Bou Update
Jaye here, with the latest Bou & family update.
// ...and Tuesday-morning updates are down in the comments! //
Whew. This is quite a rollercoaster we're on. Since 11:00pm last night, we've gone from Bou having a completely normal temperature...all the way up to nearly 108F, with danger of seizures...and then back down to normal again. The vet put her on a second antibiotic and also gave her an anti-inflammatory shot; she got IV fluids, hourly syringe feedings of a food for anorexic cats, and compresses of cool wet towels when the fever was at its height.
Feline leukemia and FIV have been ruled out, but her white count is high, which suggests something bacterial. She's also anemic. The vet doesn't believe that the fever is related to anything retained in the uterus from the birth, because everything feels normal and there's no discharge. So at this point we're just hoping the new drugs do the job and the fever doesn't come back.
At her sickest today, she didn't want to nurse her kittens or even be in the box with them. I was afraid we might have to arrange for another foster home where the kits could be bottle-fed all day (something we just can't do while holding down day jobs), but as soon as Bou's fever broke she was right back in the box with them. The kittens are now getting sniffly themselves, unfortunately, but the vet said they would get some of Bou's medications through her milk. Three of them are nursing strongly (Tiger, Snip, one of the white ones), the other two are a bit less robust (Tuxie, the other white one). We'll need to watch carefully to be sure they are getting their fair share. Still, mama's milk is the best thing for them if they can get it.
I'm afraid to be optimistic at this point. I was so cheerful about her progress last night, only to find her feverish and listless agan this morning. But she's OK for the moment and we're doing all we can.
Comments
Oh, that's (cautiously optimistic) good news. We all love the new Catcave family so much and we're all pulling for them so hard.
I know that we all will keep sending good thoughts their way, and to you guys,too!
*Please* let us know if there's some way we can send you some kind of care package without compromising your privacy? Some of us just really want to.
Big hugs. <3 <3 <3 (supposed to be hearts, but some people think they look like mouses)
Aww, Teho, sorry you (collectively) and Bou have to go all through this. Hopefully she remains stable and gets better quickly. How scary when the babies are still so tiny and helpless.
Sending kitty mojo out Minnesota way, and family strength too!
Awww, so sorry to hear about poor Bou
Awww, so sorry to hear about poor Bou & family. She does have a sickly look to her with those half closed eyes, and she's so thin!!! I'm sure you guys are doing the best you can for her. This is certainly much more difficult than Kenya and her kittens...It's so heartbreaking to see that sometimes love & dedication are not enough to help these kitties.I wonder where she lived before going to the shelter, what could have made her so sick...Hang in there Jaye, Teho, & family, you guys ( and MVHS) are doing a great job taking care of these poor mama cats and their lil ones...Let's hope everything turns out for the best. If not, just be glad you know you did the best you could to help Bou and her babies.
Oh, dear. Sad news. Well, this has worked before so here goes -
*says a little prayer, lights a candle, knocks on wood, spins three times and spits*
You are doing everything you possibly can. Thank you all for fighting the good fight.
To elaborate on the care package idea:
Does MHVS use blankets in the holding cages for their animals?
There's this "Hugs for Homeless Animals" thingie that has crafty peeps knitting or crocheting blankets for the cages, and maybe some of us who are crafty this way (me) could send some to them?
Not all shelters are equipped to accept blankets (no facilities for washing them!), so I'd have to find that out from you guys.
I guess $$ in your and Bou's names would be the fallback if this is a dumb idea. :>)
Fingers crossed the new antibiotic will do the trick.
I couldn't tell from the post -- are Bou and kits still at the animal hospital or back with you tonight?
All good thoughts go your way.
Good luck. Sounds as if the next few days will be a bit nerve-wracking at the CatCave.
Crossing my fingers and toeses, and anything else that crosses, for luck.
Maybe this antibiotic will nail it.
(And it does seem to be acting like a bacteria -- slower build-up and stubborn.)
It's a good sign that she's keeping food down, and that when she's less than miserably ill she's trying to mother her babies.
And allowing you to help her too.
Sounds as if she's doing her best to hang in there --what a really good little cat!
Perhaps the two less robust kittens need a little supplementary feeding?
I'd hate to lose any more of them, but the circumstances are so rough.
Anyway, sending all kinds of good thoughts to you -- and wandering over to the MVHS now to drop a little in the kitty.
My emotions are a wreck and I'm only living this vicariously through your postings here on VOX. ((((Hugs)))) of support.
Heh, my son asked me yesterday if I didn't have to worry about money what would I do. Other than being a stay at home mom, there really isn't anything that I would like to do....except travel to help friends in need. I don't know if right now I'd be in Seattle helping MusicChick, in Minnesota helping out the CatCave, or in Texas (New Mexico?--wherever) keeping an eye on on Bonita-in-Pink.
cos you have friends
Don't give up
You're not beaten yet
Don't give up
I know you can make it good..."
