Chunky Health News

It’s been a hard couple of weeks. 

Last Tuesday, Chunky had his appointment with an Internist for an abdominal ultrasound. If you may recall, Chunky was experiencing chronic vomiting so his primary vet recommended the ultrasound to try to figure out what was going on.

The ultrasound showed two things: Chunky’s lymph nodes are enlarged and the lining of his small intestines is thicker than it should be. The Internist recommended a biopsy, which of course I authorized because I needed to know what was wrong with my cat.

For two days I was on pins and needles, waiting for the results to come in. When the Internist finally did call me, it was with the worst news possible: there was evidence of cancer.

It wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I cried so many times since then that I don’t know if I have any tears left. The idea of Chunky having cancer seemed ludicrous. How can my furbaby have such a nasty disease? 

I made an appointment with an oncologist while the Internist does further testing to confirm what kind of cancer it is. The appointment isn’t until the second week of September, so there’s not much I can do except twiddle my thumbs, which sucks. I mean, this entire situation sucks, but having to wait for answers makes the situation harder to deal with.

I remember when Cas was diagnosed with heart disease, it was a little easier to process. I didn’t have to wait days for results, nor was I bouncing around between doctors. I was given his diagnosis, the recommended treatment, his medication, and his life expectancy all within the same hour. I don’t have that with Chunky. I don’t know how advanced the cancer is or what treatment plans are available, if any. I don’t know what his life expectancy is now. I don’t know if treatment will make things better or worse for him. I’m unable to make a decision. I’m unable to adjust. I’m just lost.

Like I said, this sucks. 

Below is a picture that I took a few years ago of Chunky and Cas. Cas always appreciated the camera but it's rare to get one of Chunky looking in my direction when I'm taking a picture of him. Usually he turns his head, as if he's saying "no pictures, no pictures." That's why this is one of my favorite pictures, because I have both of them looking at me. Both were healthy without a care in the world.

I'd give anything to go back to this moment. Anything.

It's Time to Clear the Shelters

If you’ve been thinking about bringing home a new pet, now may be the time to adopt from a  shelter or rescue because if you haven’t heard, the Clear the Shelters campaign is officially underway. 

For those who may not be familiar with the name, Clear the Shelters is a yearly campaign that  sees NBC and Telemundo stations across the U.S. partner with local shelters and rescues to promote adoption and to fundraise. There’s even a television special that will air nationwide on August 16th, hosted by Amanda Seyfried (any fans of the Mamma Mia or Mean Girls movies out there?).

I’ve been a huge fan of this campaign because it helps highlight animals who are available for adoption. A few posts back I mentioned that I’m not here to tell anyone what to do when it comes to adopting or shopping for a pet, and that still stands true. Personally, though, I’ve always been a proponent of adoption. My own fur babies came from shelters. There’s so many overlooked animals stuck in kennels who just need to be given a chance to be seen. I will never judge someone who buys from an ethical breeder, but I will always promote adoption from a shelter or rescue. 

Which is why I wanted to use this post to highlight the campaign. It gets people to think about adoption or, at the very least, get people to think about donating. Shelters are underfunded and recuses often rely on just donations. They are doing their best in a situation that has spiraled out of control, and the more support they get from their communities the more they can do for the animals. 

The attention that Clear the Shelters brings has helped thousands of animals get adopted, and this year the adoption campaign is running from August 10th to September 10th. Even more exciting, this is the campaign’s 10th anniversary, and they opted to celebrate that achievement by extending their donation initiative through September 30th.

If you can’t adopt or donate, no worries! Sharing the campaign with family or friends who may not have heard about it can help. For more info, please feel free to check out their website: https://www.cleartheshelters.com/

Cats and the Outdoors

There’s a cat that visits my patio from time to time. It has no collar and it hisses at me if I approach it. I nicknamed it Smokey, and I know what you’re thinking: Smokey is a stray. I thought so too, at first, but it’s fat with a clean coat. The strays I’m used to seeing in my area are usually skinny, so I have a feeling Smokey belongs to someone, and that Smokey’s owner lets it roam outside.

