Thursday, January 07, 2010

Man Cat Miracles

Hi everyone - this is Kismet's Person, taking over his blog to give you a Kismet update, which will probably anger him, which should tell you that so far, he is doing much better. :)

If you haven't been following the Kismet Situation, here are links to the posts that Skeezix made after I emailed him:
One: http://skeezixsscratchingpost.blogspot.com/2010/01/emerjensy-purrrayer-reqwest.html
Two: http://skeezixsscratchingpost.blogspot.com/2010/01/kismet-update.html

The background is basically this: I took Kismet to the vet on Monday because I noticed on Sunday that he was breathing a little quickly. Nothing labored or congested, just a little faster than normal. My vet took X-rays and found abnormalities on his lungs that she thought was asthma. She gave him a shot of antibiotics and a shot of steroids and sent him home.
Within a half hour of him being home, he started to crash. Severely. I don't want to go into detail about what it was like, because I don't want to think about it. It was awful, and terrifying, and painful, and when I put him in his carrier to take him to the emergency vet a half hour away, I wasn't very convinced he would make it through the drive. They put him in an oxygen tent, told me they thought he was having congestive heart failure and was close to dying, that I had to leave him overnight, and to come get him at 7 am. I called them at 6 before I left my house to see how he was doing and all the tech told me was that he was still on oxygen and still having trouble breathing, so I assumed I was going there to put him down.

But then I got there, and the ER vet came in and said, "Well, he's doing better."

I hate the emergency vet's office, by the way. It is scary and they are not very compassionate. They discharged him with the X-rays they took and we took him back to my regular vet, who's been treating him ever since. (This is a basic recap of what Skeezix posted. I would have come here to blog about it myself then but I was not in any condition to do so.)

My vet wasn't sure what was wrong with him. They thought it was a combination of pneumonia/asthma and possibly a heart condition; most likely hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I asked if they could try to treat the pneumonia first, and they agreed. They started him on the pneumonia medication that day and he started to improve pretty quickly. I went to visit him Tuesday afternoon to try to get him to eat, and I couldn't, but he was alert, up, walking around, and VERY growly. Which again, for Kismet, is a good sign; his rage toward all things veterinarian is well-documented and meant, to me, that he was feeling more like himself.

I left him there overnight and called yesterday morning to check on him. My vet said he was about the same, maybe a little better, and that they thought it would be a good idea for me to take him home for the night because he still wasn't eating. My vet and I both thought that the not-eating was probably more a product of being at the vet and being stressed out than of his illness (he was eating totally normally up through Monday morning, which is the day this all started). So I went to pick him up. When I got there the vet was busy so the techs told me to go back and see if I could get him to eat. When I got to his cage, Kismet was alert, VERY happy to see me, meowing, and he ate for me almost instantly! Not a lot, not like he normally would, but both some dry and wet food, which is GREAT!

I took him home, and he drank a bunch of water, ate some more dry food, fought with Sophie, tried to eat some flowers I had in a vase, and then spooned with me on the couch. I got him to eat a few bites of wet food, fed him a bunch of Temptations, and he slept with me and Sophie all night in my bed. This morning he ate a few more bites of wet food, I fed him cheese and Temptations and gave him his pneumonia meds, and now he's back at the vet for the day (mostly for my own peace of mind - if he was at home, I would be panicking every five seconds that he's crashing again). I'll pick him up and take him home again tonight.

We're not out of the woods yet, but my vet said his breathing is MUCH better and that he's eating at all is a positive sign. He doesn't seem 100 percent himself - he's a little wary, and obviously normal-Kismet would be eating all the food in sight - but he's getting there. I hope.

We're not sure why he crashed so badly on Monday night. Kismet hates the vet, so whenever we go there and he needs an exam, they usually sedate him. Normally he's okay with it (well, minus the rage, you know), but my sense is that the fluid in his lungs plus the antibiotics plus the sedation was too much for him to handle. My vet, for the record, feels terrible about this; mostly that I had to go to the ER vet and spend so much money there and go through all the stress. I don't blame them, really - I've learned a lot over the past few days, namely that pneumonia/asthma/heart conditions bleed together and are very difficult to diagnose - and I know that cats presenting symptoms can sometimes tank quickly. They feel badly, and he seems to be doing better, and they're not sedating him for anything anymore. They've been pretty great, actually.

