From:
meesh meesh
Date: 2001-08-28 23:53:00 UTC
Subject: Mighty Mouse: Update/Sorting through the mess
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to let everyone know that I spoke with
Karen Purcell (one of the vets on this list) - she not
only knows Mighty Mouse's history, she is responsible
for her being alive the last two years. She helped me
sort out what is going on through the emotional mess
I'm all caught up in.
Basically, as many of you astutely pointed out -
This sounds like ULCERS.....duh. I think my brain was
there but it was so acute that I thought perhaps it
was a GI bug of some sort. (BTW, she didn't attend the
ferret bash = only I did - no stress or exposure
there). One's brain never works too well when
personally involved.
So, until Mighty Mouse is stable, I'm not going to
put her through any biopsies, etc - there's no point.
As for the peg tube, I didn't realize how much she was
actually eating when she would lick baby food off my
fingers. It didn't seem like much but this evening I
put the baby food in a syringe and squirted it on my
fingers. She's getting on average 5 cc, sometimes
less, sometimes more (not great, but not bad) AND she
still *wants* to eat. I have to keep putting my finger
in front of her to get her to eat but she *wants* to
eat.
Also, I stopped the pepto since she doesn't like it
and it stresses her out. I did give carafate instead
since I had some that hadn't expired and she took that
much more readily. I am giving a larger dose than in
the textbooks but she seems to have finally improved
(11:30 pm). Only a few hours ago, she was breathing
very rapidly, loudly, and even making quealing/squeeky
noises like she was crying/in pain. Now she is
sleeping quietly. Still breathing fast, but not as
fast as before. I am going to continue the carafate
every four hours and tomorrow look at her situation. I
also started amoxicillin which they also suggested at
school.
I can't do any more subQ fluids because it's just
too much of a stress on her. All these subQ fluids
and meds, oral meds and food/water, etc., are
stressing her out. I will consider tomorrow whether or
not I need to put her in ICU temporarily with an IV
catheter so we can get the meds in without stressing
her. ICU at school is very stressful (lights on 24/7,
busy and very noisy) and she's been there before
(that's the reason we can't do any more diagnostics
without knocking her out). Also not sure how we will
get an IV catheter in without knocking her out - which
I don't want to do.
Once she is stable we can start to look at why she
has the other changes, but until then, the focus is on
stopping the nausea with various meds, antibiotics,
and getting her eating more.
Thank you again to each and every one of you who
emailed me. I'm so sorry I can't individually respond
to each of you. I'm torn between watching Mighty Mouse
in pain and all the emotions and feelings of
helplessness, and trying to prepare a seminar...sigh.
Hugs to all of you (and ferret kisses to the fuzzies)
You are a wonderful family to have. I really mean it.
There aren't many people who understand what we go
through with these fuzzies (just this evening I told
someone she was sick and the response was "Isn't it
time to let go?!" - some people don't understand..but
you all are wonderful and I'm glad you're here.
Michaela Maurice (& Mighty Mouse)
College of Veterinary Medicine
Ohio State University
Class of 2002
=====
*** If one advances confidently in the direction of their dreams,
and endeavours to lead a life which they have imagined,
They will meet a success unexpected in common hours.
Henry David Thoreau ***
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