Every time I see Smokey, I always wonder why the owner lets it be outside. In fact, why does anyone allow their cat to go outside? I am not talking about enclosed patios or fenced backyards. I’m talking about opening the front door, watching your cat leave, and then shutting the door behind them. I’ve seen social media posts of cat parents saying it's good for cats to be outside. I’ll admit, I judged them. I judged them hard. I even thought they were lying.

I did some digging and as it turns out, they might be telling the truth. Nothing is concrete, but it's been suggested that cats who have access to the outdoors can benefit from more exercise and are able to indulge in natural behaviors. This includes hunting, exploring, and climbing (Tan et al.). A cat may also benefit from the stimulation they receive while outdoors. They can take in the sights, smells, and sounds, and entertain themselves with what nature has to offer (“Outdoor Cats: Pros & Cons of Outdoor Life | Purina”). There’s also the possibility that cats who remain indoors could develop issues such as indoor spraying and scratching due to stress, or engaging in destructive behavior due to boredom. (“Pros & cons: Indoor or outdoor cats”). I suppose it makes sense that some cats might thrive being outside if these benefits are proven to be true.

I also can’t forget the cons. Take my area, for example. We have coyotes here, and they aren’t afraid to jump over walls and fences to get to small animals. A cat walking down the street is easy pickings, so that is the number one reason why I don’t let my own cat outside. Not to mention the other risks outdoor cats face: moving cars, diseases, parasites, and humans with very ill intentions. To this day, I carry the haunting memory of seeing a dead cat lying in the middle of the street. You just never know what might happen. 

Alas, I can’t control what other people do with their pets. So, if you are thinking about letting your cat explore the great outdoors, use common sense. Consider the pros and cons, and acknowledge the risks. The Purina article takes it a step further and advises owners to have their cats microchipped and neutered before letting them out, which I whole-heartedly agree with. If your cat gets lost or goes too far, a microchip will go a long way in letting people know who your kitty belongs to when they are found. Getting your cat fixed should go without saying, but it's especially important if they are going to be let out. For one, you don’t want to add to the already high cat population, and two, unneutered males are more territorial and may get into fights with other cats. 

As I finish writing this post, my mind goes back to Smokey. I know some may be thinking that I should just bring Smokey indoors, but it's not my place to do so and Chunky would not appreciate it. All I can do is hope that the next time I see Smokey, it won’t be lying dead in the street.

Sources

“Outdoor Cats: Pros & Cons of Outdoor Life | Purina.” Purina UK, https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/kitten/welcoming/outdoor-cats. Accessed 23 July 2024.

“Pros & cons: Indoor or outdoor cats.” Banfield Pet Hospital, https://www.banfield.com/en/Wellness-at-banfield/kitten-hub/indoor-vs-outdoor-cats. Accessed 23 July 2024.

Tan, Sarah M.L., et al. “Uncontrolled Outdoor Access for Cats: An Assessment of Risks and Benefits.” NCBI, 6 February 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070728/. Accessed 23 July 2024.

June Gloom: Chunky Edition

After my last blog post about Cas’ heart disease, I didn’t anticipate bringing up another personal matter so soon. This time it’s for my cat Chunky. He is seventeen and on the thin side, so I’m always on the lookout for any medical issues due to his age.

In early June, he started to vomit. Chunky has occasionally thrown up here and there over the course of his life, especially during the summer when he chucks up at least one hairball a week. But these weren’t hairballs; these were large puddles of yellow bile and undigested food. He abruptly stopped eating his kibble too, which was worrying because it was a prescription to help with his kidneys. The only thing he wanted to eat was his wet food.

I took him to the vet and they ran some tests to see if they could pinpoint the issue. They thought that perhaps his kidney issues had evolved into full-blown kidney disease, but the blood work didn’t show that. The only thing they found was that he was severely dehydrated. They gave him some fluids and scheduled two follow-up appointments.

The fluids he was given seemed to help and he became interested in his kibble again when I brought him home. He still threw up, though. He also lost interest in his wet food. At his first follow-up appointment, they checked to see if the problem was with his thyroid, but tests ruled that out. They recommended that I take him to an Internist to get an abdominal ultrasound, and in the meantime prescribed Cerenia (anti-nausea meds) to help with the vomiting. 

Big mistake on the Cerenia. Chunky experienced such bad side-effects from it. Complete loss of appetite, lethargy, and obvious weakness in the limbs. He was completely disconnected from me and my husband, and only wanted to sleep all day and night. I stopped giving it to him and decided never to give him Cerenia again.

