Ear Infections And Shelter Surrender

[Furballsmom]

Oh, now I see his picture, what a sweetheart!

 

[javannalynn]

Tomorrow I am going to try to call the No kill shelter I got Theodore from. Maybe they will be more helpful. My sister in another state actually sent me their link and said i should try them. She had no idea I got Theo from them. I'm not sure what they can do but if i surrender him to them he would at least get to live in an open shelter.

 

[Furballsmom]

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[tarasgirl06]

I don't know if this is the right place to put this but i don't know what else to do.

A little over a month ago my 18 year old Theodore passed way (January 17th). We decided to donate what was left of his fluids and lines and needles to our local shelter the next day. I just couldn't look at it anymore... After we dropped everything off we couldn't help but go look at all the kitties. I told myself we needed time to grieve for Theo. We went into one of the Multi-Cat rooms and there was one big fat grey cat cowering. No other cats were with him in the room. I walked over and made him let me pet him. Once I did it was like he was a completely different cat. He rubbed on my hand and legs and was so happy someone was petting him. I sat down and he climbed right in my lap and wanted to rub his face on mine and hugged me so tightly I almost cried. It was so sweet. My boyfriend came in and sat down and he did the same to him. He was soo sweet. So we impulsively decided to bring him home.
They advised us he had a little ear infection after having a polyp removed. Told us they would provide the medication and we just have to give it the next 3 days. It was like pouring snot into his ear. Poor boy hated it. But we got through it. We took him to my vet after the 3 days because he sounded like marbles were in his head. They advised it was probably just the thick medication the shelter had us giving him and to give it a few days to clear up. They also told us he has a pretty bad heart murmur and would have to see a specialist at some point to see what is going on. My vet advised we had some time to have this done. But if we didn't we might wake up to find him dead if he throws a blood clot.
During this time we introduced him to our cats and things were going ok. Then we found out he is a biter. He really turns on a dime. Purring and happy to biting your hand. We've spent the last month working with him and it is really improving although he is still a biter.
After about two weeks we realized he sounded like he had marbles in his head again. I stuck a q-tip in and sure enough green puss came out. Took him back to my vet and they gave us some more antibiotics and we went back to treating his ear infection. The meds were for 2 weeks. its now been about 2 weeks since we stopped the meds and sure enough he sounds like marbles again. I contacted my vet and they advised he needs to see a specialist that can look down in his ear to find out what is going on. The specialist would cost over $2000....
After everything with Theo passing we are out of cat fund money. We adopted a younger healthier cat thinking we would have time to build the fund back up and pay off those bills.
I contacted the shelter and advised them we may have to surrender him back and they said since we've had him 2 months we agreed to take care of him they will not help us.
I'm out of ideas here. At this point all i can think to do is surrender him. We can't afford to fix him and they will not help us. The biggest issue is HE BITES! If i tell them he bites they will just euthanize him. I just don't know what to do and i can't stop crying. Any advise to help save poor Marbles would be greatly appreciated!

For me, adoption is for life, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health. The biting wouldn't bother me. It happens sometimes. But yes, he would not have good chances if it is known that he has bitten. One of my cats bit me a long time ago, and when I related this in passing to his vet, his vet said something about that he should have been informed right away and that my cat should have been quarantined. My cats stay indoors only and we didn't have guests, so it was the same as being in quarantine.
I would request more antibiotics and continue the treatment.

He is very handsome, by the way. I hope you will commit to him for life. He deserves no less.

 

[javannalynn]

For me, adoption is for life, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health. The biting wouldn't bother me. It happens sometimes. But yes, he would not have good chances if it is known that he has bitten. One of my cats bit me a long time ago, and when I related this in passing to his vet, his vet said something about that he should have been informed right away and that my cat should have been quarantined. My cats stay indoors only and we didn't have guests, so it was the same as being in quarantine.
I would request more antibiotics and continue the treatment.

He is very handsome, by the way. I hope you will commit to him for life. He deserves no less.

I appreciate the judgement you passed assuming i am throwing him away. I would love to keep him for life but without treatment it would be a short and painful life for him. I guess looking at the bigger picture and realizing i don't have the funds and trying to find a way to save his life and make it better is not good enough. I'm sorry I spent thousands of dollars in the last few months trying to prolong my old cat's life only to accelerate his death. I'm sorry that I'm trying my best and would rather have him healthy then keep him at my house and just let him suffer.
I have never ever surrendered a cat and i am dying inside thinking about it. I have always adopted and always kept my cats their entire life. Even adopting elderly cats that have been abandon. But i really do appreciate your judgement.

