A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall The Critter Corner Get well soon sweet Ollie!

Most of you know that my son moved back home last summer with his 2 cats, Oliver and Seven.
Oliver is a large, polydactyl grey striped sweetheart.

A while ago, Brian noticed that Oliver had lost some weight. It became very apparent to the rest of us a couple of weeks ago,that he was very thin in front of his hind legs, and then I noticed that he was not eating much, but vomiting big time when he did eat a little.

Brian finally had a chance to take him to the vet this morning (I went along too), and the vet had to keep him to take x-rays under sedation because Oliver got VERY upset when he tried to take his temperature rectally. Unfortunately, when the vet called 1 1/2 hours later, he told Brian that there is definitely a blockage in the upper intestines, and that he wouldn't know if it was something he swallowed, or cancer, until he went in surgically to take a look. He then asked if he should try to fix whatever it is, once he was inside. This, of course, being very very VERY expensive.

Brian told him to go ahead, and it was planned for this afternoon. About 15 minutes later, the receptionist called to say that a dog had come in just after us with the same problem, and his owner got back to them first, so the vet had to do his surgery today, and will do Oliver's first thing tomorrow morning. They are keeping him overnight tonight (free of charge - gee thanks after what this is going to cost - a couple thousand - no exaggeration!!!), and Brian is to call them around 11 in the morning to see how it went.

I spent the entire morning crying for poor Oliver. I'm hoping it's just something he swallowed and is an easy fix, but something tells me it's not. And Brian is already bracing for the worst.

..



We would very much appreciate it, if you would send good wishes out for Oliver and Brian. This is not a good time for this to be happening, as Brian has been dealing with some other issues recently. (I know that I don't participate in the prayers thread, because that is not part of my religion really, but I do always hold good thoughts and wishes for you all in need.)

Thanks so much.
I will update here tomorrow as soon as Brian has spoken with the vet, after the surgery.

I know how you feel, Lynne---I will be praying for Oliver-- --and for the rest of you as well.--I will be anxiously awaiting an update---

Beautiful photos of Oliver by the way.

Oh Lynne I know how Disheartening this is for you and Brian,,

I'll say a prayer for Oliver in hope that it is just something he swallowed He'll be in my thoughts tomorrow Morning, that Brians Beautiful Kittie will be alright!

Oliver had my prayers too.... hopefully he just swallowed something and it is an easy fix for the vet....
Nana

Thank you so much Carol, Diane, Cindy, Nana, and Jiffy.
It really helps to have friends by your side when going through something like this. The waiting to hear is pretty difficult, and Brian has stayed home from work this morning.

I am on pins and needles waiting to find out - 2 more hours...

I am here by your side---waiting as well for word from the vet.

I hope and pray for Oliver, that he will be fit and well.

Thank you again, Carol! Thanks so much, Glenda!

We just got back from visiting Oliver at the vet's. He is not happy there at all and was howling the entire time we were there. Brian says that is typical for him when he is at the vet's. Too bad they can't see what a sweetheart he is at home.

They told us that they did not find a blockage at all, but a thickening of the intestinal walls, and enlarged lymph nodes. They took several biopsies of the nodes, intestines, stomach, etc. We won't get the results until a week from now, and that will be a long wait. They said it could be 1 of 2 things - lymphoma, or irritable bowel syndrome. Of course we are all hoping for the latter, as they said cortisone usually takes care of that.

I am going to pick Oliver up tomorrow morning after my physical therapy -
Brian cannot miss more work this week.





Thanks again for keeping us in your thoughts.

i'm glad you got to visit oliver, lynne. and i will continue to pray and send good thoughts. ibs in a cat, would be a blessing in this case.

I so hope it is IBS too Lynne----

Still Thinking of Oliver,,,,,,, How is he today???

We are waiting to hear about the results still.

Thanks for asking Diane!

Lynne I just saw this I am so sorry for you all. Me the dogs and Birds as well as the Sugar gliders send our best to Oliver as well as Brian and you.

Thanks so much Jimmy!
It really means a lot to us, coming from the "critter keeper".

Lynne could you please update us on Oliver. Had a house guest over the last weekend since Wednesday so have not been on and I don't see anything from today.

Thanks for your concern, Jimmy, but we still do not have any news.
They did say it would take about 5 business days for the biopsy results.
So we wait on pins and needles...

lynne, thanks for the update. i'm still praying

Praying for Oliver

Thanks so much to all my friends here who showed their concern.
It really helps one get through the tough times, you know?

My son finally got results from the vet today.
To quote Brian...



Brian is very glad it is NOT cancer, (as we all are!), but at the same time is very worried because this could be a very bad situation as well. We keep trying different foods to entice him to eat, but he's not eating all that much. At the same time, he loves his treats, so Don and I are probably giving him too much of that, because he does gobble them down. He does look much better than when we brought him home, and I do think he might have gained a little, but he has to be able to relieve himself comfortably also, and if he gets impacted again, he will start vomiting, etc once again.

Time will tell... but thank goodness it's not what we refer to in my family as "The Big C"!

I am ever so happy Lynne.That is great news about Oliver----I so hope he continues to improve.

that is wonderful news lynne

Oh Lynne What a relief,, and even tho he has IBD,, it is managable, and He will Be Okay!!!!!!!!!! Good News!

Brian corrected me at dinner when I was telling Don about Oliver - apparently there is a big difference between Irritable Bowel disease and INFLAMMATORY Bowel disease according to him. Now I am going to have to look them up to see what the differences are. But once again, at least it is not THE BIG C.

Lynne as bad as this is I am so glad it is not cancer. Hoping he will start eating everything in sight soon.

Thanks so much Jimmy!

Ok - I posted this morning here - I KNOW I did!

I said...

Thanks so much for all that information, Joclyn. I have passed it on to my son in an email, and we will see what the vet says when we take Oliver for a check-up on Monday evening.