The Gang of Five

Beyond the Mysterious Beyond => The Fridge => Topic started by: WeirdRaptor on December 18, 2013, 07:31:21 PM

Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: WeirdRaptor on December 18, 2013, 07:31:21 PM
Yeah, I haven't talked about this yet, but last week, my older cat, Felix, went missing after he and his little brother, Junior, managed to escape the house. I got Junior back in an afternoon, because he can't not come running when you call for him. But Felix was nowhere to be seen. I wasn't TOO worried, because it's not unusual for him to disappear for an entire day at a time, and earlier this year during the Summertime, he got out once before and disappeared for three days before coming back skinny, but otherwise safe and found. However, we have coyotes, which was troubling.
Well, I looked all over for him spanning three days and didn't find him, and then when the REALLY cold weather and snow hit, I knew that if he wasn't dead before, he would be now. I was sad, but I knew I had to consider him dead by then. I didn't discuss the matter online because I didn't want to talk about it.

Then, earlier today, I went down into my grandparents' basement to do some work with the water line down there (they live very near to where I am) and there he was. Cold, skinny, dehyderated, and weak, but very much clinging to life. Now, no one, including my grandparents, hardly ever go down into that basement so no one knew he had taken shelter there. Well, I dropped what I was doing to quickly take him home. I put him in my bedroom (the smallest and warmest room in my abode) in front of a floor heater, food, and water. Then I did what I needed to do over my grandpa and grandma's house before checking on him again.

I could get him to eat, but not drink, so I called the vet and took him over. The Doc is going to keep him overnight, because his body temperature was very close to a danger zone. He's going to be hooked up to an I.V. unit to get liquid into him and he's been given some mild shots. Doc said he has a 50/50 chance of survival.

Now begins a long night of worrying.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: bushwacked on December 18, 2013, 07:39:40 PM
I'm really sorry. It sounds like you've done everything you can - I really hope he pulls through.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: rhombus on December 18, 2013, 07:42:26 PM
I am terribly sorry to hear about your cat WR.  I hope that she is able to pull through her current condition.

My family lives in a rural area of southern Illinois and we had several cats on the farm during my childhood.  We once had a large calico cat that nearly perished in a similar situation.  She was about ten years old at the time and alternated between living inside and outside.  She decided to go on one of her outdoor "excursions" immediately prior to a major snowstorm, and warm houses are not plentiful in the open country.  She came home after the storm quite emaciated and cold, but she was able to pull through and lived on for about three more years.  I certainly hope that your cat is able to have a happy outcome as well.  Please keep us informed.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: WeirdRaptor on December 18, 2013, 08:16:34 PM
I willl, and thanks for the support, guys.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Malte279 on December 18, 2013, 08:50:20 PM
I very much hope for Felix to recover WR. I know how horrible it feels when a loved pet is suffering. My very best wishes for you and Felix.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: WeirdRaptor on December 18, 2013, 09:20:21 PM
So I do. Thank you, Malte. I have high hope despite what the doctor said. Felix has always been a tough feline.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Kor on December 18, 2013, 10:40:52 PM
Good luck.  

Not sure what else to say.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Nick22 on December 18, 2013, 11:07:04 PM
good thing you went down there, otherwise the poor cat wouldnt have made it. at least now he has a chance. i'm sure the vet will all he or she can to help Felix pull through..
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: vonboy on December 18, 2013, 11:28:42 PM
I'm sorry to hear that, Raptor. I hope he makes it through, too.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: WeirdRaptor on December 19, 2013, 12:05:30 AM
@Nick: I know! I have to wonder why he went down there instead of coming home. That means that he was in the immediate area the entire time he was gone.

@ vonboy: I'll check on him in the morning. In the meantime, fingers crossed.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Nick22 on December 19, 2013, 12:20:56 AM
perhaps he was cold and went for the nearest shelter, which was your grandparents house. in any event hes alive tonight because he did.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Mumbling on December 19, 2013, 03:13:20 AM
Oh no :( I hope that Felix will make it through the night. There's not much else I can say... Try to get some sleep to make time fly by faster.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: brekclub85 on December 19, 2013, 03:31:06 AM
I guess all we can do now is hope for the best
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: jansenov on December 19, 2013, 05:56:01 AM
How are things?
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: WeirdRaptor on December 19, 2013, 04:54:17 PM
Alright, they got fluids into Felix through an IV and his temperature is away from the danger zone. They haven't gotten him to eat yet, but the Doc says that he will. They'll be keeping him for two more days.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: rhombus on December 19, 2013, 05:02:22 PM
I am glad to hear that there has been some improvement.  Water balance and body temperature are the most important things in a situation like this.  The fact that those have been stabilized from critical levels is a promising sign.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Nick22 on December 19, 2013, 05:18:51 PM
good, so they managed to get him stable and on the rebound. thats great news Wr. i'm sure you'll be loasth to let him outside for awhile after this..
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: jansenov on December 19, 2013, 06:13:39 PM
Good to hear! Spoil the little fella a bit once he comes home.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) on December 19, 2013, 06:21:56 PM
Do you think Felix learned to stay in the grounds from this? If she makes a full recovery, there'd be some silver lining if she learned not to venture off.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: WeirdRaptor on December 19, 2013, 07:42:26 PM
If I have my way, he'll never be going outside again after this. Oh yeah, I bought some treats for him when he gets home.

Thanks, again, guys, for all the words of kindness you have given me.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Kor on December 19, 2013, 10:09:13 PM
Sounds like good news.  Congratulations.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Justin1993 on December 19, 2013, 11:40:28 PM
I'm glad to hear that Felix's health has improved.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: bushwacked on December 20, 2013, 07:23:40 AM
I'm glad Felix is doing better. Spoil him rotten when he gets home!
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: WeirdRaptor on December 20, 2013, 04:25:29 PM
And I called again today. They've gotten him to eat a little.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: rhombus on December 20, 2013, 06:58:18 PM
^ That is good.  It is always a promising sign when they regain their appetite.  I hope that his condition continues to improve.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Mumbling on December 21, 2013, 06:24:54 AM
That's great news! Glad he's doing better :)
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Kor on December 21, 2013, 11:29:46 AM
That is great news, sounds like he's doing better then before.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: WeirdRaptor on December 25, 2013, 02:38:22 AM
My cat came home for Christmas Eve. He's on the mend and at home now. He wasn't eating much at the vet, so I brought in some of the cat food I've always fed him and left with them one more day. I decided that if he didn't recover by the New Year that I was just going to have to put him down rather than have him suffer.
So on the morning of Christmas Eve, I went in to check on him and found that bringing him his usual food was what did it. He'd started eating and his body temperature was back to normal. So the vet let me bring him home. He's still skinny and weak, but he's not wobbly on his feet anymore and getting better.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Kor on December 25, 2013, 02:40:02 AM
That sounds great, very great news.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: WeirdRaptor on December 25, 2013, 02:44:55 AM
Isn't it! He's SO much better than he was before! I think he's going to be alright.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: Kor on December 25, 2013, 03:13:27 AM
That is great.  I do hope he makes a full recovery, and a quick one.  It looks great so far.  Good luck.
Title: My cat is in critical condition.
Post by: rhombus on December 25, 2013, 11:49:04 AM
That is awesome news.  :) I am glad to hear that your cat is on the road to recovery.