6 rotten teeth - this accounted for
bad breath. The vet noticed that Ginger's face was slightly asymmetrical. Apparently, infection from rotting teeth had travelled up through his face and probably infected his right cheek bone. The infection had also backed up into sinuses and had caused a partial blockage of his tear ducts which prevented his eyes from draining properly and led to bleary-eyed look. remnants of cat flu - apparently virus can stay in system for a while causing persistent weeping from eyes and/or nose. In his weakened state from infected teeth, he might not have been able to fight off infection completely. a septic cut below his lower lip - again, this probably didn't clear up due to other infections he was fighting off. Ear infections Fleas A skin allergy A heart murmur - while a murmur was detected, his heart is strong and no other problems were detected The possibility of an immune deficiency disease which might have contributed to his inability to get well. Why Help Was Needed
Antibiotics were prescribed to cure infections and a flea treatment was given to kill off fleas. The big problem was teeth. Ginger needed 6 extractions and follow-up care. He also needed to be tested for immune deficiency diseases and feline leukaemia. And a new home needed to be found for him.
I covered cost of examination and antibiotics but couldn’t cover cost of dental treatment and tests. His original owners weren't interested in helping out.
The vet wasn't happy that his owners had let him get into his deteriorated state. He told me that Ginger was very uncomfortable (not surprising with six simultaneous toothaches) and recommended two courses of action:
find someone who would take long-term responsibility for Ginger; have him tested for immune deficiency disease and feline leukaemia and if he was clear, have six teeth extracted. If he had either of two diseases, Ginger could not go to a home where cats already lived as he'd pass disease on to them. He could have gone to a cat-free home though put cat to sleep and end his misery.
I didn't like option two and, if it was to be an option, it was going to be one of last resort. This was a cat who'd had a miserable year and, despite pain and suffering he'd endured and was still enduring, remained friendly and unaggressive. This gentle soul needed to have opportunity to survive and have an enjoyable few years of life.
The Request
I asked visitors to my website to help me help Ginger survive with donations (through PayPal) to cover medical bills. Finding a new home for him was least of problems and, I must admit, I was taken aback by generosity shown.
Following first of many visits to vet, Ginger underwent a 2-week course of antibiotics to clear up remnants of cat flu and to control infection that resulted from his decaying teeth. And he responded very well. He started grooming properly again and all of matted hair around his rump was replaced by sleek smooth hair. His coat was again shiny and well looked after rather than being matted and dull, lifeless and unclean. The skin allergy was also addressed by antibiotics and fleas killed off with a flea control treatment. The antibiotics also cleared up septic lip although lip appears to be slightly damaged from prolonged sepsis. As a result, he dribbles a bit! He's also now interested in playing - savaging bird feathers is his current fun activity.
