Mon 11 Feb 2008
Update on Kelly
Right now, the Big Guy is curled up on a fleece blanket that is lying on (what used to be) my recliner. Seeing him napping there, I can almost forget that 10 hours ago, he couldn’t keep food down, and he collapsed on the front sidewalk, pupils dilated. After I carried him inside, he couldn’t control his bowels.
The vet went over a number of possible causes, up to and including a brain tumor, but this afternoon I found one more that he hadn’t mentioned. At this site there was this:
Exposure to cold weather can result in hypothermia, a generalized cooling down of the whole body. This can cause a very slow pulse and breathing rate, seizures, coma, and death.
It was very cold today, and we’d have been glad to stay inside if Kelly hadn’t demanded that we open the door for him. He’d already thrown up once, so did that plus his age (nearly 13) make him more susceptible to the cold and wind chill? What I’m hoping is that he had no more than a touch of hypothermia that brought on a seizure. While it was frightening, the hope is that it caused no permanent damage.
The other possibilities that Dr. Smith mentioned can’t be ruled out. Still, my Good Cat was more than ready to eat late this afternoon when Pat brought him his Beech-Nut Chicken baby food. It was also a relief this evening to see him twist and turn to expose his tummy for rubs. His purring always makes me happy, but especially now… as it did when I videotaped him late in 2006 for the video below:
Many thanks to everyone who has sent vibes and purrs for Kelly. It’s good to know that there are people who understand and care.
China Cat & Willow said,
Mon 11 Feb 2008 at 23:59
Oh, we are so happy that Kelly is purring and feeling better now! Keep nice and warm in your blanket, Kelly!
Purrrrrs, China Cat & Willow
Beezer said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 1:04
Kelly is one happy kitty having his tummy rubbed.
That is a lovely video of a well loved and loving cat.
Samantha & Mr. Tigger said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 1:19
We are glad Kelly wants rubs and is eating better now! The video was cute and we could hear him purring real loud!! Keep real warm Kelly, the wind chill and wind makes it extra cold!
Your FL furiends,
Karen Jo said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 3:30
Kelly really enjoyed that tummy rub. I am so happy that he is doing better. I really hope it was just a touch of hypothermia that made him sick.
Gypsy & Tasha said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 4:13
Kelly, it’s great news that you’re getting back to your normal self. Now remember, just stay inside big guy, and snuggle up and stay warm. That’s a great video of you getting your tummy rubbed – as for your purr, well when you purr, you really purr.
We’re still purring hard that Dr Smith works out what happened to you, and can fix you up with a minimum of fuss. We kinda hope it was a touch of hypothermia, cause you seem to be getting a lot better now.
Look after yourself, Big Guy, ‘cos your humans need you,
Purrs
Gypsy & Tasha
Poppy Q said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 4:27
Kelly – get better real soon !! I hopes you relaxs and keeps warm inside.
Thinking of you and sending warm summer purrs your way.
Poppy Q
Red said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 5:08
Poor Kelly! I hope it’s nothing more serious than a nasty episode of hypothermia. Fingers and paws crossed for the big guy…
Parker said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 5:41
All of our healing purrs to Kelly!
Gandalf & Grayson said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 6:00
Wow, we are glad to hear his purrer didn’t get broked.
Miss Peach said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 6:06
Oh this is indeed better news already kelly! You might have just gotten too cold too fast. PLEASE try to stay inside where it is warm. That you are enjoying the treat of baby food is wonderful and tummy rubs…it keeps getting better…
Recover completely my dear friend…that is my Valentine wish for you and your beans!
love Miss Peach
The Meezers said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 7:44
we are very happy that Mr Kelly is feeling better. keep feeling better and we are purryaing for good results for the blood tests.
Peg said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 7:50
All my best thoughts, too!
Peg
Riley & Tiki Mom said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 9:54
He sounds like he is doing better. We hope he is okay.
Grr, Midnight & Cocoa said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 12:37
What an adorable video! Our Lady was saying “awwwww” and “lookit the paws” and “Grr, why can’t you be like that?” We sure hope it was just hypothermia and nothing else. Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Juniorbabee said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 14:37
I am so sorry to hear that you have been having problems Kelly. And I am very glad to hear you are feeling better! I hope it was only the cold! Meowm and I will keeep you in our thoughts and purrayers!
Meowm wishes she could rub my tummy like you get yours rubbed!
Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 16:55
What a relief that Kelly Cat is back home and doing normal things like asking for tummy rubs! What a scary experience to have to go through with him. I feel for you and the emotions that you must have felt during that time (and even now with uncertainty). Please know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers–so will Kelly Cat.
Hugs and purrs,
Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage
Cheysuli and Gemini said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 17:01
What ever caused it, we hope it is either gone or a fixable thing. Be well Kelly Cat!
Sophia said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 18:21
Kelly, we sure hope you are feeling better! I’d miss too much my big ginger man. We’ll keep saying our prayers and sending over nose bumps and purrs.
Lux said,
Tue 12 Feb 2008 at 19:35
Mr. Kelly was *loving that tummy rub!
We sure are glad that maybe it was related to the cold, and that he’s doing much better now!
Coll said,
Fri 15 Feb 2008 at 11:47
Oh my.. I am so sorry to read of Kelly’s seizure.. such a scary thing. I am so happy to hear that he is feeling better and eating. I am sending little kitty prayers his way.
Wrigley & Cobalt said,
Sun 17 Feb 2008 at 12:23
We are happy to hear Kelly is feeling better. Poor guy. We will be purrrring for his speedy recovery.