As for the abdominal ultrasound, I think we all know how expensive specialty medicine is. The cheapest I could find for the ultrasound in my area was about $600. I had already spent $500 for the tests they ran on Chunky, and just a few weeks prior to that I had spent $900 for Cas’ echocardiogram. My plan was to save up money for Chunky’s ultrasound.

In the days leading up to his second follow-up visit, Chunky seemed to be doing better. The Cerenia was wearing off, which was a huge relief. He wasn't vomiting buckets of yellow bile, either. He was active and nibbling on his wet food again, as well as some bland chicken I made for him. He stopped touching his kibble again, but I started to suspect his vomiting had turned him off from it since he didn't mind the chicken.

During the second follow-up, the vet asked if there were any updates on the ultrasound. I told her my plan and her vibe became somber. She insisted that I get the ultrasound sooner because she suspected that the underlying issue was cancer. Chunky was now at five pounds—one pound lighter than he was when she saw him last. He was docile and not really engaged during the appointment. She claimed that the last time she saw him he was a bit more active, but because he was just lying there she felt that he was rapidly declining. She told me that I had to be realistic and start thinking about what was good for Chunky, and the possibility that it was time for him to be put to sleep.

Her words drove me to the ER to get that ultrasound because appointment availability was weeks out among the hospitals I contacted and I was so sure I was about to lose him. I was crying on and off, terrified that I would have to put him down.

The ER vet took me aside and asked if I really wanted to do an ultrasound that day. A couple of things they wanted me to consider: 

1. They had an ER Internist who could do the ultrasound but that was their last day at that hospital, and if something were to be found in the ultrasound I would still need to make an appointment with an in-house Internist for continued care; 

2. They suspected kidney disease as being the culprit for the chronic vomiting even though the bloodwork didn’t really show it; 

3. They agreed that an ultrasound was needed to rule out any possible GI issues, but it didn’t need to be done that day as they didn’t believe that he was declining the way the other vet claimed.

I appreciated the ER vet’s honesty and compassion. Their calm demeanor and thorough explanation dug me out from this dark hole I had buried myself in. They even went as far as to void the exam and consultation fee. The experience in itself was so wonderful that I went ahead and made an appointment with their in-house Internist for mid-August. 

So what did I take away from this entire experience? For one, delivering wonderful customer service can result in a returning customer. For another, I’m not sure I’ll be taking Chunky back to that vet who basically said that he was dying.

Look, I understand where she was coming from. Sometimes you have to think about the worst possible scenario. I just don't think her delivery was the best. Also, the cancer diagnosis was only a guess. Yes, it’s a possibility that I have to consider, but maybe there is another GI issue at work. Maybe Chunky just had an upset tummy that resolved on its own.

I’m not dismissing anything here, but pushing the idea of cancer had sent me into a spiral I could have done without. Would it have been different if another vet had delivered that kind of news? Honestly, who knows.

At the end of the day, Chunky is here and alive. He is eating kibble again (I did end up having to switch brands) and he commandeered Cas’ bed as his own to sleep in, much to Cas’ annoyance. Hopefully the ultrasound will reveal nothing and the only thing I walk away with is another expensive vet bill. For my peace of mind, it will be well worth the cost.

MMVD - It's All About the Heart

Ever heard of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)? If your answer is no, then you’re not alone. I didn’t know what it was either until my dog Cas was diagnosed with it a few years ago.

After Cas’ primary vet detected that he had a heart murmur, I started taking him to a cardiologist for an annual echocardiogram (a test that uses soundwaves to create images of a dog’s heart). That is where I learned that the heart murmur was caused by MMVD. I was worried, but the cardiologist had emphasized that dogs with MMVD can live long, full lives if the disease didn’t get worse. 

Unfortunately, the results from his latest echocardiogram weren’t good. Not only had the disease progressed, there was no stopping the inevitable: Cas will eventually go into heart failure. 

How did we go from Cas living the rest of his life with just a heart murmur to one day going into heart failure? 

