An Update on Moosey

We received the special blood test results last night, and they confirmed what the veterinarians had believed.  Moosey has an aldosterone-secreting mass on his adrenal gland, which is causing his body to overproduce sodium and causing his potassium levels to be very low.  This condition is known as hyperaldosteronism, or Conn’s Syndrome.  Possible courses of action are: 1. surgical removal of the mass, or 2. daily medication to suppress the production of aldosterone, and supplements to raise his potassium levels.  There are important considerations with both of these, and we are now working to learn as much as possible so that we can make the most informed decision for Moosey.  I am trying to set up a consultation with the surgeon for this week, and intend to ask LOTS of questions.

Interestingly enough, the doctor said that the symptoms (lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and dehydration) that caused us to first bring Moosey in are NOT caused by Conn’s.  Most likely, Moosey just “had a bug.” And it was only because they performed an abdominal ultrasound that the mass was even discovered.  Otherwise, we would not have known.  The silver lining is that they’ve caught this early enough that many of the complications associated with Conn’s Syndrome are not yet in play.

Moosey is acting fairly normally, and is definitely happy and comfortable here at home.  He is such a good boy about taking the potassium supplement (thank COD).  We still have a ways to go, but at least we know what it is we’re dealing with now.  Thank you all for your love, purrs, prayers, and positive thoughts and energy.  Please keep them coming, because we know they are truly powerful.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Cinnamon Raspberries :)

We're not sure why sweet and adoptable Cinnamon's tongue was out when we visited...

...but it sure did make us smile. :)

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P.S. - No news yet about Moosey's blood test results, but he still seems comfortable and happy here at home.  In fact, he's eating some wet food with gusto as I type this.

Quick Moosey Update, and Snoozing Holly

Whew!  What an exhausting week it's been around here.  We're still waiting for the blood test results that will (hopefully) bring us closer to figuring out what's going on with Moosey, but he IS home, and that makes us all happy.  He's been terrific when it comes to taking his meds (especially when his dad administers them), and seems to be feeling a lot better. And his appetite and sunny personality are (mostly) back, too.   Please keep those purrs, prayers and good thoughts coming ... they are such great encouragements!

Anyway ... with the weekend upon us, we're going to volunteer at the shelter, and attempt to catch up on a few things.  We'll also try to follow our adoptable friend Holly's example by doing some serious "relaxamicating":

We hope you all have a wonderful and restful weekend.

Home, Sweet Home (Update on Moosey)

We're happy to report that Moosey said goodbye to his fans at the veterinary clinic this afternoon, and that he is resting comfortably here at home.  It's been a pretty taxing few days for our sweet boy, and he's understandably exhausted.  He's definitely glad to be home, and we're overjoyed to have him here where he belongs. :)

We appreciate you all so very much, and are so grateful for your continued love, support, purrs and prayers, and positive energy.  Please keep all those things coming, as we must now wait for the results of the specialized blood tests (which take 7-10 days) to help confirm or rule out diagnoses for what's ailing Moosey.

Hugs and headbonks,

Dad Kevin, Mom Tracey, Moosey, Gracie, and Zoe

An Update on Moosey

Hi everyone.  Thank you all so much for your thoughts, purrs, prayers, energy, and love for our sweet boy Moosey.  They are all greatly appreciated, and they are helping!

Tracey and I got to visit Moosey twice today, and he was really happy to see us.  He is noticeably stronger and more himself.  The clinic staff have fallen in love with Moosey, and they told us he already has "lots of fans" there.  His doctor said the clinic sometimes gets sexy cats and dogs as patients. But only sometimes.  "Moosey," he said, "is definitely a sexy cat." MOL!

Moosey looking sexy!

Moosey's still at the clinic for now. The specialized blood test results won't come back for at least a week, but IF his potassium levels come up a little and stabilize, he can come home tomorrow! So that is what we are hoping, purring and praying for.

It's still too early to know what is going on with Moosey, but they believe it may be an issue with his adrenal gland.  We'll have some decisions to make at some point, but we will ALWAYS make them with Moosey's best interests and quality of life in mind.  We love our little guy so much.

As Moosey would say ... hugs and headbonks to you all.

Dad Kevin, Mom Tracey, Gracie and Zoe

Purrs and Prayers for Moosey, Please

Hi, everybody. We wanted to let you know that we're going to be a bit scarce for a while...

Will you please purr and pray for our sweet Moosey?

Our beloved boy was admitted to the emergency veterinary/specialty clinic this afternoon, and he will be there through at least Sunday. The tests they've run so far have shown some anomalies that have the specialists closer to figuring out what's going on with Moosey. They have some suspicions, but further testing will be required to confirm those, and to determine next steps. For now, Moosey's alert, getting fluid therapy and antibiotics, and being closely monitored.  We (Tracey and Kevin) will be visiting him tomorrow, but as you can imagine, we feel horrible about having to leave him there. :(

Tracey and I (and sisfurs Gracie and Zoe) are very sad, and very worried. We love our Moosey SO much.

Hugs, headbonks and abundant gratitude,

Dad Kevin (aka "meowmeowmans"), Mom Tracey, Gracie and Zoe

P.S. - We will try to provide updates on how Moosey is doing as we get more information.

FURever Home Friday! :)

We're always happy whenever Friday rolls around.  But we're even happier when it's a FURever Home Friday (and today just happens to be one of those ... yippee)!  Since our last adoption update, PAWS kitties of all shapes and sizes have found their very own forever families.  Check out this latest list of graduates!

BIG: Handsome gentle giant Kipper

MEDIUM: Sweet and beautiful Skylar

SMALL-MEDIUM: Super snuggly special needs teenager Nubbins

AND LITTLE:

Kittens Jingle Bell and Rudolph (together); Ricki and Roo (together); Bart; and Bernie and Barry (together)

Congratulations and much love to all the adoptees and their new families.  Enjoy your happily ever afters!

Oh, and speaking of happily ever afters, here's a "happy tail" from Finn and Piper's (formerly Fry and Scruffy) new family:

"Fry and Scruffy (now Finn and Piper, respectively) are doing great! (Here's) a recent picture. Finn is a champion purrer who loves to play fetch with his toys, and Piper is the queen of giving loving "headbutts" and adores any toy with feathers on it. They are both good little eaters and have been using the litter box as they should.  We are happy to have been able to give them a good home!"

Have a great weekend, everybody!