So, so, so sorry for your family and dear Bindi. My thoughts are with you.

trekaren ~

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I do know how you feel because I made the decision to put my sweet, sweet dog (Muffin) to sleep when she was barely 2 years old. I got her from a local family and she was a poodle/terrior mix. Just the mose lovely and sweet-natured dog you would ever want to meet.

I worked for a vet so had access to the most up-to-date treatments (25 years ago) and he let me learn to give injections, etcetera. My Muffin had arthritis so bad that she ended up just dragging around her two back legs with great effort. I had a baby and she, valiantly, stayed near her and tried to sit up on her back legs like she wanted to entertain her or beg ...... I couldn't tell the difference but it was cute beyond words. She would stay on the baby blanket just to be near by daughter.

Anyway, Muffin continued to eat and drink normally and enjoy being with us but you could see the pain in her eyes and she would groan every time she would try to move.

It turns out that Muffin's mother had severe muscle and arthritis trouble and had that even when she was bred. I consider the owners irresponsible to allow a breeding (however unintentional) with the possibility of producing a pup that would inherit that sad, sad trait.

This is just to tell you that you must do all you can for Bindi and do it now. Your daughter will learn about being selfless and that is more important than your fear that she will associate Christmas with something sad happening. You can choose to celebrate this time of year with the wonderful memories and experiences of your Bindi.

This last kindness will bring much blessed relief to her. Please know that we are all praying for you and your sweet Bindi. Let us know how you all handled it.

Robyn

I'm sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

(((HUGS)))

I just had to read again your previous posts about Bindi... What a long ordeal! I am surprised the 2 vets have not been able to pinpoint a more specific problem besides 'neurological' (brain tumor? tumor pinching a nerve?)... but as you said, short of unreasonable tests, you have done all you can for Bindi. You will know when your cat says enough. My heart goes out to you and Bindi... My best thoughts are with you,
Anne-Marie

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this extremely difficult time.

Five years ago, after losing our two much loved (older) cats just a few months prior, we had to put our beloved 5 month old kitten to sleep the day after Christmas, which was also the last night of Chanukah. This season is one of mixed emotions for us still.

I send you strength and comfort as you live through, and deal with the decision-making and the days to come, and I wish your Bindi peace.

(((HUGS)))

I'm so sorry.

Last year, we had to make that same decision 3 times within 3 months. (I call that my "numb period.") It's the most difficult gift to give your fur-babies. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Yes we're having one of those "when it rains it pours" years. Just Thanksgiving, we lost my MIL suddenly.
And Bindi started going downhill upon our return from the funeral.

Here is a picture of Bindi this past May, keeping an eye on our brand new fish. :-) a very close eye.

Bindi Joyce

She's absolutely beautiful. I hope it helps even a little to know that so many caring thoughts are with you and your family....

It's a heavy burden your going through. Your in my prayers.

Edna

After six days of intense therapy, antibiotics and lots of TLC, we see improvements.
We left Bindi in the basement while we went to Christmas Eve mass, and came back to find that she had managed to climb upstairs. What a Christmas miracle!

You can see in this photo that she's still not using the front left paw, but she is using the front right very reliably now, walking tripod style.

She has also started getting herself to the litterbox on her own.

Friday is still decision day but we're still keeping up the physical workouts with her.

I had to check in to see how things were going. Will continue to keep you and Bindi in my thoughts.........

Trekaren,

Was all bloodwork negative? Was there an xray of the spine?

It appears from the photo that Bindi has a head tilt. Has the vet mentioned vestibular as a possible diagnosis? I had a dog with vestibular years ago. I was sure she had had a stroke, but was very relieved when it seemed apparent that it was vestibular, instead. Animals typically spontaneously recover from vestibular within a few weeks, though it can take longer, and it can leave them with a permanent head tilt.

Bindi looks like she's determined to travel the road to recovery, and you're doing a great job of helping her get there.

Laurie

Bless her heart, she's a trooper. A neuro exam and MRI to further narrow down the possible cause would seem like reasonable next steps.

Sending HUGE hugs and furbaby kisses to you and Bindi. What have you heard today?

She sure looks like she's trying, God love her. What a beautiful girl.

Sorry for the delay in posting - Christmas time is so busy. Yes the specialist said she is displaying both neurological symptoms and vestibular. That is what gave us reason to keep working with her. She is still walking tripod but getting around great, and the gimpy leg is starting to loosen its hold.

The specialist also agreed with my vet that her rabies shot in November did trigger an autoimmune response that caused this attack.

Unfortunately the specialist said the MRI and further workup would be at least $2000 and we could not justify that level of money - we already are into this well over 1K now.

She even started chasing the tabby around on Friday so we are very happy!

I think that's absolutely TERRIFIC news! I doubt if the MRI would do much or anything to change her treatment plan, anyway. Bindi is clearly determined to recover to whatever degree possible, and with your help to keep her active, she'll do great; I just know it! You can't keep a tortie down, you know. ;-)

Congratulations and Happy New Year!

Laurie

Laurie/all, thanks!

And earlier I was reading THS on my blackberry and missed Ellie's post. Yes we had blood tests, x-rays and as thorough a physical exam as is possible without an MRI or cat scan. All found nothing, so we're just watching her and going on what she signals us to do.

And I found a lot of articles on vestibular disease in dogs and cats. This one even mentions the TLC I mentioned above in my update post :-)

This is my favorite quote: "The most common form of vestibular disease in dogs and cats is called Idiopathic, which simply means that we don't really know why it happens. "

Here is a link that might be useful: Vestibular Disease article

My prayers are with you and Bindi.

I'm so sad for you and your family -- but not for Bindi. She's had your love and care and they always know when it's time to move on. She'll be better for having been with you and your family and she knows it. Bless you for caring for her.
Annie

I was so glad to see your post!I was afraid there was bad news and you just couldnt bring yourself to tell us! YEA BINDY! You got our prayers! Be blessed and continue to love and be loved!

That great news!

About a 2 months ago when I brought my dog in for physical therapy, I was left waiting in the exam room for a good hour. I peeked my head out the door to see what was going on. Turns out two 10 week old puppies had crashed after having received their immunization. Unfortunately they both died. I had no idea that in rare occassions cats and dogs could have such a bad reaction from immunizations.

I hope she continues to improve.

As a vet, I am very careful to give every patient a thorough risk assessment and vaccinate only for those diseases that show high risk. Even so, I still have had a few vaccine reactions. The risk of reaction needs to be less than the risk of actually contracting the disease. I never vaccinate indoor only cats for FeLV, and after a year of age I don't even vaccinate the outdoor kitties for it either. OTOH, any dog who gets groomed or boarded on a regular basis keeps the bordetella vaccine updated every 6 months.

Which rabies vaccine was used in Bindi? The recombinant rabies vaccine is considered safer than the killed vaccine because of the addition of adjuvents in the killed vaccine. I am just curious because currently the hospital where I work has only the killed rabies vaccine, and I am pushing to get the recombinant one for cats.

Meghane, I'm not sure. I know that my tabby got Rabies/Distemper combo, and slept the entire two days after the shot.

The vet opted to try only rabies alone on Bindi as this was the first shot since her last 'episode', so that's all I know.

My husband is a transplant recipient, and as he is so immunosuppressed, we have only used 'dead' vaccines on our daughter. But to be honest with you, I have never delved deeply into the kitties' vaccines. Now I think I should!

She said since Ethel and Bindi are strictly indoor, we'll just do no immunizations from now on for Miss Bindi.