It's been many months since I adopted Leo and had all the issues with Kitty Kind and Mayor's Alliance. I am so glad to have that in our past.
Leo, with all his mood disorder diagnosis's is doing fantastic. I have learned that with proper medications, love and time you can rehabilitate a cat with FHS and separation anxiety.
Leo takes Elavil two times a day. He eats Innova and Wellness foods. Top of the line organic pet foods.
I can touch him almost anywhere and he won't get upset. He has two little sisters now to play with. They LOVE him. They love to play with his tail and cuddle with him. When he cried for attention they come running to his aid.
We had a rough start but thank goodness I kept him and gave him a proper home.
I've heard some really bad stories from others who have had dealings with Kitty Kind and Mayor's Alliance as well. Much of the language they mention was used toward them I remember hearing myself. Terrible. Just terrible.
The end result is that Leo is doing great. He has grown and gained a lot of weight. He is almost 12lbs. He's large and strong and well-adjusted. The calmest kitty in the house. :-)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Pill Pockets Are AWESOME!
I had my pet sitter take care of Leo this weekend. I asked her to bring Pill Pockets with her and see if Leo would eat the treat and take the pill before I actually bought them myself.
This thing is awesome. She had a very easy time giving him the treat and pill and wrote me a note about how he behaved and played with her and ate the treat easily. It was so good to learn of all this.
She left me a bag of the Pill Pocket treats and I used it for the first time myself, this morning. Leo LOVED this. I think this is going to make my life so much easier and Leo so much happier. He of course doesn't enjoy me throwing a pill down his throat...who would.
He has a new toy now too. It's one of those sparkling tickler toys. He and I can play forever with this. He LOVES to chase it and catch it and run after it.
Right now he is tuckered out from all the playing this morning and he is sleeping. :-)
This thing is awesome. She had a very easy time giving him the treat and pill and wrote me a note about how he behaved and played with her and ate the treat easily. It was so good to learn of all this.
She left me a bag of the Pill Pocket treats and I used it for the first time myself, this morning. Leo LOVED this. I think this is going to make my life so much easier and Leo so much happier. He of course doesn't enjoy me throwing a pill down his throat...who would.
He has a new toy now too. It's one of those sparkling tickler toys. He and I can play forever with this. He LOVES to chase it and catch it and run after it.
Right now he is tuckered out from all the playing this morning and he is sleeping. :-)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Reporter From Helium.com Responds To My Query Re: FHS Article
I wrote to a writer/reporter at the following website: Helium.
Rens wrote an article on the syndrome and treatments of FHS:
Cats health: Rippling skin disease symptoms
Here is what he wrote back to me (posted with permission):
"Thanks for reading my article on FHS. I read the two most recent pages of your blog. It is very clear that Siobhan has treated you in a highly incorrect manner. From what I read I can draw the following conclusions:
- Siobhan has misinformed you in various ways.
- She changes her story so often that she clearly isn't trustworthy.
- You have facts that prove you're right and their (being the various organisations) wrong."
Rens wrote an article on the syndrome and treatments of FHS:
Cats health: Rippling skin disease symptoms
Here is what he wrote back to me (posted with permission):
"Thanks for reading my article on FHS. I read the two most recent pages of your blog. It is very clear that Siobhan has treated you in a highly incorrect manner. From what I read I can draw the following conclusions:
- Siobhan has misinformed you in various ways.
- She changes her story so often that she clearly isn't trustworthy.
- You have facts that prove you're right and their (being the various organisations) wrong."
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Living with Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome
I have heard the following from the rescue organizations that are now trying to build a case against me and blame me for Leo's symptoms: we never saw this while he was in our care, we never heard of FHS before, he was only sweet while in our care, you just want to drug a cat.
The following is information from catchannel.com
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS) (also called “rolling skin syndrome”) is a condition that usually appears in cats between the ages of 1 and 4. Siamese and other Asian breeds have a higher prevalence of this syndrome. This would be one explaination of why no one from the rescue agencies saw these behaviors in Leo before he was in my care, where they have been clearly observed by me as well as visitors to my home and my Veterinarian. Another explaination would be that he lived in a tiny cage for three weeks so that symptoms such as meowing would be considered normal and a sign of simply wanting to be let out of his cage, he obviously couldn't run around or be aggressive with anyone while in a tiny cage either.
There is no test to diagnose FHS. A diagnosis of FHS is made after other causes of the clinical signs are excluded by diagnostic tests, and by a positive response to treatment. Blood tests and other diagnostic tests will likely be necessary to rule out medical causes that may be confused with FHS, including hyperthyroidism, parasitic skin infections, skin allergies, etc. Again, Leo has undergone a CAT scan, spinal tap, and full blood work and everything else has been ruled out.
No one knows exactly what causes FHS, but there are a few possible explanations. It may be a type of seizure activity, and the fact that some affected cats respond to anti-convulsant medication seems to support this explanation. Leo was on anti-seizure medication and it seemed to be helping him a lot. However there was so much accusation from the rescue agency about the possible damage this mediaction could do to his liver with this type of standard medication for this syndrome that I discussed with my Vet. stopping it and observing Leo over the course of the next few weeks to see if he can continue to progress without it. He is also on anti-obsessional medication. At this time he is no longer taking the anti-seizure medication.
Effective anti-obsessional drugs include clomipramine (clomicalm) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Be aware that it might take 3 or 4 weeks for an initial response to the drug. By 16 weeks, the full effect of the drug should be known. When anti-obsessional therapy is ineffective or only marginally effective, try anti-convulsants. The first drug to try in cats is usually Phenobarbital. Leo was on phenobarbital, but again I have been accussed over and over verbally by the rescue agency of putting Leo's liver in jeopardy and just medicating him to get the cat I want.
I have been thinking a lot about the condition Leo has. As an energy worker (reiki) I can scan his body with my hands and feel the areas that are out of balance. I often notice that his stomach is hot when I scan that area, as well as his extremities. I have since read from other people that their cats are very sensitive to touch in those areas as well. Leo is also very sensitive to being touched anywhere besides head and neck, which he loves to have scratched.
I believe that FHS is similar to Fibromyalgia in humans.
Please see the post directly below this as well.
The following is information from catchannel.com
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS) (also called “rolling skin syndrome”) is a condition that usually appears in cats between the ages of 1 and 4. Siamese and other Asian breeds have a higher prevalence of this syndrome. This would be one explaination of why no one from the rescue agencies saw these behaviors in Leo before he was in my care, where they have been clearly observed by me as well as visitors to my home and my Veterinarian. Another explaination would be that he lived in a tiny cage for three weeks so that symptoms such as meowing would be considered normal and a sign of simply wanting to be let out of his cage, he obviously couldn't run around or be aggressive with anyone while in a tiny cage either.
There is no test to diagnose FHS. A diagnosis of FHS is made after other causes of the clinical signs are excluded by diagnostic tests, and by a positive response to treatment. Blood tests and other diagnostic tests will likely be necessary to rule out medical causes that may be confused with FHS, including hyperthyroidism, parasitic skin infections, skin allergies, etc. Again, Leo has undergone a CAT scan, spinal tap, and full blood work and everything else has been ruled out.
No one knows exactly what causes FHS, but there are a few possible explanations. It may be a type of seizure activity, and the fact that some affected cats respond to anti-convulsant medication seems to support this explanation. Leo was on anti-seizure medication and it seemed to be helping him a lot. However there was so much accusation from the rescue agency about the possible damage this mediaction could do to his liver with this type of standard medication for this syndrome that I discussed with my Vet. stopping it and observing Leo over the course of the next few weeks to see if he can continue to progress without it. He is also on anti-obsessional medication. At this time he is no longer taking the anti-seizure medication.
Effective anti-obsessional drugs include clomipramine (clomicalm) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Be aware that it might take 3 or 4 weeks for an initial response to the drug. By 16 weeks, the full effect of the drug should be known. When anti-obsessional therapy is ineffective or only marginally effective, try anti-convulsants. The first drug to try in cats is usually Phenobarbital. Leo was on phenobarbital, but again I have been accussed over and over verbally by the rescue agency of putting Leo's liver in jeopardy and just medicating him to get the cat I want.
I have been thinking a lot about the condition Leo has. As an energy worker (reiki) I can scan his body with my hands and feel the areas that are out of balance. I often notice that his stomach is hot when I scan that area, as well as his extremities. I have since read from other people that their cats are very sensitive to touch in those areas as well. Leo is also very sensitive to being touched anywhere besides head and neck, which he loves to have scratched.
I believe that FHS is similar to Fibromyalgia in humans.
Please see the post directly below this as well.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Kathie From Kitty Kind Called Me Tonight- Emergency Help Needed From My Blog Readers Please
I cannot believe the call I just receieved. After many days of receiving no contact from Mayor's Alliance nor Kitty Kind I thought they dropped the issue. Boy was I wrong.
Kathie informed me how Mayor's Allience wants the cat back from me and is trying to make a case of improper care of Leo from me. She said that they are concerned about him "being drugged" and that Siobhan has told Jane Hoffman only bad things about me and the care he is receiving while under my care.
The representatives of Mayor's Alliance seem to forget that they turned Leo over to Kitty Kind to have Leo adopted and that Leo was legally adopted to me.
Jane Hoffman has only heard one-side of the story from her employee who has been nothing but unfprofessional and innapropriate from the start.
Poor Leo. All THOSE people care about is that I have the facts behind me to show the negligence of his care while in their hands and that I can expose them. Therefore they want to go after me.
Here are the facts again:
Siobhan never disclosed to me that she worked for Murray Hill Hospital.
Siobhan never disclosed to me that before going to Kitty Kind Leo lived in a cage for three weeks at Murray Hill Hospital.
Murray Hill Hospital bungled and botched a standard procedure, his neutering. By the night I received him into my home his "scrotum" (now gone) was so swollen the area was the size of two golf balls full of BLOOD. The wound began to leak BLOOD so much so that it appeared it was coming from his rectum as well.
After only having Leo for one night I had to rush him to the emergency vet because Leo vomited all night and could not hold down food and the blood coming out of his botched neutering. The Vets told me that this was probably caused by him feeling so sick from the neutering that was done incorrectly.
Let's just stop here for a moment. Murray Hills Vets which incorrectly performed a stanadard and routine operation of neutering so badly that the cats "balls" were the size of golf balls went COMPLETELY UNOTICED. He went out for adoption in this manner.
Yet, I am being accussed of improper care and drugging a cat because THEY DID NOT OBSERVE THE BEHAVIOR I HAVE CLEARLY SHOWN THEM HE EXHIBITS DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION DIAGNOSED AFTER LEAVING THEIR CARE.
To me they only prove my point: It is they who have been negligent as they didn't observe their botched neutering, swollen wound and blood pooling up in the area and they who didn't properly observe him, test him and let him go undiagnosed for FHS.
I cannot believe that me, the person who was willing to take a cat "with a neurological tick" (since that is all that was disclosed to me) and who observed all I have, and who was BEGGED verbally on the phone on the way to the emergency Vet to please keep Leo and not give up on him are now from the very same people being accused of improper care and drugging a cat. This from the same people who could not see the physical signs of their BOTCHED neutering.
I cannot believe I am in the position of having to defend myself and the care I am giving to Leo. I cannot believe that the videos I took to show proof of the physical behaviors and signs of FHS is being used against me.
