First, let me say this is an informational post only to let folks know why I’m quiet. I’m not looking to have a pity party.
One of my BFFs has had major health issues and been in and out of the hospital for several years. He went into the hospital again the first of July. This time, however, the results weren’t as good. I was in the ICU with his husband (my other BFF) on Monday when they took my friend off life support. He didn’t pass immediately so they transferred him to a hospice facility near the hospital. I spent a good portion of Tuesday and Wednesday there with my friends, driving nearly two hours one way each day. I had every intention of going back down on Thursday but…
Wednesday night, Yuri had his first seizure in over three years. After his first one, the vet wasn’t all that concerned, as long as they weren’t frequent. Thursday morning he came into bed for scritches. His eyes were focused and he was purring so I thought it was another isolated incident.
Three hours later, he had another seizure. It was time to take him to the doctor. Unfortunately, there are only two vets here in the boonies and they are always slammed. They had to work us in and it was nearly 4 p.m. by the time we saw a doctor. During that time, he had seven more seizures, each more violent than the last. That’s what they call “cluster seizures.”
Another drawback of living in the sticks: we do have an emergency vet but they are only open until midnight – when they’re open. They have staffing issues. The closest 24-hour vet is an hour and a half away. Yuri needed to be observed for twelve hours – and administered drugs, which I can’t do.
So, we drove Yuri to the other clinic. He spent a quiet night with them (drugs have that effect) while I tossed and turned.
My phone rang shortly after 5 a.m. Friday. My friend had passed.
A little over $2,000 later (yikes!) Yuri came home Friday afternoon and is now a drug addict. The treatment for feline epilepsy is phenobarbital and it must be administered every twelve hours. The emergency vet gave him his last dose at 3 a.m. Friday morning. Needless to say, I’m not thrilled about a middle-of-the-night dose! I spoke with his local vet who said I could gradually move the time so eventually, the morning dose will be at a more reasonable hour – like 9 a.m. I’ve been moving it a half hour every morning so after a little over a week, I’ll be able to sleep through the night.
He had four more seizures Friday and Saturday but each was shorter and less violent than the last. The vet told me there will be “breakthrough seizures” so not to worry unless they cluster again. He hasn’t had one in almost 48 hours, so the drugs are working. Because he’s taking a barbituate, he’s lethargic and walks like he’s drunk. Both are normal and once his body adjusts, those side effects will go away but geez, it’s hard to watch.
Unfortunately, the other three cats are not thrilled with how Yuri smells and is acting. Mischa has always been a bully toward Yuri but it’s now worse. Maks is wary but calm. Sev hisses every time they see each other but at least hisses and leaves. They need to be supervised. Yuri spends his nights in my bathroom (with food, water, and a litter box) so a) Mischa won’t wake me up with his grumpiness, and b) I can find Yuri when it’s time for his medicine. (It’s an oral suspension and chicken flavored so he doesn’t fight me on it – thank goodness!)
After a week of high stress and broken sleep, I’m a zombie. The next few weeks will only be marginally better as I support my friend after the death of his husband, and get Yuri (and the other cats) adjusted to his new normal.
I have social media posts scheduled on my business pages through the end of July. I don’t know if I’ll have the brain power to schedule anything for August. I also don’t know if I’ll get a newsletter out next week. I’m playing everything by ear.
Thanks for understanding.