 

[Jcatbird]

Wait! My heart is breaking with you. There can still be hope. Please don’t feel shot down. You said the other shelter might help. Would they help keep him alive and in your arms or just take him back? What about the specialist? Have you gotten a quote from them or was it just from the people who were going to send you there? Maybe it wouldn’t be 2000. Maybe this kitty would touch their hearts too. Doesn’t any vet in your area have a heart? I know they can’t afford to vet everyone for free but maybe there is one out there who could take pity on this kitty. Let me give you a little insight here. Sometimes we are so moved by the plight of a kitty that we speak out desperately to try and keep them with a loving home. Your post about this baby are moving us all to heartbreak. In most places Shelters are not a good place. It might come off as judgement but I think it is more just wanting that little one in your love , even if it’s the end, than alone and without love. Surely any shelter that would try to keep Marbles alive would have a lighter load if you kept him in your home. I know shelters vary in every place so I understand there may be weird rules. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to have another sick kitty so quickly but at least you are able to give him love. Your description of him turning into a different kitty when you met him and immediately loving you just makes everyone want him to be with the human he trusts and loves. Can you give me a little more information about whether the shelter will do anything at all medically? The specialist? Please hang in here. We really do want to help you and Marbles. I am going to message you.

 

[Furballsmom]

Your post about this baby are moving us all to heartbreak.

It really is - trust jcatbird

 

[fionasmom]

You are in a tough spot and you got there because you have such a kind heart. It has happened to most on these boards I would guess. Fast forward to you leave him at the shelter where he will more than likely be euthanized. Can you deal with that? I don't mean that in a snarky way, but just make sure that you won't spiral down into some depression looking at the picture of him so happy to have a home. My guess is that he will be probably be euthanized due to ongoing health issues as most shelters are full of healthy animals they are trying to adopt out and they may or may not have a policy of advertising him as a cat who needs a medical procedure. The biting will definitely get him euthanized almost anywhere. As tarasgirl06 says, the biting would not bother me either and I currently have a pair of gloves that I used for a cat I currently own who was a biter.....getting better as he learned to play with the gloves as his prey and not bite if he does not see gloves. Please don't think that I am criticizing you because you have done so much more than anyone else would have for this guy, my guess being that the cat who hides in the back of the cage is going to be ignored by anyone looking for a pet in the first place.

 

[tarasgirl06]

I appreciate the judgement you passed assuming i am throwing him away. I would love to keep him for life but without treatment it would be a short and painful life for him. I guess looking at the bigger picture and realizing i don't have the funds and trying to find a way to save his life and make it better is not good enough. I'm sorry I spent thousands of dollars in the last few months trying to prolong my old cat's life only to accelerate his death. I'm sorry that I'm trying my best and would rather have him healthy then keep him at my house and just let him suffer.
I have never ever surrendered a cat and i am dying inside thinking about it. I have always adopted and always kept my cats their entire life. Even adopting elderly cats that have been abandon. But i really do appreciate your judgement.

You misunderstand. No offense meant. And believe me, I do understand all about financial considerations and the health of our loved ones, having faced this many, many times. It's not a judgment but a belief on my part that if someone, of any species, is ill and in the case of a companion animal, very unlikely, barring something amazingly wonderful *which I always pray and hope for, but do not always see happening in the real world* very unlikely to find safe haven otherwise, the bond should never be broken. Cats do bond very deeply with those they love. Again, no offense meant or judgment passed.

 

[tarasgirl06]

You are in a tough spot and you got there because you have such a kind heart. It has happened to most on these boards I would guess. Fast forward to you leave him at the shelter where he will more than likely be euthanized. Can you deal with that? I don't mean that in a snarky way, but just make sure that you won't spiral down into some depression looking at the picture of him so happy to have a home. My guess is that he will be probably be euthanized due to ongoing health issues as most shelters are full of healthy animals they are trying to adopt out and they may or may not have a policy of advertising him as a cat who needs a medical procedure. The biting will definitely get him euthanized almost anywhere. As tarasgirl06 says, the biting would not bother me either and I currently have a pair of gloves that I used for a cat I currently own who was a biter.....getting better as he learned to play with the gloves as his prey and not bite if he does not see gloves. Please don't think that I am criticizing you because you have done so much more than anyone else would have for this guy, my guess being that the cat who hides in the back of the cage is going to be ignored by anyone looking for a pet in the first place.