I'm still going to get him the heart ultrasound to determine if he has a heart condition or if this really was just pneumonia that knocked him on his butt. But I'm hopeful, and that's a lot better than where we were at the beginning of the week.

I want you all to know how very much your purrs and prayers mean to me. I live in a small town and I have felt pretty alone going through all of this, but receiving your comments and encouragements has helped immeasurably. Skeezix's Food Lady told me that some of you were interested in donating to help pay for Kismet's bills. If this is something you are in a position to do and would like to, I've installed a paypal button on the side of the blog. Please know that I don't expect this at all, and that you've even offered touches me more than I can say. My man cat is so special to me and I love knowing that his silly and ridiculous and wonderful man cat life has touched so many people. If you are interested in donating and have questions or would like to see documentation of the vet bills, please let me know. And if you do donate, please leave a comment or email us your information so I can send you a thank-you note from the man cat.

Thank you all so, so much for your support and concern. If Kismet pulls through this, I think it might be enough to get him out of internet retirement for good!

xo,
Kismet's Person

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is excellent news about Kismet! We send more healing vibes and purrayers to the original Big Man Cat.

And we know what you mean about the support you wrote about. That's a great thing about cat bloggers: you know we understand and we care. (And we'll never say, "It's just a cat!")

Daisy said...

Oh my gosh, I am sooooo happy to hear that Kismet is doing so much better. It would be awesome if this was all because of the pneumonia, and he doesn't have a heart condition at all. We're continuing to purr for the big Mancat!

Amy & the house of cats said...

Hi Kismet and Kismet's mom! We didn't even know you guys before we heard on the CB about how sick Kismet was but we have been purring and praying for him to get better! We have been browsing your older posts to get to know you better too. Even though we just met we are so extremely happy Kismet is doing better (our mom got teary about it). We are still sending lots of get well purrs and prayers - hopefully it is just a bad case of pneumonia that can be knocked out fairly easily.

And we totally agree about how great the CB is - we have gotten so much support from so many out there, even when we didn't know them (kind of like we are trying to do for you guys) and it just is so amazing to us. We are pretty convinced at this point that all the positive energy out here really does help!

Kismet said...

Thanks, everyone! Kismet is currently home again now, prowling around, looking manly. I REALLY hope to get him eating tonight, so please keep the good vibes coming!!

DILLIGAF said...

My employer - Maximus Spittimus - sends his best purrs to Kismet.

He asks me to say that The Great Cat only calls when it is time and he sincerely hopes it is not yet time for Kismet.

Indeed, he wishes to assure you that it is not time for Kismet as he insists he has a direct line to The Great Cat and The Great Cat said so.

So there.

Best Regards

Four Dinners
Aide de Camp to
http://maximusspittimus.blogspot.com

Motor Home Cats said...

We are so glad to hear that Kismet is doing so much better. We have been purring for him ever since we read he was sick on Skeezy's blog. Mom says she knows exactly how hard it is to have a sick baby and not be able to help them. We will keep purring that keeps getting better.

Tavi, Cody, Camie and Camie

ButterBean said...

So glad that the big Man Cat is feeling better ... hope he is back soon

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Realy glad that Kismet is doing better. The power of the paw is helping hopefully.I am still sending some of my big purrs.. Hugs GJ x

Honey P. Sunshine said...

oh we r so happy dat kismet is feeling better, mraw, mraw

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

We are so thankful to hear this update on Kismet. We love the big Mancat, too.
We will continue to send purrs and purrayers for him.
Love & Purrs,
KC, Missy Blue Eyes, Faith Boomerang, Sol, Smokey, BJ & Mommy ML

Madness, Trouble, Squish and Milkbone said...

