Friday, February 16, 2007

Gizzy: Good News, Bad News

Here's the scoop from Dr. ***** He says it's both good and bad. Good because Gizzy's bloodwork came back mostly normal. No problems with his thyroid or his liver or his kidneys. He hasn't got diabetes. There is no infection. It's not his teeth.

The bad news is that it isn't anything we tested for; we still have no answer. It could be something else. There could be something growing that we can't feel. The only way to find out would be to do an ultrasound.

Dear friends, if we do an ultrasound, then what? Surgery? Surgery on a 15 year old cat that has recently lost 1/3 of his body weight? Anesthesia on a cat that may very well never wake up due to advanced age? For what? A painful recovery period with no guarantee?

Mom's heart says No. Gizzy has lived a wonderful life, and we want to keep him as comfortable and as happy as can be. Dr ***** says we can give him fluids whenever he might need them, and that Gizzy can eat "whatever he wants, as much as he'll eat, as long as he doesn't throw up."

When he's ready, we'll help him to the Rainbow Bridge.

Mom's gotta go now, she's leaking.

40 comments:

zorro's crew said...

Oh no that is so sad, we are leaking also. but maybe it will be ok and he will get better by his self. maybe he has the winter blues. We will say our purrayers for all of you

Magoo, Smudge, Bella & Dolce said...

Having just gone through the same thing with Smudge but with a happier ending than the one facing you, I know you will find the strength to do what is best for Gizzy when the time is right. It is never easy letting go of someone who means so much to you. But that time is not yet here. Enjoy Gizzy now and remember the all years he has been with you.

When the time comes, place a kiss on his forehead and send him home. Until then, we will keep him in our purrayers.

Unknown said...

We are sorry to hear about Gizzy.
We will keep him and his family in our prurryers!

D
J
CC

Daisy said...

Oh, sweet Gizzy! Well, I am glad that the blood work came back ok, at least. Now it is his time to get special pampering and treats! (oh, my eyes are leaking now too).

If you haven't done it before, it is very easy to give sub-cutaneous fluids. Did the doctor show you how to do the skin pinch test to check for dehydration?

Pixie and I are sending many purrrrs to Gizzy and you.

sammawow said...

Oh, dear Gizzy - our eyes are leaking here too. But it's good you get to eat good food and treats. We are definitely sending positive purrs and prayers to you. Since Gizzy was Willow's Valentine she is making something for him on her blog.

Purrrrrrrs,
China Cat & Willow

Anonymous said...

My kitty Sophie and I wish Gizzy the best. Although we don't know him personally, we grew to love him, Jasmine and Mille through this blog. We are sending good thoughts and peace your way.

Anonymous said...

Hi Millie, Well, I'm glad/sad at your good news/bad news. Did the v-e-t say anything about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Let's see if I can correctly insert a link here:

Winn Feline Foundation info on IBD

We've had cats with IBD. Clara did not have the classic chronic vomiting and chronic diarrhea symptoms, but she did have weight loss and ravenous appetite (although IBD cats also lose their appetite). We fully expected her tests to come back as hyperthyroid, but tests definitively proved that she had IBD. Medication and Rx food brought her back to health. The vet would have liked her to continue on the Rx food, or at least a restricted diet, but Clara eventually would no longer eat the Rx food (I understand it's disgusting) or a restricted diet (she insisted on variety or wouldn't eat at all).

Nosey also had IBD. He only exhibited occasional vomiting and weight loss. Medication helped him recover. He would not eat the Rx food at all, so that was not part of his treatment.

Another cat probably had IBD, but was not put through the extensive testing Clara and Nosey had. That cat was an elderly stray who came to us as a foster. Slim had advanced kidney failure and was not expected to live more than a few months, so we didn't have him tested for IBD, although we did treat his symptoms.

I mention all this bc I understand that the incidence of IBD has greatly increased. Vets aren't sure why, but it does seem that every cat and her second cousin twice removed is getting IBD. Our two definite IBD cats did not present as fully classic IBD cats.

IBD is sometimes, but not always, a precursor to cancer.

I'm sure you and your Mom and Jasmine and the v-e-t will do what's best for Gizzy. I give you this info bc (a) I'm of the 'it ain't over til it's over' school of thought;(b) maybe our experience will help you (or any other cat reading this); and (c) maybe Gizzy's problem will be something manageable.

Best wishes to all of you.

Anonymous said...

our Lady's leakin' now too. we're all sending lotsa purrs and cuddles to all of you.

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

Poor Gizzy. I'm glad the vet didn't find anything, but sad because you don't know why he's lost weight. Me and my humans will keep Gizzy in our prayers and send lots of healing thoughts and purrs his way.

Make sure you cuddle with your mom. Since she's sad, she needs some pampering.

Is there some food in particular that Gizzy really likes? Hopefully you can tempt him with some delicious food.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Shaggy and Scout said...

Our Prayers and thoughts are with you . Keep by his side Millie, he loves you.

