GA Please help he is in really bad shape

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Hercules

Hercules

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Hello,
Hercules has been doing so well on his bexacat since his diagnosis.
He was unfortunately possibly injured by a young child. We took him to the emergency vet and they said that he had fluid in his lung. He was having labored breathing, which is what indicated us taking him in as well as not wanting to eat or drink after the incident. The emergency vet told us that he had the fluid in his lung cavity which is called Plural effusion. And he also has a Gallup heartbeat. They said they suspect her to see that atria Appeared large. They did a procedure to remove fluid from his lung cavity. They sent him home afterward, and he has been pretty sedated still just now showing signs of coming back to a state where he seems to recognize us. They put them on Plavix, A diuretic, an appetite, stimulant, and an anti-nausea medication. Since he’s been home, he has not wanted to eat, and has barely been able to drink the only way we could get him to take his medication to them and force it in his mouth. Has anybody else experienced this, or does anyone have any advice on how to best care for my cat in the situation? I am really unsure what to do and I am hoping that he’s able to recover from this and at least have longer with us, I’m not sure if the way is going putting him down might be the most main thing to do. I really don’t want to offer any inside that you’re able to give.
 
Hercules said:
Hello,
Hercules has been doing so well on his bexacat since his diagnosis.
He was unfortunately possibly injured by a young child. We took him to the emergency vet and they said that he had fluid in his lung. He was having labored breathing, which is what indicated us taking him in as well as not wanting to eat or drink after the incident. The emergency vet told us that he had the fluid in his lung cavity which is called Plural effusion. And he also has a Gallup heartbeat. They said they suspect her to see that atria Appeared large. They did a procedure to remove fluid from his lung cavity. They sent him home afterward, and he has been pretty sedated still just now showing signs of coming back to a state where he seems to recognize us. They put them on Plavix, A diuretic, an appetite, stimulant, and an anti-nausea medication. Since he’s been home, he has not wanted to eat, and has barely been able to drink the only way we could get him to take his medication to them and force it in his mouth. Has anybody else experienced this, or does anyone have any advice on how to best care for my cat in the situation? I am really unsure what to do and I am hoping that he’s able to recover from this and at least have longer with us, I’m not sure if the way is going putting him down might be the most main thing to do. I really don’t want to offer any inside that you’re able to give.
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I'm so sorry that Hercules isn't doing well. Sending prayers :bighug::bighug:


@Wendy&Neko
@Suzanne & Darcy
 
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Did the vet or you check for ketones in the urine?
Is he still getting Bexacat?
Let him eat whatever he wants at the moment. Don’t worry if it’s not diabetic friendly.
You might have to syringe feed him if he won’t eat.
 
Which anti nausea medication did he get? Do you have more of it at home? Nausea medication should be given before the appetite stimulant. Do you have more appy stim for home? You can get Mirataz which is a cream you put in their ear, much easier to give.

Did they talk about Lasix (furosemide) too? That can also help remove fluids.

Yes, I've dealt with pleural effusion. Injury can be one of the things that causes it, though that wasn't what caused it in Neko (long story).
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Did the vet or you check for ketones in the urine?
Is he still getting Bexacat?
Let him eat whatever he wants at the moment. Don’t worry if it’s not diabetic friendly.
You might have to syringe feed him if he won’t eat.
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The vet said ketones were negative and glucose was at 177. He is still getting bexacat and he has not shown any interest in food. What is the proper method to syringe feed?
We ended up going to a different emergency vet because he started to get really uncomfortable and breathing started to become very labored
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Which anti nausea medication did he get? Do you have more of it at home? Nausea medication should be given before the appetite stimulant. Do you have more appy stim for home? You can get Mirataz which is a cream you put in their ear, much easier to give.

Did they talk about Lasix (furosemide) too? That can also help remove fluids.

Yes, I've dealt with pleural effusion. Injury can be one of the things that causes it, though that wasn't what caused it in Neko (long story).
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he received Zofran and I am using Mirataz in the ear. He is on lasix as well it is just so hard to get him to ingest anything. We took him to another emergency vet and they are putting him on oxygen. I just feel like because he doesn’t want to eat or drink he is withering. He weighted 4.08 kg at the vet. He is not showing much improvement as the labored breathing keeps coming back and I am not sure if he can make it through this. It is making me cry so much to see him in his current state. I just don’t know what to do
 
Oh Kendra I'm so very sorry for your loss .My heart goes out to you ❣️ Fly high sweet boy . I know you are chasing butterflies with all the other kitties that have passed. You will be missed but never forgotten. Please take care of yourself. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
:bighug::bighug::bighug:
The heart/lungs issues are so hard to recover from. You did all you could for Hercules. I am so sorry for your loss.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
How are you managing?
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I am at a loss. He was in so much pain and couldn’t breathe. The vet said it wasn’t something that could be fixed and that it could be the very next day that the fluid would come back even if they drained the fluid in his lungs again. He had a puncture they said and air was getting in too. The x-ray also showed signs of collapse/ or masses in the lungs. We had no good options. Seeing him in the amount of pain he was in struggling for air, taking the pain away was the only thing I felt like I could do. I feel like his time was cut short. This was caused by a child niece who has a history (that we didn’t know about until it was too late) of harming animals. The vet said that due to his heart issues that went undetected the injury to his lung basically caused things to be exacerbated. The anger of the parents not watching out for this or warning us. And the indescribable pain of loosing him is weighing on me so deeply. He was doing so well before that happened. I wish I could have stopped it! He did not deserve this. He was so pure and kind. I don’t know what to do. The void inside is so deep. I just want to be able to hold him again and tell him how much I love him.
 