Why did I take those videos in the first place? Because I was being called a liar by Siobhan. I was verbally being accused of lying about the symptoms just to get medication to "get the kind of cat I wanted". So silly me! I thought that showing video proof of what was happening to Leo would obsolve me of being called a liar.
Instead the video is now being used against me and I am being accussed of causing the symptoms Leo has and being told he is behaving this way because he doesn't like me or my home.
So not only are licensed Vet's who have admitted they have not seen the behavior while in their care, trying to make a diagnosis, which is illegal to do, they are also trying to make a psychological diagnosis on Leo as well as me. The same people who couldn't see the MISTAKE THEY MADE WHEN THEY BOTCHED HIS NEUTERING AND SENT HIM OUT FOR ADOPTION ANYWAY!
Perhaps the Veterinary licensing board should look into the negligence of the doctors at Murray Hill and consider revoking their license to practice medicine. It seems clear to me that they are giving improper care and letting a lot of diagnosises go unchecked and animals leave their care without proper medications and care.
While under my care, Leo is exhibiting much progress. He is able to concentrate on playing with his toys, eat his Innova cat food, sleep in bed with me or on the couch which he loves. He has a favorite window that he can see for miles, with trees and birds to watch and listen to. His aggressive symptoms that are standard for cats with FHS have lessoned significantly.
As I posted earlier, I have witness the skin rippling now, which is extremely common with these cats and helps Vets to solidify their diagnosis of animals with this condition.
FHS is diagnosed when all other possible diseases such as cancer or viral diseases have been ruled out. Since Mayors Alliance paid for his CAT scan and spinal tap and the Vets released him to me stating he is cleared of all other possible diagnosis for his neurological condition it is entirely appropriate according to the medical literature on FHS to diagnose Leo with this condition.
From my call with Kathie of Kitty Kind tonight, it appears to me, and she has admitted verbally to her, that the Mayors Animal Alliance is trying to build a case against me and wants to try to remove Leo from my home and care.
So I am calling on you to please write letters on my behalf and on Leo's behalf about the improper care he received while under Murray Hill's and Siobhan's watch.
Leo is my little boy. I do not trust those organizations to take proper care of Leo. I have followed the orders of my Vet and he has received nothing but love and proper medical care from me. I am completely baffled that I am being put in this position.
I do not want to expend my energy fighting these people. But if forced to I will do it. I will win and they will lose.
What the representatives of Mayors Alliance is doing to me at this point constitutes harrassment. If they continue to move forward in this fashion I will present the FACTS and prove that they harrassed me. And I will win. And once I win I will then take them back to court and sue them for harrassment of me should they force me to take it this far.
Siobhan, none of this needed to happen and it is you who is hurting an animal by how you continue to push for a case against me. Shame on you! Leo was born with a mental illness in his brain. Under my diligence and care, he has been properly diagnosed and is on the proper protocal. Your vengence for me seems to be more imporant to you than the fact that he is happier and healthier today under my care.
All I ever asked of you Siobhan was to honor your word and committment to me to help pay for the medications which was your offer to me as you pleaded for me to please keep him. I never asked for the financial help. YOU OFFERED IT TO ME. It's time for you to put your ego in check and admit what you did was improper and that you are making this personal rather than providing the financial aid you offered me, to pay for the proper medical care, which your organization misdiagnosed under your watch.
Enough is enough.
To my blog readers: thank you for reading all the long posts. Please see the post below with the address to write to the Mayor about this situation. Please ask other animal lovers to write to the Mayor as well about this situation. Please tell them what you think about how Siobhan handled herself and represented the organation she works for. Please tell them how Leo should not be removed from my care and the only stable home he has ever known.
Thank you for all your help.
Kathie informed me how Mayor's Allience wants the cat back from me and is trying to make a case of improper care of Leo from me. She said that they are concerned about him "being drugged" and that Siobhan has told Jane Hoffman only bad things about me and the care he is receiving while under my care.
The representatives of Mayor's Alliance seem to forget that they turned Leo over to Kitty Kind to have Leo adopted and that Leo was legally adopted to me.
Jane Hoffman has only heard one-side of the story from her employee who has been nothing but unfprofessional and innapropriate from the start.
Poor Leo. All THOSE people care about is that I have the facts behind me to show the negligence of his care while in their hands and that I can expose them. Therefore they want to go after me.
Here are the facts again:
Siobhan never disclosed to me that she worked for Murray Hill Hospital.
Siobhan never disclosed to me that before going to Kitty Kind Leo lived in a cage for three weeks at Murray Hill Hospital.
Murray Hill Hospital bungled and botched a standard procedure, his neutering. By the night I received him into my home his "scrotum" (now gone) was so swollen the area was the size of two golf balls full of BLOOD. The wound began to leak BLOOD so much so that it appeared it was coming from his rectum as well.
After only having Leo for one night I had to rush him to the emergency vet because Leo vomited all night and could not hold down food and the blood coming out of his botched neutering. The Vets told me that this was probably caused by him feeling so sick from the neutering that was done incorrectly.
Let's just stop here for a moment. Murray Hills Vets which incorrectly performed a stanadard and routine operation of neutering so badly that the cats "balls" were the size of golf balls went COMPLETELY UNOTICED. He went out for adoption in this manner.
Yet, I am being accussed of improper care and drugging a cat because THEY DID NOT OBSERVE THE BEHAVIOR I HAVE CLEARLY SHOWN THEM HE EXHIBITS DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION DIAGNOSED AFTER LEAVING THEIR CARE.
To me they only prove my point: It is they who have been negligent as they didn't observe their botched neutering, swollen wound and blood pooling up in the area and they who didn't properly observe him, test him and let him go undiagnosed for FHS.
I cannot believe that me, the person who was willing to take a cat "with a neurological tick" (since that is all that was disclosed to me) and who observed all I have, and who was BEGGED verbally on the phone on the way to the emergency Vet to please keep Leo and not give up on him are now from the very same people being accused of improper care and drugging a cat. This from the same people who could not see the physical signs of their BOTCHED neutering.
I cannot believe I am in the position of having to defend myself and the care I am giving to Leo. I cannot believe that the videos I took to show proof of the physical behaviors and signs of FHS is being used against me.
Why did I take those videos in the first place? Because I was being called a liar by Siobhan. I was verbally being accused of lying about the symptoms just to get medication to "get the kind of cat I wanted". So silly me! I thought that showing video proof of what was happening to Leo would obsolve me of being called a liar.
Instead the video is now being used against me and I am being accussed of causing the symptoms Leo has and being told he is behaving this way because he doesn't like me or my home.
So not only are licensed Vet's who have admitted they have not seen the behavior while in their care, trying to make a diagnosis, which is illegal to do, they are also trying to make a psychological diagnosis on Leo as well as me. The same people who couldn't see the MISTAKE THEY MADE WHEN THEY BOTCHED HIS NEUTERING AND SENT HIM OUT FOR ADOPTION ANYWAY!
Perhaps the Veterinary licensing board should look into the negligence of the doctors at Murray Hill and consider revoking their license to practice medicine. It seems clear to me that they are giving improper care and letting a lot of diagnosises go unchecked and animals leave their care without proper medications and care.
While under my care, Leo is exhibiting much progress. He is able to concentrate on playing with his toys, eat his Innova cat food, sleep in bed with me or on the couch which he loves. He has a favorite window that he can see for miles, with trees and birds to watch and listen to. His aggressive symptoms that are standard for cats with FHS have lessoned significantly.
As I posted earlier, I have witness the skin rippling now, which is extremely common with these cats and helps Vets to solidify their diagnosis of animals with this condition.
FHS is diagnosed when all other possible diseases such as cancer or viral diseases have been ruled out. Since Mayors Alliance paid for his CAT scan and spinal tap and the Vets released him to me stating he is cleared of all other possible diagnosis for his neurological condition it is entirely appropriate according to the medical literature on FHS to diagnose Leo with this condition.
From my call with Kathie of Kitty Kind tonight, it appears to me, and she has admitted verbally to her, that the Mayors Animal Alliance is trying to build a case against me and wants to try to remove Leo from my home and care.
So I am calling on you to please write letters on my behalf and on Leo's behalf about the improper care he received while under Murray Hill's and Siobhan's watch.
Leo is my little boy. I do not trust those organizations to take proper care of Leo. I have followed the orders of my Vet and he has received nothing but love and proper medical care from me. I am completely baffled that I am being put in this position.
I do not want to expend my energy fighting these people. But if forced to I will do it. I will win and they will lose.
What the representatives of Mayors Alliance is doing to me at this point constitutes harrassment. If they continue to move forward in this fashion I will present the FACTS and prove that they harrassed me. And I will win. And once I win I will then take them back to court and sue them for harrassment of me should they force me to take it this far.
Siobhan, none of this needed to happen and it is you who is hurting an animal by how you continue to push for a case against me. Shame on you! Leo was born with a mental illness in his brain. Under my diligence and care, he has been properly diagnosed and is on the proper protocal. Your vengence for me seems to be more imporant to you than the fact that he is happier and healthier today under my care.
All I ever asked of you Siobhan was to honor your word and committment to me to help pay for the medications which was your offer to me as you pleaded for me to please keep him. I never asked for the financial help. YOU OFFERED IT TO ME. It's time for you to put your ego in check and admit what you did was improper and that you are making this personal rather than providing the financial aid you offered me, to pay for the proper medical care, which your organization misdiagnosed under your watch.
Enough is enough.
To my blog readers: thank you for reading all the long posts. Please see the post below with the address to write to the Mayor about this situation. Please ask other animal lovers to write to the Mayor as well about this situation. Please tell them what you think about how Siobhan handled herself and represented the organation she works for. Please tell them how Leo should not be removed from my care and the only stable home he has ever known.
Thank you for all your help.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Skin Ripple and FHS and Cute Photos
I finally saw the skin rippling happen to Leo tonight. I wasn't able to catch it on video. It happened so fast. He was laying on my bed and awake and it just happened to his entire body. If I can catch it soon on video I will post. It will be good evidence that his diagnosis is correct and make Siobhan and Mayor's Animal Alliance have to eat crow, apologize and offer the financial help they promised when begging me to keep him.
In the meantime I caught these photos of Leo the past two days. He is a silly little cat. He sleeps so funny sometimes. His tail is so long that he can do the following:
And he also puts himself in the following position to sleep:
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Please Write To Mayor Bloomberg On Behalf Of Leo
Here is the address to write letters on behalf of Leo and the situation with Siobhan:
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Please tell him what you think about the treatment Siobhan presented towards me and the unethical nature of the handling of monies going to Murray Hill where she is employed. Please list a copy of your letter on the comments section as well to keep a record of what was sent.
Update on Leo's condition:
While on medication Leo seems to be showing signs of improvement. He plays nicely with his toys and sleeps calmly. I have not witnessed any further destruction of property. He has had some episodes of agression around the times where his first pill of the day is wearing off and when his second pill of the day is waiting to take effect. At this time however, overall I am encouraged by the improvement I see. He still doesn't like to have his spine or belly touched at all as well as his extremities. He does like to be pet on the head and have his ears scratched. He has a favorite window sill to sit on and lots of toys to play with. I am learning what organic food brands he will eat and which ones he will not. He still has some stomach issues with loose BM's but has not vomitted since that first night and has not had diahreah.
Leo is now on Elavil two times a day and has been taken off phenobarbital for the time being.
