Hecate and Miro update

[Lorien]

Miro came home today, and he is feeling much better. No FP and his sniffles are nearly gone! :bounce: At least I can breathe a bit easier where my old friend is concerned.

Hecate is still struggling. She hadn't eaten solid food for days (kept throwing it up), so she looked terribly bloated and malnourished. The vet again lobbied to have her put down, but I decided to try Ensure Plus. Sure enough; she lapped at it and kept it down! I'm picking her up at 8am tomorrow to start the Wolf Creek Ranch herbal remedies. There is nothing more that traditional medicine can do for her. Plus, the rescue can hardly afford the life support-which is one of the reasons the vet wanted me to have her euthanized. She said that with so many healthy animals being put down, why should we waste our precious resources on one kitten? Our answer; because this kitten wants to fight, and because we need to know more about what works and what doesn't when treating this terrible disease! We've lost SO MANY kittens to FP this year (every rescue has), and we need to try whatever new remedies we can find to try to curb the spread of this awful illness and kill the virus when it strikes. The Wolf Creek remedy is new, but so far it's had a very high success rate with other rescues. Hecate-if she survives the night-will be our first "guinea pig"; and we pray that this is indeed a magic bullet! If it is I'll certainly post all the info here for everyone to keep handy if they ever have the misfortune of having a pet with this illnesss.

Our costs for Hecate are obviously staggering for our rescue. I know that there's a lot of other worthy charities out there, but if any of you would like to contribute to our rescue to encourage our fight against this disease you can do so via Papal here: www.petrescuebyjudy.com . Even if it's just $5, it will be greatly appreciated! You can then send an email to Judy saying that you contributed to "Hecate's fund to fight FP".

I'll post another update tomorrow. Thanks so much for all the kind thoughts and encouragement. I don't know how I would manage this without such understanding souls to help me through it! You all are the best!! :loveya: :hug: :grouphug:

Hecate MERE HOURS before coming down with FP:



Hecate this afternoon:



Chin up, Hecate; the battle isn't lost yet!

[Robeson]

1. We're all pulling for her Lorien. Best wishes for both of you...

...:thumbsup:

[Lorien]

2. Thanks Robeson!

She's a fighter, and I'd like to think that all the good thoughts have played a part in that!

[Lorien]

3. Not looking good for Hecate

I went to pick her up this morning and the doctor WOULD NOT let me take her home-she said that Hecate was too much of a danger to my other cats and was beyond help. She insisted that we euthanize her.Shelly, one of our other rescuers, brought the wolfcreek remedies and convinced them to try the treatments for 4 hours. If there's no improvement by 11:30, they'll put her down. Poor Hecate was so bloated, it was just heartbreaking. She mewed and purred, but could barely walk. I don't think that 4 hours is enough time for the treatments, but all I can do now is hope for a miracle. The vet, Dr. Gonzales, is really pissing me off! I understand her desire to keep other animals safe, but her unwillingness to really give Hecate a fair shot with this alternative seems excessively harsh. I'm still amazed that I had to be the one to suggest Ensure as an alternative to regular cat food for her yesterday; I thought that using Ensure when cats and kittens have weak stomachs was common knowledge.Needless to say, I won't be taking any of my own fur kids to this vet again!

I wish I had more hope for the next four hours. I just don't think that it's enough time. :cry:

[Jeanette in FL]

4. I would give Colloidal Silver a try

I don't know if they have tried it or not, but it would be worth a try. I use it all the time with my pets and ourselves with great results. You can get it at the health food store. I am sending positive vibes your way. My best to you and Hecate.

[Mutley]

5. I'm pulling for Hecate.

She's such a sweet baby, I really hope she makes it. :hug:

[regnaD kciN]

17. IMHO, your vet should be restricted to equine medicine...

...because he's a total horse's ass.

:grr:

[Lorien]

6. Hecate has passed

She went into convulsions and died while I was on my way back to the vet's. I wish I could have been there for her. Maybe the vet was right; I should have put her down earlier.I wish so much that she hadn't gone that way. Alternative therapies have worked miracles for me, and I was hoping for a miracle for her, too.


