Dudley Boy

[Dexter Morgan]

 Dudley Boy is one of my cats. He is absolutely the most loving cat I've ever had. He's a special little guy. Right now Dudley is sick. It came out of the blue. He was fine and healthy one day, and sick the next. I've been really worried about him,in the past few days. As some of you know, we've had a problem with feline Leukemia this year. Dudley is 6 months old, he's been raised indoors,and he has been exposed to the disease. He's running a fever and is very congested in his head and chest. I'm going to be taking him to the vet,either today or on Monday. I was wondering if anybody might think of us when you say your prayers, because we need all the help we can get. I really hope it's not bad. Sunday, it will be exactly 1 year ago that my oldest cat(13) died from it. The vet more or less told us, that the cats would start dropping like flies. I really hope that's not true. 

[me]

Oh gosh Dexter sure hope everything is ok with your cat.  {{{{hugs}}}}

[tallulahdahling]

I lost my beloved Jasper to the damned disease so I feel ya, honey.

I'll be praying   

[Dexter Morgan]

Oh gosh Dexter sure hope everything is ok with your cat.  {{{{hugs}}}}

It looks like I won't know anything until Monday.  Hopefully, it isn't too serious.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 

[Dexter Morgan]

I lost my beloved Jasper to the damned disease so I feel ya, honey.

I'll be praying   

Thanks T. We never had a problem with feline Leukemia, until I rescued Champ. She was the one who was neglected and had no eyes. Six months after I got her, Kato my 13 year old got sick all of a sudden,and we spent a month and thousands of dollars, first trying to figure out what he had,and then trying to treat it. Finally after much soul searching I had him euthanized. Champ was 2 days away from her first birthday, when I had her euthanized. Both of those were the hardest thing I ever had to do. I don't regret for one minute that I rescued Champ. She was definitely one of the highlights of my life.

[Dexter Morgan]

I took Dudley to the vet this morning. He tested positive for Feline Leukemia. The vet did some blood work on him. He's not convinced that this illness, is related to that though. He said he may just have a cold. We're treating him with antibiotics, and we're taking a wait and see approach to it. He may get better, or he could get sicker. We just don't have any way of knowing, how it will progress. Something positive in all of this is that he's not Anemic, so he may have a better chance of kicking whatever is wrong with him. I'm not getting totally upset though, because we just don't know what is going to happen.

[me]

Oh gosh Dexter I hate to hear that.  Remember that cat I told you about that had the kittens here.  We found out, after the humane society had taken the kittens, that she had feline leukemia too but the kittens didn't thank goodness.  Some guy the woman next door works with took her and first thing he did was take her to a vet to have her checked out was how we found out. 

[Dexter Morgan]

Oh gosh Dexter I hate to hear that.  Remember that cat I told you about that had the kittens here.  We found out, after the humane society had taken the kittens, that she had feline leukemia too but the kittens didn't thank goodness.  Some guy the woman next door works with took her and first thing he did was take her to a vet to have her checked out was how we found out. 

In a way it's very frustrating. We have no idea what is going to happen. Will he die from it? Will he get well,and 4 months from now get sick again, and possibly die? He could live a full life, but we just don't know. There is another test they can perform on him, to see if the disease is in his bone marrow. I want him to recuperate a little, before we do that test. It can help to pin point how far the disease has progressed. But there is still no way of knowing anything for 100% sure. Unfortunately, we have to play the waiting game. I'm glad I didn't wait until Monday, to take him to the vet. The crappy thing was, they charged me for an urgent care visit, which is higher than the normal office visit. He was already at the office anyway,and they are opened until noon on Saturdays. I had him there by 11:3o. 

[me]

Seems like if he was open on Sat anyway you should have been charged the normal fee.

[Sandy Eggo]

So, w/cats leukemia is contagious? Just curious, I haven't had a cat for quite a while, but I'd love to get one. Maybe someday soon....

I'm sorry that  you're facing this again Dexter.

[Dexter Morgan]

Seems like if he was open on Sat anyway you should have been charged the normal fee.

They screw people over any way they can.  It could have been worse though. They've dropped their price on office visits. It was $60 just to walk in the door. Now it's $35. So that's definitely a plus. 

[Dexter Morgan]

So, w/cats leukemia is contagious? Just curious, I haven't had a cat for quite a while, but I'd love to get one. Maybe someday soon....

I'm sorry that  you're facing this again Dexter.

Thanks PIYA. It is highly contagious. Champ brought it with her when I saved her. That's how we think it all got started, because none of my cats had ever had it. When I had her put to sleep, the vet told me my other cats, would start dropping like flies. Dudley is our first case in 5 months. If you decide to get a cat, get it tested, and vaccinated right away. It will save you a lot of heartbreak.  BTW.... The disease is spread through bites,(cat fights) sharing the same water, and food dishes with a carrier cat,and through the liter box.

[Dexter Morgan]

This is an update.... Dudley is doing much better today.  He's up walking around,and he's eating and drinking real good. It helps more than anything when they at least eat and drink. It helps get their strength back up. I detest having to force feed them. I only do that in dire situations. I've had to do it a couple of times, usually with poor results. I do have a tube of nutritional food paste. It gives them their daily nutritional needs. It works sometimes. Right now he's on antibiotics and Lysine paste. He takes his medicine soo good. Usually, when we try to medicate a cat, we end up with minor injuries LOL!!! He really is a wonderful little cat.  I'm guardedly excited about his progress. 

[Dexter Morgan]

Another update on Dudley.... He is soo much better now. He's still a little bit congested, but it's looking pretty good so far. I'm hoping he can kick this,and get back to normal. He's definitely a fighter that's for sure.  I'm really pleased with his progress. 

[me]

Glad to hear he's doing better.  Lets hope for a complete recovery.