I will post two videos soon. One shows Leo without his meds in him and one with him playing and having fun with his medications in him.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Please tell him what you think about the treatment Siobhan presented towards me and the unethical nature of the handling of monies going to Murray Hill where she is employed. Please list a copy of your letter on the comments section as well to keep a record of what was sent.
Update on Leo's condition:
While on medication Leo seems to be showing signs of improvement. He plays nicely with his toys and sleeps calmly. I have not witnessed any further destruction of property. He has had some episodes of agression around the times where his first pill of the day is wearing off and when his second pill of the day is waiting to take effect. At this time however, overall I am encouraged by the improvement I see. He still doesn't like to have his spine or belly touched at all as well as his extremities. He does like to be pet on the head and have his ears scratched. He has a favorite window sill to sit on and lots of toys to play with. I am learning what organic food brands he will eat and which ones he will not. He still has some stomach issues with loose BM's but has not vomitted since that first night and has not had diahreah.
Leo is now on Elavil two times a day and has been taken off phenobarbital for the time being.
I will post two videos soon. One shows Leo without his meds in him and one with him playing and having fun with his medications in him.
Passing The Buck
After this last email from Siobhan and a few calls she made to me that resulted in me asking for her supervisor whom she would NOT let me speak to and I never received a return call from her supervisor whom she told me was Jane, although I have no way to know if this is correct, I was passed off to Cathie from Kitty Kind.
Suddenly a phone call comes in from a number I do not recognize and Cathie is telling me to bring Leo back to her. She tries to convince me that it is in the best interest of Leo that I bring him to her so he can live in her home for two weeks, which is a one bedroom apartment with 4 cats of her own so she can observe Leo's behavior without medication in him.
So again a non-medical lay person is going to take the word of another non-medical person about me, the care my licensed Vet prescribed and try to make this about me rather than just doing the right thing.
I spent about 45 minutes on that call letting Cathie know the things that transpired between Siobhan and myself. According to Cathie she didn't even know I had Leo past the first night. She made claims that she didn't know Siobhan had called me and begged me to keep Leo and told me to speak with her from now on. But she was going to take the word about my character and demeanor from this woman without speaking with me first and get me to bring Leo to her.
And folks, I almost did this. Because Leo is very hard adjust to and help. And I never expected such a situation when adopting a baby cat. And after just losing Olivia whom I had for 17 years and greiving her I was not happy about being in this situation.
Cathie and I disgusted the diagnosis of FHS and separation anxiety. And Cathie told me that Siobhan never had Leo in her care. On this call I learned that Siobhan works for Murray Hill Veterinary as well as the Mayors Animal Alliance of NYC. On this call I learned that Leo lived at Murray Hill, NOT Siobhan's home for three weeks prior to being sent to Kitty Kind for adoption and that he lived in a cage for those three weeks, where he received his botched neutering and then was sent to another cage at Kitty Kind where I learned of him and adopted him. He lived in my home one night and was so sick, vomitting all night with food coming up 2.5 hours after each time he ate, and then blood coming out of his scrotum and what appeared his rectum as well the next morning, he had to go to a hospital as an in-patient and stay in another cage for three days.
Did any of these people really care about Leo's best interest then or now? NOPE! NO NO NO NO NO they did NOT! The only thing they cared about was covering their asses. The only thing they were concerned about was taking him out of my care because "I am on the ball", I ask a lot of questions, do a lot of research and I am a certified holistic healthcare practitioner who has the credentials to make assessments on the lack of proper care Leo received before coming into my care, thereby causing his condition to be exacerbated. I was deemed the problem because to these people I was THEIR problem, because they were scared I would OUT THEM!
And the ironic thing is that had these people just honored their word and helped with the medications as promised after begging me to keep a special needs kitty that they knew was a special needs kitty but purposely failed to disclose, and instead did everything to CYA, I would not have started this blog, nor written a letter to the Mayor of NYC regarding this organization's negligence. And that is exactly what this is: negligence of an animal.
If a civilian treated Leo as they did during his stay in their care, the ASPCA's police would have been called and that person would have been issued a summonds. And I suspect they are aware of this.
Here is what I emailed Cathie:
Hi Cathie,
There were MANY phone conversations where Siobhan verbally said things to me which were not written in emails. Before speaking with her on Thursday night I didn’t even know that there was something called a Sanctuary. It was Siobhan who mentioned that this was probably his only option upon hearing the situation as it was presenting. I called her as I was in my Vet’s office.
This is and has been Siobhan of Animal Alliance’s M.O. She will state certain things and offer certain options and then when I take her up on the offer for help, such as the sanctuary and then in this exchange the financial help for the medications so that I would keep him, she changes her story. I never asked for financial help. It was offered to me. I never heard of an animal sanctuary – she told me on the phone that was his only option and therefore I began writing directed in that way.
At first you will see what I highlighted is her admitting it is no one’s fault. As the days transpire I am slowly but surely verbally and in writing receiving attacks on my character and being accused of having a home environment that is the cause for Leo’s behavior. Rather than simply seeing the facts which are that he has a medical condition which my Vet has diagnosed as such and in the best interest of Leo, not myself who is not a proponent of medications as I am a holistic healthcare practitioner, I put him on the medications so that he can feel better. There is no way this little boy can feel well with the medical condition he has without medications. He was suffering and it was evident in his behavior. His behavior has everything to do with the neurological problems he was born with and nothing to do with the adoptive parent or the home of the adoptive parent.
To follow-up to our phone conversation, when you and I last spoke before today, I was bringing Leo to NYC Vet on West 55th Street and arrangements would be made for someone in your organization to pick him up. On my way to that Vet I received a call from Siobhan begging me to not give up on this cat, to see what the Vets have to say after running more test. She begged me and worked on every emotion of mine and I relented and agreed. It was implied that I was to contact her from that point forward and so I thought that Kitty Kind was no longer part of this equation.
I went EVERY DAY to visit Leo. The first day I went to see him I saw him in his cage. When Dr. Levitan came to speak to me he and I both observed an odd facial behavior from Leo, where he suddenly went from happy and friendly to almost dropping, but slightly conscious, and his mouth opened slightly. I mentioned to the doctor that I had seen him do that before and felt it was odd and that I was concerned. His response was that what we were seeing was the exact reason why he was asking Mayors Alliance to pay for a CAT scan and that he was concerned as well. He was not on medications at that time other than 2mgs of Pepcid.
After a few days Siobhan called me to say they wanted me to take him home. Since he was cleared of Cancer and any viral diseases to establish a cause for what was observed by their medical staff I agreed to continue with the adoption.
The following few days he had to live with a cone on to help him not bite the now fixed neutering job, that Murray Hill botched and NYC Vet fixed. At no time was I informed that Siobhan worked for Murray Hill which is a conflict of interest in my opinion. You are the first to tell me this. And so it only now makes sense that she started to defend her Vet’s opinions of Leo’s care while in my home, even though they have not seen him- she made claims to their assessment which to my knowledge from my Vet is illegal to do without seeing the animal.
Over the last two days I have been accused of being a liar about his condition “simply to medicate him to be the cat I want him to be”. I was told this verbally.
I have been told that it is due to my environment that he is acting out.
I have been told that I am over medicating him based on a person without a medical degree’s opinion and supposedly a Vet that has not seen him for this problem. And therefore my own licensed Vet is also being called a liar and incompetent and someone who would over medicate an animal.
I was told that my student who was petting him was at fault for being bit.
I was told verbally today that it was her fault for not seeing that he was moving his tail and upset and did not want to be pet. I was also told that what he did was completely normal because Siobhan has seen so many animals and she knows best.
I was told that he didn’t need medicine at all and that I could either do things as she has decided is best or that if this is too much of a stress to give him back.
When I stated that we would have to agree to disagree about the medications, she said, “There is no disagreement. I am right!”
This has been her way of dealing with things from the start…begging me to keep him and then demanding it be handled her way in my home and accusing me of lying and purposely over medicating him and killing his liver with the pheno and then making a medical dx about my mental state.
So if this is the case I would like to see her credentials to make this mental assessment not only for Leo but for me. Her opinions otherwise are not welcome.
Otherwise at this time I believe that an offer was made to pay for his medications so that he could get better and so that I would keep him. These medications were prescribed by a reputable Vet, who happens to be educated from Cornell University and who I have used for many years. If he believes along with me that this is necessary than it is and I do not need anyone else’s opinion, because that is exactly what it would be, an uneducated non-medically licensed nor certified opinion.
I have not only sought out the best medical care for this little boy, I have sought out the best holistic care. He is under the care of a well-respected Medical Intuitive and Animal Communicator as well.
My Vet feels he has separation anxiety as well as FHS.
I fail to see how bringing him to you now, after we both admittedly realize he has been tossed around from first a cage to another and then right to another at the Vet for tests and then finally to my home which has been the ONLY STABLE ENVIRONMENT he has known in his life thus far is going to make this better. In fact I feel it will make things worse and cause him more anxiety.
I would appreciate the financial help I was promised with the medications. If it will not be honored I will have to figure out a way to incorporate this into my budget at this time. Had I returned him from the start I would not feel this way. However since he started the PROPER MEDS, he is slowly starting to do better. And because of that he and I have begun to bond. So while I appreciate your offer to take him from me for two weeks etc…I will not be doing this with you.
I am asking for the financial assistance for his medications as offered. I know it wasn’t your organization that offered it however I am asking all the same.
He was suffering without the medications and is finally starting to feel better. I will not take that opportunity away from him. It is not in his best interest.
This has been a hard decision for me, one which I do not take lightly simply because it is a HUGE commitment I am making. Nonetheless it is made.
Suddenly a phone call comes in from a number I do not recognize and Cathie is telling me to bring Leo back to her. She tries to convince me that it is in the best interest of Leo that I bring him to her so he can live in her home for two weeks, which is a one bedroom apartment with 4 cats of her own so she can observe Leo's behavior without medication in him.
So again a non-medical lay person is going to take the word of another non-medical person about me, the care my licensed Vet prescribed and try to make this about me rather than just doing the right thing.
I spent about 45 minutes on that call letting Cathie know the things that transpired between Siobhan and myself. According to Cathie she didn't even know I had Leo past the first night. She made claims that she didn't know Siobhan had called me and begged me to keep Leo and told me to speak with her from now on. But she was going to take the word about my character and demeanor from this woman without speaking with me first and get me to bring Leo to her.
And folks, I almost did this. Because Leo is very hard adjust to and help. And I never expected such a situation when adopting a baby cat. And after just losing Olivia whom I had for 17 years and greiving her I was not happy about being in this situation.
Cathie and I disgusted the diagnosis of FHS and separation anxiety. And Cathie told me that Siobhan never had Leo in her care. On this call I learned that Siobhan works for Murray Hill Veterinary as well as the Mayors Animal Alliance of NYC. On this call I learned that Leo lived at Murray Hill, NOT Siobhan's home for three weeks prior to being sent to Kitty Kind for adoption and that he lived in a cage for those three weeks, where he received his botched neutering and then was sent to another cage at Kitty Kind where I learned of him and adopted him. He lived in my home one night and was so sick, vomitting all night with food coming up 2.5 hours after each time he ate, and then blood coming out of his scrotum and what appeared his rectum as well the next morning, he had to go to a hospital as an in-patient and stay in another cage for three days.
