SASSY (THAILAND) UPDATE

Hi Cassie, thank you for the updates. I will be praying for Sassy to hopefully start improving more now that they have ruled out brain tumors etc. and are treating fluids in her brain with diuretics. This has been quite a journey of love. Sassy is so fortunate to have you as her mom. I will be looking for updates. Take good care of yourself Cassie, as this journey continues. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Sassy is super grumpy today. Had them remove the cathader in case that was giving pain. The neuro doc said she is getting better. Her eyes finally look normal again, but the doctor said she doesn’t think she will see again . She still can’t move any part of her body except the face and her tail…doc said might take 2 weeks to walk again. My heart is broken about the vision. Don’t know if a life is worth living blind. she already a bit of scaredy cat I can’t even imagine now. I will give her 1 more day to see if vision comes back. The doctor said I can take her home and give her meds…but what to do. ‍♀️
 
It is hard not to lose hope when the news is less than encouraging. You are the only one who can make the correct decision. Adjustments and improvements will take a lot of time and patience. She has come so far and you have gone to great lengths for her. Get plenty of rest and don't rush your decision. I have read stories of cat who adjusted to blindness. Maybe Sassy can do so, too. :bighug::bighug:
 
Only you can make that decision but as @Summer and Susie (GA) said, I hope you will give her more than one day. You've come so far together and your own intuition has given you the strength to persevere when the vets thought Sassy has a brain tumour. I'm sure you are both exhausted and in need to rest and recovery. All good thoughts for you both.
 
Dear Cassie, only you can make this very difficult decision. I know whatever you decide there will be no judgement from me. You have made the most loving journey with your sweet Sassy. You have been by her side through the most difficult of times. Hopefully you will discuss with the doctors how they think she will do under all circumstances, their prognosis of her health, if her sight will be the only setback of her recovery. Think clearly and openly about your thoughts. Listen to others who have cared for a sightless cat. Give yourself time to make any decisions, after all you have both been through, you must be exhausted. My prayers are with you both on whatever the future holds. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
@ThailandKitty I too hope you will give Sassy more time. If the vet says Sassy is getting better, it would be a shame to give up now. You’ve come so far. :bighug:

I’ve had a blind cat and, truthfully, quality of life wasn’t an issue. She was active, happy, and got along great. Animals are tremendously adaptable. We tend to think about how we would feel under the circumstance and judge accordingly, but animals are different. They don’t feel sorry for themselves or worry about what others think or dwell on what they’ve lost or what could have been. They just get on with it and live their life. A vet once told me not to feel sorry for a dog who lost a leg. He said the dog didn’t feel sorry for himself; if he fell over when he moved a certain way, he simply leaned a different way. That vet even had a two-legged dog as a patient who could jump on a wall and chase squirrels. My blind cat had a mental map of my house and moved around as if she could see; I didn’t even realize at first that she had gone blind.

If you feel it’s time to let go because of everything Sassy has endured, or the vets don’t think she’ll ever be able to move again, that’s understandable. What you’ve both been through has been terribly traumatic. But I encourage you to rethink the decision if it’s based mostly on blindness.

Sassy’s recovery is a long-game. Nothing happens fast. I wish you both peace and clarity with your path forward. :bighug:
 
My kitties took a few weeks to regain their vision after they lost it. At first they could see light and shadows, we could tell. But the vision was regained gradually. I don't think it's the same for cats who lose their vision as it is for humans. What I mean is, none of us would ever wish for our cats to lose their vision, of course. But .... how can I say this... cats don't have the same feelings and expectations that we do in life. They just aren't as emotional as we are.... so they don't have a big emotional breakdown as most of us would if we suddenly lost our eyesight (I imagine that I would for sure!) I am not saying that they don't have emotions, just that we are different and we grieve that loss of sight in a way that they do not. They adapt, use other senses and move on with their life. You can do a lot of research on this on the internet. There are a lot of blind cat rescue and sanctuary places out there (Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary in, I believe, North Carolina, is one of them).

As I said, I was absolutely amazed at how my cats adapted so quickly to their loss of vision and how they got around and resumed a lot of normal behaviors quickly (even when they were having trouble walking). They still had a strong will to live and that was evident. Cassie has multiple problems and she does indeed have a long road ahead of her in her recovery. That is a tremendous commitment and nobody can tell you what to do, of course. But you have already shown extraordinary commitment to your sweet Sassy.

