Gilby had to be rushed to the hospital today.

[corter]

I was vacuuming this morning when I heard my oldest cat (18 months) Gilby moaning from the living room. When I came out, he looked to just be playing in the couch cushions, but when I picked him up I noticed he was actually stuck and couldn't move. I tried picking him up, and he was twisting and turning and moaning, so I put him down and he couldn't stand up. He had no control over his limbs at all.

We rushed him to the MSPCA hospital in Jamaica Plain, Ma, and got him in. He was completely disoriented, couldn't keep focus, breathing heavy- it was the hardest thing I've ever had to watch. He's my first pet, so I'm not used to this kind of stuff. We were there for about 5 hours, waiting and seeing a vet. She tested his movements, and he seemed to get better then worse all day. He could stand for a few minutes, but then would fall. He'd be sitting in his crate, then tip over face down and couldn't even move enough to get his head up. She thinks it could be a number of things, from inner ear to something in his brain. The fact it happened almost instantly was bothersome to her.

I don't know whats wrong with him, and I can only pray he's not in pain. They kept him overnight, since it's Sunday the neurologist wasn't in, so he's getting a whole bunch of tests done. My savings is close to drained with his current bill and I don't know what I'm going to do if he needs an MRI, but I can only hope he gets better.

Sorry, I really don't know the point of posting this but to get it off my chest. I'm alone in our house right now, not really sure what to do with myself. Any prayers for Gilby are greatly appreciated, thanks so much guys

 

[Candys]

Your not alone - we are here. We feel your pain with you. Poor Gilby. Sending love and prayers your way.

 

[Karmakitn]

Hope your baby pulls through. Sorry to know that you were alone while waiting. wish i could go sit with you.

 

[Mews2much]

I hope he will be ok.
Is h a sphynx?

 

[Sianne_and_Alice]

Aww I'm so sorrry, we're all here for you if you need anything. I hope he's okay, I know it's hard when you can't do anything, it's hard to be helpless.

 

[corter]

wow, thank you so much guys. It is super hard, just sitting hoping I don't hear the phone ring. But your thoughts mean the world, seriously. It's funny, I've also got a 7 month old kitten, and he's been forcefully (his doing) attached to me, purring and asleep on my shoulder, since I got home. We'll make it through, whatever happens I just don't want to see him in pain- it's just a very trying event.

He is a sphynx, I forgot to put up a picture. This is him:

 

[Candys]

Gilby is absolutely gorgeous. What a sweetheart. Thanks for the pictures. Hang in there. It sounds like you have a buddy to sooth your nerves. It is uncanny how they know something is going on.

 

[Mews2much]

He is so pretty.
Prayers he will be ok.
Does the vet think it could be HCM?
Can you call and ask how he is doing?

 

[corter]

I mentioned that he had never been screened for HCM to the vet, and she said OK. The Estimate/bill I have with me says a bunch of stuff I don't understand, but I can tell he's being tested for inner ear and being put on antibiotics tonight, lead (we live in an old house in Boston, can't be too careful), a trauma test, toxic test, heartworm, a bunch of blood tests, and he's going to see the neurology doctor tomorrow. I'd guess on something in his head or heart, be it a stroke, seizure, or something of the like, because it happened in an instant. However, I really have no clue about animal health besides a normal cat owner's knowledge (and even then, I've only had him a year), so I'm trying my best not to look up things online and get worked up.

I'll know more tomorrow, it's going to be a long night

 

[Mews2much]

I hope it is not HCM.
That can come on all of a sudden.
Did he come from a breeder?
If so there is a way to check the HCM data base.

 

[susi794]

Corter--We are with you--worrying and praying for Gilby. I hope with all my heart that they find something that can easily be cured without leaving any lingering disabilities. He is absolutely gorgeous and you are doing all you can. Wish we could be there with you--we know that the waiting is awful.
Praying for you,
Susi and the gang

 

[dreaming_in_colour]

Hugs and purrs being sent your way from me, Gable and Amaryllis! I hope that the vet can help beautiful Gilby quickly. You will both be in my thoughts. Please do keep us updated!!!

