I have been overwhealmed by your kindness - update on my Lily
By rosie_123
@rosie_123 (6113)
April 23, 2007 7:23am CST
Since I started my discussion on Saturday about what happened to my kitten, Lily, I have been overwhealmed by the kindness of so many of my friends here on MyLot. I have tried to thank everyone individually in the original thread, and also to reply personally to the Private Messages and mails I have received - but if I missed anyone out then I apologise, and please accept this as a big thank you.
And for those of you who asked for an update on Lily's health - well it is not good, but as least she is still clinging to life, so I guess while there is life, there's hope.
At present she is completely sedated in the Vets' Hospital because of the extreme pain she is in - her skin has been ripped from her knee to the bottom of her foot - only bone and tissues remain. They will make a decision today whether to amputate her entire leg, or just from the knee downwards, or whether perhaps her leg can be saved by skin grafts, but that will take 3 months of treatment, and has a low success rate. They are worried about kidney and liver failure, also heart failure, because she is wired up to constant sedatives which can damage such a small creature. So the prognosis is not particularly good, - but, as I said, while there is life there is hope!
She will be hospitalised for at least 2-3 weeks minimum. I tried to visit her yesterday but they would not let me see her. When she starts to come round from the sedatives, and pain killers, she is driven so mad with the pain that she tries to wreck her cage, and has tried to self-mutilate, so they like to keep her quiet as possible, and they fear seeing me will stress her more because she can't come home with me:-(( I am meant to be on holiday next week for my Birthday - I don't want to go now, but they tell me to go because there is nothing I can do for her, and they can keep in constant touch through my mobile phone should they need to.
Anyway - I will keep you posted more, - and thanks again for everyone's concern.
6 people like this
26 responses
@ItTakesAllSorts (4096)
•
23 Apr 07
Thanks for the update Rosie. I wish it could have been better news, but as you say at least she is hanging in there, which is a good sign.
Its weird how cats will self-mutilate themselves. I remember when we got our cat neutered, she kept pulling the stitches out, so we had to take her back to the vet, but she did it again. There was no way on earth the vet could put one of those shields round her head as she was so wild, so my mum and I had to take shifts to watch her day and night and distract her when she went for the stitches. In the end she did get them out again and a slight open wound was left, which finally healed.
That was the most exhausting time and people thought we were mad to do this for a cat, but we loved her so much we would have done anything. She absolutely ruled the home, as she was so wild. We took her in as she had been mistreated by her previous owner and my mum would often be scratched by her, but we would never have given her away. She was lucky to have come to us as I am sure alot of other people would not have been so kind as my mum.
Its funny because when I got my own home I also took in a cat, my dear Aggy, who had also been mistreated. She was just like my mums cat and she ruled the home. But I loved her so much and when she passed away a few years ago I was devatasted. The vet said she was around 20 years old. I have a song that reminds me of her and whenever I hear it I still shed a tear.
I hope Lily will pull through and my thoughts are with you. If you can, go on holiday and relax, you need it.
Best wishes x
2 people like this
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
23 Apr 07
Thanks. And I undestand what you did for your cat. When Lily was spayed she tried to pull her stitches out too, and my partner and I took it in turns to sit up with her. If you love a pet,then they become part of your family, and people who don't love animals in the same way will never understand. I am sorry for your pain over Aggy, but you know you gave her as much love and the best ife that you could for as long as you could.
2 people like this
@moonshadow68 (723)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Rosie--
I am so sorry to hear about your baby. It ust be tearing you apart to know there is nothing you can do. Lily is in my prayers.
I wanted to respond here because I think this says a lot about cat people. When Rain (my cat) was spayed, we did the same thing. Even with us watching her she pulled out some of her stitches, but most people thought we were crazy for staying up round the clock for a cat.
Try to enjoy your vacation even while you are worried about Lily. As you said, the vet will do everything they can for her and keep her comfy and, she wouldn't want you to suffer for her.
2 people like this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
23 Apr 07
This sounds just terrible! My gosh! I know you're going to miss her, but it sounds like they need to keep her sedated for at least a week so she can heal some! I can't imagine what happened to her. Did they have any ideas?