Anonymous said...

Mommy got so sad and started leakin' too.We're going to pray for yous and send Huggs.

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

We are so sorry. Maybe you can tempt him with some chicken baby food (no onions). Vincent who came before insisted on eating mostly Starkist tuna at the end. You also might try anything extra smelly. Sometimes if they aren't smelling right they won't eat. Solid Gold Tuna is Verrry stinky. We will keep praying for Gizzy.

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

We so hoped that you would have a good answer. We hope that Annies suggestion helps you. Give Gizzy some gentle scritches for us and know that you are all in our purrayers.

Madness, Trouble, Squish and Milkbone said...

Purrs and Headbutts to Gizzy and the whole family. Hopefully the Gizster will still be with all of us for some time.

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't you like to know what it may be? I think I'd love to do the ultrasoud so I know what it may be before just giving up. Yes, 15 is a long time for a kitty. Just because you do the ultrasound doesn't mean you have to go further. But, it could answer some questions and relieve your mind.

Fargo said...

The ultrasound could be worthwhile just to get a better idea of what it is - or isn't. Whatever it is, there may be reasonable non-surgical options to keep Gizzy comfortable and healthy. I hope your vet can give you some good suggestions.

Anonymous said...

Dear Millie: Isn't it wonderful how cat bloggers and blogger-readers want to help? So many sending positve vibes and healing energy, and offering so many heartfelt and good ideas! Your Mom knows Gizzy best, and so she will know what's the right direction for him. You have to trust her, just as she has to trust herself to know what to do -- or not do.

With all the positive vibes I can get thru the 'net,
Susan (Belle's Mum)

LZ said...

I'm so sorry, I know how frustrating it is to not have a diagnosis. I went into a bone biopsy to figure things out and it really didn't do much but I was a 6 month old kitten with a *hopefully long life ahead of me. Your mom is doing the right thing for Gizzy. Just make him comfortable and happy and enjoy his life. Who knows, it could just go away on its own. Maybe a round of antibiotics? They always seem to heal what ails me.

Latte

Daisy said...

Millie, I still want to get one of the beautiful quilts. Pink if you still have one. Can you email me?

daisythecurlycat@bellsouth.net

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Now I'm leaking too. I would be worried about the anestesia as well, would Mr. Gizzy have to be sedated to undergo the ultrasound?

Oh Millie, tell your Mom I'm thinking of her.

--lemming

The M's said...

Our Mom is leaking also. We are sending headbutts and purrayers your way that God will give you the strength to face this and be able to do what needs to be done.

Mungo N Teazer (and the Firecat too!!!) said...

Our peabrainses arnt workin rite, we cant think of nuffin good to say... Gizzy, hummbly, stop skeerin your Momma n Millie n Jasmine! Gotta get better, buddy!

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

KC said...

o, Gizzy, i's dont know whats ta say.

right now just love him 'n take care of him, like u's always do. you'll know what ta do 'n he'll help u's know what ta do.

look how much little Millie luvs Gizzy, that's tha way i's luf Bear. jus so protective of hims.

mine mommie is crying, i's gotta go snuggle up to hers now....

we's all purr-raying fur Gizzy 'n Millie 'n Jasmine...

luv paws 'n purrrrsss.... KC

Anonymous said...

Hi, this is Kelly Cat's human... it's easy to fear the worst at times like these, but don't give up hope yet.

It's good that in some way you can share this burden with so many people who care. We're all sending good thoughts and healing vibes to Gizzy.

You're stressed right now with concerns for Gizzy's health and requests for quilts, so try to take care of yourself, too.

Unknown said...

Meezer Mom here- Millie honey, your momma is absolutely right - it's too risky for surgery on Gizzy. Having been through this 3 times in the last 4 years, I know exactly what your mommy is going through. It's not hard to give fluids, and sometimes that in itself works miracles. Ralphie only had 6 weeks to live when they discovered his cancer, but lived 5 really good months after that just from getting fluids. Millie honey, you just keep watching out after him and give him cuddles - you ar the best medicine for him. Your momma will give him extra hugs and snuggles too, and that will make her feel better. Tell your momma to email me if she wants to "vent".

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

As we usually do when we read about another kitty have problems, we talked to The Big Thing about it. It makes us sad, and it scares us some, too.

He reminded us that kitties don't stay here as long as Big Things do. He also told us that sometimes trying to keep a kitty here can mean operations and long tiresome recoveries. And sometimes it doesn't help anyway.

So, we think we understand. If you go to the vet for an operation, you go to sleep. Sometimes you wake up and it hurts and doesn't help much. Sometimes you wake up and hurts ad it helps. An sometimes you don't get to say good-bye to your Big Thing.

He seems to know a lot more about that stuff than we do, so we are going to trust him to decide what is best if we start feeling tired and hurty.

Our best purrs go out to Gizzy, and we hope he just gets better on his own. The Big Thing says that happens sometimes...

Just Ducky said...

