Midnite is home, but not well

[Samantha&Amory]

Midnite was able to come home today. She has not started to eat or drink on her own, but the vet thinks she will be better home at least for the weekend. She had started hissing and growling at everyone (including me at the vet's office) and was just laying in the kennel. So now she is at home in my room. I was able to get about 4cc of water in her with a syringe. She didn't even try to bite me (which is really unusual because my family nicknamed her demon). What I'm afraid of now, is that she might be deaf. Maybe she's just too tired, but I was kneeling next to her saying her name in a normal tone, but when I touched her, she woke up like she hadn't heard me, hissing, spitting, she even jumped up for a second! After Amory (7 mos old) wakes up, I'm going to try dropping a book next her or something. I'm happy she's home, though. Thanks so much for helping me through this and being so helpful.

Samantha

[Traci]

Samantha, what was your vet's diagnosis?? Did he mention hepatic lipidosis? Did he rule out toxins or trauma or snake/spider bites?

It would be helpful if we knew the diagnosis and your vet's comments about her condition, also how he is treating her, what his instructions to you are.

I'm terribly concerned, she needs to eat and drink and show improvement since your vet has released her. I'm sure he released her on the pretense he feels she may show improvement at home in her own environment.....BUT, it's so important that she is getting her nutritional needs met and her hydration status met.

Ask your vet for a few cans of Hill's Rx A/D.....this is a recovery diet that can be mixed with water for easy syringe feeding. It is also high in calories to regenerate liver enzyme levels in a compromised liver disfunction. Your vet needs to properly instruct you on home care and what is involved in her treatment.

It concerns me that you feel she may be deaf. What medications is she on, and did she happen to have any anesthetic procedures done within the last 48 hours? It may not be a hearing problem at all, but rather slow recovery, medication effects, etc. You need to call your vet and get detailed instructions on caring for her at home, especially her nutritional needs and medication schedule.

[davet]

deaf as a door nail--however deaf that is...she is deaf so she thinks everone else is deef too so she meows real real loud.....dropping a book won't help because they feel the vibrations,,,a dog whistle or any other airborne sound is a better test.... but havn't followed your cats case so i can just w3hish you luck and worry not about deafness...

[Samantha&Amory]

Oh goodness, this makes things sound worse as well. He never told us what was wrong, I don't think he could figure it out. We have an antibiotic that we're suppose to give her once a day for seven days (Baytril, 22mg). For now, he told us to try and feed her a little bit of anything she'll eat (namely tuna since that's about all she wants) and get water in her.

I don't think she has had any type of anesthetic and I'm not sure what all they gave her at the vet's. I know they had to give her a lot of IV fluids, but that's about it. I hope it is just that she doesn't care to move at all and not her being deaf. I will find some way to check without dropping a book. Maybe I can just holler really loud? Of course, she doesn't seemed bothered by Amory's crying (oh does she hate her nap time!) so that making a loud shout might not work either.

Do you think she'll be ok until Monday? He said to bring her back for a check up nd there are no vet offices open until then and all we have is dry food (prescription diet c/d-s) and some tuna. I am going to get some wet food for her at the store, is there a brand that might be best that's available at WalMart?

I'm so glad you are able to give me the help you have. I would be so lost and probably never think to ask about some of the things you mention! Again, thanks so much.

Samantha

[Traci]

Samantha, I don't mean to scare or confuse you, but the best way we can help is knowing the diagnosis, and what treatments were done at the hospital.....without knowing what her condition actually is, we can't risk giving advice that may not be suitable or may contradict your vet's instructions.

Please try calling your vet, if he has a pager or answering service, explain clearly that you need to know Midnite's condition and that you are CONCERNED about her care at home and what to expect.... and clearly ask that he return your call immediately.

Since your first post, a few days have lapsed, so we have no idea what treatment she recieved at the clinic, nor do we know her true diagnosis, we can only go by your posts. I'm truly concerned your vet didn't give you ANY instructions other than the baytril and trying to feed her.

The advice I posted you earlier is fine to abide by, ideally, but you have to get in contact with your vet and his clinic to know exactly how to proceed.

Don't worry about her hearing capability at this point, and don't stress her, I would assume she is already stressed, but you MUST get in contact with your vet because you can't mistake her current symptoms for an ongoing problem that very well may need to be addressed by your vet. Please, make that call now.

[Susan and the girls]

I totally agree with Traci about trying to find out exactly what the vet did with Midnite. Remember - you paid for the medical attention Midnite received, and you need to know what was done.

Would you dream of taking Amory to the doctor when she's really sick, and have the doctor send her home with you without telling you what was even wrong in the first place? Approach your vet with the same "need-to-and-deserve-to-know" attitude. If he can't provide labwork or other proof that he's researched what could be Midnites problem, FIND ANOTHER VET right away. A vet who is truly concerned for your animal will not just do preliminary labwork and treat with a general antibiotic. He will call you and say, "We can't determine exactly what Midnite needs based on the bloodwork we just did. Do we have your permission to run a .....?" and will give you some suggestions as to what direction he's looking in.

Please let us know what you find out, ok?

[Samantha&Amory]

I just thought I would let you all know Midnite is in a happier place now. That's all I can say. Thank you for your support. I know there was more I could have done if I hadn't been so scared to ask and to be assertive, like you all told me to do. At least I can take solace in the fact she was home, in my room, and not stuck in some kennel far away. I won't be back, but I wanted to say this forum has been a wonderful place for advice and support. Thanks again.

[Traci]

Samantha, I'm so very very sorry....Safe and gentle journey, sweet Midnite......

We're here if you want to talk, Samantha (((HUGS)))