Kasie --- go and enjoy your family time and know that Grayson is in good hands...you trust the vet enough to take him there for daily treatment, so know that he will do everything that he can while you are away on vacation!
As you said, prayers for Grayson taht he pulls through, and you are being a wonderful Mommy to him...the best he will ever have, and you are giving him a chance he would not ahve had otherwise...
You're doing the right thing. Grayson will benefit from constant observation, his fluids and meds on a regular basis.
As for the shelter, your vet can call them and tell them he is treating a kitty with distemper, this should be enough evidence for the shelter manager to be more prudent about adoptions, and possibly have more cats tested. Unfortunately, California has had several shelters have to shut down temporarily while they control the distemper, the shelter in your area may be facing this...but definately ask your vet to call them.
It's good that you got Kisa's booster, but be prepared she may develop an upper respiratory infection from being exposed to Grayson. If that occurs, your vet can treat it with oral antibiotics and eye ointment if necessary. If Kisa is an adult cat, at least over a year old, she could still develop clinical signs of distemper, but adult cats usually only suffer mild symptoms, and usually only require mild treatment. I suspect Grayson may not have been in excellent health before being exposed to the distemper in the shelter, therefore his symptoms were more severe.
Try to think positively for Grayson, I'm sure your vet is doing everything appropriately and aggressively. The isolation room will actually help him in that, isolation rooms are usually quieter so the patient can rest and not be subject to all the noise of a busy clinic.
I have called three times since I have been away. Two times yesterday and one time today. The tech said that Grayson was doing much better. His stool is semi solid and that his eyes and nose has cleared up a bit. She said the vet thinks he is going to be okay, but there is a still a chance this whole week or treatments could go downhill and Grayson could still die, or get worse. I am praying for the best. I will call the vet again tomorrow, but they werent sure when they were going to be there because the office isn't open on Sundays. The tech I have been dealing with said if anything was not right that she would call me. If not, to call on Monday.
I am going to call the shelter againt this week and see what the owner says. I do want to let me know AGAIN that Grayson definitely has distemper and that he should look into getting most of his cats treated. I am not sure what else to do.
I talked to my dad today about helping me pay for Grayson's medical bills since I am a student living on my own and I don't have much money. I have spent most of my savings on Grayson in the last week... and it was completely worth it to me, so I am not worrying. But.. my dad said that I was stupid and I should take the cat back to the shelter and demand my money back. I told him that I would NEVER take Grayson back to that shelter and that I love Grayson. He told me that I was an idiot for spending my money on a 'stupid cat'. I told him it was my money to spend and I felt it was best spent on him to give him a chance at a happy life and he told me I was completely cut off from any money. It's looking like I will have to get a job, plus go to school full time.. That's okay though. I just want my little Grayson all better.
Just wanted to give everyone an update on Grayson.
I have talked to the vet at least once a day since I have left Grayson at the hospital. Last Wednesday night Grayson got up and starting eating and drinking on him own. By Friday he was no longer needing extra fluids and was very eager to get out of his holding cage and play.
The doctor said it's amazing how Grayson recovered and he is happy to tell me that he is almost positive Grayson will make a full recovery and be a happy and healthy kitty. I am back in California as of tonight at about 11 pm, and I will be picking up Grayson on Monday to bring him home. (Tomorrow is Easter and the office will be closed).
I am so happy that Grayson is doing so well. They said his eyes and his nose are almost all cleared up as well.. and the respiratory infection that he had also is almost all gone. I can not wait to see him on Monday. He will be one spoiled kitty for the rest of his life.
I just wanted to thank you all for the advice and the support you have all given me and Grayson. The vet said he would work out a payment plan with me because the total of the bills is going to cost over 1000 dollars plus the 500+ I have paid already. I have started to look for a job to get the payments in and I have some family to help me. He is definitely worth and he will always be very special to me.
Wonderful news, it's good to hear your vet will allow payment arrangements, he's a keeper
When you get him home, keep his stress reduced at all costs. Monitor him for any signs of dehydration and anorexia or vomiting and notify your vet immediately if any of these occur.
Ask your vet about feeding Grayson kitty I/D temporarily until his appetite is normal. This is a veterinary diet that is bland and easy on the intestines. Your vet should instruct you on feeding, etc before he releases Grayson from the clinic.
I pray you find a job..hopefully within your chosen career and maybe you can make that a on the job training part of your schooling?
Elsewise, any job will do, as long as they are willing to work with your schedule with school...and flexible enough to change with each semester...
and know that Grayson is in good hands...you trust the vet enough to take him there for daily treatment, so know that he will do everything that he can while you are away on vacation!
