I will have to make a decision soon. I will most likely have to place him in the Potter shelter in Middletown RI. His sugar has been under control for months now. I really have no other avenue to explore.
DCIN is not familiar with the Potter Shelter or whether Big Pete would be safe there. I suspect "soon" means immediately, as DCIN has been trying for months to find a solution for Kirsten and Big Pete.
Come on folks, Kirsten saved Big Pete from destruction and got him OTJ. He needs a home, NOW!!
October 1, 2011--Want to remind you that Big Pete is still looking for that perfect someone. Kirsten tells me "i have had him in my sunroom for most of the summer. he is getting anxiuos out there. it also is not heated. any ideas of thoughts would be much appreciated. i feel awful since he is so loving."
RI can get awfully chilly in the winter. It would be nice to find an adoptive home with some warm, cozy niches for him before the snow flies. Read his background story. This was a shelter rescue, he had a PTS tag on his cage. Kirsten, herself a Type 1 diabetic but with no feline diabetes experience, stepped up to plate and got Big Pete OTJ.
He's just a diet controlled common brown/grey tabby, but Big Pete can tell you some great stories about his brush with animal control. He's now looking for that forever heart.
******************************************************************* August 7, 2011--Sadly, we need to find a new home for Big Pete. He is presently with Kirsten in Rhode Island. Big Pete is a large-boned (15.5 lbs) black, brown, and tan tabby. We don't know his age, but to me he looks to be on the young side of middle age. His diabetes remains diet controlled on wet food. He was diagnosed with diabetes in May, and now spot tests between 62 and 81. He is FIV/FeLV negative and up-to-date on vaccines.
Kirsten has to rehome Big Pete because her Boston Terriers chase and otherwise terrorize him. Her other cats are afraid of him. Kirsten says "Pete is very loving. He loves to cuddle up with you. He thrives on affection. Pete is a big fluffy wonderful boy."
Please help us find a new home and heart for Big Pete.
June 29, 2011--Biggie has been renamed Big Pete, in honor of Kirsten's human friend named Pete who recently died from complications related to Type 1 diabetes. She tells me he has been in remission--OTJ!!-- for 2.5 weeks. This morning he tested 61. She was concerned that was too low, but I told her that was completely normal for a cat not getting insulin therapy. Way to go, Kirsten and Big Pete!!
June 1, 2011--Late the Friday evening of Memorial Day weekend, Donna started scrambling to find Biggie a home. She had fostered him in March 2011, but then he went back to the shelter to be placed in their adoption program. However, he was recently found to be diabetic, and Donna was concerned that Biggie would meet an untimely and unnecessary end.
Claudia, one of DCIN's friends and foster Mom to many adoptable diabetic cats, took up the call and started networking, because Biggie was in her state of Massachusetts. I learned about this on Saturday morning, and put up a call to save Biggie on DCIN's Facebook page. From what I understand, Laure networked Biggie's plight to Kirsten, and Kirsten stepped forward to adopt Biggie.
DCIN signed the papers to pull Biggie from the shelter and adopted him to Kirsten. Biggie gets a month of accident/medical insurance from DCIN as well as his Welcome to the Vet (WTTV) visit.
Kirsten has never treated a diabetic cat, but is a Type 1 diabetic herself, so she understands the disease. She also lost a close friend recently to complications from Type 1 diabetes, and adopted Biggie in her friend's memory.
I spoke to Kirsten today and she said that Biggie is a big cat that is very affectionate. Awesome was a word she used. Kirsten has become a member of the vampire club, having successfully tested Biggie's blood glucose level. She expects to start Biggie's on Lantus insulin tomorrow, once she receives it.
Biggie has not yet met the other furry members of the household, including three Boston Terriers, which Kirsten rescues. Kirsten says he is very interested in what is beyond his bedroom door.
. . .We have had Fluffy since she was a kitten, when we rescued her from a store owner that was abusing her. . . We have had her 11 years. She is presently in the animal hospital called VERG 1-718-522-9400 in Brooklyn, NY. She has diabetic ketotosis, and she has to stay in the hospital at least another day. She ...needs intensive care and treatment. If anyone can help please call VERG. Anyone that needs more information on Fluffy can call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx. My son used his last care credit, and cannot get an increase, and there was a balance from yesterday, and an additional amount will be due tonight SUNDAY (5/29), because she needs to stay another night. I have another son that is high functioning autistic. . .I am on a fixed income due to a lung condition pulmonary fibrosis(never smoked). who ever gives , i will try to pay back a little at a time. . .THANK YOU!
I called Debbie, Fluffy's Mom. DCIN was not in a position to help with the vet bill (which Debbie borrowed for). However, we talked about diabetes treatment and DCIN sent her a Bayer Contour system and strips and a pen of Lantus. The Lantus Debbie had been using on Fluffy was three months old and likely ineffective, possible leading to Fluffy's DKA. I have pointed Debbie to the Feline Diabetes Message Board (the message board I recommend when a cat is on Lantus).