We are very glad to hear that the Big ManCat is doing better. We hope that he is over the worst and continues to improve. Huggs and Purrs (and a little kissy for Sophie too).

kristi said...

SO glad to hear Kismet is doing better! Thanks for taking the time to update. I've been thinking about him! I'd love for him to come out of retirement, but we all know how demanding Brad Skool is. I'll keep all of you (Sophie too!) in my thoughts. Hope Kismet eats well tonight and continues to get better. (If he's not eating well still after tonight, ask your vet about trying baby food. I've used it before - just plain chicken or turkey.)

Liz said...

Hi Kismet's person - I'm Squeaky's mum, Liz. Squeaky (also a Big Man Cat) and I really enjoyed Kismet's blog. We are SUPER SUPER sorry to hear that he's been so unwell - I know how stressful all that can be and am so greateful for you that Kismet is still with you. We're thinking of him and Squeak will do some purrs and reowreowreows for Kismet tonight. All the best and do keep us updated if its not too painful for you. I hope Kismet will consider coming out of blogging retirement after this is all over.
Purrs and headbuts, Liz & Squeaky

Kari said...

Praise and thanks to the Lord!
Hurrah for Kismet!
Hopefully, when your respiratory problem clears, your heart will sound better. That heart/lung stuff can really tale a toll on us but the atenolol really helps.
We are glad you are well enough to come home at night. It's good that you are a day patient at your vets, though. That way they can be very vigilant with your condition.
We are praying and purring for you, dear boy, and we are praying and purring for your mum too.
Lots of love comming your way from a large cat family.

Karen Jo said...

I am so glad that Kismet is doing better. Herman and I are praying and purring for him to get all well again.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We are so happy that Kismet, the original Big Mancat is improving. We will keep on sending purrs for him.

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

We are purring for your sweet mancat! We are glad he is eating for you!

The Meezers or Billy said...

oh we are so very happy that Kismet is doing well. Our mom has leaky eyes that you hadded to go through this with Kismet. we hacked into our paypal account (imagine the mom NOT gifing us the password to our own account) and sented some green papers to help. Our the mom would like it if you would email us your address so that we could send some thing to Kismet and Sophie. our email is themeezersATgmailDOTcom.

Sammy, Miles and Billy and little Nicholas

Unknown said...

Oh that is such good news about Kismet! We were worried!

Purrs from alla us in Iowa,
Dazey
Jesse
Conner Cloud (The Cyclone Cats)
and mom

cheryl said...

YAY FOR KISMET!!! we's furry glad to hear that kismet is almost back to his ol' mrawmraw self, an' hopes that his recovery continues apace! he is the furry deffynishun of a big man cat, an' we hopes he is wif us a long time yet!

love & continuing purrs,
the meowers from missouri

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

So glad you are feeling better. Purrrs.

Boy n Beethoven said...

Dear Kismet! We are both puwwing and puwwing vewy hard for you and we hope you get all better vewy soon!

Boy and 'Oven

Sadie said...

Merlin, Dobby and I are sending many purrs your way.

Rosemary B❤️ said...

Oh Kismet, I am hoping it was just a pneumonia buggie and that you are going to get all better.

Get better mancat Kismet!

bonkies

Gemini and Ichiro said...

We are so glad to hear that Kismet is doing better. We hope that perhaps this was just some pneumonia and not something worse.

Jans Funny Farm said...

So glad Kismet is doing better. Hope he continues to improve. It's very scary when they get so sick.

Robyn and The (Mostly) Badass Cat said...

We is so glad to heer that Kismet is doin better. Yay! We will purr and purr that he feels all way better fast!
PURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRS,
Alla Us Hotties

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

We are furry happurry to hear the mews about Kismet. Our mewmie is a vet tech and had a kitty with HCM who went into CHF once, but he survived too and went on to live another 10 years to love her in!