2 people like this
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
24 Apr 07
Well estherlou, they really cannot say for sure. They have only two possibilities. At the back of my house there are some woods - they think perhaps Lily's little paw got caught in an illegal trap there, but because she is so small and quick, she managed to move before it snapped and broke her bones, so it just shredded the flesh as she moved. It is too horrible to think about. Other than that, there are some outbuilldings closeby, with old timber and some old rusty nails. Lily was very adventurous, always getting into something that she shouldn't(!), and because she is so small she used to scramble instead of climb properly, so they think she may have caught her foot on an old nail, and somehow got caught, and torn it in her panic to escape. They will never know for sure though - all I know is it definately did not happe in my garden.
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
23 Apr 07
Thanks Naomi - your spport means more to me than you will ever know!
1 person likes this
@winky73 (1404)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I was really hoping she would be much better by now.....but you are right.....as long as she is still alive than there is hope.Seems to me that she really is a fighter and I'm glad that the Vet is not giving up on her that easy.A complete amputation of the leg is most likely the best choice.....because it does reduce the risk of infection and the healing proccess is usually a lot faster.It would take her some time to get used to having only three legs.....but for most animals that is not a problem and they don't even act like they have a disability.
I know it's hard not to be able to see her....but it sounds to me like she is in very good hands and I'm sure she knows that you are thinking about her.
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
23 Apr 07
Oh rosie, I'm glad to see you standing on the ground and having the courage to face this ordeal. It is really difficult to see our pet that way. They are just a pet but we both know how special they are. We treat them like they are a part of our family. I even print out a birth certificate for my bunny, placed a picture and framed at a wall together with my girls. This may sound insane to others, but you know I'm not. I hope you to continue holding up good. PM me if you need a friend. I got two long ears ready to hear you out.
2 people like this
@rosie_123 (6113)
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23 Apr 07
Awww - of course you're not insane! I have a friend in Holland who has a bunny called Rafael (named after the tennis player Rafael Nadal!), and she adores that bunny more than anything you ca ever imagine! Thanks for your reponse and support.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
23 Apr 07
the poor little dear :(
hopefully she pulls through-i hope she recovers :)
she probably wouldn't have too much trouble if it is amputated.
one of my cats-he has the leg,but it does not function,it's paralyzed (leaving him with 3) has learned to compensate and has no problem with the other cats.
2 people like this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Thanks for the update. I have been thinking about this since your first discussion about it. You and Lily are still in my thoughts. I also wanted to tell you about my boyfriend' cousin's cat. He only has three legs and he gets around very well, so if they have to amputate, I'm sure Lily will be able to adapt.
2 people like this
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
23 Apr 07
Again I'm lost for words.
The other day after responding the other discussion I was thinking about you kitty. Still hoping for the best for you and the poor little thing, it's always nice to see an animal lover who actually cares so deeply.
I'm touched by this,
~Joey
2 people like this
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
23 Apr 07
Hang in there Rosie. Your Lily is doing that right now and you can't ask for more. She is still fighting, and she's not giving up easily.
You should go away for your birthday. You can keep in constant touch with the Vet via your mobile phone if you should want to. I'm sure they will let you know what they're going to do before they take any further action. Taking a break might do you good. It's better than sitting at home going mad with worry, even if it means sitting somewhere else going mad with worry.
Take care, and keep us informed.
2 people like this
@nancyrowina (3850)
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23 Apr 07
I'm glad to hear Lily is still alive I hope the vets work out what to do quickly so she can be home with you as soon as possible. Sounds like it's best if they just amputate the leg so they can get her off the sedatives and painkillers sooner to protect her organs.
2 people like this
@rosie_123 (6113)
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23 Apr 07
Yes - I actually agree with you, but we are letting the Vets have the final word - they are trained, and I trust them to know what they are doing. Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@scribe1 (1203)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Thanks for the update. I'm praying that Lily will come out of this just fine, although she may need months of care. I feel sorry for you and her and wish that I could do something. I don't know what else to say. Lots of hugs and prayers and good wishes for you and your poor kitty.
2 people like this
@keepingfit (115)
• Australia
24 Apr 07
I feel for you as I'm a cat\animal lover and I treasure my puss too,her name is Lilly as well.I hope it turns out for the best and you are reunited soon,
keepingfit
