Saturday, February 28, 2009

Cutie

I gave Bear his medicine tonight, the liquid ones. He didn't want me to squirt it in his mouth he kept squirming so I let him sit next to the door and relax, he laid there for 5 mins and I just watched him, he decided to YAWN big and I squirted the medicine in his mouth. This technique worked really well lol. He looked at me like, "HEY! why did you do that?". of course with that look I replied, "Bear, it's for your own good." lol he's so cute. He makes me and Jaime laugh everyday, he's such a Special Kitty. Like many people have said, "I don't know who's luckier, Bear for finding you or you finding Bear." He's such a sweetie. He still needs a bath BADLY and he needs to be fixed soon. I don't think he is Fixed.

I don't think I mentioned this before but they think bear is between 7 to 10 years old. So obviously he was with a family because I don't think he would have been able to survive outside that long with previously having a home.

This is it for the night. I Just needed to update everyone and Just to have this written down So if anything does happen to Bear I can have a written history of how he's been.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Update

Bears breathing has cleared up. No more gunky eyes or teary eye. I did give him capstar the other day and the flees went on the attack, it made bear scratch the back of his neck raw. It's not safe to give him a bath yet it will be to stressful on him.

I opened the blinds for him tonight and he sat in the window. It was nice to see him acting like a cat.

I'm updating from my phone so this is short.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

A good Sunday

Bear is doing much better. Today he ate his pills in cat treats and he ate the rest with wet food. He's really enjoying being inside I think. Jaime and I both have been in the room with bear for over and hour spending time with him. Bear is drinking lots of water and eating lots of food.

We washed bear with a wet rag and with no bath cat liquid foam. His back and face are clean and matte free but his belly is icky. He wont let us rub his belly to clean it. His eyes are so much better, no more gunk in his eyes or boogers, his face is nice and clean. We can see his pretty face now. I'm still going to put his eye cream on him though, for at least a week longer. Just to ensure the infection is gone.

He spends most of his time in the bathroom. I think this is because his food is in there. He doesn't want to sleep on the bed. I keep trying to get him to jump on the bed but he just looks at me I'm a goof. He's under the desk right now, but as soon as I leave the room he'll go lay in the bathroom.

Thank you to everyone who donated and didn't give up on bear. He does love you for that. We appreciate all the support. Now he's getting back to himself, looking and getting healthy.

Thank you all again.

Friday, February 20, 2009

We saw the vet today.

please donate at least 10 or 20 dollars nothing big https://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-02-09.0972769315


2:10 am

GUESS WHAT HE's EATING!!! He was sitting up eating food it is all over the the floor!!! that's the messy Bear I know!! He took a poop. This must have been the problem because after seeing the poop in the litter he was up rolling around rubbing us eating and drinking. He must have been clogged up and it hurt him.




9:30 pm

I took Bear to the Vet today. Dr. Hightman wasn't there. I'm going to call back Monday and talk to him. The vet bill came out to 160. I think mainly Because They hooked Bear up to an IV for 5 mins to get some liquid in him, He is really dehydrated. They Also Gave him a shot, I don't remember the name of it, It had a vitamin B in it I think, They told me it should make him feel better and make him want to eat. The vet also gave me a High CAL gel to give bear. I did get more Clavamox for Bear, but I need to call them tomorrow about that because when I got home to give bear some there was a quarter of it left and it was already open. I was kind of disappointed it wasn't even half full.

Jaime and I are going to try to get Bear better and if he isn't better by Monday we are going to finally consider letting him Pass over to the other side. I'm going to have to accept this and try to do what is best for Bear even though more than anything I want him to Live. Bears treatment hasn't been approved yet. I will call Dr. Hightman Monday as well about that. 800 is a lot and me and Jaime may decide to do that if we can. it's not about the money with Bear and I will do whatever I can to pay for bears treatment.

When we were driving home from the vet bear peed in his carry case. We tried to clean him up as best as we can. he wont let me Clean his belly up. his hair is really matted under it. I've been brushing him everyday his hair does look cleaner I'm trying what I can.

about an hour ago bear did Jump up on the bathroom counter to lay down I heard stuff fall in the bathroom so I went in and checked on him. I'm still trying to figure out where he got the energy to jump up there, because he's still is just laying feels lifeless.

Please Pray for Bear.

