From last night after I left the hospital until this morning before I entered the hospital at 9.45am, I think I experienced “hell on earth”. I must have been in shock all night over Bobtail’s plight. As I was driving to the hospital this morning, I did not even know if Bobtail would still be alive.
But I heaved a sigh of relief when I entered Bobtail’s cubicle, and he mewed at me. Any sign of activity is a great milestone, seeing how badly emaciated and dehydrated he was yesterday.
Here are today’s photos:
The other milestone is that he can sit up today.
But the vet says he is still in a critical condition. The diarrhoea is still very, very bad. Bobtail has no appetite at all, and I had to forcefeed him all day. I also gave him Glucolin, as suggested by the vet. He is still extremely weak and emaciated.
The fact that he is alive is already a bonus for me. The vet remarked that he is a real fighter. Bobtail could walk a few steps today, though he stumbles. He climbed up onto my lap and there he stayed, all day. I hope the warmth will do him good since his temperature is sub-normal.
While I found some comfort in knowing Bobtail is still hanging on and can sit up and walk (to me, that is already an improvement), I wasn’t prepared for the next shocker.
We had told the fosterer that we needed to take Teddybear back as well, for an examination by the vet, just in case he too had the same infection. So, by noon, we got Teddybear back, and….
Teddybear is also skin and bones.
He is not as bad as Bobtail, but the vet was shocked as well. He is definitely emaciated, though still active. Based on the clinical signs, the main suspicion is food poisoning, for both of them. Teddybear had his blood taken and the white blood count is also high (a reading of 29). Bobtail’s was 59.1 yesterday (the upper limit for a healthy cat is 11).
Teddybear is now on drips as well. So, both of them are rooming in the same cubicle.
I handed over two healthy kittens to the fosterer on Feb 9: http://animalcare.my/2010/02/teddybear-and-bobtail-kittens-for.html
Photo on Feb 9.
Today, I have to nurse two emaciated and dehydrated kittens, one on the verge of dying. I would probably have to spend the whole weekend camping at the hospital as I am doing right now. Next week, I have to work, and I have no idea how I am going to cope.
I am in shock and deeply saddened.
Bobtail and Teddybear are two of the six kittens from Khine. Princess and Simba were adopted after two days with me. I decided to foster Xiao Li and Bandit as they were the weakest and sickliest of the lot.
Here are Xiao Li and Bandit’s photos, taken last night when I came home.
Xiao Li is Bobtail’s sister. She was weaker than Bobtail when I brought them home.
Bandit is Teddybear’s brother. Two weeks ago, he was the sickliest of the six. Now, he is a bundle of energy and playfulness.
Xiao Li and Bandit, drinking water. Photo taken today.
There was nothing seriously wrong with all six when the vet asked me to help foster. They had mild diarrhoea, and were treated, and their stools were firm before I took them from the vet. The vet said all they needed was good nutrition.
I have no words to describe how I am feeling now. Some things are best left unsaid.
I have to go back to the hospital now. Bobtail’s life is hanging by a thread.
I am appealing to all friends to please send their prayers and good wishes to Bobtail and Teddybear as they fight to live on. The vet says that both of them probably have the same infection, both are emaciated and severely dehydrated.
Comments
4 responses to “Updates on Bobtail and another shocker”
indeed, is a very sad picture shown here!!!My mind was full of doubt by looking at it~ Why?why???
Good to hear they already at the vet and in under a very intensive care now. Hope they both will survive.
Yes, some things are best left unsaid. Sending positive healing energy to Bobtail and Teddybear. If both have a strong will to fight to live and the Universe goes along with it, they will recover. Om.
No, friends, some things ARE better left SAID in order to prevent future such happenings and inhumane sufferings (the poor animal's). We go through so much to rescue and save and cannot, cannot have all our hard-earned efforts wasted just like that, can we? Bobtail and Teddybear suffered A LOT!
We wince at the sight of the emaciated starved to death dogs at Selayang pound. Here right before our very eyes, we have 2 tiny rescued kittens being starved and abused by their fosterer who had adamantly insisted that the kittens are alright when enquiries about their welfare and condition were made.
I feel devastated! It is simply too blatant!