Did any of these people really care about Leo's best interest then or now? NOPE! NO NO NO NO NO they did NOT! The only thing they cared about was covering their asses. The only thing they were concerned about was taking him out of my care because "I am on the ball", I ask a lot of questions, do a lot of research and I am a certified holistic healthcare practitioner who has the credentials to make assessments on the lack of proper care Leo received before coming into my care, thereby causing his condition to be exacerbated. I was deemed the problem because to these people I was THEIR problem, because they were scared I would OUT THEM!
And the ironic thing is that had these people just honored their word and helped with the medications as promised after begging me to keep a special needs kitty that they knew was a special needs kitty but purposely failed to disclose, and instead did everything to CYA, I would not have started this blog, nor written a letter to the Mayor of NYC regarding this organization's negligence. And that is exactly what this is: negligence of an animal.
If a civilian treated Leo as they did during his stay in their care, the ASPCA's police would have been called and that person would have been issued a summonds. And I suspect they are aware of this.
Here is what I emailed Cathie:
Hi Cathie,
There were MANY phone conversations where Siobhan verbally said things to me which were not written in emails. Before speaking with her on Thursday night I didn’t even know that there was something called a Sanctuary. It was Siobhan who mentioned that this was probably his only option upon hearing the situation as it was presenting. I called her as I was in my Vet’s office.
This is and has been Siobhan of Animal Alliance’s M.O. She will state certain things and offer certain options and then when I take her up on the offer for help, such as the sanctuary and then in this exchange the financial help for the medications so that I would keep him, she changes her story. I never asked for financial help. It was offered to me. I never heard of an animal sanctuary – she told me on the phone that was his only option and therefore I began writing directed in that way.
At first you will see what I highlighted is her admitting it is no one’s fault. As the days transpire I am slowly but surely verbally and in writing receiving attacks on my character and being accused of having a home environment that is the cause for Leo’s behavior. Rather than simply seeing the facts which are that he has a medical condition which my Vet has diagnosed as such and in the best interest of Leo, not myself who is not a proponent of medications as I am a holistic healthcare practitioner, I put him on the medications so that he can feel better. There is no way this little boy can feel well with the medical condition he has without medications. He was suffering and it was evident in his behavior. His behavior has everything to do with the neurological problems he was born with and nothing to do with the adoptive parent or the home of the adoptive parent.
To follow-up to our phone conversation, when you and I last spoke before today, I was bringing Leo to NYC Vet on West 55th Street and arrangements would be made for someone in your organization to pick him up. On my way to that Vet I received a call from Siobhan begging me to not give up on this cat, to see what the Vets have to say after running more test. She begged me and worked on every emotion of mine and I relented and agreed. It was implied that I was to contact her from that point forward and so I thought that Kitty Kind was no longer part of this equation.
I went EVERY DAY to visit Leo. The first day I went to see him I saw him in his cage. When Dr. Levitan came to speak to me he and I both observed an odd facial behavior from Leo, where he suddenly went from happy and friendly to almost dropping, but slightly conscious, and his mouth opened slightly. I mentioned to the doctor that I had seen him do that before and felt it was odd and that I was concerned. His response was that what we were seeing was the exact reason why he was asking Mayors Alliance to pay for a CAT scan and that he was concerned as well. He was not on medications at that time other than 2mgs of Pepcid.
After a few days Siobhan called me to say they wanted me to take him home. Since he was cleared of Cancer and any viral diseases to establish a cause for what was observed by their medical staff I agreed to continue with the adoption.
The following few days he had to live with a cone on to help him not bite the now fixed neutering job, that Murray Hill botched and NYC Vet fixed. At no time was I informed that Siobhan worked for Murray Hill which is a conflict of interest in my opinion. You are the first to tell me this. And so it only now makes sense that she started to defend her Vet’s opinions of Leo’s care while in my home, even though they have not seen him- she made claims to their assessment which to my knowledge from my Vet is illegal to do without seeing the animal.
Over the last two days I have been accused of being a liar about his condition “simply to medicate him to be the cat I want him to be”. I was told this verbally.
I have been told that it is due to my environment that he is acting out.
I have been told that I am over medicating him based on a person without a medical degree’s opinion and supposedly a Vet that has not seen him for this problem. And therefore my own licensed Vet is also being called a liar and incompetent and someone who would over medicate an animal.
I was told that my student who was petting him was at fault for being bit.
I was told verbally today that it was her fault for not seeing that he was moving his tail and upset and did not want to be pet. I was also told that what he did was completely normal because Siobhan has seen so many animals and she knows best.
I was told that he didn’t need medicine at all and that I could either do things as she has decided is best or that if this is too much of a stress to give him back.
When I stated that we would have to agree to disagree about the medications, she said, “There is no disagreement. I am right!”
This has been her way of dealing with things from the start…begging me to keep him and then demanding it be handled her way in my home and accusing me of lying and purposely over medicating him and killing his liver with the pheno and then making a medical dx about my mental state.
So if this is the case I would like to see her credentials to make this mental assessment not only for Leo but for me. Her opinions otherwise are not welcome.
Otherwise at this time I believe that an offer was made to pay for his medications so that he could get better and so that I would keep him. These medications were prescribed by a reputable Vet, who happens to be educated from Cornell University and who I have used for many years. If he believes along with me that this is necessary than it is and I do not need anyone else’s opinion, because that is exactly what it would be, an uneducated non-medically licensed nor certified opinion.
I have not only sought out the best medical care for this little boy, I have sought out the best holistic care. He is under the care of a well-respected Medical Intuitive and Animal Communicator as well.
My Vet feels he has separation anxiety as well as FHS.
I fail to see how bringing him to you now, after we both admittedly realize he has been tossed around from first a cage to another and then right to another at the Vet for tests and then finally to my home which has been the ONLY STABLE ENVIRONMENT he has known in his life thus far is going to make this better. In fact I feel it will make things worse and cause him more anxiety.
I would appreciate the financial help I was promised with the medications. If it will not be honored I will have to figure out a way to incorporate this into my budget at this time. Had I returned him from the start I would not feel this way. However since he started the PROPER MEDS, he is slowly starting to do better. And because of that he and I have begun to bond. So while I appreciate your offer to take him from me for two weeks etc…I will not be doing this with you.
I am asking for the financial assistance for his medications as offered. I know it wasn’t your organization that offered it however I am asking all the same.
He was suffering without the medications and is finally starting to feel better. I will not take that opportunity away from him. It is not in his best interest.
This has been a hard decision for me, one which I do not take lightly simply because it is a HUGE commitment I am making. Nonetheless it is made.
Friday, May 9, 2008
And The Bullshit Continues
As you will see in this post, the continued ignoring of what I have written many times about Leo's prescribed medications and doses continues. It was like communicating with a brick wall. I just was no longer being listened to. There was obviously a hidden agenda which had nothing to do with what was best for Leo or myself.
I don't know your Vet. I can't vouch for his knowledge ofmedicating cats. I do know Dr. Lauridia very well so I went off of his suggestions. I want whats best for Leo. If this situation is stressing you too much then do you need us to take Leo Back? DO YOU SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING FOLKS???
I don't want to medicate Leo to the point where he's doped up and not even acting like a cat because thats just as bad as not being on meds. I think 2 pills a day plus pheno is a lot to start a cat on. Normally you don't give an animal the max amount and ween him off. You start them off on the littlest amount and work it up until you find the right amount that works on them. That'swhat I'd like to see.
I know this is stressfull for you but I want what's best for Leo. HERE WE GO AGAIN?
As for changing the drugs. I don't have all the answers. I would like to think your Vet would know the answers to those questions. If he does not than we can ask my vet. I"d like to talk to your Vet and see if he agrees with me on starting Leo on the lowest dose possible. Idon't want a drugged out cat. OH REALLY NOW. And how would you know how much drugs Leo is on or what is considered low or not since you have not paid any attention to the numerous times I told you verbally as well as in writing the actual dose he was put on and that amount of times a day he gets the meds. According to Siobhan I am giving this cat two doses of anti-depressents plus phenobarbital, except that no where in anything I wrote did I ever state such claims. As far speaking with my Vet, she was given my Vet's telephone number on numerous occassions and never called nor did anyone from Murray Hill call to find out what was prescribed by speaking to the licensed medical professional.
I've heard you say many times that you didn't expect these costs or stress etc. I understand that, and I never expected these events to occur ether. As I have said before Leo never showed that type of behavior while in our care. So I really don't know the extent of Leo's behavior except what you have described to me. Again, I want whats best for Leo. My first interest is in getting him healthy and calm.I will contact your Vet tomorrow and discuss the medications with him and Leo's Behavior to see what the best "cocktail" can be and what it will take to switch the medications. This never happened. To this day, she has not called. She passed me back to Kitty Kind and this has never been resolved.
And then the following day I recieved this email with a change in her story yet again:
I have a few options I think at this point that would be the best for Leo. I saw both videos and I can see what behavior you are talking about. You are right that he may need some behavior modification but am unsure as to what extent he needs mediation. We have several options for you to consider.
1. With in the first month of adopting an animal if an adopter finds that they do not have the type of behavior they can handle we will gladly welcome them back. Although you have an attachment to him, this is the time to make that change. All cats respond to change differently, from what I saw Leo is behaving as stressed cat. If you return him I can promise you he will not be euthanized. THIS IS NOW THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF WHAT SHE WROTE AND I POSTED EARLIER IN THIS BLOG. SO HER WORD NOW CANNOT BE TRUSTED.We will place him back in a foster home to be socialized and then readopted. We will have him monitored by a vet to assess his behavior and if he truly needs medication. MY VET ALREADY MONITORED AND ASSESSED HIS BEHAVIOR AND I ALSO TOOK VIDEO AND SHOWED THIS. Much to my dismay it was used AGAINST ME.
2. We can have a member of our rescue come and do a home visit with you. She can see Leo in his environment. I had her watch the two videos and while she agrees he needs some behavior modification she can’t tell from his actions if he truly needs medication. I FAIL TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN COMING TO MY HOME AND WATCHING THE SAME BEHAVIOR AS OPPOSED TO SEEING IT ON THE VIDEO WILL HELP HER MAKE ANY ASSESSMENT. THIS IS JUST TO CHECK OUT THE OWNER. TOTALLY BULLSHIT. She would be happy to come by and suggest some changes. Some suggestions she may make, are getting his a scratching post which should solve the scratching of furniture. I NEVER MENTIONED ONCE THAT HE SCRATCHED MY FURNITURE. Another suggestion maybe getting him a playmate which should cease the separation anxiety. I ALWAYS STATED I WAS WORKING WITH MY VET TO ADOPT ANOTHER CAT FOR HIM TO PLAY WITH. There are other suggestions she can make by coming and meeting you and Leo.
