Update from Mel and Pixie on Tuesday at 2:15 pm
An update on Pixie. She hasn’t responded to the pain meds and stronger laxative, and is not improving, so she is heading to the specialist for a CT this afternoon. We are just torn to bits that we haven’t been able to get answers and get relief for her yet. Her vitals are still good, so the vets are not sure what the root cause(s) of this are. We have to find out to see if there is a safe snd comfortable way forward to healing for het, or if we have to make that awful decision to say goodbye. I am sick just thinking about life without her sweet little self here with us.
Thank you and everyone at BJ from the bottom of our hearts for the love and good energy sent her way. Please keep her in your prayers as we get the imaging and hopefully get a positive outcome for our baby.
Update an hour later on Tuesday:
Pixie just got up of her own accord, and walked and stretched a little bit. This might be a good sign. Hope, hope, hope!!! We are still taking her for her specialist visit as no pooping has happened yet, and she is still off het food.
Praying that maybe the anti-inflammatories and the strong lax might be the answer after all, and that she’s just taking linger to respond b/c of her age and her megacolon.
🧚♀️
One of our BJ peeps is asking for our help. She doesn’t need our time or our money, but she could use us to jump in the boat and join her in sending all good thoughts to her very special beloved kitty, Pixie.
Here’s the note from Melissa:
I don’t know if this would be okay or not, and if not I completely understand, but I wonder if you would be able to put out a request for some good energy / prayers/ whatever good thoughts folks here could send out into the universefor a very special but very sick kitty.
My little Pixie has been my companion for almost fourteen years. She’s just the sweetest girl ever, and so full of love and so gentle.
She has been here with me through more scary health emergencies than I can count, comforted two dear old kitties when they reached their end of life, and immediately became a loving snd infinitely patient Auntie, despite her age, to the two goofy, rambunctious boys we adopted a couple of years ago.She has been by my side during the pandemic isolation – unfortunately, because of my illness and immunosuppressed state, I have been isolated for coming up on three years now. It has been unspeakably lonely and challenging, but her companionship has been a lifeline and more comfort than I can ever express.
She is seriously ill now, and is right now at the emergency vet with my hubby (I can’t even be with her there, because nobody is masking), after two vet visits late last week with no answers yet as to what is causing her to feel so ill. It hurts so to see her ill, and as anyone who has ever loved their critter knows far too well, it is such an awful, helpless feeling to not be able to make them better, to not know how to fix things for them.
I have had pets all my life, but this little kitty is that special one. Any prayers, good thoughts, good energy that could be sent out into the universe for my sweet little green eyed girl would be so appreciated.
Sincerely,
Melissa
Baud
🙏🙏🙏
West of the Rockies
Very best wishes to a very pretty kitty!
RedDirtGirl
Holding you and you Pixie in the light!
Dan B
She’s elegant and looks so loving. Sending good thoughts.
And the lack of masks in public is disturbing. Our neighbor across the street is also forced to quarantine. Most people are unaware.
scribbler
All good thoughts and warm wishes coming your way. Fingers crossed for you and Pixie.
LifeInTheBonusRound
Offering up healing energies, both to Pixie and to you. The tears I have shed from the loss of my four-legged family members are sufficient to water the garden of delight where their memories bloom.
I too have been in isolation for over three years. I’m grateful you’ve had Pixie and the rambunctious youngsters during that time.
Peace.
Odie Hugh Manatee
Those eyes, how beautiful and soulful! My thoughts are with you and your Pixie, best wishes to her and hopes for healing. I just dealt with a very sick kitty and am right there with you in dread and fear for them.
Trivia Man
Peace of mind and memories forever, I wish you comfort. They give us so much and make life more tolerable.
zhena gogolia
Praying hard for Pixie and all of you.
I mask in public not just for myself but for others. I do not understand our society and its childishness.
SiubhanDuinne
Pixie is lovely. May she bask in the light I am sending her way.
eclare
All fingers and paws crossed here for Pixie, what a beautiful kitty. Scritches for Pixie.
eclare
@zhena gogolia: I also still mask in public.