Our mewmie said that your mewmie was furry observant to notice that first heavy breathing symptom, too. Since your vet thought it might be asthma and gave a cortisone shot, that more than likely is what crashed him, as cortisone use in cats with heart problems has to be used very judiciously or it can bring on CHF. But, don't blame your vet, as no one knew yet what was going on with Kismet. Your vet may have even used the safest cortisone to use in heart cats (dexamethasone) instead of the more risky one (depo medrol).

Our mewmie remembers what it was like when Bo went into CHF and yes, it is awful, terrifying and painful (and this memory was 14 years ago and she still gets teary when she thinks about it)

It is good to get the ultrasound too, cuz then you will know how to proceed with caring for Kismet. We donated a couple of green papers, not much but our mewmie just had to get the heater in the house repaired and that cost a bunch.

Our mewmie said to email her and she can give you a call and talk to your mewmie if she wants any advice or moral support. furrydance at gmail dot com

ASTOR CATS said...

We're so happy to hear that Kismet is doing better. We are continuing to pray for him that he gets back to his old self.

Midnite & Stray Kitty

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Oh, that is good new dat he is eating! We've been purring and purraying fur him effury day and hopeing dat dis is just 'cuz of da noo-moan-ya. We haf been missing his posts and wunnering about him. Speedy sez to tell him to keep his whisker humps up and we'll keep purraying!

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

Yay for Kismet! We've been purrin' for him with our purrers set on ELEVENTY-SQUILLION 'cuz he means so much to us.
DMM

Hang in there, efurryone ...

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

We are still purring for you Kismet......and we sended a doantion for your bills!

juniorbabeeAThotmailDOTcom

Camp Stanhope Happenings said...

We're happy with your good news. We will keep you both in our good thoughts!

The Island Cats said...

We're so happy Kismet is doing better! We're continuing to purr for him!!

Ikaika said...

Thank you for the update, Kismet's Person. We are so happy to hear he is doing better! Big purrs continue going out to the Big Mancat... Mraw, mraw, big buddy!

Just Ducky said...

Thanks for the update Kismet's person. Mum's old boss's kittie Elroy went through the same thing about a month ago. Very scary.

Big purrs to you all.

missfinn said...

Thank God!! Prayers always help, I strongly believe in that! Be strong friend!! We'll keep praying, that's for sure..

The Florida Furkids said...

We've been following Kismet's story since Skeezix posted. We're glad he's doing better and will continue to purr and pray for him.

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

Kaz's Cats said...

We're so glad that Kismet is doing better. Sending big purrs and purrayers to keep on helping him get completely better,

{{{hugs}}}

Gypsy & Tasha

wildcatwoods said...

Great news that Kismet is showing improvement. We are all still sending good vibes your way for both of you.

Us Cats of Wildcat Woods

Fat Eric said...

Great to hear that Kismet is doing so much better. Sending purrs and good vibes that his recovery continues well.

Mraw, mraw, purr!

Fat Eric and his mum, Kate

Marg said...

That is just wonderful that Kismet is doing better. It is so scary when these critters get sick. I am just so glad that he is feeling better. Hope this good news continues.

Brian's Home Blog said...

My sisters and I are so very glad to hear Kismet is doing some better...we're still going to keep purring too!!!

Meowers from Missouri said...

we hopes that kismet continues to improve--we are still purrin' fur y'all!!!

love,
the meowers

momsbusy said...

wonderful news! we will keep sending healing purrayers and comforting purrs your way.

kazoku neko

Mr. R.W. Emerson said...

Just checking in and hoping that you're getting better every day.

~Emerson and Mom Nancy

Parker said...

We are all so happy that he's doing better!
We send our purrs to him!

The Crew said...

Please tell Kis all his friends are thinking about him and sending lots of purrs for him to feel better.

Puddin said...

Thank goodness Kismet is feeling better! I hope his health continues to progress.
XOXOXOXO Puddin

LZ said...

We've been watching from the sidelines as the Woman started back to law school last week and is of course, totally consumed and useless. We've been purring VERY hard for Kismet! After all, if there is a cat more manly than me, it is Kismet.

You certainly aren't alone and you have our thoughts and purrayers.

Chase