- 26/11/13 ~ Received a reply from Dr Addie regarding FIP. Dr. Addie was very complementary about the work we do that is student bursaries and also the rescue cats and is kindly considering leaving a donation to our charity in her will. The questions I asked in the letter are answered in her book she kindly sent us. Apparently, in America they have a test available and also a vaccine against FIP, however it appears not to be licensed in this country. Have you now guessed what my next question will be?
Her book Feline Infectious Peritonitis and Coronavirus, Everything a cat owner needs to know is a must for all cat lovers and can be found on her website http://www.dr-addie.com. The work Dr Addie is doing is outstanding as her goal will be to eradicate this dreadful disease. To complete this work will require a certain amount of funding as explained in her book. If you feel able to contribute please again view her website for details as every cat owner will benefit from this research.
I intend to remove all remaining cats from Diggle and house them with me, thank goodness I have a large house and enclosed garden. This will allow newcomers perhaps in spring whom of course have been tested for FIV and Felv to be in a disease free environment. FIP??!! I shall instruct the trustees that if FIP rears it's ugly head amongst the newcomers to have carved on my headstone not Kath RIP, but Kath FIP, as I am sure the emotional stress of another case will polish me off!!!
In my last news bulletin, I expressed opening the stables and having a livery yard to provide revenue for the charity. However, I have changed my mind due to reading Dr Addie's FIP book. There is a great need to house unwanted cats so Diggle stays as it is but new cats will not be introduced until spring at the earliest as explained above.
Earlier this year we acquired a female maine coon rescue. She was found in the Rochdale area screaming in agony. She had a collar and her front leg had gone through and the collar cut into her stomach. Being such a large cat I christened her The Beast of Bodmin! I think the other cats thought I had chosen the right name!! She had to undergo two operations and it then took six weeks for it to heal. I was afraid that being in the Diggle environment the wound would become infected therefore she stayed with me. At first she behaved like a feral and had to be sedated to be taken to the vet for her second operation, but now she is used to me she has become a 'sloppy mog!' and here she will stay. Her new name is Budsy but known as Bob -Beast of Bodmin at the vets. A photo is to follow.
I also think I have the answer as to why the FIP vaccine and test is unavailable in this country, so watch this space!
- 07/11/13 ~
This is one of the hardest news editions I have every had to compose. Sadly, we have lost our beloved Holly. After the operation performed by Prue in June, Holly seemed to be well on the way to a complete recovery. However, it was not meant to be. In August a small amount of fluid collected in the chest cavity and had to be drained. It was not a significant amount so we were not too worried. Holly then began to suffer from a series of infections that were controlled by antibiotics. In September they became more frequent and it also became obvious that she was displaying classic symptoms of the dreaded FIP and unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Hols at the beginning of October. Holly was completely compliant with all her treatments perhaps another of our cats would not have tolerated them and hence we would not have persevered with them.
There are still a lot of questions to be asked regarding the corona virus that can mutate into FIP.
I have written to Dr Addie the worldwide authority on FIP – see letter and it will be interesting to see the response. I received two lovely condolence cards from Ann at the vets and Prue and team -see cards.
We are certainly not having a good time with our animals at the moment. John Boy one of our sheep died and little Buster our lamb has been having treatment for scold – a foot infection.
Elma one of our oldest cats has come to live with me at Denton as she has a chest infection and is under veterinary treatment. She also suffers from a hyperactive thyroid and is on daily medication. She will remain with me and not return to Diggle.
Yvonne Stone, a receptionist/assistant vet nurse at our surgery has taken a keen interest in the charity and animals. Every week she spends a day helping at Diggle and is extremely helpful.
At the moment we only have three cats left at Diggle, the other seven are with me at Denton. I am hoping to house all cats with me in the future and to open our three stables as a livery yard. This is something Yvonne has kindly said she will manage and it will also provide revenue for the charity.
I will keep you informed regarding the answer to the FIP question as I feel it is something every cat owner needs to be aware of.
New photo of Holly the cat added.
- 26/08/13 ~ Accounts for 2012-2013 are now online. You can also read the letter sent from the animal welfare officer and an article about one of our bursary students which featured in a Belfast newspaper. New links added to our links section. You can also now read an article about Rabies.
- 06/08/13 ~ Sponsor form and disclaimer added to bursaries section. AGM Minutes are now online.