Are any of the doctors saying that they think she can recover from the paralysis? I am wondering if they even know, because most people perhaps give up on their cats before they have had enough time to recover and so they may not have a lot of experience with cats recovering from this type of paralysis.
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
My kitties took a few weeks to regain their vision after they lost it. At first they could see light and shadows, we could tell. But the vision was regained gradually. I don't think it's the same for cats who lose their vision as it is for humans. What I mean is, none of us would ever wish for our cats to lose their vision, of course. But .... how can I say this... cats don't have the same feelings and expectations that we do in life. They just aren't as emotional as we are.... so they don't have a big emotional breakdown as most of us would if we suddenly lost our eyesight (I imagine that I would for sure!) I am not saying that they don't have emotions, just that we are different and we grieve that loss of sight in a way that they do not. They adapt, use other senses and move on with their life. You can do a lot of research on this on the internet. There are a lot of blind cat rescue and sanctuary places out there (Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary in, I believe, North Carolina, is one of them).

As I said, I was absolutely amazed at how my cats adapted so quickly to their loss of vision and how they got around and resumed a lot of normal behaviors quickly (even when they were having trouble walking). They still had a strong will to live and that was evident. Cassie has multiple problems and she does indeed have a long road ahead of her in her recovery. That is a tremendous commitment and nobody can tell you what to do, of course. But you have already shown extraordinary commitment to your sweet Sassy.

Are any of the doctors saying that they think she can recover from the paralysis? I am wondering if they even know, because most people perhaps give up on their cats before they have had enough time to recover and so they may not have a lot of experience with cats recovering from this type of paralysis.
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Hello, yes thank you for your message. That cat is Sassy and I am Cassie just to clarify:) But yes they said they thought she should be able to walk within 2 weeks. I think I will take her home for a few days see how she is...because at the moment she is super hissing and growling when I pick her up which has never happened with her before. So want to see if its permanent brain damage or if she is just stressed. Yes I am sure she will adapt to being blind...unfortunately I am not in our house...which would probably make it much easier. Just in a hotel room for now...so not ideal but all we got. I don't think Sassy would be up for the drive back yet...and I prefer to stay close to the doctors here in bkk for awhile. AND also if it came to it, you cannot cremate on the island I live on. Its illegal. Can only do here in the city. Cause I had to cremate my other cat here on Halloween.

I am meeting with a doctor later about physiotherapy. How to do when I am at home.
 
Have sassy at home with me about 8 hours. Doctors said she could pee by herself…but seems to not be happening. Watched many videos on YouTube how to do..nothing working. Anyway she is at home with me, she hisses and growls every time I try to pick her up. Can pet her ok…but defiantly not a happy cat. Seems to have lost the ability to purr ‍♀️
 
Sending prayers for your precious girl♥Are you back at home on the island or still staying with her in the hotel? Only asking because I read you didn't think Sassy was up for the ride yet and wanted to stay close to the doctors in bkk :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
ThailandKitty said:
Have sassy at home with me about 8 hours. Doctors said she could pee by herself…but seems to not be happening. Watched many videos on YouTube how to do..nothing working. Anyway she is at home with me, she hisses and growls every time I try to pick her up. Can pet her ok…but defiantly not a happy cat. Seems to have lost the ability to purr ‍♀️
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Dear Cassie, this has to be so hard. Just take it a day at a time. You and Sassy are in my prayers for healing. Now that you are home maybe she will begin to feel safe again. Take good care of yourself Cassie, I know you will do all you can for Sassy. Big hugs to surround you two. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Well sassy didn’t have the best day. I brought her home last night cause doctors said she was ok. But couldn’t get her to pee…so had to bring her back to the doctor today. Then when we were squeezing her urine out it was full of blood. I left her here for some tests (i will attach the dr note). Then she just squeeze her bladder again and was still full of blood. Not sure what to do…she seems to be fighting to stay on the other side in my opinion. Seems like everything is an uphill battle. She is snuggled in my lap…snoozing at the moment.
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Too top it off I went in to test sassy number before her next insulin shot…just to see she was only 45. Then I realized they haven’t fed her for 7 hours. Even though she has a feed me every 4 hours status…In an ICU!!! So then she was too low and had to be given a Shot of glucose
 
Hang in if you can, Cassie. I wish you could give her a few more days but I do understand if you think it will be futile. I just had to put my Susie down a month ago because I could not stop her suffering. I think most of the folks on this site want you to give her just a little more time - but - we all agree that it is your decision and we will understand. God bless you and your little Sassy. This is so incredibly hard for both of you.
 