*You totally understand, fionasmom . Thank you for that post.*

 

[tarasgirl06]

javannalynn It is certainly NEVER my intention to say anything hurtful to anyone who cares for cats, and all the more so to someone who is having the kind of dilemma you are having. I do hope you understand that after reading my reply to your reply to me.

There are many resources which may or may not be helpful. As a cat advocate, I can list a few links you may or may not want to try.

BestFriends Animal Society, headquartered in Kanab, Utah (SW Utah) is an amazing group of people and they specialize in special needs animals. They also have over 2,000 shelters working in tandem with them all over the country.
You may wish to visit www.bestfriends.org/resources where you'll find many links to these entities and also a link to their own admission policies. My ex and I actually got one of the "community cats" we were caring for, who was not able to be cured from a skin condition by us and his vet, into their Utah headquarters, and we drove him there. They treated his skin condition successfully and he was there for about a year before a wonderful woman adopted him and he had a long, happy, healthy and loved life with her. She is still a dear friend.
You may also want to look at www.lacroixtees.com and on that site, click on your State and/or adjoining ones, where you'll find listings of rescues to contact, if you decide to go that route.

 

[Jcatbird]

You are in a tough spot and you got there because you have such a kind heart. It has happened to most on these boards I would guess. Fast forward to you leave him at the shelter where he will more than likely be euthanized. Can you deal with that? I don't mean that in a snarky way, but just make sure that you won't spiral down into some depression looking at the picture of him so happy to have a home. My guess is that he will be probably be euthanized due to ongoing health issues as most shelters are full of healthy animals they are trying to adopt out and they may or may not have a policy of advertising him as a cat who needs a medical procedure. The biting will definitely get him euthanized almost anywhere. As tarasgirl06 says, the biting would not bother me either and I currently have a pair of gloves that I used for a cat I currently own who was a biter.....getting better as he learned to play with the gloves as his prey and not bite if he does not see gloves. Please don't think that I am criticizing you because you have done so much more than anyone else would have for this guy, my guess being that the cat who hides in the back of the cage is going to be ignored by anyone looking for a pet in the first place.

I always go for the cat in the back that no one else will take. They win my heart everytime. I’m so glad this one found love. Maybe together we can all find a way. We can hope and send all the good vibes, good wishes and love possible. Maybe the Bestfriends link will help! Please keep us updated. Others may have some ideas as well. Sometimes networking accomplishes something.

 

[tarasgirl06]

I always go for the cat in the back that no one else will take. They win my heart everytime. I’m so glad this one found love. Maybe together we can all find a way. We can hope and send all the good vibes, good wishes and love possible. Maybe the Bestfriends link will help! Please keep us updated. Others may have some ideas as well. Sometimes networking accomplishes something.

*Me too on your comment, all the way!*

 

[tarasgirl06]

Sure hope javannalynn reads these posts.

 

[Furballsmom]

Me too

 

[Jcatbird]

I think she is trying to work on things for Marbles. Many places are closed on Monday.

 

[javannalynn]

I did come here asking for help. I've done that in the passed and always had lots of helpful people. I was surprised to be judged so hard when i am trying to save him. If i was willing to just drop him off and forget him I wouldn't be here trying to get help. Trying to find other options. I know that if i take him back to the shelter he WILL be euthanized. Which is why i was here trying to find other options.
I just want everyone to know that you need to read the entire post before you pass judgement. and you need to realize that some people don't have other options and are trying to do what is best.

PACC (Pima Animal Control Center) has not called back. they have about 15 more minutes before we get to the 24 hour mark and i can call and leave another message. Hermitage is another round of answering machines so I'm just waiting the 24 hours for them to call back. I called my vet and asked if we could just do another 2 weeks worth of meds while we figure out how to get him to the specialist. Neither of the 2 vets i normally see are there so I'm watiting for call to see if another vet will give us the meds or we have to wait til Thursday.
Marbles is still running around the house tormenting my other cats. Besides sounding wet again he actually has green puss coming out of his ear. I feel so bad for him. Hopefully I at least hear from the vet soon.

 

[Furballsmom]

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[Jcatbird]

You’re doing great. I know it’s very hard just waiting for them to return calls. Frustrating and stressful. I never can stand the waiting on call backs. I think another vet was an excellent idea! I hope that works. I’m still willing to do what I offered if you need me. You are not alone.

 

[javannalynn]

its not a different vet it is the same office. They just have multiple vets working there.