((Kendra)), my heart goes out to you, this is just heartbreaking. I’m so sorry. I hope you somehow find peace in the coming days but I know it won’t be easy. I’ll be thinking of you and sending strength your direction. RIP Hercules. cat_wings>o
 
(((Kendra)))
I know it is so hard and heartbreaking for you. And I’m sure it seems so unfair for this to happen to him. And the pain of it all is still so raw. But you did the right thing for Hercules taking away his pain. Not being able to breathe is awful.
Try and take comfort knowing you did everything you could for him. He knew you tried so hard to save him. I’m sure it seems so unfair for this to happen and the pain of it is still so raw for you but you did the right thing for him releasing him from the pain.
We are all thinking of you. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Thank you all for your compassion and empathy. Without this forum and community I don’t know what I would have done when he got diagnosed with diabetes. You have hearts of gold and love your pets the way they deserve to be loved. Don’t stop because it is more deeply appreciated that you will ever know.
 
So very sorry for your loss but I sincerely hope this is taken seriously and something is done about this kid because she's well on her way to becoming a serial abuser and possible killer. Margaret Mead said "One of the most dangerous thingsthat canhappento a child is to kill or torture an animaland getaway with it.”

Research has consistently reported childhood cruelty to animals as the first warning sign of later violence and criminal behavior. In fact, nearly all violent crime perpetrators have a history of animal cruelty in their profiles. Albert deSalvo, the Boston Strangler found guilty of killing 13 women, shot arrows through dogs and cats he trapped as a child. Columbine shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold boasted about mutilating animals for fun.

You have every right to demand something be done about this child before her psychopathic behavior escalates. If she's done it before, she will do it again. I hope she doesn't have access to any other animals.
 
Deborah & Muffy(GA) & Wendall said:
So very sorry for your loss but I sincerely hope this is taken seriously and something is done about this kid because she's well on her way to becoming a serial abuser and possible killer. Margaret Mead said "One of the most dangerous thingsthat canhappento a child is to kill or torture an animaland getaway with it.”

Research has consistently reported childhood cruelty to animals as the first warning sign of later violence and criminal behavior. In fact, nearly all violent crime perpetrators have a history of animal cruelty in their profiles. Albert deSalvo, the Boston Strangler found guilty of killing 13 women, shot arrows through dogs and cats he trapped as a child. Columbine shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold boasted about mutilating animals for fun.

You have every right to demand something be done about this child before her psychopathic behavior escalates. If she's done it before, she will do it again. I hope she doesn't have access to any other animals.
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This is something that I am taking as seriously as possible. The parents of the child are saying things like “he was like a hundred years old” and then saying things like “why is this happening again”. I am livid. The more I find out about this history of animal violence and the fact that they did not warn us and at the very least keep their child away is disturbing. The child needs help quite clearly. If they do not realizing something needs to be done immediately it will be reported. This cannot happen to another innocent animal or make its way to other forms of life. He was so innocent and pure he did not deserve this. No animal does and it truly sickens me to the core.
 
If I may ... I wouldn't wait for the parents to realize something must be done. Obviously they've known about her violence toward animals and have done nothing. Their ignorant comments about the cat's age means they don't care or intend to do anything. I'm a former ACO and would absolutely recommend filing a police report and make sure it's documented that, per the parents, this kid has a history of abusing and torturing animals. You don't necessarily have to press charges, but it's important to have it on record for the next time - and there will be a next time. I would further ask to have an officer go and speak with the parents and child. Maybe then they'll take it seriously. I hope they at least offered to cover Hercules' medical bills.

I feel sick with you. And so angry my hands are shaking.
 
Deborah & Muffy(GA) & Wendall said:
If I may ... I wouldn't wait for the parents to realize something must be done. Obviously they've known about her violence toward animals and have done nothing. Their ignorant comments about the cat's age means they don't care or intend to do anything. I'm a former ACO and would absolutely recommend filing a police report and make sure it's documented that, per the parents, this kid has a history of abusing and torturing animals. You don't necessarily have to press charges, but it's important to have it on record for the next time - and there will be a next time. I would further ask to have an officer go and speak with the parents and child. Maybe then they'll take it seriously. I hope they at least offered to cover Hercules' medical bills.

I feel sick with you. And so angry my hands are shaking.
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You are completely right. They care only about their image and have been awful to us. I will take action. This cannot continue. Thank you. I have never dealt with anything like this and it is hard to know what to do. I appreciate you helping me with this.
 