"...We're proud of who you are..."
Wow. With AmyH spittle on your side, how can you go wrong?
My heart breaks for mama and her little ones. So unknowing, yet fighting all the time. I will be sending Good Vibrations from the West Coast and will be waiting for the next update.
Hey if it works I'm in too!
*joins AmyH*
Lots of love headed your way folks.
Lots of love
Counting the days until thursday so I can send some monetary help too.
*HUGZ*
More good vibes from the West Coast.
*Thinking good thoughts...thinking good thoughts...thinking good thoughts*
My saliva isn't so special, but it you want it you got it. Just let me know.
Keep your collective chins up. We're all pulling for you.
How does that line in Airplane go? "I wanted to tell you good luck. We're all counting on you."?
Thanks for all the good wishes, with and without the spitting. You are all good friends to cats. :)
We're just back from taking Bou & family to the late-night animal hospital, because we thought Bou was getting sicker again. Turns out she's got mastitis, but her temp was pretty much normal and the vets said the kittens look well-fed. It's possible we are overreacting due to the crazy rollercoaster ride of the past week. So we put everybody to bed for the night, and we'll re-evaluate in the morning.
The good thing is that after Tuesday's workday, I'm off until next Monday. So it'll be easier to keep a close watch on the whole furry family.
I'm so glad they have a diagnosis.
And mastitis is no picnic, I'm glad you got her to the vet for it.
(I never got it, but my sister did and she had nothing at all printable to say about it.)
Now that I think of it, of course, her nursing was all stop-and-start right when her milk was coming it.
But the antibiotics should knock it out, and the kittens nursing will help too.
Poor kitten-mama.
(Reaches over to knock on wood.)
Maybe it will all calm down now.
And with a chance to stay home, maybe you all can just enjoy Bou and the offspring for a while.
And you know, not just the kittens, but Bou too wouldn't have made it through all this without you guys.
At any rate, hopin' Bou will be better in the morning and hereafter.
Awww, the poor babies. *Sending Loves*
My poor kitty had Mastitis when she gave birth to my boys. The vet recommended massaging her when the babies weren't nursing to help break up the blockages. Mommy cat didn't appreciate the belly rubs, but it worked to ease some of the pain she had so she tolerated anyhow.
You guys are all just soo wonderful for what you do. I found you when Rikki was up on my fav site CO, and I've stuck around to see the wonderful things you do. I always heard there were angels who looked after animals, I just thought we couldn't see them. Guess I was wrong. Keep up the good work, those little babies and Mommy too will love you and remember you forever for your kindness.
She's moving around more this morning, too. She met me at the door when I came into the CatCave, meowing a little, and we saw signs that she'd been up on the windowsill at least once. Those are things she hasn't been doing since the kittens were born.
As for the kittens: The three strongest nursers remain the strongest. But the other two seem to be dozing comfortably too, and their little bellies, while not as fat as the Triumvirate, still feel rounded. None of them have as much crusty gunk around their mouths/noses as last night, although I'm still hearing some kitten sneezes.
Theo will look in on them on his lunch hour, but for now...so far so good.
-Jaye
Hopefully I can not only peek in on them at lunch, but also take 1/2 day off. I whupped ass yesterday and wouldn't mind a nap sometime, even if it's on the CatCave floor.
love to Bou and Bou-babies, to you and Jaye, teho.
Oh my. I left for a short vacation last week and come back to find out the cat cave has a new resident - no, now it's eight - now seven (sniff) - now six (sniff, again) - and momcat and babies putting up a valiant fight. Theo, Jaye, Schmoopteens - best of wishes, best of luck, thank you for your efforts and most of all, thank you for sharing your struggles with all of us. I feel very privileged to be a part of [this part of] your lives and a member of this very eclectic group. Jaye - brilliant incubator! and very quick thinking. Tell Fiver and Four Paws there is a very fluffy husky mix named Windsor who will gladly provide warmth and floofiness when they feel the need.
Good vibes and healthy cat-naps to all of you and Yay! for the corner turned.
Feel good. Everybody loves you soooooooo much. You have to feel all better soon so you can take good care of your sweet fuzzy little babiez.
Feel all better soon, Bou. You're a good beautiful mama kittygirl.
BIG hug --- BIG schmoochies to you sweet kittycat.
I love you guys.
Warm thoughts and positive vibes and all kinds of like-that coming your way from Canada, Bou and kitters! Much admiration and gratitude coming your way, Teho and Jaye and Schmoopteens! You guys are awesome!
Keep fightin' the good fight, Boutiful Cat!