The IV is in Bears Back

P.S. The vet said the name Bear was a good one for him. :o)

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Bad Day

Bear didn't eat anything at all last night. usually he gets a bowl of food filled up every night and by the time the afternoon rolls around it's almost gone. Not this afternoon. It's filled up. Bear isn't eating. He knocked over his water and I filled it up with fresh cold water for him and still nothing.

Bear isn't head butting us when he sees us. I want bear healthy. I was able to give him his meds. I crushed them up into powder and mixed them with water and gave it to him with one of those syringes. It's easy to give him his meds with that.

I just don't get it, he was doing so WELL!!!! I'm not doing anything different. Bear Bear please get better.

I went outside with him and set him up on the bench, I took wet papers towels out there and rubbed him down with those and was cleaning him off and he enjoyed that for about 10 mins and than wanted to go back in his cage. I let him. He's just been laying in his cage hardly saying a peep.

I think I'm going to have Jaime move all his things from his bathroom so we can set bears cage up in there and let him have the spare bedroom. I think he should be inside now. I don't know how the other cats are going to act with another kitty locked in the bedroom.

Please keep bear in your prayers tonight.


9:00pm
Bear is inside now. He's been sleeping on the bathroom rug. Bears Kidneys seems to be bugging him. When I rubbed my hand over the one on the left that the VET examined he meowed at me. He does this on his back end and under his chin.

I held a warm compress on his eye. His right eye still has an infection. He really enjoyed the warm rag on his eye. He still wont eat, we tried everything. I'm going to call the vet tomorrow and they will most likely see bear. He hasn't went poop today. His poop was actually pretty big the last couple days it looked like healthy poop. He may be constipated. I'm going to try to give him a little cow milk if he is. I know that works when a pet is clogged up. If bear will start to eat again I will try him on Pumpkin to help him go potty.

I have two videos of Bear. I will get them uploaded as soon as I can.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Not feeling so Well

Bear isn't feeling to good today. He seems down. He isn't eating Much today. I don't know what's going on. He looks better over all healthy but there is something that just isn't right. He looks sad. Maybe he'll have his good days and bad days? My husband and I have been going out there every day a couple times to spend time with bear to cheer him up but he just seemed sad. I hope this isn't a bad sign.

I did Put Advantage on Bear last night maybe this is it? I need to get Bear more capstar. The flees are biting me a lot tonight maybe this is why he's down because the flees.

I left the door cracked for Bear so He'll get some Fresh Air tonight. There is a nice breeze outside He should enjoy that.

I really hope he cheers up soon. I worry about him.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Messy Boy

Bear is such a messy boy. No manners when he eats lol. Every time I pour food into his bowl or set food in his cage it never fails, bear head butts it and knocks the food all over the ground. I have learned that Bear prefers dry food over wet food. I'll leave him wet food in a bowl and dry food in a bowl and he wont eat the wet until the dry is gone.

Yesterday I made bear a fluffy kitty bed to sleep in. It's yellow. I used my Favorite pillow to stuff it. I hope he enjoys the fluffs just as much as I did when I used that pillow. I can't ever catch him sleeping in it though. Every time I go outside and he hears the door open he runs up to the front of the cage. Jaime saw him sleeping in it though. I'm going to try to get a photo of bear in it though so you all can see. I'm proud of myself that I actually did a good job on sewing it. I just about gave up on it though.

Bears eyes are good like I said in the last update. His second eye lid is no longer red. His right eye is still a little watery but I'm still trying my best for it to clear up like the other side. He is sneezing lots still, he has sneezing spurts where he'll do 10 in a row. He isn't drooling much anymore either.

I cleaned bears cage out again. That kitty is always knocking over his water getting litter everywhere than remember he knocks over his food. those mixed get messy. every time we clean his cage and litter out we need to stick him in his carry case now, because he's always getting in our faces lol, it's bears love time when we try to clean everything out. Bear needs a BATH really bad. he is really dirty. every two days I need to replace his towel that he lays on. Now I'll probably need to wash his kitty bed every two days. I should have made his bed out of towels I still may go to the store and pick up some towels to make him a towel kitty bed that will be easier to throw into the washer.

I can't keep Bear still when I try to clean him up with a wet rag. I can't give bear a bath because it will put to much stress on him right now, but once I get the clear from the vet to give him a bath, I'm going to Try, I don't know if I will be able too though.