For starters, MMVD causes the degeneration of the mitral valve, which is located between the two chambers on the left side of the heart. When the valve works normally, it opens to allow blood to flow from the top chamber to the bottom chamber and then closes to prevent blood from flowing backwards. As the valve degenerates, it creates a leak that causes the blood to flow back into the upper chamber. That backflow of blood is the source of the murmur, and it can eventually cause increasing pressure in the left chambers of the heart, which in turn causes the chambers to enlarge. All of this can lead to congestive heart failure. 

MMVD is the most common heart disease in canines and affects about 80% of small breeds. The chances of a small breed getting it increases by 60% when they turn seven. It is categorized into the below stages to determine how advanced the disease is and if/when medication is needed. 

Stage A: At risk of getting the disease, but no signs of  a heart murmur.

Stage B1: Signs of a heart murmur. 

Stage B2: There’s visible enlargement of the heart.

Stage C: Heart failure; symptoms can be managed with medication.

Stage D: Heart failure; medication is no longer effective.

Cas’ disease had originally been diagnosed as B1. Now it is categorized as B2. Medication isn’t necessarily automatic when a dog’s disease progresses to B2. How enlarged the heart is really determines when medication is recommended, and for Cas, the enlargement was labeled as moderate. This was enough for the cardiologist to suggest medication. 

Medication isn’t a cure, but it buys more time. As Cas’ cardiologist explained it, it would be an estimated 6-9 months before Cas’ disease progressed to stage C. With medication, it delays it by 1-2 years. From a logical standpoint, the medication doesn’t delay heart failure by much, but from an emotional standpoint it gives Cas more time to live his life without symptoms. 

As a mom to senior pets, I anticipated health issues to arise as they age, but it’s still hard to hear a diagnosis that brings no hope. Death was only a theory, a probability that I didn’t have to think about because why wouldn’t I think my animals would live forever? 

Now I’ve been brought back to reality. The silver lining is that Cas doesn’t realize what is happening. He isn’t faced with his own mortality. He remains innocent and pure. I can take some comfort in that even as my heart breaks. 

**

The information above is summarized from the sources below as well as the information provided to me by Cas’ cardiologist. I do not work in the veterinary field. I encourage you to conduct your own research or reach out to your dog’s vet to learn more about MMVD. 

• https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health/heart-murmur-dogs-symptoms-and-how-treat-it

• https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mitral-valve-disease-in-dogs

• https://www.uvsonline.com/myxomatous-valvular-degeneration/

• https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8526511

• https://cardiaceducationgroup.org/resource-list/the-abcds-of-cardiology/

• https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/mitral-valve-disease-dogs-understanding-and-managing-most-common-canine-heart-condition

• https://www.vetbuddyexpert.com/ClinicResources/ACVIM_Consensus_Statement_Infografic_updated.pdf

Should You Adopt of Shop?

If you’ve spent any time among animal lovers, you’ve likely heard someone say to adopt or shop responsibly when considering adding a new pet to the family. Its message is hard to miss–either adopt your pet from a rescue/shelter, or purchase your pet from an ethical breeder. You’ll also find that plenty of people within the animal community prefer one over the other.

But what if you’re not sure if you want to adopt or shop? Is one truly better than the other? That depends on what you're looking for because there are pros and cons to each option. Below is a general guide of what one should consider when adopting or purchasing a pet.

Adoption

• You save a life. That’s probably the most rewarding aspect of adopting. City shelters are overrun with stray and owner-surrendered pets, and rescues can only take in so many before they reach capacity. There are more animals than there are fosters and adopters, so shelters often resort to euthanasia to free up space.

• Adoption fees are usually cheaper than a breeder’s sale price. Having a pet will certainly get expensive over the years, but there’s a difference between spending a huge amount all at once and a huge amount over time. Adoption fees can range from $100 to $500, depending on where you’re adopting from. Some places might have special programs or events where they reduce or even waive adoption costs entirely.

• You may have a hard time finding a purebred. Lots of different breeds find themselves in shelters and rescues, but it’s more often than not the mixed and common breeds who end up there. For example, according to a survey done by the NAIA Shelter Project back in 2015, it was discovered that only about 5% of purebred dogs were found in shelters, 2% of which is made up of chihuahuas and pitbulls. While the study was done almost ten years ago, I don’t think much has changed.

