JACKSON GALAXY, THE CAT, FIGHTS FOR HIS LIFE

I'm so sorry.  I hope Jackson comes home tomorrow on the mend as much as possible.  Poor baby.  You've had a real rough time lately Robin.  Hope it turns around fast.

OMG! Robin, I am bawling my eyes out right now thinking about poor Jackson. I feel as tho he is one of mine. I can hardly see! I will keep him & you in my heart & prayers tonight. I know I will not sleep worring about him. I chipped in as much as I could right now($100.). I sure hope it helps! I would gladly give more if I could! I am so scared right now for him! Bless his BIG heart! I hope he rests soundly & the meds do him some good. PLEASE keep us informed no matter what happens. Much LOVE!!!! Shelly, Cat 5 & co.

Robin, he is young, and may be healthy enough. My Namir went into congestive heart failure and was diagnosed with HCM at the same time, and though he was given a very poor prognosis, maybe six months with treatment though they also suggested I consider euthanasia right there, he lived four years and had a wonderful quality of life--and he was 11 when diagnosed, older, and slightly weakened by idiopathic cystitis. He spent overnight in an oxygen cage, the Lasix worked overnight to remove enough of the fluids, he had an echo in the morning, got medication, and went home later the next day.  Over the long term it's all quite expensive, and I'm still paying off what I had to borrow for Namir...but worth it. I hope the same positive outcome for Jackson. He's extremely handsome.

Robin, I'm so sorry for both you and Jax. Purrs and prayers coming your way. 

I'm rooting for you, Jackson! You're a beautiful, resilient kitty.

Sounds like congestive heart failure.  Hate the term failure, I wish they would call it an issue instead.  Since I also foster cats I have some experience with this.  I have an older kitty that has had three congestive heart issues.  They always require a quick trip to the vet, an oxygen tent/cage, and lasix.  Oh and a warning from the vet that she might not make it.  But Honei is a tough girl.  I hope Jackson is tough as well.

Also I have another cat with HCM.  I knew something was wrong when he had a seizure.  Had an echocardiogram done to diagnose.  He is doing well.  Since there is a threat of a blood clot, I give him an Arnica remedy about once a week.  In the back of my mind, I know we'll lose him before he's elderly, but for right now he's going great.

As for getting adopted.  Adopts here have really slowed down, except for the local no kil shelter.  So I'm good with that.  But as long as you are honest about his condition, there just might be a home out there for him.  Many people love the 'under dog'... a cat that really needs them to be a hero.

Unfortunately I can't donate.  Between two dogs and two cats I've managed to build up a $12k bill within the last two months.  So I feel your pain there too.

BeckyH

I'm so sorry that Jackson is sick - also that it has been found that he has this heart condition, which (though I don't know much about it), I guess is very serious. 

Presumably, if he's had this a long time, it can be lived with, if managed carefully? So, I hope very much that he picks up and is soon well enough to come home and be cared for by those who love him. 

Poor puss-cat - wish I was able to come and give him a skritch on the head - and Robin a hug!

Get Well Soon, Jackson!

I feel your pain and I want yours and Jackson's pain to go away.  I really feel like Jackson needs to be put down.  Let him have his peace before he suffers any longer.  

I am so sorry Jackson and his family are going through this. It is a very hard thing and I pray for you all. Please everyone remember that all this is costing the family a fortune and there is a chip in button to help ease the pain of the bills. You are good people doing everything you can for Jackson. Love and purs.

My heart goes out to you.  I had the same situation but the cat died in my car - struggling mightily - on the way home.  It was dreadful.  He could not breathe due to the fluid, and he had a heart attack.  Between the pain and suffocation he ricocheted around my little honda.  Heart failure is a terminal condition.  My mother died from it.  It was a slow and very ugly death.  

A good way to decide what to do is to make a list of the 5 things Jackson likes best.  When you start crossing things off that list because he can't do them, it's not a good thing.  By the time you've crossed three of those things off, I would say that decision time is near to allow him to exit while he is not in anguish.  Even if you had all the money in the world, he might not make it.  I"m sending you a huge cyberhug.  Lotsa love,

Alycia

This breaks my heart since I have a cat of my own who I adore.  I could not even imagine this happening to my Jazzy girl.  I will make a donation as soon as I get paid. Hang in there Jackson! You still have so much more life left in you!