You were truly loved, sweet Hecate. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[City Lights]

7. I'm so sorry, Lorien.

:cry:

Please don't second guess the decision you made. You'll only make yourself feel worse. You did what you thought was best and had no way of knowing how it would turn out.

From my house to yours, :grouphug:

[Suziq]

8. Oh Lorien . . . .

I am so sorry. :cry:

From your posts, I feel like I am close to all your kitties and when one passes, it deeply saddens me.

You did all you could and be proud you did everything to try to save little Hecate's life. You are a wonderful person.

[livetohike]

9. I'm so sorry Lorien

:hug: You did everything you could......

[Robeson]

10. I'm sorry Lorien.

So very sorry. :hug:

[BrklynLiberal]

11. Lorien..there are no words to properly express my sorrow. I was following

this thread at work all morning..hoping for good news.(I could not sign on to respond as I could not remember my password, since I have automatic signon at home)
I actually saw your sad post pop up as you posted it. I yelled out loud "OH NO!". People around me asked what happened. I had to show them the pics of Hecate and tell them of her sad demise. I was crying as they were looking at her last pictures. I am crying again as I am writing this note.
She was such a fighter, and as NoSurrender said, do not second guess your decision. You did all you could for her and you would only feel worse if you did not do EVERYTHING you felt you could have to help her in her fight for life.
Her short life was filled to the brim with love and contentment thanks to you. While you may not have been there at the very last seconds, you were with her during those final days, and she felt your warmth and love, and no doubt they were a great comfort to her.

Have no doubts that you did all you could and should have.....No one could have done more, and you DID do the right thing. You helped her to fight the good fight.
She will be remembered here on DU as one of the furry angels that we took into our hearts.

We are here for you....:grouphug: :cry: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[CC]

12. I'm so sorry about Hecate.

I have been quietly following the threads and hoping she would pull through. Don't beat yourself up for trying to do everything you could to save her, she wouldn't want that. No one could ask for more love than you give your furbabies, and I am betting Hecate knew that and knew how lucky she was to of been loved by you. Hang in there. :hug:

[Jeanette in FL]

13. I am so sorry Lorien

I was hoping for a miracle for Hecate. You did everything you could. I am so sad for you.

[Longhorn]

14. I'm sorry, Lorien.

Today is a very sad day. :hug:

[regnaD kciN]

15. Sad, but you did the right thing, Lorien...

:hug:

[SiouxJ]

16. So sorry Jen; you did the best you could

R.I.P. sweet little girl.

[SW FL Dem]

24. This is so sad

You truly loved and did your best for Hecate. I know you are hurting and wish I could say something to ease your pain.

[demnan]

29. I'm so sorry

How heartbreaking! :hug:

[ehrnst]

33. So, so sorry to hear. I will remember her and your love for her.

[Beaverhausen]

41. Oh I'm so sorry to hear that

:cry:

I feel like I know your kitties, Lorien. You are truly an angel for all the work you do for them. O8)

Now shes at peace and playing happily with the others who have gone before her.

[superconnected]

18. I am so sorry to hear about Hecate. This is a terrible loss.

This seems very unfair.

Condoloences Lorien.

[Lorien]

19. Thank so much for all the kind words everyone

I knew that this might be part of the job when I took it, I just didn't expect it to be so hard. I pray that Nimue and Calliope won't fall victim to this virus; they have it in their systems, it's just a matter of how strong their immune system is-and how vigilant I am in watching for the signs and treating them if they arise. I don't want a repeat performance of what Prozacnation went through earlier this year!

Oberon and Puck are very sick with a URI right now, too. This has been a really bad week for the kitties. Your kindness has helped me through it, though. :grouphug: :loveya:

[BrklynLiberal]

20. Alternative meds can be used to build up immune sytems...as a

preventative measure for all your furbabies.

Check out

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/healthypets.htm

There is all sorts of info about holistic meds that help build up their immune systems as a preventive measure.


Once again. Lorien..I am so very sorry for the pain that you are going thru right now.