3. When we spoke of Medical Bills I was under the impression he was attacking people, and his behavior was erratic. JUST WHAT GAVE YOU THIS IMPRRESSION. SHOW ME WHERE I MENTIONED THIS IN ANY EXCHANGE. THIS IS A LIE AND YOU HAVE BEEN CAUGHT RED HANDED ON THSI ONE SIOBHAN. After watching those videos, I just can’t make that assumption. AFTER WATCHING THE VIDEO OF LEO ACTUALLY BITING A VISITOR IN MY HOME YOU CAN'T MAKE WHAT ASSUMTION? THAT LEO BITES PEOPLE OUT OF NOWHERE? CORRECT! NO ASSUMTION IT IS A FACT, WITHOUT PROPER MEDICATIONS IN HIM HE ATTACKS PEOPLE AND BITES CAUGHT ON TAPE. PERHAPS IT IS YOU THAT NEEDS TO SEE A DOCTOR FOR AN EYE OR BRAIN EXAM AS CLEARLY YOU CAN'T ANALYZE THE SIMPLIEST PROOF CAUGHT ON TAPE. Again, I haven’t seen anything of Leo except what I saw while we had him and those two videos. At this point we can’t pay for the medication until we have more information. AND THERE YOU HAVE THE REAL ISSUE...SHE ISN'T GOING TO PAY FOR THE MEDS BECAUSE SHE WAS NEVER AUTHORIZED TO OFFER THIS TO ME AND THIS IS HER ATTEMPT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET OUT OF THE SITUATION...BY ATTACKING THE ONE PERSON WHO ADOPTED HIM AND TOOK HIM 10 MILES TO AN EMERGENCY VET TO FIX WHAT DR. LAURIDIA BOTCHED, CAUSING LEO ONTOLD PAIN AND SUFFERING AND BLEEDING AND CAUSING HIM TO SPEND THREE ADDITIONAL NEEDLESS DAY IN A CAGE AWAY FROM MY HOME, POKED AND PRODDED BY OTHER VETS AND HAVING HIS BOTCHED NEUTERING FIXED SO IT WOULD STOP SWELLING WITH BLOOD AND LEAKING ON MY LEG AND FLOOR. I can have Dr. Lauridia talk to your Vet about Leo’s behavior. If you decide to have someone come and do a home visit and they witness this behavior and your Vet and Dr. Lauridia agree he needs medication than at that time we will be happy to take over the payment for medication. SO APPARENTLY ONLY IF I LET THEM COME EVALUATE ME AND THEY SEE THE SAME BEHAVIOR CAUGHT ON VIDEO TAPE, IN PERSON THEN AND ONLY THEN LEO CAN HAVE THE MEDICAL CARE HE WAS ALREADY PRESCRIBED BY A MEDICAL STAFF??????
I don't know your Vet. I can't vouch for his knowledge ofmedicating cats. I do know Dr. Lauridia very well so I went off of his suggestions. I want whats best for Leo. If this situation is stressing you too much then do you need us to take Leo Back? DO YOU SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING FOLKS???
I don't want to medicate Leo to the point where he's doped up and not even acting like a cat because thats just as bad as not being on meds. I think 2 pills a day plus pheno is a lot to start a cat on. Normally you don't give an animal the max amount and ween him off. You start them off on the littlest amount and work it up until you find the right amount that works on them. That'swhat I'd like to see.
I know this is stressfull for you but I want what's best for Leo. HERE WE GO AGAIN?
As for changing the drugs. I don't have all the answers. I would like to think your Vet would know the answers to those questions. If he does not than we can ask my vet. I"d like to talk to your Vet and see if he agrees with me on starting Leo on the lowest dose possible. Idon't want a drugged out cat. OH REALLY NOW. And how would you know how much drugs Leo is on or what is considered low or not since you have not paid any attention to the numerous times I told you verbally as well as in writing the actual dose he was put on and that amount of times a day he gets the meds. According to Siobhan I am giving this cat two doses of anti-depressents plus phenobarbital, except that no where in anything I wrote did I ever state such claims. As far speaking with my Vet, she was given my Vet's telephone number on numerous occassions and never called nor did anyone from Murray Hill call to find out what was prescribed by speaking to the licensed medical professional.
I've heard you say many times that you didn't expect these costs or stress etc. I understand that, and I never expected these events to occur ether. As I have said before Leo never showed that type of behavior while in our care. So I really don't know the extent of Leo's behavior except what you have described to me. Again, I want whats best for Leo. My first interest is in getting him healthy and calm.I will contact your Vet tomorrow and discuss the medications with him and Leo's Behavior to see what the best "cocktail" can be and what it will take to switch the medications. This never happened. To this day, she has not called. She passed me back to Kitty Kind and this has never been resolved.
And then the following day I recieved this email with a change in her story yet again:
I have a few options I think at this point that would be the best for Leo. I saw both videos and I can see what behavior you are talking about. You are right that he may need some behavior modification but am unsure as to what extent he needs mediation. We have several options for you to consider.
1. With in the first month of adopting an animal if an adopter finds that they do not have the type of behavior they can handle we will gladly welcome them back. Although you have an attachment to him, this is the time to make that change. All cats respond to change differently, from what I saw Leo is behaving as stressed cat. If you return him I can promise you he will not be euthanized. THIS IS NOW THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF WHAT SHE WROTE AND I POSTED EARLIER IN THIS BLOG. SO HER WORD NOW CANNOT BE TRUSTED.We will place him back in a foster home to be socialized and then readopted. We will have him monitored by a vet to assess his behavior and if he truly needs medication. MY VET ALREADY MONITORED AND ASSESSED HIS BEHAVIOR AND I ALSO TOOK VIDEO AND SHOWED THIS. Much to my dismay it was used AGAINST ME.
2. We can have a member of our rescue come and do a home visit with you. She can see Leo in his environment. I had her watch the two videos and while she agrees he needs some behavior modification she can’t tell from his actions if he truly needs medication. I FAIL TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN COMING TO MY HOME AND WATCHING THE SAME BEHAVIOR AS OPPOSED TO SEEING IT ON THE VIDEO WILL HELP HER MAKE ANY ASSESSMENT. THIS IS JUST TO CHECK OUT THE OWNER. TOTALLY BULLSHIT. She would be happy to come by and suggest some changes. Some suggestions she may make, are getting his a scratching post which should solve the scratching of furniture. I NEVER MENTIONED ONCE THAT HE SCRATCHED MY FURNITURE. Another suggestion maybe getting him a playmate which should cease the separation anxiety. I ALWAYS STATED I WAS WORKING WITH MY VET TO ADOPT ANOTHER CAT FOR HIM TO PLAY WITH. There are other suggestions she can make by coming and meeting you and Leo.
3. When we spoke of Medical Bills I was under the impression he was attacking people, and his behavior was erratic. JUST WHAT GAVE YOU THIS IMPRRESSION. SHOW ME WHERE I MENTIONED THIS IN ANY EXCHANGE. THIS IS A LIE AND YOU HAVE BEEN CAUGHT RED HANDED ON THSI ONE SIOBHAN. After watching those videos, I just can’t make that assumption. AFTER WATCHING THE VIDEO OF LEO ACTUALLY BITING A VISITOR IN MY HOME YOU CAN'T MAKE WHAT ASSUMTION? THAT LEO BITES PEOPLE OUT OF NOWHERE? CORRECT! NO ASSUMTION IT IS A FACT, WITHOUT PROPER MEDICATIONS IN HIM HE ATTACKS PEOPLE AND BITES CAUGHT ON TAPE. PERHAPS IT IS YOU THAT NEEDS TO SEE A DOCTOR FOR AN EYE OR BRAIN EXAM AS CLEARLY YOU CAN'T ANALYZE THE SIMPLIEST PROOF CAUGHT ON TAPE. Again, I haven’t seen anything of Leo except what I saw while we had him and those two videos. At this point we can’t pay for the medication until we have more information. AND THERE YOU HAVE THE REAL ISSUE...SHE ISN'T GOING TO PAY FOR THE MEDS BECAUSE SHE WAS NEVER AUTHORIZED TO OFFER THIS TO ME AND THIS IS HER ATTEMPT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET OUT OF THE SITUATION...BY ATTACKING THE ONE PERSON WHO ADOPTED HIM AND TOOK HIM 10 MILES TO AN EMERGENCY VET TO FIX WHAT DR. LAURIDIA BOTCHED, CAUSING LEO ONTOLD PAIN AND SUFFERING AND BLEEDING AND CAUSING HIM TO SPEND THREE ADDITIONAL NEEDLESS DAY IN A CAGE AWAY FROM MY HOME, POKED AND PRODDED BY OTHER VETS AND HAVING HIS BOTCHED NEUTERING FIXED SO IT WOULD STOP SWELLING WITH BLOOD AND LEAKING ON MY LEG AND FLOOR. I can have Dr. Lauridia talk to your Vet about Leo’s behavior. If you decide to have someone come and do a home visit and they witness this behavior and your Vet and Dr. Lauridia agree he needs medication than at that time we will be happy to take over the payment for medication. SO APPARENTLY ONLY IF I LET THEM COME EVALUATE ME AND THEY SEE THE SAME BEHAVIOR CAUGHT ON VIDEO TAPE, IN PERSON THEN AND ONLY THEN LEO CAN HAVE THE MEDICAL CARE HE WAS ALREADY PRESCRIBED BY A MEDICAL STAFF??????
Basically what all this says is that I am being accused of lying. My Vet is being accused of lying. And a video tape is being accused of lying. And I am being told I am stressed and should give Leo back, after being begged to keep him when I didn't want to from the start.
Siobhan you should be ashamed of yourself. It is you who is the liar. I fail to see one place I lied. Herein lies the evidence on this blog of my consistency in word and intent and honor. And herein lies your own words showing how you lie and change your story throughout and how you clearly do not pay attention to anything said to you and keep writing as if I had mentioned extra doses of medications and presciptions of things that weren't standard medical protocal.
You lied about the organizationS that you work for and you are funneling tax payer dollars to Murray Hill from the Mayors Animal Alliance of NYC to Murray Hill Veterinary where they are either wearhousing animals or just completely incompetent and botch neuterings and you are sending animals out for adoption that aren't ready to be adopted or socialized enough to be out for adoption and emotionally manipulating adoptive parents into keeping the animals so that you have more room for the new ones that come in so you can keep funneling money to Murray Hill Vet. which is YOUR EMPLOYER.
I wonder if Mayor Bloomberg would think this was acceptable?
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Let Me Step Ahead
Before I post the horrendous email I received next let me go beyond and tell you what I learned later from Kitty Kind about Siobhan.
As it turns out, but was never previously disclosed, Siobhan works for The Mayors Animal Alliance AND she also works for Murray Hill Hospital.
Are you saying what I did right now? OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MY!
In all my previous conversations I was told that Leo was in the care of Siobhan, not Murray Hill before being given to Kitty Kind to be adopted out.
Murray Hill was the Vet's office that botched Leo's neutering which caused him to swell with blood and bleed through the stitches onto my leg as he sat on me while on the toilet the second morning he lived in my home. This situation also, it is believed was the cause for his naseau and vomitting throughout the night in my home, as stated to me by the emergency Vet that he saw while in my care. (which Animal Alliance did pay for- and I was entitled to by the adoption contract I signed)
I also learned from the director at Kitty Kind, Cathie, that Leo was not in Siobhan's care but at Murray Hills for 3 weeks in a cage and then went to Kitty Kind to another cage and then home to me. Then right back to another Vet for emergency care and into another cage for three more days.
So I think you will find it quite odd as I did when I was accused of being the one to cause Leo's aggressive behavior. ME, the one person who provided the only stable home Leo has ever had, even for only such a short period of time. Yet that is exactly what happened.
As it turns out, but was never previously disclosed, Siobhan works for The Mayors Animal Alliance AND she also works for Murray Hill Hospital.
Are you saying what I did right now? OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MY!
