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AlleysMama
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Virginia
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Joined: 13-December 06
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Last Seen: 5th March 2010 - 12:48 PM
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AlleysMama

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4 Mar 2010
Hi everyone. Its been a while since I've been around here, but things have been super busy.

I just want to discuss heartworms in cats and mention that indoor cats are not safe from infection. I know this because last August, Riley started having these coughing/wheezing fits. After doing the standard tests and x-rays, they sent off for a heartworm panel and he came back negative.

Unlike dogs, there is NO treatment for heartworm in cats. The drug used to kill the worms in dogs is toxic to cats. Cats have much fewer worms, only 2-3 instead of dozens like dogs can get. The problem is that you have to wait for the worms to die off on their own. When they do, they can get into the lungs and cause sudden death. Thankfully Riley is out of danger in this regard because his last tests were negative which means he has successfully fought off the infection and no longer even has the positive antibody test.

However, he now has chronic bronchial inflammation and will need medication for life. Thousands of dollars spent on vet visits, x-rays and cardiac ultrasound later, we're currently working on adjusting his doses of oral prednisolone until we can get him on the lowest possible dose which still prevents the asthma attacks. Oral steriods can cause serious side effects, so the less he takes, the better. They do have inhaled meds for cats which I hope to be able to do eventually but its super expensive and just not something I can do right now.

He also now takes heartgard preventative monthly. Since he already has lung damage, another infection would be extremely bad. Eventually I would also like to look into some natural or holistic alternatives to the heartgard but haven't found anything helpful yet.

Anyways, I just wanted to share my story with everyone. Riley has been 100% indoors and I've never seen a mosquito in my apartment, but apparently one was there and that is all it takes.


some info about heartworm in cats http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Health/Cat...W_Too_Final.pdf

Here is my pretty boy (left), with his brother Xander.

8 Dec 2009
Tomorrow will be 3 years since my precious girl passed away.

Not a day goes by that I don't think about her and miss her. I see her pictures every night before bed and every day at work. There will never be another special girl like my Alley. Its strange to think that it has been three long years that she's gone when it hurts like it was yesterday.

I miss you angel.

Always.
9 Dec 2008
It has been 2 years today that I lost my precious girl. The pain and horror of having to say goodbye seems as fresh as if it were yesterday. It seems like such a long time since I have held and petted my girl, listened to her sweet meow, looked into her eyes.

I miss her so very much each and every day. When she died, a big part of me died with her. I will miss her until my dying day, when I hope we will be together again.
6 Nov 2008
I just wanted to share some new pictures of my boys.

I didn't post about it here, but Riley was very, very sick last month. He spent several days at the vets, had loads of tests and they still don't know what was wrong with him. After he got so sick, he quit eating and had to be force fed for nearly a week. I was a wreck and I guess I was feeling a bit superstitious about posting here at the time. I was so afraid I was going to lose my boy. I'm happy to say that he is fully recovered though and has gained back most of the weight he lost. Not knowing what caused it makes me paranoid though that it will happen again, so I watch him like a hawk now, especially his eating to make sure he gets enough. Anyways here are the pictures. I hope you enjoy.

You can see in this picture where they shaved part of his chest for an ultrasound.



Of course, his Halloween picture!



Here is one of Xander







Thanks for looking!
25 Aug 2008
Introducing Xander. He is about a year old and I got him last week. him and Riley are getting along well so far. Of course, here are some pictures!










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