Dear Jude Friends,
Unfortunately, our little Jude had a rough month. She has had approximately 10 grand mal seizures and also days where she had cluster seizures. During the cluster seizures, she is still very aware of what is going on, and her body and legs jump around uncontrollably. These seizures are not violent like a grand mal seizure, but still annoying for poor Jude.
Since her seizure activity has been increasing in the last few months, I had to bring her to Tabby’s Place for bloodwork, so we could see if everything is ok, and if she is able to have her seizure medication raised. During the trip to Tabby’s Place Jude was quiet. I had her in the seat next to me, so I could keep an eye on her. We arrived at Tabby’s Place with no seizures, so I thought we were doing well. For this kind of bloodwork, she had to fast for 12 hours for the 1st blood draw, then she had to eat, wait 2 hours after eating, then another blood draw. I knew all this time at Tabby’s Place, in a strange environment, would not be good for Jude and her mental health.
The only thing I could think to do, to make her more comfortable, was to bring her own playpen with us. We have many playpens at Tabby’s Place, but Jude’s is familiar and smells of Jude. Right after the 1st blood draw, I put her in her playpen in our x-ray room, which is a very quiet room with hardly anyone going in. As soon as she was in her playpen she was happy to eat some wet food. I closed the door and let her have peace, hoping she would be ok.
For the 2nd blood draw, she was getting crankier, but settled down again as soon as I placed her back in her playpen. When it was time to take her home I got everything ready, and as I was ready to leave I put Jude in her carrier, and threw her playpen in my car. The ride home was terrible, as Jude was very unhappy at the ordeal she had been through, and growled and screamed the whole way home. That night, after we were home, she had a seizure, which was no big surprise with how much she reacts to change. By the next day, Jude was over her ordeal and back to her usual self.
A few days later we got the results of the bloodwork, and it wasn’t good news. Her liver values are high and we don’t know why. Now Jude has to have an ultrasound of her liver to see what is going on. Please keep good thoughts for our little girl, for good news from the ultrasound, and that she keeps calm during yet another trip to Tabby’s Place. I will, of course, let you know what the ultrasound shows in our next update.
Jude currently has a small roommate in her room, Raya, who arrived at Tabby’s Place last week with horrific damage to her front legs. We believe she was in a car engine when the car started up, and it caused the damage. Raya lost one front paw and a few toes on the other foot, but nothing is slowing her down, she has found how to run and play, just like any other kitten. Jude doesn’t seem to mind Raya sharing her room at all, even when Raya is in crazy kitten moods.
That’s all the Jude news for now. Thank you all for always being there for Jude. She is certainly in need of all your love and support. I hope I have good news for you next month, and the ultrasound goes well.
Your correspondent,
Karina