Kitty AIDS
It’s a sad day here. Perhaps today will be brighter than yesterday.
Carl has “kitty AIDS”: a feline autoimmune deficiency disease. It’s not exactly the AIDS that is the problem as much as the cat’s compromised immune system, which allows other bacteria and viruses to attack its systems.
Carl was healthy here:
Brianna noticed that Carl has been turning yellow on his skin and inside of his ears- jaundice. He came in from a fight recently with a gaping wound on his head, which later became infected. We cleaned it daily with peroxide and eventually applied Neosporin, which helped. It’s looking much better now, but he’s lost a good bit of weight and has developed kitty-bulimia. He’ll overeat, almost always, and regurgitate immediately afterwards. It’s hard to say if this stems from a behavioral or physiological process. Brianna rescued him two or so years ago; he’d had a fairly hard life beforehand, always scrapping for food.
We took him to the vet yesterday and the vet blatantly shared with us that Carl should be taken home, given the best soft food available, and “made comfortable”. I know what that means. When my Dad was dying in the hospital, the doctor was farting around with his words, so I pulled a nurse out into the hallway and asked her to shoot me between the eyes. She told me to take him home and “make him comfortable”. It was her hard stare that solidified the impact: we both knew what she was saying.
Brianna has been crying her heart out. Carl is her best friend! He looks like a total bruiser but really, if you give him a small piece of steak, he won’t just take it from you; he rubs his head on your hand to show his appreciation, then he gently takes it. He’s a gem.
We were told by Dr. Strong (the vet) that there are a pack of cats in our area that have feline AIDS: it’s transferred through a saliva to blood interaction, or blood to blood, or mating. Often, cats who fight will transfer this deadly virus to other kitties. It doesn’t transmute over to humans, however.
We’ve quarantined Carl; he’s staying in Brianna’s room at the moment. The vet donated a $56 antibiotic shot from her own Angel Fund Foundation- it was hard to hold back the tears on that one. I’m going to make her a thank you card, using Carl’s picture.
Although the prognosis looks fairly grim, as Dr. Strong stated, “There are always miracles…”
m o n o c h r o m e j u n k i e † 
So sorry Honey. sheesh. just in time for your much needed school break. arghhh. My kitty Kind Scruffy Bear had a serious digestive disorder and was pretty much written off. He lived additional (pretty healthy) 7 years with me till he faded . . . yes there are miracles. I sat a prayer for all of you. I love my kittybear too. xxx
August 6, 2013 at 8:42 am
Aww, thanks so much, Y. :0) It’s comforting knowing that your kittybear lasted another 7 years. (The vet was astounded that Carl is as healthy as he is in this state: I’m convinced it’s Brianna’s love and care that’s kept him thus far.) I’ll let you know how things go- thanks for dropping in. 😉
August 6, 2013 at 8:49 am
I love carl. 😦
August 7, 2013 at 10:18 am
Me too…
August 7, 2013 at 11:39 am
Perhaps Carl will want to give up one of those nine lives here and remain on this mortal coil a little longer. I hope your daughter is taking things okay?
August 9, 2013 at 11:33 am
She’s doing better, thanks Al. :0) Carl is faring well- considering the circumstances.
August 9, 2013 at 3:18 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about Carl Birgitta! I’ve been so caught up in my own depression lately that I have not taken much time to think about anything else at all 😦 However, today I am thinking about Corbin (boy that is fighting for his life with Trisomy 13) and Carl. ❤ Praying for both. I believe in miracles. The highlight is that he IS comfortable with yall. He could be in a dark alley, hungry, lonely, and scared. Instead he is surrounded by love. What better way to die? I will of course hope he hangs in there and pulls through!!!
August 16, 2013 at 1:37 am
Hey Jen, left you several comments at your place. I know it’s going to take a while after what you’ve been through, but please, if there’s anything at all that I can do for you- you got it. I’m here for you, ok? My heart breaks with you and I can only imagine how hard it’s been for you.
You raise a good point- Carl will be with his loved ones and friends when he goes. He’s still doing well- pretty weak- but in fine feline spirits. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, as always. xo
August 17, 2013 at 6:20 pm