Oh my. I don’t know what I would do in your shoes. This is unbelievable. When you said he may have been injured by a child, I thought it was some sad accident. And the parents are just covering for their daughter. It doesn’t matter how old Hercules was. I am so sad for you. It’s bad enough to lose one of our beloved cats and to deal with the guilt and pain and self-questioning, but to have it happen because of a purposeful injury is something I cannot imagine. It adds a whole new layer of pain for you. I just lost my 17 year old sweetheart of a calico cat (Ginger) on July 12 and I have been extremely sad. She meant the world to me and was a part of our family for 17 years. She died of heart disease, but she was diagnosed back in early 2022 and had excellent quality of life for two plus years. The only reason I mention that (because this is not about me, but about you and Hercules) is that Hercules could have lived on for quite a while even with heart problems. I am so so sad. I really understand. I also had to euthanize a cat (Julius) who couldn’t breathe outside of an oxygen environment… back in 2021. It was so horrible to see him not be able to breathe— so I know what that was like. You obviously did free him from his distress, but he had his life prematurely taken away and something must be done about it. Hugs and more hugs. All my sympathy and support are being sent your way.
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Oh my. I don’t know what I would do in your shoes. This is unbelievable. When you said he may have been injured by a child, I thought it was some sad accident. And the parents are just covering for their daughter. It doesn’t matter how old Hercules was. I am so sad for you. It’s bad enough to lose one of our beloved cats and to deal with the guilt and pain and self-questioning, but to have it happen because of a purposeful injury is something I cannot imagine. It adds a whole new layer of pain for you. I just lost my 17 year old sweetheart of a calico cat (Ginger) on July 12 and I have been extremely sad. She meant the world to me and was a part of our family for 17 years. She died of heart disease, but she was diagnosed back in early 2022 and had excellent quality of life for two plus years. The only reason I mention that (because this is not about me, but about you and Hercules) is that Hercules could have lived on for quite a while even with heart problems. I am so so sad. I really understand. I also had to euthanize a cat (Julius) who couldn’t breathe outside of an oxygen environment… back in 2021. It was so horrible to see him not be able to breathe— so I know what that was like. You obviously did free him from his distress, but he had his life prematurely taken away and something must be done about it. Hugs and more hugs. All my sympathy and support are being sent your way.
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I really appreciate your kindness, all of your words mean a lot to me in this difficult time
 
Unfortunately I have had to deal with this type of thing.

Before you go to file a report, I suggest you write everything down while it's still fresh - date, times, what you saw/ heard and when. What actions you took. What the parents said and when they said it. Try to be as detailed as possible, stick to the facts and save your emotions and grief for the last paragraph where you'll tell what Hercules meant to you, how you cared for him when he got sick and what he endured as a result of the abuse. Get a copy of the medical report and vet's notes which hopefully will say that Hercules' injuries are consistent with animal abuse. They will take it more seriously if you're prepared with documentation.

In case you start to rethink this, remember that if a human did this to another human, it would be manslaughter. If a dog attacked another animal or human causing death, it would be euthanized. I know it's hard but try to focus your anger to protecting other lives that may depend on it.
 
Deborah & Muffy(GA) & Wendall said:
Unfortunately I have had to deal with this type of thing.

Before you go to file a report, I suggest you write everything down while it's still fresh - date, times, what you saw/ heard and when. What actions you took. What the parents said and when they said it. Try to be as detailed as possible, stick to the facts and save your emotions and grief for the last paragraph where you'll tell what Hercules meant to you, how you cared for him when he got sick and what he endured as a result of the abuse. Get a copy of the medical report and vet's notes which hopefully will say that Hercules' injuries are consistent with animal abuse. They will take it more seriously if you're prepared with documentation.

In case you start to rethink this, remember that if a human did this to another human, it would be manslaughter. If a dog attacked another animal or human causing death, it would be euthanized. I know it's hard but try to focus your anger to protecting other lives that may depend on it.
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I am working on getting medical records from the second vet. They are being very slow about it unfortunately. I am still feeling so disgusted and disconnected at this point. I feel like it has been a month since this all occurred but it has only been a couple of days. I wrote out a detailed message to send to the parents on the many concerning things I have witnessed during this experience and the indisputable facts of what has occurred as well. It is so difficult to cope with all of this. They are trying to force a face to face discussion about this but the last thing I want to do is see any of them. All that I want them to do is get their child some help. I don’t know what to do feeling so numb and I have spent so much time being angry at this point that I have barely even gotten to feel sad for this enormous loss or really grieve at all. He is connected to my soul and losing him is so painful as he was my baby. It feels like just a huge void inside. I am thinking about going to therapy because I simply do not know how to cope with this.
 
Kendra --

Take care of yourself. The grief over the loss of Hercules is real even if there is anger over what someone did to your kitty. Check around in your area to see if there is someone who is knowledgeable about grief related to the loss of a pet. I know our vet school has this service. It there is a cat only clinic near you, they may have a listing of therapists if you don't already have someone in mind.
 
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