ThailandKitty said:
Too top it off I went in to test sassy number before her next insulin shot…just to see she was only 45. Then I realized they haven’t fed her for 7 hours. Even though she has a feed me every 4 hours status…In an ICU!!! So then she was too low and had to be given a Shot of glucose
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Hi Cassie, I am so sorry to both of you for the setbacks. Only you and the doctors can decide what Sassie’s future holds. Just know you and Sassie are always in my prayers. Surrounding you both with healing hugs :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Sassy update - just spoke to the doctor and she said she is eating better. She is still bleeding in her urine. They are worried she will be anemic soon. They did some blood test last night (will post below..cause I can’t understand it). But adjusted an IV to help treat it. They said will need to possible get a blood transfusion if continues.
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I do see that her hematocrit is very low at 14. She probably needs a transfusion already. Or she needs to start ESA treatment if the docs think it can help - that would be Epogen or Darbepoetin. I would ask. But she’s so low already it’s probably time to transfuse her first. She won’t be getting enough oxygen. Her potassium is also low.
 
ThailandKitty said:
Too top it off I went in to test sassy number before her next insulin shot…just to see she was only 45. Then I realized they haven’t fed her for 7 hours. Even though she has a feed me every 4 hours status…In an ICU!!! So then she was too low and had to be given a Shot of glucose
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How much insulin are they giving? She may need a reduction in dose
 
SASSY UPDATE (Saturday)
Everybody is very pink today! DAY 14 in the ICU. She is sleeping a lot. They finally got the bleeding in urine under control. Had her on a IV drip and some medications. She has been in an Oxygen tank most of the last week. She is very weak, but still eating ok. I spoke to a doctor here there are a few. He said he didn’t think she would walk again. And maybe the stroke in the brain would take about a month to recover enough so she doesn’t feel confused all the time.
My heart is leaning towards I think her little body has had enough.
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SASSY UPDATE: yes I’ve been spending 10 hours a day with her at the hospital. I spoke to 2 doctors today and one doesn’t think she will walk at all again and the other gave her 20% back. She is still blind and can’t move much still but she did manage to pull herself over my shoulder (held like a baby) which she loves. So she is finding comfort in small places. The bleeding is still on and off in her urine.
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:bighug:Dear Cassie, you have both been through so much. Sometimes the most loving thing is the hardest. I know many of us here have had to make this decision, myself just weeks ago. Quality of life is what made my decision. My heart and my prayers are with you, you’ve been a constant loving force in Sassie’s life and I believe if nothing else, she has always known you were there, fighting for her, loving her. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
ThailandKitty said:
SASSY UPDATE: yes I’ve been spending 10 hours a day with her at the hospital. I spoke to 2 doctors today and one doesn’t think she will walk at all again and the other gave her 20% back. She is still blind and can’t move much still but she did manage to pull herself over my shoulder (held like a baby) which she loves. So she is finding comfort in small places. The bleeding is still on and off in her urine.
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Small steps Cassie, take that as a big positive.
 
@ThailandKitty did they end up doing a blood transfusion and treating the low potassium? Even though it’s likely that her current immobility is from the seizures/brain trauma, I believe severe anemia and low potassium can cause profound tiredness/weakness.

Insulin moves potassium out of the circulating bloodstream and into the cells, so giving insulin shots can contribute to low potassium in some cases.

It might be worth asking about those things before making any final decisions. Sassy has a lot of things going on, poor girl. Sounds like she’s in good hands and is fighting hard. Her crawling up your shoulder is simultaneously promising and heartbreaking. I wish you strength and clarity as you go forward. I’m sure she loves you and trusts your decisions.
 
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