MomSense
Sending healing energy to Pixie – and to you too.!
Lyrebird
Good thoughts, non-presumptuous prayers for Pixie? Absolutely!
And for the kitty @Odie Hugh Manatee: mentioned too.
Are your kitties a particular type or breed? Pixie and nephew are so handsome, and they look like they might be reincarnations of royal Egyptian kitties or some such. Am just idly speculating here, but I am sending my very best thoughts and wishes your way.
Mel
Thank you, WaterGirl, and thank you everyone. It means so much.
We’re still waiting for the vet to see her. She’s such a brave little girl.
Redshift
Sending good thoughts and best wishes for you both!
LNNVA
I also have a dear kitty who is fifteen. I know how hard it is when your kitty isn’t able to tell you what is wrong. Hopefully, she will get better and be able to spend several more years with you. You will be in my thoughts.
Mel
@Lyrebird: They are adopted Orientals Shorthairs. They are super sweet and crazy about people, and they all three love to talk and snuggle.
One of the Many Jens
I am so sorry – the best of wishes heading both of your ways! (And my heavens, Pixie is BEAUTIFUL to go along with her lovely temperament.) Heal well, Pixie!
Beeb
Warm thoughts of healing headed toward Pixie and Melissa.
raven
Hang in there and be good to yourselves no matter the outcome. We can try our mightiest and still not get the outcome we hope for.
AliceBlue
Sending prayers for healing to you and beautiful Pixie.
BeautifulPlumage
What a purrfect name, I can imagine how gentle she is. Sending good thoughts and best wishes for a diagnosis with an easy cure. Meow.
Jane2
Here’s to the best outcome for your special Pixie.
Another Scott
Fingers crossed for your green eyed lady, Melissa. Soul mate pets are so very special.
Hang in there.
Best wishes,
Scott.
Scott.
Old School
Best of luck to Pixie. I hope they determine a course of action.
JPL
Poor baby and I hope that the healing prayers help her recover. It’s so darn hard when an animal is sick.
p.a.
Sending positive vibes & best wishes.🤞🏻
Van Buren
Sending all my good vibes.
kindness
Energy being sent. It’s always so sad to see our kids get to the end.
Mel
@Odie Hugh Manatee: I hope that your kitty is feeling 100% better. Hugs to you both.
lowtechcyclist
My prayers are going up for you and Pixie.
CaseyL
What a gorgeous girl! Those eyes!!
Healing thoughts going out for Pixie and fervent hopes for a complete recovery.
schrodingers_cat
Making a paw circle for Pixie. And wishing for a speedy recovery.
Caroline
I am sending you healing thoughts for a very special kitty!
SuzieC
Best of luck to you and that darling angel.
Noskilz
Hopefully everything turns out ok for Pixie.
Sister Machine Gun of Quiet Harmony
Sending best wishes to Pixie!
Lyrebird
@Mel: Awww…
Thanks!
<3 Pixie and buds and humans <3
Tom Levenson
Tikka, Champ and I send all our best thoughts and good vibes to you and Pixie.
rikyrah
🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 for Pixie
errg
What a sweet girl, hoping little Pixie feels better soon…
rikyrah
This makes sense
Skeptical Brotha 💛🐝🌈 (@skepticalbrotha) tweeted at 3:24 PM on Sun, Apr 09, 2023:
FYI: Both #JustinPearson and #JustinJones are ministers. Jones is in divinity school right now. Both of Pearson’s parents are ministers. #TennesseeThree
(https://twitter.com/skepticalbrotha/status/1645160736191295488?s=02)
Betsy
Pouring out a heartfelt prayer for your Pixie. Thank you for sharing your situation with us.
Steeplejack
⛅ ⛅ 🙏 ⚡ 🌞
eclare
@rikyrah: You can tell Pearson is a PK from the way he speaks
Rob Lll
Melissa, my partner and I are sending’s warm thoughts and good energy to you and Pixie.
