My kitty would have only been 2 this Aug. Yesterday I had to put her to sleep because for some reason she lost her mind. Please if you can or think you know the answer please tell me. Friday morn my kitty, Mariner started chasing her tail and at the time it was funny. by Saturday morning when I woke up she had eaten 2-3 inches off her tail. I took her straight to the hospital, and the doc. did all the tests, blood, x-rays, MRI and there was know answers so we took off her tail thinking that would help. Saturday night she had to be put under again because she started going after her stub of a tail and her cage was completly covered in blood. Sunday morning my son and I went to visit her and she was so scared of what wasn't there. Its almost like she was seeing things. She atacked my face and started going after the window and blinds. The doc had know answers, she had idea what was wrong. My baby was so scared and out of control, the doc said we really didn't have a choice but to put her down. This was only yesterday and I am so emotional but I cant stop thinking what if... Is there anyone out there that can maybe give me any answers. She was very healthy, and there just is know reason why this had to happen. I have to add, the doc. and I went over everything that she could have gotten into and couldn't come up with anything that made sence. Her heart, lungs, breating, gums, pupils and tail where PEFECT. If you have ever seen this or heard about what this could be PLEASE respond. I need some kind of answer.
Thank you, Mandi Graves
please help me get some answers!!
Re: please help me get some answers!!
Mandi, I am so very sorry, what a terrible thing to have to endure.
What I'm about to say is by no means, intended to make you feel worse or to place guilt. But, please, whatever you do, just take it to heart.
Having had experience with such cases, and only based on your posts, it is my educated guess and opinion that for some reason, Mariner had a very painful tail at the onset. What contributed to that pain was anyone's guess, but your vet should have really investigated every cm of that tail to find a potential reason for the pain. The reasons could be many...insect bite, spider bite, caught in something, nerve pain as a result of something, nearly anything. Once the amputation was performed, the vet and staff were obligated to ensure Mariner's safety within the cage, and most important would have been to have her with an e-collar, sufficient bandages on the tail stub and constant monitorization after the surgery. It is not uncommon for a pet to want to chew at, or cause self-injury to a severe wound like this, but it was ultimately your vet's and his staff's responsibility to ensure it wouldn't happen. Valium or other sedation method could have been approached, but ideally, the staff should have taken extreme measures to ensure she could not get to her tail stub.
What you describe with the following events, ...my best guess is that the original source of pain was not resolved despite the amputation. Mariner reacted the way she did as a response to that pain. It could have been a damaged nerve, which is enough to set off a kitty into thrashing about, growling, hissing, circuling, and by all appearances, this reaction might seem she was wild or losing her mind. Such is not always the case. Pain can induce the most frightening observation in pets, and I cannot say with complete confidence this was anything more than a pain response.
Having said that, I am basing my observation and guess based ONLY on your posts. I was not there, and I don't know everything that transpired between you and your vet. But, despite all the diagnostics to find an answer, your vet should have (and it was incumbent upon him to do so) sought a consult with a specialist for further help in the matter. Since no tumors, CNS deficits or compressed spinal cord were detected, since bloodwork didn't indicate toxicity, since no outward and clinical evidence of neurological problems were found, the diagnostics should have gone further with a specialist.
It can be very difficult to find the cause to such incidents. My observations may not be correct at all, but I would certainly get a full copy of Mariner's health records and review it yourself for any signs of indescrepencies. Mind you, I am not trying to directly place blame upon your vet, I am simply responding as I read your own words, your own observation of the situation.
You did what you thought was best for Mariner, based on your vet's direction. You cannot hold yourself responsible for what happened. Despite my own experience, it's easy to question one's self, to question the what-ifs, I've done it a million times before, we all do, and we all hope we have done the right thing by our loved ones. You did that, please don't question yourself at all.
My heart goes out to you.
(((((HUGS)))))
What I'm about to say is by no means, intended to make you feel worse or to place guilt. But, please, whatever you do, just take it to heart.
Having had experience with such cases, and only based on your posts, it is my educated guess and opinion that for some reason, Mariner had a very painful tail at the onset. What contributed to that pain was anyone's guess, but your vet should have really investigated every cm of that tail to find a potential reason for the pain. The reasons could be many...insect bite, spider bite, caught in something, nerve pain as a result of something, nearly anything. Once the amputation was performed, the vet and staff were obligated to ensure Mariner's safety within the cage, and most important would have been to have her with an e-collar, sufficient bandages on the tail stub and constant monitorization after the surgery. It is not uncommon for a pet to want to chew at, or cause self-injury to a severe wound like this, but it was ultimately your vet's and his staff's responsibility to ensure it wouldn't happen. Valium or other sedation method could have been approached, but ideally, the staff should have taken extreme measures to ensure she could not get to her tail stub.
What you describe with the following events, ...my best guess is that the original source of pain was not resolved despite the amputation. Mariner reacted the way she did as a response to that pain. It could have been a damaged nerve, which is enough to set off a kitty into thrashing about, growling, hissing, circuling, and by all appearances, this reaction might seem she was wild or losing her mind. Such is not always the case. Pain can induce the most frightening observation in pets, and I cannot say with complete confidence this was anything more than a pain response.
Having said that, I am basing my observation and guess based ONLY on your posts. I was not there, and I don't know everything that transpired between you and your vet. But, despite all the diagnostics to find an answer, your vet should have (and it was incumbent upon him to do so) sought a consult with a specialist for further help in the matter. Since no tumors, CNS deficits or compressed spinal cord were detected, since bloodwork didn't indicate toxicity, since no outward and clinical evidence of neurological problems were found, the diagnostics should have gone further with a specialist.
It can be very difficult to find the cause to such incidents. My observations may not be correct at all, but I would certainly get a full copy of Mariner's health records and review it yourself for any signs of indescrepencies. Mind you, I am not trying to directly place blame upon your vet, I am simply responding as I read your own words, your own observation of the situation.
You did what you thought was best for Mariner, based on your vet's direction. You cannot hold yourself responsible for what happened. Despite my own experience, it's easy to question one's self, to question the what-ifs, I've done it a million times before, we all do, and we all hope we have done the right thing by our loved ones. You did that, please don't question yourself at all.
My heart goes out to you.
(((((HUGS)))))
..........Traci
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Mandi Graves
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2004 2:16 pm
Re: please help me get some answers!!
I think or thought my vet did all she could with the meds. Mariner had surgery at noon and was perfect till around 11 pm then the doc gave her, (Im looking at the bill) 100mg of Rompun twice and 25mg of Zeniquin. When I went to see her she was fine for about 1/2 hr. then she started acting like something scared her or was hurting her. that went on for about 10-15 mins then she was fine again the about 1/2 hr. later she did it again. It was like what ever it was was coming in waves or something. But everytime right before she started her fit her stub would start whipping like crazy. It seemed like she couldnt control it. One of the times it started she was (as she always would) sucking on my ear and purring, like there wasnt a care in the world. And out of nowhere for no aparent reason it started again.
Does this give you anymore infomation that maybe my last post didnt? Let me know. Thank you, Mandi
Does this give you anymore infomation that maybe my last post didnt? Let me know. Thank you, Mandi
Re: please help me get some answers!!
In my opinion, since she had intervals of normal activity, acknowledgement, and was totally coherent, I stand by my opinion it was a nerve problem/reaction to pain.
I've seen this before, and while no case is exactly the same, based only on your post, that is my solid observation.
I've seen this before, and while no case is exactly the same, based only on your post, that is my solid observation.
..........Traci