- 09/07/13 ~ Letters sent to Ann and Prue. Poem "The therapeutic usage of candles in the veterinary treatment of feline chylothorax" added to Holly the Cat's page.
- 01/06/13 ~ Updated information about donations.
- 16/04/13 ~ Yvonne Stone is now one of the Digglers new consultants. The past few weeks have been horrendous. First, I lost my beloved Popsy. She was my soul mate. I had her for seventeen years, I think it was old age that finally did for her. She developed several serious complaints. Ann the vet was brilliant as we decided to end her days. I then took Pops to Rossendale pet crem and have now got her ashes. Holly, had another episode and had to return to Liam at Woodcroft for another drain. There is an operation she could have to stop the fluid collecting, however, it is major heart surgery. She had gone nearly three months so it is fingers crossed. The weather has been terrible, five foot snow drifts. Sylvia, who lives across the road and looks after them if I cannot get through had to dig herself out! In fact I have a photograph of her front door and I will try and send it to Ruth so that you can see the severity of the snow. The other day, a moorland sheep was staggering up and down the road in a bad state. I managed to get her in with my sheep and I have never seen a sheep so hungry. She is also heavily in lamb, so she will be kept with me until or if a farmer comes for her. I am amazed at the attitude of some farmers that have lost sheep due to the snow, blaming of course the weather for their tragic loss. BUT I ask myself, surely, their flock should be if not indoors, close to the farm. Not just because of the weather but it is lambing time and should be under supervision?! The trustees and myself were saddened to hear of the death of Margaret Thatcher and wish to offer our sincere condolences to her family.
- 23/03/13 ~ New bursary students added.
- 04/02/13 ~ New name added to the Thorns Beck wood map.
- 20/01/13 ~ Wow! Where do I begin – sounds like the start of a song! So much has been happening especially about Holly. Here goes with continuing saga of our Holly! Holly's problem has not diminished and she has been having her chest drained on a regular basis. Ann, her vet was concerned and decided to contact Liverpool vet school for advice on treatment. They were reluctant to comment unless further investigation into the cause was made, although, Ann sent them details of the x-rays and results of the fluid analysis. They informed Ann, that they could carry out these further tests but I was told that the cost could well be £2,000. Obviously, I could not justify that amount from the charity funds but was willing to fund the cost myself. However, I was reluctant to subject Holly to the journey to Liverpool. Ann, did further investigations and I was informed that the Woodcroft Vet Hospital at Cheadle Hulme had facilities to accommodate the relevant tests. I was receptive to Holly attending as she had very little distance to travel. Ann, kindly contacted the hospital and was referred to a cardiology specialist who after seeing Holly's x-rays and the results of the fluid tests suggested it could possibly be a cardiac problem. Arrangements were made for Ann to take Holly for an appointment. I was completely overwhelmed when Ann informed me that he would conduct the tests, as it was our charity cat, for very little cost and I was also overwhelmed when Ann was given the morning off to take Holly. One lucky little moggy.
After having the tests that confirmed a heart problem, Liam the cardiac specialist removed a large amount of fluid from the pericardium that was sent for analysis the results of which were inconclusive. Alas, poor Holly suffered a recurring breathing problem after only two weeks. Ann advised me to contact Liam and consequently, arrangements were made for another drain. This time, Liam used a larger line and managed to remove all the fluid, approximately a third of a litre! Again, tests were made and again results inconclusive. Hopefully, it will take a longer period for the accumulation of fluid to cause problems. Liam has expressed that if it is a short period of time to amass an amount of fluid to cause a problem, he has spoken to a colleague and there is apparently an operation he could be undertaken. At the moment we are keeping our fingers crossed and I will keep you informed. The charity trustees send a big thank you to both Liam and Ann. I am sure, that the Queen's corgis could not receive better treatment!
The snow has hit the Digglers. At least six inches has fallen and in places it has drifted. I am, however still managing to get there as the snow ploughs have done a good job at keeping the roads open. The sheep refuse to leave the penthouse and are being given plenty of corn and hay.
I am the only one out in the snow!
We are expecting a delivery of corn on Tuesday and I hope the wagon can get through from Huddersfield but we do have corn to last a few weeks.
The trustees have sent a thank you to Manchester Vet Centre via the local newspaper and I am please to report it was included in this weeks edition.
