Steatitis

Oh, I am SO VERY VERY GLAD you are going to another vet.

Cats are very resilient. They can tolerate a lot, and will recover just to
be "with you". I've seen my cats recover from horrible things many times,
apparently to please me. Please give Bubba a chance! And do keep us
posted.

"Steve Gass" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 28 Jul 2003 20:03:45 +0000, buglady wrote:

Oh, how awful, I'm so sorry. I know you won't feel up to answering
questions
now, but was this a complication of the steatitis? Is there any
chance of
saving him?

Yes, it is apparently a result of the steatitis. After much thought, and
discussing it with my wife, we've decided to seek a second opinion. These
vets
explained that they can excise the tissue, leaving an open wound of 5 - 6"
in
diameter, and involving a very long, difficult and painful recovery, if
recovery
is even possible. We can't put him through that.

It was a nice day, so I took him outside and sat with him, figuring that a
dirty
environment could do him no more harm. He rolled in the grass, then laid
on his
back, purring and kneading the air as I skritched his chin and rubbed his
ears.
Overnight, the open area had become genuinely appalling, but we can't give
up
just yet. I spoke to another vet, who doesn't see why there wouldn't be
enough
skin to at least mostly close the wound after excision, which would give
Bubba a
chance of living in enough comfort to give recovery a shot.

At this point there is, of course, no way of knowing how far the gangrene
has
spread. If organs are involved then there truly is no hope, but if it's
still
limited to the fat pad, and if the skin can be closed, he may have a
chance. I
have another appointment tomorrow morning, and will see what a different
vet has
to say. Thanks again.

Steve