 

[Bella07]

I am so sorry to hear this. I will be sure to keep your beautiful baby in my thoughts and prayers. (By the way, his eyes and markings are amazing, he is gorgeous!)

 

[corter]

thanks so much guys

I've got no updates tonight, which is good. I'm going to try to get some sleep, and tomorrow they told me to call in around 9 for a status update. My vet is on the night shift, so she'll call me after 1pm to discuss the testing, etc, and hopefully tell me he's good enough to come home- or at least tell me they found something treatable, regardless of cost.

again, it's crazy how much better reading your responses makes me. I can't thank you enough, and very much appreciate your thoughts and prayers for him.

 

[klreese]

So sorry to hear about your kitty and hope he recovers quickly

 

[MissMySphynxBoys]

Sending you and Gilby heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery. He is a gorgeous boy. I hope you were able to get soem rest. We'll be here if you need us. Please keep us updated.

 

[marlene]

Gilby is a stunning boy. I'm praying real hard that they find out his problem and can treat it. It's awful to sit at home waiting for the phone to ring and not know if the news is going to be good or bad or if he'll even be coming home. Please let us know as soon as you hear anything.

 

[Inferno12]

He is a beautiful boy and I am hoping that they figure out whats wrong with him and he gets to come home to you. Its terrible when things like this happen to your babies. We are all here and you can come to us anytime. Johnny and I will be thinking of you

 

[corter]

Just called in for his morning update:

The assistant read me the update by the morning vet, which said his brain function had seemed to improve over night, but did not say how much. Other than that, nothing new. He's still going to need to see the neurology specialist, and the vet in charge of him is going to all me this afternoon to discuss blood work and everything else.

The only thing I want for him is to not be in pain, so right now it sounds like he's ok. Hoping for some good news this afternoon. With that, I didn't get much sleep last night, so I"m taking a nap (working at home really is great sometimes )

Thanks for all your thoughts everyone!

 

[MissMySphynxBoys]

Just called in for his morning update:

The assistant read me the update by the morning vet, which said his brain function had seemed to improve over night, but did not say how much. Other than that, nothing new. He's still going to need to see the neurology specialist, and the vet in charge of him is going to all me this afternoon to discuss blood work and everything else.

The only thing I want for him is to not be in pain, so right now it sounds like he's ok. Hoping for some good news this afternoon. With that, I didn't get much sleep last night, so I"m taking a nap (working at home really is great sometimes )

Thanks for all your thoughts everyone!

Waiting it out can be very difficult. Hang in there. We are thinking of you both.

 

[Candys]

Thinking about Gilby this morning.

 

[corter]

Just heard from my vet- Gilby's coming home!

The news was bittersweet- he's better, but they couldn't find anything definitively wrong with him. All of his blood tests came back fine, ruling out things like heartworms and HCM I think. The neuro doctor and the vet both agree that it seems to be an inner ear issue, so he's going to be on an antibiotic to clear up anything they can't see. He's always been really really good with bathing and cleaning, but won't let me touch his ears- so it's hard to keep them clean.

After this bout, I'm going to (gently) pin him down and show him who's boss and get his ears clean whether he likes it or not, because I need to know whether or not his ears are the issue. The doctor is being really great, so basically she's going to have his file and stay with him through anything else that happens.

I get to go pick him up in a couple hours. From there, it's a matter of getting his ears cleaned out and observing him- if this happens again (which it might, we don't know) I won't be as afraid that it's a timely, serious thing, but he'll have to go in for a ct scan or MRI. He's up and walking and has his balance and focus back today, so I'm really just happy he's not in any pain anymore.

I'll have another update when I get to see him. I'm really excited to have him back, my bed felt really empty last night with him gone!

 

[Mews2much]

I am glad he is better and it it not anything like HCM.

 

[Candys]

I am so glad he will be in your arms soon. Ear infections CAN create all kinds of problems like dizziness, nausea, and so forth. This is a diagnosis with an easy fix.

 

[MissMySphynxBoys]

I'm so glad that Gilby is coming home. What a relief it is to have all signs pointing to a treatable inner ear infection. Thanks for sharing Gilby's crisis with us. We all learned something new.