My name is Kim, and I am a long-time volunteer and correspondent at Tabby’s Place. I was asked to write for our boy this month, and was thrilled when asked to do so! If I were to spill some of my secrets, then I would have to share that Boots is one of my favorite cats at Tabby’s Place. I welcomed the chance to spend more time with him and write his monthly update!
Boots and I spent a lovely time together the Sunday afternoon just prior to the onset of his recent illness. Boots was welcoming, affectionate, and looking gorgeous that day, and I really enjoyed our visit. I think he did, too! Imagine my surprise, when I found out a couple of days later that he had been taken to the feline emergency room. I was very upset and concerned.
Boots’ illness developed rather suddenly. With his high fever and a palpably full bladder, we were on high alert for a urinary blockage and Boots was whisked away to the cat ER. He did urinate on his way to the vet – a good sign – but even the specialists were initially stumped by Boots’ condition. They ran lots of tests on our tuxedo boy, and it was nerve-wracking waiting to find out what was going on. (I must add a side-note here that my own cat, former Tabby’s Place resident Fuzzy, went through the same scary situation a few months back; he had to have emergency surgery late at night to save his life. You can imagine my concerns for Boots!)
Boots had urine, bloodwork, and ultrasound tests performed, but all those tests proved inconclusive. Usually, a cat with a high fever would be given IV fluids to bring his temperature down, but that wouldn’t work for Boots; as you will remember, Boots also has heart disease, and putting too much fluid in his system would put a strain on his heart.
What was the final diagnosis, you might ask? The veterinarians treating Boots are not 100% sure, but the general opinion is leaning towards pancreatitis, a painful, acute inflammation of the pancreas that is usually diagnosed via ultrasound (though not in Boots’ case.) The onset of symptoms can be sudden (it was), and will usually cause vomiting (it didn’t) and abdominal distress (it did). The pancreas is located behind the stomach and assists with digestion; another symptom of pancreatitis is loss of appetite. Boots only lost his appetite after taking ill. Clearly, Boots did not have a textbook case. Boots was prescribed medicine to settle his stomach and relieve his abdominal pain. He started a course of antibiotics, and his fever slowly subsided (though that took a number of days.)
When Boots came home to the lobby, staff and volunteers alike celebrated! We welcomed our boy home with open arms, and lots of hugs and kisses. Boots is sure to mend more quickly in his familiar surroundings. I had the opportunity to visit with him this past week. I told him how happy I was that he was here with us again, and how proud I was of him, for fighting so hard and doing so well! I took photos to share with you of Boots resting on the sofa, sporting his new hairdo (he had to have his fur clipped for various tests and treatments.)
We thank you, dearest sponsors, for your gifts each month that allow us to treat Boots
“in good times and bad
in sickness and in health”
for as long as he shall live…I pray that’s for a VERY long time!
We love you, Boots, and are so glad to have you home again at Tabby’s Place!
Special PS: You have a fantastic opportunity to visit with Boots this month, when Tabby’s Place invites you to Catoberfest on Saturday, October 1st. Click here for full details.
Can’t join Boots in person for the big day? You can still participate. Click here to bid in the Tabby’s Place cats’ silent auction, running now through September 26th. We’ve got oodles of goodies, from trips to trinkets to clothes to cuisine, and every penny you bid will help sweeties like our Boots. Thank you so much!