EmbraceYourInnerCrone
Keeping good thoughts for you and your PIxie, she’s beautiful and I hope you both get the answers you want and the news is good.
rikyrah
😠😠😠😠
Qondi (@QondiNtini) tweeted at 7:39 PM on Thu, Apr 06, 2023:
I need everyone to listen closely and carefully to how Rep. Farmer, the sponsor of the resolution to expel Rep. Pearson, speaks to and about him
His racist condescension is galling
It’s clear why he is doing this
@Justinjpearson responds perfectly
https://t.co/5GnlTBH6b2
(https://twitter.com/QondiNtini/status/1644137735576338432?s=02)
David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch
Beautiful babies.
Pulling hard for Pixie
Mel
Thank you, everybody. She’s getting xrays and an ultrasound now. I am just hoping against hope that this is something that can be identified and treated. She has a history of megacolon, which we and our vet have treated successfully for going on 10 years now. It’s been over 5 years since she has had any problems with that, and this seems really different. It just breaks my heart to see her or any critter sick.
Even as awful as she’s feeling, hubby says that she is being so sweet and cooperative with the vet and techs. Brave, brave baby girl.
Her two little guys here with me are scared and not sure what’s happening. She’s been the center of their world since we adopted them, and they are calling for her and looking everywhere.
WaterGirl
@rikyrah: Summarizing the whole speech from that prick in one word: “boy”
WaterGirl
@Mel: Fingers crossed for something fixable. Maybe put on some calming music that could help settle the two little guys down?
Even if you’re not feeling calm, the music can help them, and if the two at home with you aren’t distressed, that helps everyone.
Reboot
May Pixie be safe, may she be happy, may she be free from harm–and sending the same to you, Melissa 🙏🏽
Joy in FL
🙏🏼 Pixie 🙏🏼
Dan B
@WaterGirl: The phrase: We’ll never let you pass any bill. Also seems apt.
Boy
SpaceUnit
Sorry that you’re going through a rough patch. I’ll try to summon some good juju and send it your way.
Dan B
@Mel: Sending extra pets and hugs for your boys.
WaterGirl
@Dan B: yep, setting an impossible bar. I had the same thought as I was listening to that.
Wolvesvalley
Sending prayers and healing thoughts for you and Pixie. One of my previous kitties, Persimmon, had megacolon, with several frightening episodes. With our wonderful vet’s help, she lived to be 17 and a half. I hope your Pixie pulls through and enjoys several more years with you.
@Mel:
MisterDancer
@Mel: As someone who is in process of bringing a brown kitty into our lives, I adore this wee one, and hope for the best!
schrodingers_cat
@rikyrah: Thanks for the updates on this disturbing but important story.
Odie Hugh Manatee
@Mel:
Thanks! He has fully recovered and is running at 110% or so now, so we got our moneys worth out of the vet…lol! It turned out to be giardia and we beat that back with a week of meds. Chuckie is an easy purrito so the meds went well, especially when they were followed with a Churu squeezable treat.
I had to hand feed him for a couple of days and learned about Churu Nourish from the vet. It was the only thing we could get him to eat a bit of and it was a life saver. Our other kitties get treats every day but we have never been able to find one that Chuckie likes, so discovering Churu was a blessing for him. He now gets a regular Churu in the morning and a Skin & Coat one in the evening.
We wrap ourselves up in the daily life of our pets and it all becomes “the usual” until something dire happens. Then it really hits you that these little furry people have wriggled their way into our hearts.
Mel
@WaterGirl: Totally agree.
I’ve got a pheromone plug-in going for them, and am trying to ply them with treats and their Da Bird.
So far, no luck, but they love watching “The Mandalorian” ( maybe all the action and motion, or the looks of the critter and droid characters?) so I’m going to try putting that on and seeing if that distracts them.
eclare
@Odie Hugh Manatee:
So glad Chuckie is better, what a sweet post.
MisterDancer
@rikyrah: He might as well have called Pearson “boy”.
WaterGirl
@Mel: Good plan.
Princess Leia
Power of the Paw to Pixie.