Bear didn't want to eat his Pills today, Goodness it took maybe 5 mins to get them in mouth to swallow. He kept spitting them out. If there is one thing that’s easy to give Bear its his medicine. He doesn't really fight us at all. he squirms a little but that's it, he doesn't try to scratch us ever.

sorry for the late update. I just wanted to make sure I got one update in for today.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Happy

Bear ate his medicine today. Today I took the dry food out for a little bit and that helped. I had him walk around on the porch with me again. His eyes were open today, not one was shut from gunk. Bear is really pulling through. I'm about to go back outside in a little bit and Give him his last two medicines for the day. He only Requires two that are twice a day.

I'm going to Call the vet tomorrow and let them know how bear is doing. Just to let them know he is doing great and is pulling through for us. Bear is such a strong little guy. Hopefully this continues and he keeps getting better for us.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Better Days

I hope today is the start to Bears Better Days. I went to go check on him and give him his medicine. Bear had one eye wide open and one shut. This is a good sign. I went inside to prepare his food and when I came back out his other eye was open. Wow bear I told him, "I can see both your eyes". I tried to give bear his powdered medicine most of all he needs to take one, but today he didn't want to eat his wet food. Little stubborn boy. He rather munch down on his dry food. I need to start taking his dry food out of his cage an hour before I give him his medicine in the wet food so he'll eat it. At least I was able to get him to take three medicines today. The powders I will just put in his mouth from now on if he wont eat them in the wet food anymore. It just may be the wet food I bought. I ran out of the Blue Buff wet food so I bought a cheap brand to hold him over, he doesn't like it too much maybe. I really Don't want to go back into pet smart after how banfield treated bear.

I cleaned bears eyes today. Another good sign that bear was feeling better was that when I tried to put him in his carry case he fought with me more not to go in.

Jaime went outside to bears cage to clean his litter. He said, "Bear must be feeling better, All he was doing was bumping me and rubbing his head on me".

I will upload a video That I took of him later tonight.

Bears eyes look greasy from his Eye gel






Bear Rather stay in his Cage., Until....

Friday, February 13, 2009

Another Vet Visit

8:30pm
please donate at least 10 or 20 dollars nothing big https://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-02-09.0972769315

Sorry the video is dark


4:21 pm

we are back from the vet, the visit went great. I met the Vet who runs the clinic Mr. Hightman is his name I believe. I was able to get L-Lysine for Bear and a new eye cream which is called Terramyan. I hope this works. Brentwood Did Acupuncture on Bear for free and they did an ultra sound on his Kidneys for free. I saved $214 dollars on bear today. The bill came out to $99 dollars. it would have been $314.75. the Vet told me Bear reminds him of his first cat so he knows how I feel because his cat only lived three years and they tried everything for him. So he's helping me with bear.

We are going to start bear on a Raw food diet to get his immune system up. Even though bear is really stuffy he is still eating. which we were both really surprised since cats only like to eat what they can smell.

I think I'm going to close Bears Fund until we find out if the state will approve him, Or I may just leave it open and open another fund if he gets approved. If Bear doesn't get approved for the treatment all the money donated will be used. I believe the fund is at $250 right now and out of that fund I have used 150 of it so there is 50 left for me for bear.

it's all up to the state if we can get this treatment on bear. The treatment is so new.

it will cost $819.00 for bear and I will need to put a 400 dollar deposit down. I have to give bear a chance at a good life with a family.

I almost forgot, bears red blood count was really down. it was at 14 i think. and it shoould be around 4o I believe.

Bear Getting Acupuncture





1:30 pm

The vet just called me about the imulan. She said they need to get the state to approve this treatment for bear. Once and if they do It will 819.00$

I will need to put down a 400.00 Dollar deposite.

so far bears Fund is at 250, 100 of that is going to bear for bears second vet visit and the 150 i will use for bears deposite.

it's going to cost me a lot to get this little guy healthy.

on tues they are going to call to see if they can get bear approved for this treatment and before they can order it I need to put down 400 dollars. I don't have that money and Bears fund closes on the 6th I"m still waiting on Catster to apprrove it. I need them to approve it more than anything right now.

I already told the vet I have alot of you wanting to donate money to help bear so money right now isn't a issue. If I have to I will try to pull out a loan in my name. I may not get approved for the 800, 500 dollars max since I just started my credit. The only credit Card I do have is an American Express but the bad thing about this, NO VET will accept it because the fees they have to pay on it.

I'm putting all my dental work on hold until I can pay for bear to live.