In all my previous conversations I was told that Leo was in the care of Siobhan, not Murray Hill before being given to Kitty Kind to be adopted out.
Murray Hill was the Vet's office that botched Leo's neutering which caused him to swell with blood and bleed through the stitches onto my leg as he sat on me while on the toilet the second morning he lived in my home. This situation also, it is believed was the cause for his naseau and vomitting throughout the night in my home, as stated to me by the emergency Vet that he saw while in my care. (which Animal Alliance did pay for- and I was entitled to by the adoption contract I signed)
I also learned from the director at Kitty Kind, Cathie, that Leo was not in Siobhan's care but at Murray Hills for 3 weeks in a cage and then went to Kitty Kind to another cage and then home to me. Then right back to another Vet for emergency care and into another cage for three more days.
So I think you will find it quite odd as I did when I was accused of being the one to cause Leo's aggressive behavior. ME, the one person who provided the only stable home Leo has ever had, even for only such a short period of time. Yet that is exactly what happened.
When You Want To Diflect Make Sure To Distract From The Real Issue
That same day that I sent her the standard protocal information from the Web and explained that my Vet, a licensed medical professional, observed Leo and prescibed this medication, I received this somewhat odd response back from Siobhan:
I’m waiting for the vet to call me back. So you want the Comipramine and Fluoxetine. I’m not sure why he needs Phenobarbital. He’s not having convulsions or seizures so I’ll talk my vet about that as well.
And here is where I started to catch on to her game and realize that she wasn't really going to help me out, since clearly she wasn't paying attention to all the literature nor the diagnosis of a licensed Vet who actually saw Leo in his office. For if she did even just read the literature, she would have seen that it is believed that many of these cats may actually be suffering from lots of seizures which cause the bouts of aggresive behavior and odd reactions to touch.
I explained to her many times on our phone calls that I was starting to see good results and that Leo seemed much happier already. Obviously he wasn't completely better and according to all the literature it will take about 3-4 weeks to see a 50% reduction in incidents. But if you go back to an earlier post you will see her own words to me stating if the medications work she will make sure that her organization pays for them for his entire life.
About an hour after I received the above email I then get this one:
I'm sorry maybe I'm a dunce. But exactly what you have now you want to switch to prozac right? Plus keep him on pheno?
And the next day I got this:
Hi I'm glad you are going to give this a try. One thing is I talkedto my vet Dr. Lauridia. He says he sees no reason to have a cat on bothpheno and prozac. He's seen one or the other and he knows leo pretty well.He says we should try Prozac by itself to see if it works on it's own. Thelittlest amount of meds he's on the better for him. So here is mysuggestion. Let the Elavil run out and replace with Prozac. Then after aweek of Prozac eliminate the Pheno to see if he does well on just theprozac. Dr. Dan thinks that is the best step to see if we can use justone drug. I don't see a problem with providing the meds for you. I willjust confirm with my Boss so there are no suprises but I don't see herhaving an issue with it. I know this is totally not the situation yousigned up for and I understand your frustration. But I thank you for mysake and for Leo's for wanting to try and make it work with him. He's abeautfiul cat who deserves whatever it is we can give him. So do you thinkwe can follow Dr. Lauridias suggestion on getting down to just prozac tosee if that works. It will also do less damage on his liver if we are downto just one med.Siobhan
Silly me, I thought I had an offer to help if the meds were working. I believe I had been begged via email and verbally on the phone to please keep this cat even though within less than a week of adopting him he became aggresive, biting my comforter, furniture and me. Silly me, I thought that my licensed Ivy League educated Vet who actually examined Leo and witnessed his erratic behavior prescibed a standard protocal...and silly me I thought in this email I was being asked if it was up to me and my Vet whether or not to keep him on both medications.
But even more than those issues please note the sentence in purple where suddendly Siobhan must ask her boss if the medications will be covered.
Now it's time to wake up and read between the lines: I and my medical staff are being second guessed and suddenly her Vet (whose Vet? Animal Alliance?) who did not examine Leo under these conditions as she previously states in email, she nor any of her Vets ever witnessed this behavior, are now going to decide what medications are appropriate. WHY???
Because she hasn't gotten any approval from her boss to pay for the meds. THAT'S WHY? And she is panicking and looking for ways to avoid this situation.
The next day, I took call after call where I was accused of horrible things. I was then told that there was nothing wrong with Leo and that his behavior was because he didn't like living with me. Because, "I never saw this behavior ever, and you just want to medicate a cat to get the cat you want."
When I showed the video of Sarah being bit, Siobhan called me on my cell phone and stated that Leo's reaction was completely normal and that Sarah was at fault for being bit.
So I sent the following video
Again, silly me, I am still trying to deal with irrational people, rationally, defending myself and trying to prove my point. Not realizing this yet, I sent the video. The response was horrendous.
I’m waiting for the vet to call me back. So you want the Comipramine and Fluoxetine. I’m not sure why he needs Phenobarbital. He’s not having convulsions or seizures so I’ll talk my vet about that as well.
And here is where I started to catch on to her game and realize that she wasn't really going to help me out, since clearly she wasn't paying attention to all the literature nor the diagnosis of a licensed Vet who actually saw Leo in his office. For if she did even just read the literature, she would have seen that it is believed that many of these cats may actually be suffering from lots of seizures which cause the bouts of aggresive behavior and odd reactions to touch.
I explained to her many times on our phone calls that I was starting to see good results and that Leo seemed much happier already. Obviously he wasn't completely better and according to all the literature it will take about 3-4 weeks to see a 50% reduction in incidents. But if you go back to an earlier post you will see her own words to me stating if the medications work she will make sure that her organization pays for them for his entire life.
About an hour after I received the above email I then get this one:
I'm sorry maybe I'm a dunce. But exactly what you have now you want to switch to prozac right? Plus keep him on pheno?
And the next day I got this:
Hi I'm glad you are going to give this a try. One thing is I talkedto my vet Dr. Lauridia. He says he sees no reason to have a cat on bothpheno and prozac. He's seen one or the other and he knows leo pretty well.He says we should try Prozac by itself to see if it works on it's own. Thelittlest amount of meds he's on the better for him. So here is mysuggestion. Let the Elavil run out and replace with Prozac. Then after aweek of Prozac eliminate the Pheno to see if he does well on just theprozac. Dr. Dan thinks that is the best step to see if we can use justone drug. I don't see a problem with providing the meds for you. I willjust confirm with my Boss so there are no suprises but I don't see herhaving an issue with it. I know this is totally not the situation yousigned up for and I understand your frustration. But I thank you for mysake and for Leo's for wanting to try and make it work with him. He's abeautfiul cat who deserves whatever it is we can give him. So do you thinkwe can follow Dr. Lauridias suggestion on getting down to just prozac tosee if that works. It will also do less damage on his liver if we are downto just one med.Siobhan
Silly me, I thought I had an offer to help if the meds were working. I believe I had been begged via email and verbally on the phone to please keep this cat even though within less than a week of adopting him he became aggresive, biting my comforter, furniture and me. Silly me, I thought that my licensed Ivy League educated Vet who actually examined Leo and witnessed his erratic behavior prescibed a standard protocal...and silly me I thought in this email I was being asked if it was up to me and my Vet whether or not to keep him on both medications.
But even more than those issues please note the sentence in purple where suddendly Siobhan must ask her boss if the medications will be covered.
Now it's time to wake up and read between the lines: I and my medical staff are being second guessed and suddenly her Vet (whose Vet? Animal Alliance?) who did not examine Leo under these conditions as she previously states in email, she nor any of her Vets ever witnessed this behavior, are now going to decide what medications are appropriate. WHY???
Because she hasn't gotten any approval from her boss to pay for the meds. THAT'S WHY? And she is panicking and looking for ways to avoid this situation.
The next day, I took call after call where I was accused of horrible things. I was then told that there was nothing wrong with Leo and that his behavior was because he didn't like living with me. Because, "I never saw this behavior ever, and you just want to medicate a cat to get the cat you want."
When I showed the video of Sarah being bit, Siobhan called me on my cell phone and stated that Leo's reaction was completely normal and that Sarah was at fault for being bit.
So I sent the following video
Again, silly me, I am still trying to deal with irrational people, rationally, defending myself and trying to prove my point. Not realizing this yet, I sent the video. The response was horrendous.
Siobhan's Confusion
The next email exchange I received said the following:
HI , I’m not sure what the mixes of meds will do to him. If he’s already on Pheno and Elavil? Does he need the other two. Should they be mixed?
Siobhan
And so I wrote to her the following response:
The other meds, prozac etc. would replace the Elavil. He can stay on the pheno as per my Vet...one doesn't affect the other. He takes one at night and one in the am so that only one is in his system at a time.
I'd like to get him the started immediately on the proper psych meds. They do work differently even though they are both psych.
Elavil is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. The drugs recommended are: clomipramine (Clomicalm®) and fluoxetine (Prozac®) These are a different class of psych drugs from the tricyclic.
http://www.petplace.com/cats/feline-hyperesthesia/page1.aspx
This explains why he MUST stay on the pheno during this time.
"Drugs that help are potent serotonin-enhancing medications. In the brain, the neuromodulator, serotonin, stabilizes mood and has anti-obsessional and anti-aggressive effects. Drugs that have been found effective include clomipramine (Clomicalm®) and fluoxetine (Prozac®) though, theoretically, any potent serotonin-enhancing drug, including paroxetine (Paxil®), sertraline (Zoloft®), and fluvoxamine (Luvox®) should all work. These drugs take a while to become effective. Typically nothing much is seen for the first three weeks. Then, by four weeks, owners might notice a 50 percent reduction in the incidence and severity of bouts of FHS. Typically, the improvement may reach 75 percent at eight weeks, 85 percent at 12 weeks, and 95 percent by sixteen weeks. Complete cure is rare and most cats need to remain on medication long term to suppress the FHS behavior. This need not be a problem since the doses employed are small, therefore inexpensive, and medical complications of treatment are rare. Nevertheless, it makes sense to have treated cats checked by the veterinarian, including appropriate bloodwork, at least once per year."
During these last few email exchanges there were also phone calls. On each call I kept asking Siobhan to call my Vet or have her Vet call mine. That NEVER happened.
HI , I’m not sure what the mixes of meds will do to him. If he’s already on Pheno and Elavil? Does he need the other two. Should they be mixed?
Siobhan
And so I wrote to her the following response:
The other meds, prozac etc. would replace the Elavil. He can stay on the pheno as per my Vet...one doesn't affect the other. He takes one at night and one in the am so that only one is in his system at a time.
I'd like to get him the started immediately on the proper psych meds. They do work differently even though they are both psych.
Elavil is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. The drugs recommended are: clomipramine (Clomicalm®) and fluoxetine (Prozac®) These are a different class of psych drugs from the tricyclic.
http://www.petplace.com/cats/feline-hyperesthesia/page1.aspx
This explains why he MUST stay on the pheno during this time.