Millie, your Lady Mom will do what is best for Gizzy. She will use both her head and her heart to decide.

Right now it is time to wait and watch. Lots of purrs to all of you.

Karen Jo said...

My eyes are leaking and it's hard to see the screen. I am sure that you will do the best you can for Gizzy. He may get better on his own, or he may just slip quietly away. Give him all the love and attention that you can. Millie, be extra nice to Gizzy. That may indeed be the best medicine for him.

Artsy Catsy said...

All of us at ArtsyCatsy are leaking, too. We used to have a Gizzy and had to make the hard decision about her, too. Fluids can be a miraculous thing for kitties, to help keep them comfortable and happy, and it's very easy to do.

Just try not to lose all hope yet. We had a meezer whose vet told us when she was 12 that she had FIV and less than a year to live. We finally had to help her over the Rainbow Bridge when she was 22 years old! And we had given her fluids twice a day for more than a year before that.

We're thinking about you all and sending lots & lots of positive, healing thoughts to Gizzy.

Skeezix the Cat said...

Did evrybuddy notiss whut grate medikul advice Daisy gave? Her Milton Bradley operation home study korse is reely paying off!

Millie, cood yoo emale me with info on how evrybuddy can order qwilts, and how much they are so I can put it on my site? I've had qwite a few inqwireez. I'm skeezixATskeezixthecatDOTcom

Lux said...

Oh, I'm visualizing all sorts of positive energy around Gizzy - I'd like to lick him and stuff. I'm hoping for a miracle.

Kimo and Sabi said...

That is furry sad to hear about Gizzy - we hopes all turns out for the best and we will keeps Gizzy and yer fambly in our prayers - purrrrss.

Karen said...

I am sorry about what is going on with gizzy. I will pray that he stays pain free for a long time.

Forty Paws said...

We are all purraying for Gizzy too. It is very sad when a poodin starts getting old and having troubles.

Along the lines of what Annie said, IBD is a weird disease. Bow was diagnosed with it in 1995 through an upper bowel endoscopy. The poor guy has been on steroids ever since. Yes, we know steroids are extremely hard on beans, poodins, woofies, and anything else, but he is now almost 17 and still smacks the other cats up the side of the head when they tick him off.

Sub-q fluids can work miracles in any animal. They can put the spring back in their step.

And many cats do like the strained baby foods in their final months (no onions).

We're sending you positive healing vibes and positive thoughts for Gizzy.

Luf, Us

momsbusy said...

yes, it is risky for a senior cat to have surgery. ultrasounds are done with the cat awake.

we chose to have an ultrasound done on one of our cats after he had surgery to remove a growth on his toe. the biopsy told us cancer and the ultrasound let us know he had a very short time to live. it helped us to make him more comfortable and prepare us for his passing.

you and mr. karate will do what you know in your heart is best for gizzy. we will be keeping you and your family in our prayers.

Lilly Lu, Iris and Maxwell Mufsa Millon said...

Oh millie,

My eyes are getting all watery !!! My mama is leaking. I wish i could save up green pappers to help you out wiff your quilts they look boootful. We will keep grizzy in our purrrs. Mu shue went though a vomiting stage and was digoused with IBD they said the frist chage was to chage his food. we wish you luck we know how hard it is stay say goodbye to a feiiline compain. Mu shue is 16 1/2 and i can't imangine loseing him

Lilly Lu, Iris and Maxwell Mufsa Millon said...

Oh millie,

My eyes are getting all watery !!! My mama is leaking. I wish i could save up green pappers to help you out wiff your quilts they look boootful. We will keep grizzy in our purrrs. Mu shue went though a vomiting stage and was digoused with IBD they said the frist chage was to chage his food. we wish you luck we know how hard it is stay say goodbye to a feiiline compain. Mu shue is 16 1/2 and i can't imangine loseing him

Toffee K. Ripple Fuzzypants & Feline American Angels said...

We've done sub-Q fluids, too ... but to mixed results. Just keep Gizzy comfortable and offer him whatever he'd like. Uh, oh ... leaky eyes.

We'd still like a quilt, too ... Email us at daisymaemausATcoxDOTnet and tell us when to send money. We want one quilt of any color.

DMM

Marilynn said...

Oh, dear. I hope Gizzy's feeling better by now, but your write-up of all those test results reminds me of what I went through in 2003 with my wonderful 12-year-old Pluto. Lots of tests, no real answers. It was heartbreaking.
http://writeacher.blogspot.com/2006/03/geriatric-cats.html

So I hope Gizzy is better and better each day. It sounds like it from the more recent posts you've written.

Anonymous said...

Lots of headbutts and purrs for you in this difficult time. My mamma and dadda had a similar decision to make with my sis-fur, Abby a few months ago. For her, in the end, they helped her over the Rainbow Bridge. I miss her, but someday I know I'll see her again.

Love sometimes means having to make really hard decisions, as much as you don't want to.


Purrrrrzzzzzzzzz.

Sophie