12:00 pm

I'm taking Bear to the vet at 2:30pm. I went outside to bears cage to give him is medications and he was sitting in the corner facing the wall. He wouldn't look at me. I opened the cage and he heard me do that and he turned around. His eyes are sealed shut with gunck. I've been cleaning them every single day and they have been getting worse.

the vet is about 30 mins away its in Downtown Jacksonville. I hope maybe Bear has Feline Herpes and it's not a bigger problem.

I will keep everyone updated as soon as I get back.

P.S. I', going to have them test Bears blood count since we will be there today.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Bears Story

Feb 12, 2009

please donate at least 10 or 20 dollars nothing big
https://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-02-09.0972769315

Bear has been down since he started his meds. The vet did tell me today when she called that he may be getting used to the new treatment. I also asked her if she looked up Imulan so we can get bear on that. She did and as of right now on feb 12th we both do not know how much bears treatment for that will cost, but it will be really exspensive. Treatment will go as this

Month 1: Weekly injections could be around 400
Month 2: Every other week could be around 200
Month 3+: Every 4-6 weeks or as necessary could be 100 every month
The veterinarian may have to adjust treatment schedules based on individual patient response.

bear will need his t cell count taken before this to see if he can be put on this treatment but I'm almost 100 percent positive he will need it to get better.

you can visit this site to read up on what Imulan will do Product_Brochure
even though the fund has reached its limit I still need more for bear. this treatment sounds really promising. please read up on it. thankyou to everyone who has donated already. Bear is sending thankful purs your way.


this is what I found so far on treatment cost Charges seem to be in the $75-$100 range for each treatment, depending on the vet.I have enough for one treatment I'm going to increase the fund a little because treatment is a lot. I was really hoping it would have been 50 dollars for each shot.

Feb 11, 2009

I'm keeping bears fund open so I can pay for his medication Also for Food, bear needs on special food now and for kitty litter. It was set to 300 but I did change it to 200. I'm going to keep his Fund opened until it closes on 03/06/2009 11:59 PM EST in hopes of maybe getting the 300 or a little more because I want to get bear on this medication http://www.imulan.com I hear it's a lot of money and the vet I took bear to never had it but she did write the site down and told me she is going to look into it and I hope they get it in for bear because it sounds really promising It's for Cats who are already showing signs of feLV.

please donate at least 10 or 20 dollars nothing big
https://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-02-09.0972769315



bears appointment went GREAT!! this vet is the best one I've gone too! I was recommended a site to find a good vet and it was the most perfect vet to go to! the lady was honest with me too, she said if bear was just a stray and you weren't so attached to him i would recommend putting him down for the safety of other cats outside but i commend you two for trying and bear looks like he has a chance he just needs on medication. We told her that bear still eats like a pig, and walks around with us when we go outside to clean his cage that he's active. she said that was a really good sign. My husband also asked her, If bear was ready to go, wouldn't he just have gone off to hide and be by himself to die? and the lady told him yes, cats usually like to go alone and bear isn't showing signs of that.

bear is on medication now,

wei Qi Booster
Transfer factor
interferon
Vetropolycin

bears nose is really stuffy so she told me to buy some Baby nasal saline and bear is on that, i squirt it up his nose.

I'm so happy they helped me. she doesn't know how much longer he'll live but she did tell us that with this he will live a little longer now.

the lady at the vet gave me some advantage for free. She said I'm just giving this to you guys for what you are doing with bear. Not many people would do what you are doing and bear is Lucky he picked you.

I think I'm able to upload videos of bear. I shot a 30 sec video of him at the vet. he was comfy there, he just wanted to lay down and rest the entire time.

I'm took my cats to get checked for feLV and get vaccinated for it. they were checked 6 months ago and they didn't have it. Every six months I'm going to have them tested and she said that was a really good idea because you like to help strays.

I really loved this vet! it's the best one I've gone to.

this was the site I found them on
http://www.holisticvetlist.com/index.html

bears temp is gone now too. I hope this is the start him getting better and i pray he finds a good home because he'll need a special one.

Bear is drooling a little today, I think it's him getting used to his medication. I have hope he'll get better.

I may change Milo to that vet now. They were disgusted at how Banfield treated bear. I'm done with that vet. never again will I take my pets there.


Feb 09, 2009

I'm going to be taking a break for a little bit. Some of you may know that I'm a huge Animal Lover. I rushed my stray cat to the vet on 2.7.09 and my husband and I learned he is feLV positive. The vet wanted us to put bear down and told me there was nothing they could do. I know this isn't true, I know bear can be put on medication to maintain a good kitty life. My husband and I are trying to treat him for his major ear infection. The vet just gave us ear mite medication and said HOPEFULLY this will cure his ear infection. I got home and read the package and I know this isn't possible with just that. I feel like they just gave me a band aid to just fix the outside problems.