"Drugs that help are potent serotonin-enhancing medications. In the brain, the neuromodulator, serotonin, stabilizes mood and has anti-obsessional and anti-aggressive effects. Drugs that have been found effective include clomipramine (Clomicalm®) and fluoxetine (Prozac®) though, theoretically, any potent serotonin-enhancing drug, including paroxetine (Paxil®), sertraline (Zoloft®), and fluvoxamine (Luvox®) should all work. These drugs take a while to become effective. Typically nothing much is seen for the first three weeks. Then, by four weeks, owners might notice a 50 percent reduction in the incidence and severity of bouts of FHS. Typically, the improvement may reach 75 percent at eight weeks, 85 percent at 12 weeks, and 95 percent by sixteen weeks. Complete cure is rare and most cats need to remain on medication long term to suppress the FHS behavior. This need not be a problem since the doses employed are small, therefore inexpensive, and medical complications of treatment are rare. Nevertheless, it makes sense to have treated cats checked by the veterinarian, including appropriate bloodwork, at least once per year."
During these last few email exchanges there were also phone calls. On each call I kept asking Siobhan to call my Vet or have her Vet call mine. That NEVER happened.
And Then Siobhan Changes Her Story
This is where everything gets very odd. From the post below this one you can clearly see the signs of a medically recognized mood disorder in felines called FHS. That post and the site it comes from clearly lists the medical protocal: anti-depressent medication often but not always combined with anti-convulsant medications.
Leo was seen by my Vet. who made his own observations and prescribed the protocal for FHS.
The next email I received from Siobhan stated the following:
Date:
Fri, 2 May 2008 10:40:32 -0400
Hi, that sounds like a plan. If you feel you need those other meds, I can contact Murray Hill (our vet) and see if they can be ordered. Or can your Vet can just order them. I am willing to do whatever I can for leo but I will tell you right now it will not include declawing him. That isn’t an option. But other than that yes we are willing to pay for the meds if they work for him. I don’t care how long he lives, he could live 25yrs but if he needs those meds than we’ll take care of it. I want whats best for everyone so I am for sure willing to work with you over the next few weeks to see if we can calm Leo down.
Siobhan
Here was my reply back:
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 10:59 AM
Yes, please see if your Vet can get the meds i saw recommended. He will stay on the pheno as well as my Vet tells me it calms animals down. It (pheno) is also a recommended treatment if mood meds do not work according to all I read.
Let's see what we can do together if the meds will actually work. I can't bear the thought of putting down an animal that isn't sick enough that it will cause it's inevitable death.
Please understand however, if the medications cannot work I cannot keep him at all. I need him docile, and not destroying my furniture. The biting MUST stop.
I will need your financial help with his meds for the remainder of his life, should I make the final determination to keep him. I wish only for the best outcome for him.
Thank you for all your help and undestanding.
Please get back to me on the medication issue asap and let me know if you are going to cover any or all of the fee from last night for Leo.
The time of day that this video was taken was 12 hours after Leo took his morning Phenobarbital and about a half hour after he was given his Elavil for the night. He is not given both at the same time ever.
This video was sent as proof of the aggressive behavior I have witnessed because as you will see in future posts, from this point forward I was being told that since Siobhan never saw any such behavior from Leo during her time caring for him, that I was lying simply to "get the kind of cat I wanted."
I think it is interesting to share with all of you that when viewing this video Siobhan called me to tell me that it was the fault of Sarah for not paying attention to Leo for being bit and that this behavior was normal.
Leo was seen by my Vet. who made his own observations and prescribed the protocal for FHS.
The next email I received from Siobhan stated the following:
Date:
Fri, 2 May 2008 10:40:32 -0400
Hi, that sounds like a plan. If you feel you need those other meds, I can contact Murray Hill (our vet) and see if they can be ordered. Or can your Vet can just order them. I am willing to do whatever I can for leo but I will tell you right now it will not include declawing him. That isn’t an option. But other than that yes we are willing to pay for the meds if they work for him. I don’t care how long he lives, he could live 25yrs but if he needs those meds than we’ll take care of it. I want whats best for everyone so I am for sure willing to work with you over the next few weeks to see if we can calm Leo down.
Siobhan
Here was my reply back:
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 10:59 AM
Yes, please see if your Vet can get the meds i saw recommended. He will stay on the pheno as well as my Vet tells me it calms animals down. It (pheno) is also a recommended treatment if mood meds do not work according to all I read.
Let's see what we can do together if the meds will actually work. I can't bear the thought of putting down an animal that isn't sick enough that it will cause it's inevitable death.
Please understand however, if the medications cannot work I cannot keep him at all. I need him docile, and not destroying my furniture. The biting MUST stop.
I will need your financial help with his meds for the remainder of his life, should I make the final determination to keep him. I wish only for the best outcome for him.
Thank you for all your help and undestanding.
Please get back to me on the medication issue asap and let me know if you are going to cover any or all of the fee from last night for Leo.
The time of day that this video was taken was 12 hours after Leo took his morning Phenobarbital and about a half hour after he was given his Elavil for the night. He is not given both at the same time ever.
This video was sent as proof of the aggressive behavior I have witnessed because as you will see in future posts, from this point forward I was being told that since Siobhan never saw any such behavior from Leo during her time caring for him, that I was lying simply to "get the kind of cat I wanted."
I think it is interesting to share with all of you that when viewing this video Siobhan called me to tell me that it was the fault of Sarah for not paying attention to Leo for being bit and that this behavior was normal.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Just What Is FHS?
Clinical Signs of Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS)
highlighted in red- symptoms viewed by staff members and affiliates of original rescue organization
highlighted in blue are observations of the blog owner since having Leo in my care
Anything is red has also been observed by blog owner as well as animal rescue organiztion
Sudden bouts of bizarre hyperactive or aggressive behavior
Frenetic self-directed grooming directed along the flank or tail (possibly leading to hair loss)
Tail swishing, fixation with tail, tail chasing, or vicious attacks directed toward the tail
Large pupils/strange look to the eyes
Skin rippling/rolling (this disorder is sometimes referred to as "Rolling Skin Disease.")
Apparent hallucinations – seemingly following the movement of things that are not there or running away from some unseen adversary.
Vocalization, crying, loud meowing
Exquisite sensitivity to touch ("hyperesthesia") along the spine – stroking can precipitate a bout of the behavior.
Sudden mood swings – e.g. from extremely affectionate to aggressive
Any or all of the above signs progressing to seizures [falling over, legs paddling, salivating)
Bouts occurring almost constantly, all day, every day, or once every few days.
FHS tends to arise for the first time in mature cats. No one really knows what causes FHS but there are a few possibilities.
Because some cats display grand mal seizures during or following a bout of FHS, it is possible that the condition arises as a result of aberrant electrical activity in areas of the brain that control emotions, grooming, and/or predatory behavior (i.e. there may be partial seizure activity). In support of this explanation, some affected cats respond to anticonvulsant (anti-epileptic) therapy. (please note this for information coming in future posts)
FHS could be a form of feline obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in which the obsession relates to grooming, and/or aggression, plus concerns for personal safety. The apparently compulsive nature of self-directed grooming and a positive response to anti-obsessional medication supports this etiology.
Seizure activity leading to obsessive-compulsive manifestations (almost half of human bulimics have abnormal brain waves). This hypothesis provides a way of unifying the seemingly disparate etiologies described above.
An inherited tendency for mania precipitated by stress. Certain (oriental) breeds are more susceptible to FHS and its expression does seem to be stress-linked.
Some affected cats have been reported to have pathological lesions in the muscles along their spine. It is assumed that the lesions may cause local irritation, altered sensitivity, and/or pain.
There is no definitive "rule in" test that confirms FHS.
If the clinical picture fits the description above, the diagnosis is confirmed by exclusion of possible medical causes and by a positive response to treatment for FHS.
To this end, your veterinarian should obtain a careful behavioral history regarding your cat, perform a thorough physical examination, and take a blood sample for complete blood count, chemistry profile, and thyroid hormone level (T4).
Medical conditions that may be confused with FHS include hyperthyroidism [thyroid gland overactivity], brain infections, brain trauma, brain tumors, some poisonings (e.g. lead, strychnine), heavy parasitic infestations of the skin, nutritional deficits (e.g. thiamine), and severe allergy.
Treatment
Optimize the affected cat's environment to minimize stress (stress could be – probably is – a factor in every expression of the syndrome). Recommendations include:
Provide daily aerobic exercise for the cat by playing with the cat using a feather wand toy or toys dragged along on a string.
Feed the cat frequently and on a regular schedule to minimize stress over food.
Train the cat to perform one new trick each month (come for food, sit for food, jump up, jump down). Click and treat training is the best way to accomplish this goal.
Consider getting a friendly cat for your cat. You should probably arrange a "trial marriage" first.
Address any infighting between existing cats in the home.
Arrange predatory play activities to allow the cat to "blow off steam" and dissipate any unvented prey drive. The feather wand type of toys mentioned above are appropriate for this purpose as are "laser mice" toys, ping-pong balls kicked or dragged around, Cat Dancer toys, and so on.
Make life interesting for your cat: spend more quality time with him and make the environment more "cat friendly." Provide a three dimensional environment by adding cat perches strategically placed so that he can sit up on high and have a good view of the world.
Anti-obsessional/Antidepressant TherapyDrugs that help are potent serotonin-enhancing medications. In the brain, the neuromodulator, serotonin, stabilizes mood and has anti-obsessional and anti-aggressive effects. Drugs that have been found effective include clomipramine (Clomicalm®) and fluoxetine (Prozac®) though, theoretically, any potent serotonin-enhancing drug, including paroxetine (Paxil®), sertraline (Zoloft®), and fluvoxamine (Luvox®) should all work.
These drugs take a while to become effective. Typically nothing much is seen for the first three weeks. Then, by four weeks, owners might notice a 50 percent reduction in the incidence and severity of bouts of FHS. Typically, the improvement may reach 75 percent at eight weeks, 85 percent at 12 weeks, and 95 percent by sixteen weeks.
Complete cure is rare and most cats need to remain on medication long term to suppress the FHS behavior.
This need not be a problem since the doses employed are small, therefore inexpensive, and medical complications of treatment are rare. Nevertheless, it makes sense to have treated cats checked by the veterinarian, including appropriate bloodwork, at least once per year.
Anti-convulsant Therapy
When anti-obsessional therapy is ineffective or only marginally effective anti-convulsants can be tried. The drug of first choice is usually phenobarbital. Phenobarbital takes three weeks to peak, after which a "trough" blood sample (one taken when the level is expected to be lowest) should be taken to measure the phenobarbital level in plasma. If the level is appropriate for control of seizures, and yet no improvement has occurred, alternative measures will have to be employed.
It is possible to combine phenobarbital treatment with anti-obsessional therapy, if necessary.ConclusionWith appropriate environmental and pharmacologic treatment, affected cats can often be rehabilitated and can lead a normal life. On treatment, most appear much happier than they were previously while suffering the full brunt of their affliction.
Every imaginable blood test had been taken along with a CAT scan and spinal tap prior to taking Leo back home.
Siobhan From Animal Alliance's Response To Me
Highlighting done by blog owner to make appropriate issues stand out.
I understand your decision. I think you have a good plan in mind. If you can keep him for the next few weeks to see if the Medication actually works it will be easier for him to be adopted. I am not sure we’ll be able to get him into a sanctuary at his young age but hopefully we’ll get him adopted. You were never told he had a mood disorder because no one knew. He had a tick that’s what we found. Never did we see any aggression, biting or any other behavior he has exhibited in your home. As for the trip to NYCVS that could have happened with any cat. There turned out to be nothing wrong with him other than a bad Neuter surgery. I’m not sure why it came out now but it isn’t anybody’s fault it just happens. We will get him the help he needs if it is FHS and see where we can get him placed. We will take care of where he goes. I appreciate your offer to drive but we’ll take care of that end of things.