Odie Hugh Manatee
@Mel:
A healthy cat at the vet has no problem being uncooperative so you know they are not feeling well when they let the vet do their job without complaint. Chuckie was the same way. Our two other cats knew Chuckie was sick and kept checking on him. Stewie even groomed his face twice, which is a first (and second!). They sniffed him out when we came back from the vet and were like “Oh, you went to that place.”
Stewie just went for his annual at the vet and on return Chuckie sniffed him out, pulled his ears back and gave him the “I know that smell” look…lol
I hope for the best for both of you
KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager))
Oh Melissa, you have all my good thoughts. It’s so hard to watch a beloved pet suffer and feel so helpless to make them feel better! And there’s always that one, special fur person in your life, isn’t there? John’s was Lily, and yours is Pixie. I hope they can diagnose and get her on a treatment plan quickly so she can get back home soon. Meanwhile, I’ll be thinking about the two of you.
Mel
@Odie Hugh Manatee: The boys recognize that smell, too! “Oh, no, not THERE!!” faces all around.
We’ve only ever had one cat that liked to go to the vet. He was an adopted baby who struggled with Siamese dental issues all his life.
He was absolutely nuts for the vet. If we’d do a morning drop off for dental work, by the time we’d swing by to pick him up at the end of the day, he’d be riding around the office with the vet, draped around her neck like a furry scarf and getting fussed over by the vet techs. He lived to be 21 and was a piece of work up to the very last. He was a firecracker of a guy.
Mike S. (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!)
All the best thoughts for your sweet Pixie!
Odie Hugh Manatee
@Mel:
That’s funny that he loved going to the vet! My cats would be like “Are you nutz?!” Stewie is getting his first teeth cleaning this November, plus his first senior cat blood work (He turns 12 in November). The fat bastard is behind me murring right now to remind me that it’s treat time…lol!
It’s always treat time as far as he is concerned! You and Pixie will be in my thoughts, please keep us updated and I hope for the best for you all!
Ann Marie
Melissa — Sending prayers and love to you and Pixie. I hope your vet comes up with an answer that brings Pixie back to good health.
Percysowner
If healing thoughts can help Pixie, I send all of mine.
KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager))
@Mel: My Loki, who is 2 years in remission from lymphoma (we were told at the beginning of treatment that that was impossible, so miracles do happen) always hated the vet. In fact, he always hated everybody except my husband and me, and he wasn’t too sure about my husband! ;-) But 8 months of going to the veterinary oncologist changed his personality completely. He absolutely LOVES her and her vet techs, and he’ll even come to the living room door and check out guests now!
geg6
Good thoughts headed Pixie’s way. She adorable. {{hugs}}
pieceofpeace
Here come more thoughts on healing and recup for Pixie. And you as well.
zhena gogolia
I hope Melissa will let us know how Pixie is doing whenever she has a chance. We’re all pulling for her.
Rileys Enabler
Sending allllll of the good juju to Miss Pixie. May she recover beautifully and run your castle with a velvet paw for years to come.
BethanyAnne
Pull through, Miss Pixie.
TEL
What a lovely girl! Keeping her (and you) in my thoughts and hoping for the best.
Mel
Pixie is back from the ER vet. She has a pretty badly compressed disc in her lower back. Temporary measures for tonight are pain management, fluids, and a strong laxative to keep her bowels moving and avoid a megacolon flare-up.
Vet appt tomorrow to see if this will abate, pain and inflammation wise, with time and treatment, or if we need an orthopedic consult ASAP.
I’ll update as soon as we know more. We’re setting up her bag of Ringers Solution, and the pain meds seem to be making her a bit more comfortable, but she, hubby and I, and the boys are mentally and physically wiped out.
Wanderer
I’m hoping that Pixie improves from her current plan of care and wishing only the best news for you and yours.
Tenar Arha
@Mel: Virtual hugs if you want them. Also, my best wishes for a good night & many healing thoughts
Spanish Moss
@Mel: I am glad that there is progress on identifying the problem and that Pixie is more comfortable. I hope that we hear more good news from you tomorrow. Wishing you and Pixie the best!
