The World's Greatest Kitten

[dreaming_in_colour]

We NEVER tired of hearing about Gummi and will always hope you keep us updated on her.

She is a fighter and needs her family to stay strong for her. Hang in there. I know it is both heartbreaking and frustrating

Trevor is sitting here with me and I read your post to him and he started crying. He said he wishes he was there because he would help doing anything for Gummi. His birthday is on Friday and he said he wants to send Gummi any birthday money he gets for her to get better. He loves that kitten!

Tell her how much she is loved and her Sphynx Lair family needs her to keep fighting and to get well soon!

We will keep Gummi and your family in our prayers and are sending you the biggest virtual hugs we can!

 

[ckutkuhn7]

We never get tired of hearing about her. I hope she gets well soon. Hopefully something has to come thru for her. I wish I had a clue of advice but I don't.
Just know we are all here for you in whatever we can do.

 

[Melonie]

The swab was the last thing we did and that is how we figured out what was wrong with my guys. It is worth a try. You never know what might grow. It was expensive about 150 dollars but they had to send it somewhere else. I don't know if where you live is bigger then here and more "advanced"

 

[susi794]

What did the swab show they had?

 

[AmazonGoddess]

Sending you and wee Gummi as much love and positive thoughts as we can. Gummi is such a little trooper. You and your family give her so much love, it can only help keep her strong.

 

[xxx_phoenix_xxx]

poor gummi, my thaughts and prayers are with you all. i have everything crossed for you that gummi pulls thrue this and comes out the other end a happy healthy kitten thinking of you all xxxxxxxxxxxxx hugs to you hun you are doing everything you can chin up and stay possitive xxxxxx

 

[marlene]

Gadzukz, I'm so very sorry to read about Gummi. I'm praying for all of you as hard as I can.

I want to start this off by saying I'm not a vet or a human doctor. I'm a registered respiratory therapist that specializes in emergency and critical care. Heart and lungs are my thing. This may be presumptuous for me to say, but you typed something that jumped out at me. It was when you said that they thought her chest xray might be "fuzzy" and that her breathing was "raspy." Both of those things are indicative of pneumonia.

I'm thinking that perhaps her problem isn't digestive, it's pulmonary. And I'm thinking maybe it's pneumonia because she does fit those symptoms too. Symptoms of it include the raspy breathing that you mentioned, fever, malaise, vomiting, decreased appetite, and diarrhea.

This next part is way off the wall. I do apologize because I don't want to give the impression that I'm trying to diagnose Gummi online and without the proper credentials. I'm just trying to think of her as if she was my kitty.

Her whole story is just niggling at me. The deterioration, then rebounding and getting better, then sick, then better. I'm trying to think of lung conditions that would cause this. I know I'm completely out of line here because she's a cat; but if she was a human I'd suggest to the doctor that they investigate for Mycoplasma pneumonia. M.pneumonia also occurs in animals, it typically attacks the young/adolescent, and it's prevalent in the hotter months. It often follows the same up/down pattern of wellness that you've seen in Gummi.

If this is somehow an option, you might want to have a bronchoscopy done on her. This is a noninvasive surgery; she would be heavily sedated and a tube inserted into her mouth down into her trachea and bronchial tubes. This would allow them to get sterile samples of her sputum and the epithelial cells in her lungs and allow them to visually see what's going on down there.

Lab tests would include a sputum C&S (culture and sensitivity; though M.pneumonia doesn't show up on C&S tests because that particular organism lacks a cell wall, it would be used to pinpoint if another organism is causing this). Other tests would be a serum cold agglutination, complement fixation, enzyme-linked immunoassay, and indirect hemaglutination. I don't know about cats but in humans there is also a DNA test that detects M.pneumonia ribosomal RNA in respiratory secretions that's very accurate. Unfortunately the first test normally done, the WBC, is of little to no use for diagnosing this kind of pneumonia.

But the one thing that really bugs me about all of this is that doxy is the drug of choice for treating M.pnemonia. I do know that humans usually take the doxy for at least 4 weeks. So she should have been cured already. I'm at a loss to explain that. But I do think you should talk to your vet and see if he thinks a bronchoscopy might turn up some answers.

Here's a big hug for you and Gummi.

 

[MissMySphynxBoys]

Thinking of you and Gummi. How is she doing? How are you doing? How's your daughter?

 

[ckutkuhn7]

I hope little Gummi is doing well! Any progress??

 

[Gadzukz]

Hi guys, I have been pretty sick myself (emotionally, not physically) so have not posted much. Gummi has responded wonderfully to the doxy. She goes to the Dr tomorrow and will probably get another 10 day supply. I have gotten lots of good advice here and on the yahoo health group, but first I want to finish the doxy treatment, we are doing it extra long to try and wipe this thing out!!

Wynter is doing well, today was her first day of school and she is scared to death that people will pick on her. She has been seeing a chiropractor, and has had some yoga sessions, which stress no pain, and she really seems to like it. I admit, I am jealous, it looks so relaxing, I would love to do it also, but can only afford one. unfortunately the yoga instructor we found is going on vacation next week for a month, but we have the mat and exercises for her to practice at home. Also her shrine hospital application is being processed so she should have an appt there pretty soon.

Thanks for your concern, I love you guys, I am just not in a good place emotionally right now, and am fighting off depression, but I will be back soon, I promise!

 

[Candys]

Congratulations on getting in to the Shriner's Hospital - they are amazing. Hang in there the sun will shine on you soon. For now hide under the clouds and rest your tired soul.

 

[kiennasmom]

Thinking of you, Gadzukz. *hugs*

 

[xxx_phoenix_xxx]

i'm happy or you that Gummi is responding well fingers crossed she keeps on the up hugs to and thinking of you both xxxx take care hun xxx

 

[Bella07]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 

[tessblack]

Glad to hear that Gummi is doing better. Sorry you are having to go through so much right now. My thoughts are with you guys.

 

[susi794]

Rest, our sweet friend, and know that we love you so much. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help, for I surely would do anything I could. Until then, I will pray for a brighter tomorrow for you. I'm glad Gummi is doing better--now let's get you in a better place. Right now it just seems that everything is going wrong--but this too, shall pass. Wishing I could hug you in person,
Susi and the gang

 

[dreaming_in_colour]

We worry about you! Do what you have to do to get YOU in a better state emotionally, physically, whatever you need. We are all here. Sorry that you are having to go through so much right now Please let us know if there is anything we can do.

HUGS!
Kris

 

[MissMySphynxBoys]

Hugs to you, my friend. Always remember that you are loved and admired. You have a heart of gold. Keep the faith. Things will get better. Tell Wynter not to worry about what small minds think. She is strong like her momma and will get through this just fine.

 

[sydkat7]

Sending wishes of love and good health to you and Gummi. I know how tough it is to deal with depression...been fighting it myself lately. Take care of yourself and Gummi and best of luck to both of you!

 

[gizmo6370]

Glad to hear that Gummi is doing so much better....get well soon Gadzukz...hugs to you

 

[marlene]

Things will get better. Though sometimes it doesn't seem like it. **hugs**

 

[ckutkuhn7]

I'm so glad Gummi is doing better. Just know we are here for you when you return and are always thinking of you and hope the sun shines for you soon! xoxo