I just donated money to you. I wish I could have gaven more but I am still paying off a vet bill myself of 3K.  My poor Mikey passed away at age 3 on August 12, 2012 of HCM after being under anesthesia for routine dental cleaning. We had no idea she had this condition before she went in. I would never had the dental cleaning! The vet thought it was congenital. An x-ray confirmed it. We couldn't even get her from the Animal Hospital that we were in to see a Cardiologist. She couldn't survive out of the oxygen cage for a few minutes without being in severe distress so I had to make the very painful decision to have her euthanized. It is still very hard and I carry around a lot of guilt She was my best friend. I am in tears righting this. I pray for Jackson and a good outcome! xoxo

Sending warm thoughts your way--for you all, and for Jackson, who seems like a wonderful kitty. I will hold all of you in my thoughts.

http://redrover.org/

They help out with costs for animals in distress.

Just made a donation via Paypal.  I put "Jackson Galaxy cat" in the subject line. It's so difficult when you don't have the $$$ for the Vet. Our pets are our family. Sending positive thoughts and love your way..Your kitty Jackson is young and I pray he has strength to get well. He's named after a strong person too.

Dina-Marie

 I wish I could help you out but I recently had an expensive health condition with one of my cats (who unfortunately, had to be humanely euthanized anyway because it turned out to be cancer).  I also lost a 16 1/2 year old cat in 2008 due to congestive heart failure.  As much as we pet parents love our pets and want to keep them safe, happy, and healthy, sometimes the most humane thing to do is say goodbye to them.  I'm not telling you to do that; that is between you and your veterinarian.  If there is nothing else that can be done, then it may be more cruel than caring to keep forcing him to endure tests, x-rays, and meds.  I have said goodbye to six cats between 2002 to just last month and three of them were euthanized.  Good luck with whatever you do but keep in mind that the kindest action may be to let him go.

So sorry about this!  But -- don't lose hope!  Idgie, our 17-year-old tortie, was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure last summer (2011).  After a rough start -- several bouts of having fluid aspirated from her pericardium (the sack around her swollen heart muscle) -- she stabilized nicely on Lasix, Benazapril and Spironolactone.  The fluid is gone, and her hypertrophied heart chamber has now actually begun to return to normal size.  A year ago I never would have thought that we would have her with us for another year.  Every day with Idgie is a gift.

Of course each cat is an individual, and what worked for Idgie might not work for Jackson.  But I'm keeping my fingers crossed that with good meds and a lot of love, Jackson will be with you for many more happy years.

Don't lose hope!  Idgie, our 17-year-old tortie, was diagnosed with the same condition, plus congestive heart failure, last summer (2011).  After a rough start, including several bouts of having fluid aspirated from her pericardium (the sack around her heart), she stabilized nicely on Lasix, Benazapril and Spironolactone.  Back then I never thought she'd make it through another year, but she's right here, purring away as I type this.  Every day with Idgie is a gift.

Of course, all cats are individuals, and what worked for Idgie might not work for Jackson.  But I'm keeping my fingers crossed that with good meds and lots of love, you'll have many more happy years together.

Sending healing thoughts to you both. 

This story breaks my heart.(Jackson and my Draco look exactly the same)  I and my babies Draco and Zoey will keep him in our thoughts...All we can have is hope for this little guy.  I will pass along Jackson's story to people I know that are finacial stable and can and will donate for him.  I hope all the best will come out of this situation.  Get well lil guy.

So sad that our kitties go through this - I have lost 2 pussycats to HCM, and a third at the age of 4 to kidney failure as he had HCM and could not be given fluids too quickly.

Its a very sad time, and we wish Jackson and you and your family the best of positive thoughts that he may stablise.

Dear Jackson,

Healing purrs from all of us on the Pirate Ship.  We hope the Doctors can give you medicine to make you feel better quickly.

My foster doggy sister Amber also has a bad heart, and she takes lasix two times a day, plus other medicines.  She hates them, but The Swabie gives them to her with ham - which she loves.  

She pees a lot - but the fluids are better around her heart now.  So we really hope they work for you too!  And make sure you get them with ham too!

We'll all be purring for you to get better!

Snowy