[Lorien]

21. Thanks you so much BrklynLiberal

you have such a kind heart :hug:

I'm starting the little ones on Wolfcreek's feline distemper formula tomorrow as a preventative, plus I talked to the woman who formulated the mixes and she gave me the recipe for an emergency tea to use if any symptoms arise. She said that every kitten she's used it on so far has pulled through. As it turns out, Hecate had the FP, Coccidia, and a URI all at the same time-and the vet admitted that apparently she died of choking (during the last administration of the medicine some went down the wrong pipe. The vet turned her upside down to help the fluid flow out, but she choked instead). I will still always wonder if the remedy would have produced miracles if it had been properly administered and given the appropriate amount of time. Little Hecate had the heart of a lion, fighting three deadly illnesses at once for nearly a full week! I will never forget her and her amazing will to live.

Thanks so much for the link! I'll read the information throughly. :loveya:

[BrklynLiberal]

22. Poor baby.. Now I am crying again. Such a brave, little girl. She tried

so hard to live. Now I am crying again.......and thinkng terrible things about that vet.

Little Hecate had the heart of a lion, fighting three deadly illnesses at once for nearly a full week! I will never forget her and her amazing will to live.

[regnaD kciN]

25. That vet seems even worse...

...than the one that pronounced Matagot "in perfect health" two days before he died of pneumonia.

:grr:

[superconnected]

26. I don't like that vet

I wouldn't trust him again, if I were you.

aslo,

"A sparrow does not fall without Gods notice". Godbless Hecate.

- whichever God/Karma people here believe in.

[roguevalley]

23. Oh god, Lorien. I am so very sorry. I am donating for Hecate to

the rescue. I wish I could hug you. Please accept my condolences, honey.

[Lorien]

28. Thank you so much roguevalley

:hug: :loveya:

Losing her like this has made me determined that we WILL find a way to get this disease under control in our rescue. I'm going to do more research personally into alternative therapies, and brainstorm on some fundraisers so that every foster home can become equip with an emergency kit to put to use at the very FIRST sign that an animal may have this. We also have parvo showing up in many of our puppies-no doubt that the high rate of both diseases is due in some part to all the hurricanes last year that displaced so many animals. We now have a parvo emergency tea recipe that may help to save many of the dogs that fall ill to this horrible disease and I have faith that it will greatly increase our survival rates. Most of all, we need to educate people about VACCINATING their pets-especially if those pets go outdoors. There's a trend now to avoid many vaccinations, but if Hecate's mother had only been vaccinated then Hecate would still be with us today!

I want her short life to not be lost in vain. Somehow, we will find a way to bring FP to heel!

[legally blonde]

27. I am so sorry, Lorien

I wish that I could more eloquently express my sorrow over Hecate's passing. :cry:

Please don't beat yourself up -- you did EVERYTHING you could for your little fur baby.

[iconoclastic cat]

30. Cats have never had a better friend than you, Lorien.

[bvar22]

31. Goodbye, Hecate.

For such a small kitten, you impacted everyone here.

Lorien,
I am proud of you for NOT giving up.
The "maybe I should have let the vet put him down sooner" guilt is ONLY available in retrospect. It is not something anyone can know at the time. The fact that Hecate could recognize you and purr at your touch tells me that there was enough heart there to continue the fight.
Thanks for letting us know.
I share your grief for this beautiful little kitten with so much heart.

Bob
St Paul

Bug and Maggie send their respect and thanks.

[Lorien]

32. Thanks so much Bob (Bug and Maggie)

I'm still at the point where it's tough to say her name out loud without tearing up (even to correct pronunciation; "Heck-ka-tee", not "Heck-kate", as the vet kept calling her). I knew that there was always a chance of something like this happening when I chose to foster, I just didn't know how gut wrenching it would be. :-(

I do feel inspired, though. There has GOT to be a way to avoid such illnesses in the future (to some degree). One of our biggest problems is getting the medicines for our animals when we need them. Sometimes a URI will start to show itself, and it's days before the rescue can restock on Clavamox enough to have some for every kitten (or puppy with kennel cough). By that time things have gotten pretty bad, and the animals are susceptible to other, more deadly illnesses. I've been trying to come up with ideas for a fundraiser that could help to provide EVERY foster in our group with a first aid kit that would include items like clavamox, wormers, Albon, syringes, pedialyte, Ensure etc. We also need training and a good home health care/ first aid book. I think that if we could get such a thing together, we could save many lives and save a lot of money by avoiding emergency vet care (stopping the illnesses ourselves, the moment they start). We've started a CafePress shop, but so far few items have been added. Any ideas are always appreciated.