My husband and I are talking about putting him down. This is unthinkable for me. I love this stray cat as hard as it sounds. he trust my husband and I. If we take him in to be put down I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I don't have any Kids but I feel like every pet that has come into my life has a special place in my Heart. Just the thought of maybe we will have to put him down is killing me inside. I can't sleep at night because of it. I ball my eyes out crying because I want to do more and the vet seemed to have no hope in Bear. He told me I'll give you a couple numbers to see a Specialist and he never came back with the numbers. I feel like I'm stuck trying to figure out what to do for bear. I want to find him a forever home to a family who knows how to care for cats with feLV. They can maintain a healthy lifestyle they just can't be around cats that aren't feLV postive.

I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. I don't want bear to pass on and I'm praying for a miracle that his eye infection and ear infection will clear up and that chucks of his fur will stop falling out now. his fur started falling out tonight.

I feel like I'm losing a part of my heart because these strays have a special place there. It took bear a year and a half to get used to me and not run. Now every time when he sees my husband and I, he gets excited and meows with joy, and runs over to us and rubs all over our feet. Bear once belonged to a family because he's a loveable cat and I get so mad when I think about the people who left him here to die.

I'm having a hard time with this entire situation and I'm telling myself now that I don't want to help these strays anymore because of how hard it is to say goodbye especially when I don't have the money to get him his treatment started. It just makes me mad they will put him to sleep for free but they wont do anything to help him get better without money in there hands before they even see him.

I have two other cats and I can't keep bear because of this. If I didn't have them he would have a forever home with me. bear wants a family. I can see it in his eyes and in the way he loves on us. he decided 6 months ago that my husband and I belonged to him but we can't keep him.

I have to try to get him better, if I don't isn't even an option.

my heart goes out to all of you who try like I do with these strays. God bless you, they need someone too.

Cats are my weakness, ever since I've been a little girl. My husband is always trying to help strays, as a little boy he'd bring them home. he loves them just as much as me and is always bringing them home now. Bear is the first to have feLV. Cats are our weakness we'll do anything for them and together we try. It's hard to be each other's rock when we both feel the same way. my husband is trying so hard to put on his happy face and tells me it's okay but deep down inside I know he's doing it for me to try to be strong.

This is hard for me. Sorry this is long but I needed to get this off my chest and I know some of you are good listeners and I needed someone to listen.

PS. I've looked into rescues and no one will take him.

I live in Jacksonville FL, and if someone knows of anyone who will adopt bear with his feLV i will be for ever greatful and I will even try to help with some of his vet care. Animals with some of the worst problems, can bring out the BEST in people


Feb 07, 2009

Bears Story. He's been a stray for at least a year and a half that I know of. During the past 6 months bear has come to trust my Husband and I. He lets us pet him now and he loves to rub on our Feet. Bear went missing for a month an a half and when he decided to come back he was in BAD SHAPE. My husband and I rushed him to the vet ASAP. Bear has an extreme case of ear mites that has caused him to get a awful ear infection. He also has flea's, a skin infection an eye infection and URI. The bad news is the vet told us he has feline leukemia That there's nothing they can do. They asked my husband and I what we wanted to do. I told him right away I'm not putting him to sleep. We are treating Bear for everything but the leukemia. They told us he needs to see a Specialist to get him treatment for the leukemia. The leukemia isn't in it's early stages anymore, but I'm willing to do what I can for this stray so he can live out the rest of his kitty life healthy. He deserves that much and very much so wishes he had a family. Bear has to stay outside because feline Leukemia is very contagious. I have two cats right now, one of which was a stray we decided to keep as well.

Bears vet bill came out to 170 and he still needs to be fixed. I'm asking for donations so I can get this vet bill paid off asap so I can get him in there again for anything else he may need help with if his medications don't work. I also want to take him to the Specialist so he can be treated for his leukemia. Specialist are very expensive, a lot more than a regular vet. (first fund used to pay bears first vet visit. It has been paid for and this fund has closed)

I live in Jacksonville FL near NAS JAX, Bear is also up for adoption to a family who knows how to care for cats that have Feline Leukemia. Thank you for taking the time to read his story.