saucepan update
Jan. 19th, 2011 11:02 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
truepennyThe Elder Saucepan is doing a little bit better. The vet said he ate a little bit this morning, and he's much more alert and friendly. I am going to visit tomorrow to see if I can help encourage him to eat.
The reason he was feeling so terrible is that his calcium levels were extremely high. (The vet said they were the highest he'd ever seen in a cat.) They have him on medication to bring his calcium back down to normal, leaving the question, of course, of what's causing it to skyrocket.
The two most likely hypotheses at the moment are:
1.) parathyroid disease
2.) bone marrow cancer
Since the ultrasound they did on his throat didn't reveal enlarged parathyroid glands, cancer is unfortunately the more likely suspect, although parathyroid can't be ruled out completely until the bloodwork comes back. If it's not parathyroid, we're probably not going to go any farther with diagnostics which will be uncomfortable, stressful, and dangerous for the cat, and will only confirm what we'll already know: this is probably going to be what kills him, and it's down to the question of how long we can keep him happy and comfortable.
As no one will be surprised to hear, between the diagnostics and the three days so far in the hospital, this adventure is getting very expensive. I am considering breaking my long-standing policy of only donating my author's copies to charities and having a sale to benefit the Elder Saucepan. I would be offering sets of the Doctrine of Labyrinths in both hardback and paperback, A Companion to Wolves in hardback and paperback, The Bone Key (trade paper), and whatever other weird stuff my closet disgorges. Everything would, of course, be signed and personalized as the buyer wished, and I would ship anywhere in the world. I'm still thinking about prices--and, indeed, about whether I'm going to do this at all. You are welcome to indicate interest, and it will not be taken as a commitment.
The reason he was feeling so terrible is that his calcium levels were extremely high. (The vet said they were the highest he'd ever seen in a cat.) They have him on medication to bring his calcium back down to normal, leaving the question, of course, of what's causing it to skyrocket.
The two most likely hypotheses at the moment are:
1.) parathyroid disease
2.) bone marrow cancer
Since the ultrasound they did on his throat didn't reveal enlarged parathyroid glands, cancer is unfortunately the more likely suspect, although parathyroid can't be ruled out completely until the bloodwork comes back. If it's not parathyroid, we're probably not going to go any farther with diagnostics which will be uncomfortable, stressful, and dangerous for the cat, and will only confirm what we'll already know: this is probably going to be what kills him, and it's down to the question of how long we can keep him happy and comfortable.
As no one will be surprised to hear, between the diagnostics and the three days so far in the hospital, this adventure is getting very expensive. I am considering breaking my long-standing policy of only donating my author's copies to charities and having a sale to benefit the Elder Saucepan. I would be offering sets of the Doctrine of Labyrinths in both hardback and paperback, A Companion to Wolves in hardback and paperback, The Bone Key (trade paper), and whatever other weird stuff my closet disgorges. Everything would, of course, be signed and personalized as the buyer wished, and I would ship anywhere in the world. I'm still thinking about prices--and, indeed, about whether I'm going to do this at all. You are welcome to indicate interest, and it will not be taken as a commitment.
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no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 05:05 am (UTC)Though I should admit, as a poor college student I'll most likely have to back out.
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Date: 2011-01-20 06:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 11:06 pm (UTC)Many good vibes in your general direction, though, and long distance scritches for the Elder Saucepan. =(
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Date: 2011-01-20 05:17 am (UTC)I'm sorry that this is happening, and I hope for the best possible outcome, whatever that may be.
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Date: 2011-01-20 05:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 05:48 am (UTC)Second, yes, interested.
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Date: 2011-01-20 06:03 am (UTC)Also, I've been meaning to let you know that "After the Dragon" is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read.
GLOW for strength, health, peace and calm for you and your Elder Saucepan
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Date: 2011-01-20 06:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 06:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 06:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 06:47 am (UTC)That said, if by buying a book I can help you keep the Elder Saucepan in medicine and medical care that's a bonus. You aren't the only person I know confronted with I love my pet-my pet is family! v medical care for pets is just as expensive as it is for human people and with even less insurance options, if that's possible.
May I suggest, and I hate to say it because I'm going to be outbid, you have some auctions? Or a raffle, ala world builders for the Vet Bills?
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Date: 2011-01-20 10:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 02:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 10:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 11:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 12:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 01:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 02:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 02:50 pm (UTC)---L.
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Date: 2011-01-20 02:55 pm (UTC)And I'm interested in a book--don't have any, so probably Bone Key.
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Date: 2011-01-20 03:12 pm (UTC)I'd love a hardcover of Melusine, but my paperback is already autographed by you. I don't have Corambis autographed so it's a toss up between the two.
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Date: 2011-01-20 03:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 03:51 pm (UTC)I'm so sorry. If you need anything, let us know.
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Date: 2011-01-20 03:58 pm (UTC)If you bring him home and he won't eat, try spoon feeding him Gerber's chicken baby food. You want the kind in the glass jars. I verified with the company that it doesn't have any onion or onion salts, which are bad for cats. If he still won't eat I can give you directions on how to force feed him. That's a short term solution, but doable as a bridge to keep him going until his appetite returns.
I'm sorry I can't buy any books. We spent several thousands of $$$ on our little Ford cat and we're struggling now ourselves. We love them so much and it hurts so much when they get ill.
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Date: 2011-01-20 03:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 04:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 04:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 04:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 05:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 05:53 pm (UTC)If you offer books for sale, once I see what you have available, I will bid on some.
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Date: 2011-01-20 05:57 pm (UTC)i am sending my very best kitty skritches for the Saucepan also.
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Date: 2011-01-20 06:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 08:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-21 02:41 am (UTC)warm thoughts from me and my kitties.
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Date: 2011-01-20 10:47 pm (UTC)Aristophanes had high calcium a year ago, the cause never traced, and it just went back down. His didn't cause such distressing symptoms, though. I am thinking of both your guys and your fine elder cat.
P.
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Date: 2011-01-21 04:30 am (UTC)If you are still looking to raise funds for vet bills or any other reason, I would be willing to pay to read any Booth stories not in Bone Key.