Monday, May 16, 2011

Memories and Patches

It's that time of the year where all the days have something to do with Oliver. I just read the news that a cyber friend got her BFP and she posted the pic of her FRER dated 16/5. It got my attention also because her line seems to be unevenly intense. Like it was for me. Exactly a year ago, when I got the first glimpse of the little embryo that could.

Kind of around the same time last year Patches wasn't doing too well. I suppose last year was maybe a couple of weeks earlier than now but still. We are in a rough time again with the poor little pet. It started with a teary eye. Then it worsened with sneezing blood. Antiviral, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory meds are on his daily menu since I can remember. Together with thyroxine. He's been well for a good few months but after he got his vaccine in March (carefully considered with the Ultimate Vet Hero and decided it was best to do it) he went downhill. The Ultimate Vet Hero has made plenty of house calls, to minimise as much as possible the stress of him going to the clinic. He has an ulcer on his eye which has now spread to the lower eyelid. Probably it's the herpes virus. He's too small to have a rhinoscopy but we suspect the virus has started eroding his turbinates which may have now been colonised by some resistant bacteria. I brought him into the clinic on friday morning as he was really poor and something had to be done. The Ultimate Vet Hero took great care of him, sedated him and took X-rays which excluded tumours in the nose, and flushed his nose with saline to be able to send a sample to the lab for cultures. She used a tear-duct catheter up his nose to be as less invasive as possible. Still, his throat was so swollen he couldn't breathe on his own. But he came through. Then over the weekend I really thought is was worse and got Mike to call The Ultimate Vet Hero. We just can't keep him suffering. She came to see us on Sunday and brought some more meds, different antibiotics and local antiviral for the eye. We gave him a week to get better or as sad as it is, we feel we have to put him to sleep. The Ultimate Vet Hero is having a truly rough time at work and I really hope not to add to her plate. When/if that day will come, I know we'll both be devastated, but she gave Patches a very good year that he certainly would not have had otherwise. I'll keep you posted.

Patches today on our bed resting

18 comments:

Kim said...

Poor Patches and poor you and your husband. I hope Patches perks up, but you're wonderful parents to give him all the care available to him and make him feel comfortable. Big hugs!

lostintranslation said...

I'm sorry to hear about your cat.

So funny though that we both had a first FRER on 16/5! Just got my beta number: 67! second beta on Friday...

St Elsewhere said...

Congratulations to your friend....it is BFP season coz I seem to have read this news of your friend as the third BFP news of the day.

Oooh and I am very sorry to hear about Patches. Praying for the kitty....

Momasita said...

Sorry about Patches. He has been such a little fighter, I hope he pulls through.

jill said...

Poor Patches :( So sorry he is sick and I'm sending "get better quickly" thoughts in his direction. Both my sisters have had cat health disasters in the last year but both their cats are doing well so far. Hoping that for Patches too!

Alex said...

Poor little Patches - I do hope he pulls through. Sending him lots of healing vibes.

Clare said...

Oh painful. So heartbreaking to have to make that decision but i totally understand, Patches can only take so much... poor little kitty. Wishing you well this week xx

BB said...

Oh dear, lil Patches! Hope he recovers well, just like he did last year!

Kim said...

Your such a good momma, doing the best you can for patches. It really does make you wonder if the issues are seasonally triggered, timing wise?! Hope Patches is feeling better soon.

Jonelle said...

Ooh sweet Patches. I'm so sorry he is so poorly. I hope he improves and this is just a bad patch he is going through.

((((HUGS)))) to you, Fran!

C said...

Oh Fran, I'm so sorry. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

((HUGS))

Mrs. Misfits said...

I am worried for you with that kitten. That's too much for such a little guy. I am hoping that things start mending and that he'll have more lovely years ahead.

I had read your post and wondered if you had bugged my bathroom. I see you as my lucky May 16th charm and I'm going to hold on tight, if you don't mind. I can't believe it's been a year!

Fertility Chick said...

Thinking about you Fran and sending love to wee Patches. Always upsetting when our animals aren't well and you have been truly wonderful to him and given him much love and care. Much love to you all.

kdactyl said...

It is such a difficult decision when you have to let a pet go. I sure hope you can get this under control but I think you are thinking the right things for patches.

My days of BFPs are over (I'm blessed with 2 babies and done)...but oh how I love hearing about others and remembering my own happy days! Yay for your friend.

kd

erika said...

I am so very sorry for your sweet kitty! I am still hoping he will get better,, and you may update us with better news next time.
Tremendous (((HUGS))) and much love your ways.

linda said...

I hope that Patches pulls through. Do you think your kitty is in real pain? Often they'll stop eating or using the litter box when "it's time". Have you tried an allergen free diet (ie no gluten, corn, soy) or benadryl to see if any of those things can help?

Courtney said...

Poor Patches. :-( I hope he starts feeling better soon. I know it's going to be hard to make that decision if you have to. You're doing a great job taking care of him. :-)

Adele said...

Oh, Fran:( I'm just reading these now. Hugs to all of you. I'm hoping so hard that Patches makes a full recovery.