Daffodil

 

 

It’s Spring and I really hope the new season brings with it the winds of change.  It’s been a LONG Winter here.  I’ve now mentioned this numerous times but please allow me one more.  Our Jazzy cat became ill and died in December.  This was followed in January and February by a string of illnesses in Wishers – Bunny, then Smokey, then Slate.   Just as we were ending that Winter mystery illness streak, our own Daffy became ill.

 I rescued our Daffodil (we’ve always called her Daffy) along with her sister (Daisy) and her mother (Fannie).  I trapped this little family of females in July of 2017.  Daisy was adopted.  Fannie is a Wisher (one of the three I still can’t touch after all these years).  Daffodil lived in our bathroom for too long and I couldn’t move her to the cathouse, so she became one of our own.

 

Just after trapping this little family

 

 

Towards the end of February, I noticed that Daffy had slowed way down on eating and had lost weight.  Early in March, we went to our veterinary clinic.  Bloodwork was done.  There was nothing significant in the results except for the elevated WBC count.  She also had fever.  Came home with antibiotics which she would vomit right back out.  The vomiting became a staple of her condition.  Daily vomiting and daily fever.  Back to the clinic.  This time for X-rays.  There was no apparent blockage.  Came home with a strong anti-nausea medication given by injection.  A few days later we were back at the clinic.  Dr. A and I discussed the bloodwork, looked at the X-rays, considered the fever and vomiting.  And by this time, Daffy had completely stopped eating on her own.  Force-feeding was the only way she was receiving any nutrition.  During that visit, Dr. A said that her symptoms, along with some speculation about the X-rays and the bloodwork (things that were only slightly off), made it possible that we were dealing with histoplasmosis.  I won’t go into detail about this disease, but it basically comes from spores in the soil.  Daffy has been an indoor cat since she arrived here.  She is almost 4 years old.  I said I didn’t see how histoplasmosis could be possible.  But Dr. A explained that it most commonly occurs in female cats between the ages of 4 and 9 years of age.  AND – that it can lie dormant for 3-4 months up to 3-4 years.  So at least the possibility exists that Daffy was exposed as a kitten before I rescued her.   

The problem is that histoplasmosis is a disease that is typically treated for four to six months.  The prognosis is poor.  The spores that the animal ingested morph into a stage wherein this fungal infection settles in one or more “areas.”  It often sets up in the lungs but can also settle in the gastrointestinal tract, the brain, even the eyes.  Dr. A feels like Daffy could have histoplasmosis that has set up in her GI tract.  She explained that the treatment is an expensive oral antifungal medication that is dispensed by a regular pharmacy.  Of course, Daffy is vomiting daily so an oral medication would be a problem. 

At that time, we hoped that the anti-nausea medication would help Daffy keep down food and this new medication.  I agreed with Dr. A to start the treatment and she called in the order.  I also took home a supply of two different types of injectable medications for nausea/vomiting.    These meds lasted about 48 hours.  So Daffy would get an injection and for two days I could force-feed and give the new oral treatment (itraconazole).  The problem then became the injections.  At first, we got 48 hours.  Then the injections were lasting only about 36 hours.  It soon went to 24 hours.  Then this past Sunday, an injection was given at 6:45am and Daffy vomited 7 times between 12:30p and 2:00p (just six hours after an injection). 

 If I can’t keep food in Daffy and if she vomits her itraconazole, then there is no hope.  I’m at my wit’s end.  As all of you will understand, I desperately want Daffy to survive and recover from this.  It seems unlikely at this moment in time.

 

See you next week.

 

Comments

[Cynthia]

Dear Chrystal, So sorry to hear the news about Daffy. Strangely enough we were at the vet yesterday as our cat Toxic has been vomiting frequently and has trouble eating. They took xrays & no obstruction showed so now we wait for the blood work. He started life as a stay & is 15 now with a heart murmur. Like you we don't know the history of our 3 cats as they are were all rescues. My thoughts & prayers go out to you.
Cynthia xoxo

[John Bellen]

I'm very sorry to read this. I have two suggestions, both of them long shots (one longer than the other). Can you try a natural remedy such as slippery elm to calm her stomach, or a chemical medicine such as Cerenia? I don't think you mentioned what the anti-nausea medicine was that you were using.

The second suggestion is to treat the vomiting as an allergy. My Cammie was allergic to every kind of food; she did not react to Hill's Z/D. That stayed in her. It's awful stuff but she liked it. Maybe something that is hydrolised will be easier for Daffodil's stomach to take.

In any case, I wish her well.

[Ginny and the Fur Family]

I lost a beloved cat named Sabrina just like Daffy -
she had been an out side cat and I got her from a kill Shelter on her last day when I lived in Arizona. She was a black and white kitty, for years she was fine. Then bam, she was very sick and I tried every thing that money could buy. I ordered all kinds of things and she got to skin and bones-When she passed I could take it because she was not suffering any more. We had moved back to where we live now in Kentucky. I could never get a diagnosis of what was wrong. I still remember her with love. She would come up on the bed at night and kiss me on the cheek. Prayers for Daffy. All are forever remembered and loved.

[Christine C.]

Prayers for Daffy. Hugs for you.

[The Florida Furkids]

Purrs and prayers for Daffy.

The Florida Furkids and Mom Sharon

[Andrea and the Celestial Kitties]

Oh Daffy! Such a pretty girl. We are purring and praying over here that a solution can be found that she survives this, and thrives and lives a good many more years! Hugs!!

Friends, please remember the Fancy Crocheted Velvet Sofa Raffle! Every entry helps the kitties of Winnie's Wish!
Also donations and wish list items are always appreciated and needed!

[Pam Tyson]

Oh, Chrystal. I hate to hear about Daffy. Seeing any of our babies suffer is so hard - especially since they can't tell us what's wrong. Sending lots of love and healing prayers.

[Marv, Jo Jo, Kozmo, Cinnamon & Barb]

Thanks for telling about your rescues. We are sad to read about Daffodil. We will Purray for her and that she survives. We send you virtual hugs, love and strength.

[The Poupounette Gang]

Would it be possible to keep her on a drip at the vets for a few days so she can get medication and treatment without eating?

[Maria in FL]

My love and healing thoughts go out to you and Daffy. You have certainly had your share of difficulties this winter, Chrystal. So hoping that Daffy pulls through this.

[Mary McNeil]

We are so sorry to read this. We send purrayers and Power of the Paw to you and sweet Daffy.

[Ellen Pilch]

I am sorry that Daffy is not doing well. I am praying for a miracle. XO

[meowmeowmans]

We are sending love, purrs and prayers for Daffy. And for you, too, Chrystal.

[Karen Lucas]

Oh poor Daffy. I’m so so sorry. Sending you hugs and prayers for both of you

[Ginny & the Fur Family]

Please let us know about Daffy. We are all praying for the best. Daffy looks like my cat Macy. No one gave her a chance of making it. She was from out side in a flood zone. It was touch and go but she made it and is now 4 years old.