• The animal’s past might be a complete mystery. If a pet is surrendered to the shelter or a rescue, their previous owner may be able to provide some insight into the animal’s past, personality, and temperament. That’s not the case for found strays, where no one knows where they came from or what kind of life they had. Adopting a pet with little to no information on their background could lead to some unexpected behavioral or health issues that you weren’t prepared for. 

Shopping

• You can buy your preferred breed, especially if what you’re looking for is a purebred. Let’s face it, some of us have a clear picture of what kind of animal we want, and there could be multiple reasons as to why only that breed will do. The chances of getting exactly what you want are higher when purchased from a breeder who specializes in that breed, particularly if the breed is uncommon and rarely found in shelters and rescues. 

• There are no surprises in terms of temperament and health if you buy from an ethical breeder . An ethical breeder will do their due diligence by getting the animals vetted and vaccinated before you take them home, and since you buy them young, there are no black holes in the animal’s past that could negatively impact their temperament or personalities. 

• Expect a high price tag. Much like shelters and rescues, how much you spend will depend on where you are and who you buy your pet from. You may spend anywhere from $500 to $2500. A responsible breeder will incur costs such as veterinary bills, housing, and food, which cuts into the net profits they make on the purchase price. Hence why they charge so much. 

• You may encounter unsavory breeders. I mentioned ethical breeders more than once for a reason. Unethical breeders only care about their profits and nothing else. They will cut corners at the expense of their animal’s health and safety. They will overbreed the female and sell the litter before they are ready to leave mom. They may tell you your new pet is from good stock and had their vaccines only for neither to be true. Unethical breeders come in all shapes and sizes, so do your research and avoid them.

Now that you have some information to mull over, don't rush into making a decision just yet. Take your time to consider the pros and cons, and then move forward with whatever option you feel is best for you, your family, and the animal.
  

And so it begins...

I've always had a passion for writing, but a blog about pets wasn't on my bingo card. Don't get me wrong, I've toyed with the idea of blogging before, and I have so many feelings when it comes to animals. One could say that I should've tried my hand at blogging a long time ago. However, a combination of anxiety, low self-esteem, and imposter syndrome made it difficult for me to try. And yet, there was always a desire to share and connect with those who loved animals as much as I do. If I had the space and money, I'd build a dog and cat sanctuary, or maybe operate a bookstore where customers could cuddle with adoptable animals (especially seniors—I have a soft spot for them). 

So, what changed? I decided to go to therapy, and it has helped me push past insecurities that were holding me back. After plenty of sessions and a few conversations with my husband, I finally took the plunge. It was a slow plunge, with this post alone taking me weeks to draft, but it's here. I'm proud of taking this step, because over the years my desire to touch on topics about animals only grew stronger.

If you're anything like me, you’re passionate about animals. You probably have your own share of opinions when it comes to them. You might not agree with everything I say, but I want to emphasize that this blog isn't here to tell anyone what to do or how to feel. That's not up to me. What I want to do is start conversations, provide information, educate, and even share some feel-good stories. In turn, I could learn from readers like you. You might give me a different perspective that I hadn't considered before, or provide me with information that I didn't know existed until you told me about it. At the end of the day, I think our end goals are the same, which is to give these animals a voice. 

I have two senior furbabies: a twelve-year-old dog and a seventeen-year-old cat. I also have a red-eared slider that I've had for twenty years. Sometimes I can’t help but think of where they’d be if they were in the wrong hands. What if they were being abused and neglected? What if they were being used in dogfights? What if they were wandering down the streets, constantly in danger of being attacked by a wild animal or getting hit by a car? 

Thankfully, they’re here with me, safe and sound. That doesn't stop me from thinking about the ones who aren't safe and sound. The ones who are currently sitting in shelters and rescues, waiting for a home to call their own. The ones who lost their lives before they even knew what a loving home was. If we amplify the voices of animals, then we might be able to bring changes to the way they are viewed and treated. 

Speaking of Paws is merely a blip in a sea of blogs right now, and I have no idea what kind of impact it’ll have. It might not have any impact at all in the grand scheme of things, but I can try my best. Is it scary? Yes. I’m terrified. Like I’ve mentioned, I have anxiety issues and no one is more critical of me than myself. I almost don’t want to embark on this newfound journey, but that's letting my fears win. So, I’ll put one foot—or maybe paw?—in front of the other and see where it takes me.