Odie Hugh Manatee
@Mel:
Thanks for the update, Mel! I hope they can get this quickly under control for her. Take care of yourselves and do what you can to keep the stress down for all of you.
Kristine
@Mel: Glad you have an answer and a way forward. Best wishes for Pixie and a good night’s sleep for you and your hubby.
zhena gogolia
@Mel: Oh, good that you’re getting some answers.
Joy in FL
I’m so glad Pixie is feeling a little better. I hope you all get sleep tonight and have good counsel and success tomorrow about how to proceed.
Please let us know how how things go.
Mike in Oly
Sending lots of love and good wishes your way. I hope Pixie is on the mend soon.
Marina
Just FYI, you can gently warm the fluid bag with a heated towel; slightly warm fluids likely feel better than cold. Also, the measurements on fluid bags aren’t exactly accurate, because the bag’s hanging up, [as it has to be to when you administer fluids] so the bottom part of the bag pooches out, and the top becomes kind of flat. So adjust how much you’re giving depending on how much fluid is in the bag [give a bit more when you’re at the top, less at the bottom].
Also, it may be worthwhile to have a vet check your cat’s blood pressure [easy to do, non-invasive, and easy and cheap to treat if needed]. Not all vets are skilled enough to check blood pressure accurately, however. If there are any concerns about renal failure, the website felinecrf.org is quite helpful. Lastly, make sure you have pain medicine on hand, particularly over weekends, and clear instructions on dosage, so that your cat is comfortable.
My thoughts are with you. Your cats are beautiful.
StringOnAStick
Good thoughts for Pixie! Such a lovely collection of kitties you have.
Steeplejack
@Mel:
Thanks for the update. 🤞
Mel
@Tenar Arha: Hugs are so welcome! been a hard day for us , but harder still for the little furry kids, all three of them., and the kindness and moral support have helped more than we can express.
Mel
so, we gave baby girl Pixiebelle her high-test laxative along with syringe feeding her a small amount of very watered Hill’s Urgent Care wet food. 100cc of subQ fluids to prevent dehydration until we can get the pain under control so that her appetite hopefully revives.
After her tummy settles from getting the syringe fed laxative and Hill’s, we’ll give her her pain medicine with a tiny schmear of bacon grease on it to mask any bitter taste.
The working theory is that she might, possibly, have mildly irritated a disc trying to keep up with the jumping, running, leaping boys. She’s one of those sunny, stoic, glass-half-full sort of personalities, and we have always had to watch her closely after her spay, after dental cleanings, etc., b/c she will not show pain the way the other kitties do.
So, she might have had some mild to moderate discomfort and not have been outwardly showing it, but started holding her poo because of it, triggering her first megacolon block in years.
Then, she had to have a “dig-out” of a couple of inches of impacted poo, and perhaps the pressure on her back to hold her safely still during the digout either compressed the unknown damaged disc further, or put pressure on a nerve, really intensifying her pain and causing her to retreat, avoid much movement, and be even less willing to poo.
The plan is to clear out the poo she has been holding, manage her pain so that hopefully (please oh please Bastet!!) she will begin to eat and drink on her own tonight, and then get info tomorrow on what her possible options are.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. 💕
Mel
@KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager)): This made my day! Loki pulled the ultimate, wonderful trickster god move, and I am so thankful and happy that he is fully recovered! May he have a long and fabulous life. He sounds like an awesome kitty with a zest for living large and a take no prisoners attitude!
kalakal
Good to hear you have a way forward.
All the very best to you all and special good thoughts to little Pixie
Mel
@LifeInTheBonusRound: Thank you, and I am so, so sorry that you are stuck in isolation, too.
I’m a quiet sort of person, and have always preferred a night in with a good book, or a little gathering with a few friends to socializing in crowds, but after three years of such complete isolation, I think I’d be the first person in line for the loudest, rowdiest, most-people packed event if only it were safe. “Old Lady Crowd Surfs at Concert, then Streaks Down Street Waving Tequila Bottle and PomPoms” might be the headline if that “safe to go out again” time ever arrives.