[Patiod]

34. We've said it before, and we'll say it again

What about a calendar of your photos?

I pay $6.99 every year for a small calendar featuring David McEnery's black-and-white shots of kittens and cats, I'd be happy to pay more for one where the proceeds benefitted first aid kits for fosters, animal rescue, spay-and-neuter, etc.

[BrklynLiberal]

35. FANTASTIC IDEA! I will buy several and give them as gifts!

[Lorien]

36. I think that I'll try to put such a calendar together

our rescue has a cafepress shop, but so far we don't have many items in it. The only problem with my photos is that nearly all of them are taken at the same location (on the kitty tree near a glass door leading on to my deck), so perhaps I would need to look to other DUers to provide additional photos?

[fudge stripe cookays]

39. That sounds like a GREAT idea!

I could contribute some of Molly.

You would have to decide if they should all be kitties who are still with us, or kitties who have passed. Because if there's no limit, I have some hilarious ones of Oreo, Larry Bud, and Tiger too. It would be a GREAT cause!

My thoughts are with you for poor Hecate. I'd dump that vet. He/she sounds like a clod. Not even pronouncing the pet's name correctly? Come on.

Poor baby. I'll miss reading about her. You are a wonderful foster mom, Lorien. :cry:

FSC

[Lorien]

40. Thanks FSC

:hug:

I started a thread for fund raising ideas and photos here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=243x8607

I'd love to see your pics of your furkids!

[Samurai_Writer]

37. So sorry to hear about Hecate, Lorien

*big hugs*

In an effort to cheer you up, here is a Sterling story for you.

Midnight on Friday night, I'm in bed, just getting to sleep. All of a sudden, I hear Sterling doing that male yowling thing and attacking the blinds on the patio door. Told him to be quiet, but he persisted at least five more minutes, so I got up. There was a cat outside, on my patio, just sitting there. Sterling was obviously guarding 'his' territory, but could not get through the glass door! Smoke, on the other hand, was looking at Sterling like he was nuts, with this "Aren't we supposed to be asleep?" expression on his face.

Peace,
Bella

[Lorien]

38. Aw, thanks Bella

Sterling is one tough dude! Every cat and kitten I've brought into my home has gotten growls and hisses from Puck-she even hurls herself at the french doors which lead into the "kitten room". When Sterling was here he walked right over to the doors, sat up tall, and glared down at her with this "don't **** with me"! look on his face. She just said "urmph", sighed, and slowly walked away. She knew better than to give Sterling any of her 'tude!

[newsguyatl]

42. oh lorien

gosh, i'm so sorry.

you really did all you could. heck, she had the best shot with you as a foster than she would have with anyone.

it never ceases to amaze me the knowledge, the caring, the drive, and the love you give to your animals (foster and otherwise)

cheesy as it sounds, you truly are an inspiration to me here, and i'm sure others. you always make me want to be a better parent for my two.

again, i'm sorry she's gone, but at least you tried, and at least she's no longer suffering.

sounds like the poor little thing never had much of a chance. but she gave it darned good fight, and so did you. :-(

[Lorien]

44. Thanks so much newsguyatl

:hug:

[Eurobabe]

43. crying...

aww, poor little thing, I thought maybe she might pull through after all. At least she is at peace, kitty angel.

I'll donate some $$ to your rescue group in Hecate's memory from Sebastian, the Daemon, Flummi and Moe.

Hugs, Lorien, glad to hear that Miro is better. -48

[Lorien]

45. Thanks so much 48percenter

:hug:

:loveya: