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I named him Ralph... It was the first name that popped into my head at the vet clinic...
Donna found him, he didn't have the strength to get across the street so she scooped him up and handed him off to me to take in to be checked out. I drove him to our vet in Redondo Beach and told them he was a stray but that we would pay for what he needed. I named him Ralph. At least I could give him a name.
The doctor, Dr. Beeler, was very nice. The techs took his temperature and some blood to see if he had feline leukemia, at least that was negative. He protested a little when they put the thermometer in his butt, but didn't try to bite or scratch anyone. I think he knew we were trying to help.
We think his momma had another litter a couple of weeks ago. We've been feeding her and hope she'll bring her babies to see us in a few more weeks. He was only 5 months old, his fangs were just beginning to come in and he still had a little blue left in his eyes. They were turning a wonderful shade of gold. We fed him baby food on a tongue depressor, he liked it a lot.
He was skinny and cold, his feet were muddy and Dr. Beeler said he was dehydrated but her biggest concern was the tremors he had. He also had discharge caked around his little nose. An upper respiratory infection the doctor told me but it could be treated with meds. He was a sick little guy and it might be something as simple as dehydration and low blood sugar, it might be something worse. Still, I left him at the clinic in good hands.
Later, Dr. Beeler called and wanted to do more blood work. I said go ahead. He had eaten a bit more but was not really improving. It was not looking good, but I wanted to give Ralph a chance. Screw the money.
I was mowing the lawn when Donna got the call about the lab results. Kidney function was 'off the scale'. Donna approved an ultrasound to check the kidneys. An hour or so later, we had confirmation. Antifreeze poisoning. Along with his upper respiratory infection, he just didn't have a chance.
*sigh*
Donna told them to tell him he was a brave little kitty and to let him go. I know it could have been worse, he could have been hit by a car or he could have died all alone under a bush, unknown, unloved... He didn't die alone.
His name was Ralph. And I loved him...
Donna found him, he didn't have the strength to get across the street so she scooped him up and handed him off to me to take in to be checked out. I drove him to our vet in Redondo Beach and told them he was a stray but that we would pay for what he needed. I named him Ralph. At least I could give him a name.
The doctor, Dr. Beeler, was very nice. The techs took his temperature and some blood to see if he had feline leukemia, at least that was negative. He protested a little when they put the thermometer in his butt, but didn't try to bite or scratch anyone. I think he knew we were trying to help.
We think his momma had another litter a couple of weeks ago. We've been feeding her and hope she'll bring her babies to see us in a few more weeks. He was only 5 months old, his fangs were just beginning to come in and he still had a little blue left in his eyes. They were turning a wonderful shade of gold. We fed him baby food on a tongue depressor, he liked it a lot.
He was skinny and cold, his feet were muddy and Dr. Beeler said he was dehydrated but her biggest concern was the tremors he had. He also had discharge caked around his little nose. An upper respiratory infection the doctor told me but it could be treated with meds. He was a sick little guy and it might be something as simple as dehydration and low blood sugar, it might be something worse. Still, I left him at the clinic in good hands.
Later, Dr. Beeler called and wanted to do more blood work. I said go ahead. He had eaten a bit more but was not really improving. It was not looking good, but I wanted to give Ralph a chance. Screw the money.
I was mowing the lawn when Donna got the call about the lab results. Kidney function was 'off the scale'. Donna approved an ultrasound to check the kidneys. An hour or so later, we had confirmation. Antifreeze poisoning. Along with his upper respiratory infection, he just didn't have a chance.
*sigh*
Donna told them to tell him he was a brave little kitty and to let him go. I know it could have been worse, he could have been hit by a car or he could have died all alone under a bush, unknown, unloved... He didn't die alone.
His name was Ralph. And I loved him...