Gvg
I had a rowdy boy cat who suddenly became grumpy and in pain. Turned out he had a birth defect in his spine that meant he easily pinched a nerve between 2 discs. Pain meds for months, but also we had discourage his running around, running into walls for fun and all jumping. Bought kitty steps for all couches and beds. After a year he acted normal and never needed the meds again, but he would no longer sleep with me. Apparently being bumped by a big sleeping human might hurt, so he moved to the chair beside the bed.
Look into all kinds of ramps or steps for everywhere she might like to jump? You can often just rearrange furniture better for the cat. Just my experience. Best wishes.
Mel
@Gvg: Thank you!! We have been worrying and wondering if she can have a quality life going forward, and this gives me hope that there are possibilities for a good outcome for her.
Odie Hugh Manatee
It’s good to hear that you are putting together a system to care for Pixie. Our Scottish Fold has had problems with pooping in the past. His fur is extremely thick and coarse, which will plug him up fast. I figured the fur was the problem when I saw that his outdoor jobs would get washed out by the rain, revealing that he was basically crapping fur with some poo. At first I had Morty lick mineral oil off of my finger every three days or so and that worked well for upping his output and reducing his straining. Any more than that and he started randomly firing torpedoes! I switched to a teaspoon of tuna in oil every day and it has resolved everything plus tuna!
Problem solving with our pets…lol! Good luck to you and Pixie!
Mel
@Odie Hugh Manatee: We had the shit-cannon issue with little Pixie about 10 years ago, when we were first figuring out which laxative and what dose was optimal for her. The first one did too little. The next one, well- suffice it to say that there was a firehose effect, and much cleaning off for everyone involved in the situation, cat and human.
The third one ended up being the one that did the trick.
TTFD
My thoughts, love and hope are hers.
WaterGirl
@Mel: Seems like Pixie’s problem is fixable, one way or another?
Decades ago, my 2-year-old cocker spaniel was suddenly in terrible pain and his back legs suddenly stopped working. I was in a total panic.
She had to have surgery on her back, and cried through the whole first night after surgery, but she lived to be 16, which is a good age for a dog.
Please keep us in the loop, we all care about Pixie now!
WaterGirl
@Mel: Funny story about that.
When I was in my 20s my cocker had fleas (same cocker as the story above). So I had some special medicated shampoo for her, so I bathed her in the tub and when she got out, she shook off, of course, as dogs do, and liquid shit flew everywhere!
Happily, we were still in the bathroom with tile floors and tile on the walls, so at least the disaster area was limited and tile is easier to clean than paint. But I will never forget the experience.
Ann
I have a beloved 15 year old who is faltering as well, so I know how hard it is. My kippy dip Theo and I send much love and peace to you both.
Paul in KY
Sending prayers and best wishes to Pixie!
CaseyL
I’m so glad to hear Pixie’s ailment has been diagnosed, and that you have at least an interim treatment to relieve her pain and distress. I hope the two boys are happy that she’s home (and that the Vet Office Smell has worn off!).
Do please keep us updated on how she’s doing!
(I lost Jeannie to cancer last year, at the relatively young age of 16; her son, Oscar, is 15 this year. After a boisterously healthy life and middle age, he’s starting to develop Older Cat Health Issues.)
WaterGirl
Just stopped by to check on Pixie. Hope things are going well.
Mel
@WaterGirl: Thank you so much. i just sent email through the Balloon Juice email. She’s still very much under the weather, and has not pooped or eaten, but she just now got up on her own and moved around, purred and stretched a bit. She has a specialist appointment this afternoon to likely get a CT if she hasn’t yet eaten or pooped. Poor baby girl! Things are a little bulgy at her rectum, so maybe, please oh please, the poop is moving and she will be able to go.
WaterGirl
@Mel: Let us know how that goes. Fingers crossed, and good thoughts, of course. The real thoughts and prayers!