Sunday, May 26, 2019

Suddenly



Cammie has had a stroke. I woke at three o’clock this morning to the familiar sounds of Parker throwing up. After I had talked to him and cleaned up the mess, I saw Cammie off to the side. She was walking in circles, dragging her rear left leg. A stroke was the first thing of which I thought.

I called the emergency service of my veterinary hospital, and had Cammie there within an hour. The doctor called the occurrence a ‘stroke-like’ episode, probably because she cannot define it strictly. It could be a clot, a burst blood vessel, or something else. Cammie did not seem, either to me or to the veterinary, to be in pain. She was clearly distraught, however, and confused. There were hemorrhages in both eyes, and she did not flinch when a simulated threat was made to her sight. My princess is blind.

She may also have lost control of her bowels. Once I had brought her home, she wet all over the bathroom floor, then defecated on the store-room floor, where the litter-boxes are, and tracked it out. After exhausting herself with endless circles, Cammie wedged herself headfirst between a bookcase and chest of drawers.

The blindness will be permanent, the doctor believes. Cammie can live with that, though it will restrict her world mightily. The problem with her bowels may be part of the panic that she must be feeling right now. If it is not, it may have a more serious effect on her quality of life than sightlessness.

Just yesterday, she and I had a good cuddling session. I lie down next to her on the bed, and she started purring when I petted her. Then she bumped me with her head, and lie on my chest. How quickly a world can change.

14 comments:

  1. Oh dear, we're so very sorry to hear about sweet Cammie. Purrs and gentle hugs from all of us and we hope she gets along okay.

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  2. Oh my God, poor Cammie. I don't know what else to say, just that I'm so sorry. I'll be thinking of the princess, and wishing the best for her.

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  3. John, I am so very sorry to hear of Cammie’s stroke and the aftermath. Keeping fingers crossed her quality of life improves quickly. Sending many warm thoughts and purrayers your way. Linda

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  4. Oh dear god. I don't even know what to type. All I can think is please don't let her stay in that state if she doesn't improve, please be merciful. I need to have a sob session, can't even think. Such a shock. I'm sending Light to you both.

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  5. Oh my dear goodness. You are right about how quickly things can change, literally in a nanosecond. My deepest purrs to your sweet Cammie, I am sure she is totally bewildered. *prayers*

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  6. Oh, John! What can I say? This is terrible news. Poor Cammie and poor you. You've had one thing after the other. The important thing is that Cammie is not in pain. I've noticed from my work at the shelter, that blind cats adjust quite well. It takes them time to learn how to get around without bumping into things, but once they learn where things are, they use their other senses to compensate and they do quite well. Cammie's litter box problems may be due to her confusion, as you said, or perhaps the weakness in her left rear leg may be preventing her from getting into the box, or perhaps, due to her blindness, she just hasn't learned how to find the box yet. Please keep us posted on her progress, and know that you and Cammie are in our prayers and thoughts.

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  7. Oh John, I am so very sorry. How true that things can change in the blink of an eye.
    I really don't know what to say, but I send my best thoughts to both of you.

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  8. So sorry to hear this. it must be stressful for you and for Cammie. You are both in our thoughts.

    Julie and Poppyq

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  9. Prayers that Cammie's incontinence is temporary. Please keep us in the loop on her progress.

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  10. Dear John, I am so sorry to read this news of Cammie. I am thinking of you both.

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  11. This brought tears. I am so sorry.

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  12. John, I am so sorry. Poor Cammie...all I can think is thank goodness she is with you and not in the home here in Regina. This won't be an easy time but I know you'll continue to do what is best for your beautiful girl.

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  13. John; we have been offline since Thursday; I am beyond sorry and words aren't adequate; and frankly I can't find them within me to say anything but; I'm sorry.

    Like humans, my grandfather for one; I pray her sight comes back to her; even if only partially.

    Stroke and confusion about "where" she was and "why" she could no longer see; had to have scared her to no end.

    I pray that St Francis watches over her and helps when and how he can ♥♥♥♥3

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  14. After being away for some time, I was horribly upset to hear about Cammie's condition. I hope and pray the princess comes out of this okay.

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