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- Jan 24, 2012
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Here's the story....several weeks ago we went to a no-kill shelter to meet several 6-10 yr old female cats we had seen on petfinder. The one we thought was the best fit for us (Sharon, orange tabby girl, age 6-8) happened to be in terrible shape. She was short-haired but matted and dirty, had been drooling, and had a silent meow. I expressed my concern to an employee and they said they were going to take her to the vet to get checked out. It dawned on my during my ride home that dental problems and pain could have caused this poor sweet cat to stop grooming herself causing the mats.
Fast forward a few weeks past our vacation (where we thought over the decision and hoped she was getting vet care.) We visited for a third time and submitted an application for adoption....still no vet visit, though. The director called me the next day to say our application was approved but that she knew the cat needed to see a vet so we could make an informed decision. (And even though we were willing to take on a cat that needed a little TLC, this cat was in such rough shape that I though more info on her health would be a good thing.)
Yesterday a shelter employee delivered the news that Sharon has a severe mouth infection (stomatitis from what the vet said) and made it sound pretty dire. She said the vet gave her a shot and she needs to go back for another shot in 3 weeks. The prospect of removing all her teeth was discussed. They are feeding her canned food now.
I spoke to the vet last night. He also made it sound pretty hopeless. He said even when every tooth in the head is removed the infection sometimes doesn't clear up. (He couldn't remember what kind of shot was given and wouldn't venture a guess.) Research I did on the internet also suggested that recovery rate after tooth extraction could be as low as 30 %. I also learned that she could very well be infected with calcivirus.
Honestly, I think it would take a pretty special "calling" to take on a cat that would need this much medical attention and possible expensive oral surgery....especially without much hope for recovery. It is also questionable whether it would be in the cat's best interest to uproot her while she is in pain, expecting her to endure new cats hissing at her under the door of her isolation room and expecting her to bond with a new family while she is so sick. I'm not even sure the shelter would allow us to adopt her now that they know her health status. It breaks my heart that we probably will walk away. (I had several weeks to dream about bringing this cat home and giving her a happy ending. She was dumped at this shelter two years ago as a mom with kittens.) At least the shelter is now aware of her condition. Hopefully they will follow through with the vet care needed.
Just curious if there are any great success stories of dealing with stomatitis out there. Any hope?
Edited to add....Thanks for "listening" even if you have no hope to offer. This whole experience has been so upsetting and it helps to have other cat lovers to talk it over with.
Fast forward a few weeks past our vacation (where we thought over the decision and hoped she was getting vet care.) We visited for a third time and submitted an application for adoption....still no vet visit, though. The director called me the next day to say our application was approved but that she knew the cat needed to see a vet so we could make an informed decision. (And even though we were willing to take on a cat that needed a little TLC, this cat was in such rough shape that I though more info on her health would be a good thing.)
Yesterday a shelter employee delivered the news that Sharon has a severe mouth infection (stomatitis from what the vet said) and made it sound pretty dire. She said the vet gave her a shot and she needs to go back for another shot in 3 weeks. The prospect of removing all her teeth was discussed. They are feeding her canned food now.
I spoke to the vet last night. He also made it sound pretty hopeless. He said even when every tooth in the head is removed the infection sometimes doesn't clear up. (He couldn't remember what kind of shot was given and wouldn't venture a guess.) Research I did on the internet also suggested that recovery rate after tooth extraction could be as low as 30 %. I also learned that she could very well be infected with calcivirus.
Honestly, I think it would take a pretty special "calling" to take on a cat that would need this much medical attention and possible expensive oral surgery....especially without much hope for recovery. It is also questionable whether it would be in the cat's best interest to uproot her while she is in pain, expecting her to endure new cats hissing at her under the door of her isolation room and expecting her to bond with a new family while she is so sick. I'm not even sure the shelter would allow us to adopt her now that they know her health status. It breaks my heart that we probably will walk away. (I had several weeks to dream about bringing this cat home and giving her a happy ending. She was dumped at this shelter two years ago as a mom with kittens.) At least the shelter is now aware of her condition. Hopefully they will follow through with the vet care needed.
Just curious if there are any great success stories of dealing with stomatitis out there. Any hope?
Edited to add....Thanks for "listening" even if you have no hope to offer. This whole experience has been so upsetting and it helps to have other cat lovers to talk it over with.
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