A Holly Update - On the Up and Up!

As most of you know, it's been a real roller coaster ride with our little furball but, for once, we're climbing up into the air or zooming to the ground (whichever part of that analogy indicates good times).

I took Holly to the vet on Monday and her levels are down! (This is a good thing)

I actually took her because I was worried. She'd seemed lethargic and ornery the past week or two and then she threw up (some kind of frothy liquid - yum!) twice in three days. I was worried my girl had taken a turn for the worse. And I chided myself because I hadn't brought her to the vet in nearly a year.

So, it was finally time. Whatever the news would be, I would handle it. And if she was in pain or something was wrong, I had to take her.

We saw Dr. Caruso at Pet Haven. As soon as Holly spilled out onto the steel table, she remarked on how good she looked for a cat with kidney disease. The vet tech complimented her soft fur. My pet owner pride rose.

She was a delight, holding still for the needle and letting the vet tech hold her like a baby.

Then, the 20 minute nerve-wracking wait for the initial results of the blood work which would tell me the most important information, her BUN and creatinine levels. These are waste products excreted through the kidneys. High levels indicate kidney failure. The last time her blood was tested, her BUN was 71 and her creatinine was 6.5. Normal ranges are respectively 14 - 36 and .6 - 2.4. A cat who is in renal failure will often have a BUN level of more than 80. As for creatinine, any level over 5 is considered very dangerous. Perhaps that's why a vet we saw subtly suggested we put her down.

Thank the god I don't believe in that we didn't! Dr. Caruso called me back into the room with a smile on her face. "I'm very pleased with these numbers!"

Holly's BUN is now 48 and her creatinine is 3.9. I may have literally jumped for joy. The numbers are elevated above normal but that will always be the case for a cat with kidney disease. The important thing is what we're doing is working! Daily fluid injections, the occasional appetite stimulant, and (in the last month) prescription cat food. Dr. Caruso recommended we simply continue. She's doing great!

Speak of the devil. She just hopped up on my lap. She's been in good spirits since her trip and hasn't thrown up once. The little minx is still sleeping a lot. Apparently, it was just the heat.

My cat is happy and healthy. From now on, I look forward to vet visits!



Thanks for the continued contributions! It helps mightily; these visits, medicine and food are expensive.

Cat kidney disease information came from: http://www.felinecrf.com/tests0.htm and http://www.felinecrf.org/how_bad_is_it.htm

She's ba-a-ack!

A Holly update:

We held a-ahem-perfectly legal poker tournament on Saturday night in Holly's honor and raised $300.00 for her vet bills! That brings the Total of Holly's donations to...(drumroll)...$1109.00! It's incredible. I never expected people to be so generous. I'll add up Holly's vet bills tonight and see how close we've gotten.

Thank you again and again to everyone who's donated and/or said kind words about Holly.

More good news! Guess who's sitting on my lap at this very moment at the counter of Babbo's Books. Holly! She's back, for the time being, at the store. I, for one, think she's much happier here than at home. Come and visit!

How the heck is Holly? (the second Holly update)

I've got some bad news to write which is why I've put it off for a few days.

On Wednesday, the vet called me. Holly's numbers (i.e. the level of toxicity in her blood) had gone up, back to where they were when I first brought her in.

Since then, I've made a renewed effort to get her to eat so that when she gets the test again on Tuesday, the numbers will have gone down a little.

I'm thinking about bringing her to a different vet, trying cat acupuncture (which is actually supposed to help), and trying holistic medicines. She's only 3 1/2, this can't be the end.

Also, I want to thank everyone again for their support, financial and emotional. Since last Tuesday night, a week and a half ago, when we found out she was sick, we have raised $431.50. This is incredibly helpful; to be honest, it will help me pay the rent at the end of the month. I've been absolutely stunned by how many people ask about Holly's well-being, who say they think about her and pray for her.

I will ask the vet if he thinks it's wise for her to come back to work. I think the attention and love might do her good. And I miss her during the day.

A bright, shining idea

Amaya, the elementary school aged daughter of a customer, Eduardo, just came into the store to announce that she will be selling her original artwork to benefit Holly.

This art sale will happen in the next few weeks, she informed me.

I am overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness of everyone.

Holly Update - the crazy cat's home!

She's doing slightly better. Amy & I have to give her fluid from an IV twice a day and pills and try to get her to eat. Needless to say, it's not the easiest thing in the world but the fact that she's out of the hospital and at home lying in the sun makes me happy.

The goal is now to get enough fluids in her that she wants to eat. She drank a bit of water this morning. When she's drinking water and eating, then no more IV! I will have to keep her on a low-protein, kidney-friendly diet. But she'll be fine.

Thanks for the well-wishes and prayers, everyone! It's good to know Holly's got so many people thinking about her.

Holly Needs Your Help!

Holly, everyone’s favorite bookstore employee, has just been diagnosed with kidney disease.

We will do everything we can for her, but the treatment is going to be expensive.

We don't expect you to donate but if you want to, we appreciate it.


Every penny helps!

Thank you in advance. We will keep you updated on her condition.