Whew sounds like Bou has really finally maybe( fingers crossed, knocks on wood, and spits too just in case,) Turned the corner. I don't know about kitties with mastitis but I had a plugged milk duct with my second child and hot wash clothes really releived the pain. maybe a heating pad so she can lay on it in lue of wet wash clothes. Hugs from me and purrs from the four brat cats.
Good ol' mastitis. Brings back lots of memories from my cow milking days. Before putting the milkers on, you have to strip out the milk that's been hanging out in the teats to make sure you are only getting fresh stuff. That's when you can see if a cow has a mastitis infection. If it does, it's usually contained to that one quarter (a cow's udder is four separate 'bags', if you will) and so you can milk the other three while treating the one.
With Dad doing what he can to make sure the cow didn't kick my head off, I had to stick a plastic syringe up into the teat and squirt in the antibiotics.
Good times.
/threadjack
I sure hope all the spitting starts to help, instead of just making things really messy around here. :-) All the best to you and the Bou Crew!
My post was somehow cut off earlier. I was trying to say that I love you guys for what you're doing with these kitties. It takes a lot of devotion and dedication to care for and provde for cats and babies.
I come back to this page daily, and my friends and family do, too. You insipire us (we all have many animals), and we thank you for making the world a better place. Our prayers are sent out to you all, and please keep us updated.
Thank you again.
(and Rikki is trying to steal some of my nachos)
YAY!!!!!!
Continuing the good wishes just to carry you all through.
Rikki, mmmmm Nachos, this kitty does have good taste!
Happy 4th to everyone in the CatCave too.
http://www.squidgrid.com/images/misc/yay_pic.jpg
Yuummmm, Nachos. Great now I want some Nachos. LOL
Way to go BouCat! Hope you continue to get better and better everyday! Pretty soon you'll be back to your old self (of course then you'll have your rugrats chasing you and biting your tail and pouncing, ahh the joys of motherhood). Keep up the good work guys, You Rock!
<threadjack>
According to the Snuggle Project's website, the MN Valley Human Society does accept snuggles for the animals.
However, if you refer to the MVHS website, their wishlist is calling for other things. If you want to give something that way, I'd check it out. They are asking for things from non-clumping litter to empty ink cartridges (for their recycling program) and from wooden spoons (for the puppies to chew on) to laundry soap.
</threadjack>
I've syringe-fed and watered a kitteh before. It's hard, but it does work, even if the gooshyfood is REALLY gooshy (ewww).
The Triumvirate! Marmie can be Caesar, in that case, and name the others appropriately!
I'm so happy to hear that things are on the upswing in the CatCave. I hope Momma-Bou and the babes do nothing but get healthier and more active as each hour/day goes by.
Having volunteered at a shelter when I was in college and being asked to show up at wee hours to syringe and/or bottle feed sick cats and kits, I can relate a bit. Although not so much, because I would go on with my day and show up the next day to see what happened, and the shelter staff were the people who were in your situation.
Seriously, if I could foster animals (bunnies!) I would totally do it. It seems sad, stressful, worrying and downright painful at times, but with a post like this... It seems totally worth it in the end.
You people are awesome! ^_^ Maybe someday, when we own our own place and don't have to deal with a landlord, I can join your valiant ranks.
HOORAY! See, it works every time. Only use it when absolutely necessary, mah peeps.
I'm so happy to hear she is on the mend. This has been a tough one on the Bou Crew and emotionally trying for us all. Great job!
Alternately, you could make a contribution to the animal shelter or charity of your choice, if you already have (for instance) a local humane society that you want to support. You might include a short note that mentions this website (teho.vox.com) and Bou's situation; that's up to you.
Again, thanks so much!
Ah well. I still meant it.
;)
Amy's special!
&:o)
Love to all of you. Keep taking good care of each other.
Keep getting better Bou. You're a beautiful mama. Keep getting better sweet girl.
LOL @ you and Laurie.
I do it for Bou and other Peep Pets in dire need. I'm glad I have finally found a gift. Special gift, if you will.
Yay for getting better!
Yay for the Cat Cave denizens!
Yay for the peeps!
Yay for the MVHS and the Bou-coup bucks!
I guess I could just go check the MVHS site like rpennefe suggested. :>)
I also don't know why I'm stuck in Boldface right now either. I hope it's not like shouting. :>/
I'm cautiously relieved that sweet Bou and teh kitters are holding their own. Just goes to show the power of all that positive thought energy out there!
Love to teho and wordswoman and the Schmoopteens and all the wonderful commenters here. <3 <3 <3 (hearts/mouses)
Amy, when we meet in Seattle, or San Francisco, do you think your magic spit might be able to cure my arthritis? *hops up & down in anticipation* Do you do the turn-and-spit dance in public places? ;-)
To everyone in the CatCave....so great to hear things are on the upswing! Add some extra kissies in for me too, and don't ferget Rikki, Bounce, Spot, & Willow! Happy Fourth Everybody!