Like I said last night. If the medication doesn’t work we will still do our best to place Leo. I wont promise anything. I will never say we wont euthanize an animal but it isn’t a decision that comes lightly to any of us. Nor is it a decision that will be made right away.
My question to you is this. If the mood medications work and we are willing to take care of the cost of the medications. Why are you not willing to keep him? I understand he ripped up your comforter that your last cat passed on and that is very upsetting and I’m sure pissed you off. But if you really do like Leo and the medication calms him down I’m not sure why you wouldn’t want to keep him? Is it frustration with him or with the situation? You are right Leo probably wont get adopted and we only have one sanctuary we trust and she is full to the max with FIV and FELV positive cats. I’m almost positive she wont take a cat with mood disorder right now.
That would be my only question to you. I guess all we can do now is wait to see if the medications work. If you have pictures of him I can post him online to see if anyone wants to take a chance on this guy.
Thanks,
Siobhan
I understand your decision. I think you have a good plan in mind. If you can keep him for the next few weeks to see if the Medication actually works it will be easier for him to be adopted. I am not sure we’ll be able to get him into a sanctuary at his young age but hopefully we’ll get him adopted. You were never told he had a mood disorder because no one knew. He had a tick that’s what we found. Never did we see any aggression, biting or any other behavior he has exhibited in your home. As for the trip to NYCVS that could have happened with any cat. There turned out to be nothing wrong with him other than a bad Neuter surgery. I’m not sure why it came out now but it isn’t anybody’s fault it just happens. We will get him the help he needs if it is FHS and see where we can get him placed. We will take care of where he goes. I appreciate your offer to drive but we’ll take care of that end of things.
Like I said last night. If the medication doesn’t work we will still do our best to place Leo. I wont promise anything. I will never say we wont euthanize an animal but it isn’t a decision that comes lightly to any of us. Nor is it a decision that will be made right away.
My question to you is this. If the mood medications work and we are willing to take care of the cost of the medications. Why are you not willing to keep him? I understand he ripped up your comforter that your last cat passed on and that is very upsetting and I’m sure pissed you off. But if you really do like Leo and the medication calms him down I’m not sure why you wouldn’t want to keep him? Is it frustration with him or with the situation? You are right Leo probably wont get adopted and we only have one sanctuary we trust and she is full to the max with FIV and FELV positive cats. I’m almost positive she wont take a cat with mood disorder right now.
That would be my only question to you. I guess all we can do now is wait to see if the medications work. If you have pictures of him I can post him online to see if anyone wants to take a chance on this guy.
Thanks,
Siobhan
Home From The Emergency Vet
This is what Leo looked like when he came home from the emergency Vet on April 23rd, 2008.Poor guy. As if he hadn't been through enough poking and prodding, head being shaved and needles stuck into his spine he now had to wear this cone to make sure he didn't lick or bite his scrotum and open up the new stiches where this clinic fixed the botched neutering that Murray Hill Hospital performed, which left him leaking blood.
Leo wasn't very happy having to wear this cone. And he smelled terrible because he could not clean himself.
But he was incredibly happy to not be in a cage and have a bed to sleep on. He nuzzled into me and wouldn't leave my side. As smelly as he was I allowed this of course.
The following morning I took his cone off to let him bathe a little. But I had to follow him around and make him stop each time he went near his scrotum. He was not too happy about this and would growl at me. After about an hour of the cone being off, I would put it back on and go to work. At night I would do the same thing, taking the cone off for an hour to allow him to bathe himself and then putting it back on again so that we could both go to sleep.
He wore the cone until the following Monday, April 28. On Tuesday when I arrived home from work I found that he had gotten into a bag of dry cat food and spilled it all over the floor. He did this even though I left him a bowl of food and water. I chalked this up to him still being a kitten.
I removed that bag after cleaning up and put it away from where he could get to it.
Then I started to notice some odd things about Leo's behavior. He would be sitting alone yet his tail was swishing maniacally. Always a loud meower he began meowing in that way more often. And here and there if I walked by him he would swipe his paws at me and meow.
On Wed. I came home and found that Leo had torn into another bag of dry food that was sealed and had a plastic grocery bag tied around it to keep it closed. There were bites everywhere.
Again I had left out ample food and water.
Up until this point Leo would allow me to pick him up.
I picked him up and he gave me lots of kisses and then out of nowhere he bit my chin.
During these past few days I began to research holistic treatments to calm Leo down. I wrote letters which I faxed over to my Vet. that I have used for many many years in confidence regarding my concerns and asking for advice. But I had not brought Leo in to them yet.
I found information about a lesser-known condition called FHS. Leo had already exhibited so many of the signs.
Thursday night after work I came home to find my comforter that I had for 17 years and which my other cat had recently passed away on, to be completely torn up.
I realized that moment that there was something very wrong with Leo and I rushed him to my Vet in Queens immediately.
My Vet. observed Leo's behavior and prescribed Elavil and Phenobarbital. Both types of medications are the medical protocal listed for FHS.
While at my Vet's office I immediately called Siobhan from Animal Alliance. I told her that this kitty has a mood disorder and that she needed to find him another home. She told me that she would probably not be able to find him another adoption considering the situation and that a sanctuary was probably his only option and she was unsure that she could provide this. But she said she would try to cover the bill from that particular night.
Siobhan informed me on that call that if I gave Leo back that he would immediately go to a shelter downtown and be put in a cage and that if he could not find placement of some kind by the end of 7 days, he would probably be euthenized.
I took Leo home with one weeks worth of Elavil and one months worth of Phenobarbital and $70 less in my bank account.
The next morning I wrote to Siobhan the following:
Hello Siobhan,
As you know this decision has not been an easy one for me and has not been made in haste.
I cannot keep this little boy. This is just not what I agreed to adopt. I feel terrible that I feel this way. He has been in my home just over a week and it is not easy even with all his problems to just turn a cat back.
Last night I arrived home to my comforter destroyed. His condition which NYC Vet. would not diagnose is a mood disorder and he is agressive without proper medication. I rushed him to see my Vet to start him on proper medications. This cost me $70 for the visit and the medications. I was given one weeks worth of Elavil (10mgs) for the mood disorder which he started last night which cost $7.50 and one months worth of pehnobarbital tabs 1/4gr that cost $7.50. My Vet is not sure if that pheno is at the correct level so we estimate this is one months worth. The medication costs in itself it not that expensive.
We believe that he suffers from FHS. I have read that with proper mood medications after three weeks the symptoms are supposed to decrease by 50% and after 6-8 it should go down to 90%.
However, I cannot keep him. Here is what I am willing to do and I hope since he was originally taken in by your organization I have a solid partner in this effort.
I am willing to (if the medications work properly so that he is calm during this initial week at all times) keep him past this initial week, for the following two weeks so that he can have the time needed to let the medications work as all the websites state.
I wish to give Leo every chance at a Sanctuary accepting his admission for the remainder of his natural life. If we can show evidence that medications do indeed work for him I feel it will be easier for you to convince your contacts to take him.
I am willing to personally drive Leo to any Sanctuary on LI, Southern CT and most parts of NJ. This should also help find a place that will take a kitty with his special needs, as it opens the possibilities more.
In return I ask that it is 100% guarenteed that he not be put to sleep and be allowed to live the remainder of his natural life and that his name not be changed. The folks that take him must be fully informed of his condition and understand that he must be on medication for the rest of his life, each day and agree to take on this responsibility.
When I adopted him from Kitty Kind, at no time and in no paperwork did it ever state he had a mood disorder. I was only informed that he had a neurological condition that gave him a tick and that in fact he was sweet and loving and that he had a clean bill of health. I would have never adopted him knowing what I do today. And I suspect that he will not be adoptable to anyone else now either. His only resource is a no kill sanctuary that is willing to take care of him.
Please advise immediately on these matters.
Please understand that this is extremely hard for me and brings tears to my eyes as I write to you today.
As you know this decision has not been an easy one for me and has not been made in haste.
I cannot keep this little boy. This is just not what I agreed to adopt. I feel terrible that I feel this way. He has been in my home just over a week and it is not easy even with all his problems to just turn a cat back.
Last night I arrived home to my comforter destroyed. His condition which NYC Vet. would not diagnose is a mood disorder and he is agressive without proper medication. I rushed him to see my Vet to start him on proper medications. This cost me $70 for the visit and the medications. I was given one weeks worth of Elavil (10mgs) for the mood disorder which he started last night which cost $7.50 and one months worth of pehnobarbital tabs 1/4gr that cost $7.50. My Vet is not sure if that pheno is at the correct level so we estimate this is one months worth. The medication costs in itself it not that expensive.
We believe that he suffers from FHS. I have read that with proper mood medications after three weeks the symptoms are supposed to decrease by 50% and after 6-8 it should go down to 90%.
However, I cannot keep him. Here is what I am willing to do and I hope since he was originally taken in by your organization I have a solid partner in this effort.
I am willing to (if the medications work properly so that he is calm during this initial week at all times) keep him past this initial week, for the following two weeks so that he can have the time needed to let the medications work as all the websites state.
I wish to give Leo every chance at a Sanctuary accepting his admission for the remainder of his natural life. If we can show evidence that medications do indeed work for him I feel it will be easier for you to convince your contacts to take him.
I am willing to personally drive Leo to any Sanctuary on LI, Southern CT and most parts of NJ. This should also help find a place that will take a kitty with his special needs, as it opens the possibilities more.
In return I ask that it is 100% guarenteed that he not be put to sleep and be allowed to live the remainder of his natural life and that his name not be changed. The folks that take him must be fully informed of his condition and understand that he must be on medication for the rest of his life, each day and agree to take on this responsibility.
When I adopted him from Kitty Kind, at no time and in no paperwork did it ever state he had a mood disorder. I was only informed that he had a neurological condition that gave him a tick and that in fact he was sweet and loving and that he had a clean bill of health. I would have never adopted him knowing what I do today. And I suspect that he will not be adoptable to anyone else now either. His only resource is a no kill sanctuary that is willing to take care of him.
Please advise immediately on these matters.
Please understand that this is extremely hard for me and brings tears to my eyes as I write to you today.
I sent a photo along with that email to help make it easier to sell the idea of adoption to her contacts. Leo is adorable!
Leo Was Adopted On April 18, 2008
I found Leo on April 18 through Kitty Kind in NYC in Union Square.
He was originally picked up by the NYC Mayor's Animal Alliance.
Leo's came with papers from Murray Hill Animal Hospital stating he was tested and had no medical problems other than a neurological physical tick that made him swing his head from side to side. I saw no reason not to adopt him. He was listed as loving and sweet. And since I am a certfied energy worker I felt I could help rehabilitate his neurological condition. Leo is estimated at one year old.
I paid for his adoption and picked him up the next day.
That day Leo barely ate. Later that evening he decided he was hungry and he ate everything I left for him in his dish. I fed him organic kitten food. Two and a half hours later Leo vomited and all the food he ate came up and was now on my floor.
A few hours later Leo ate again. Like clockwork, two and a half hours later in the middle of the night, Leo vomited again. And the food he ate was again on my floor.
The next morning Leo followed me into the bathroom and jumped on my lap when I was on the toilet. When he got up blood was all over my leg. I went over to check on him and saw blood on his rectum and scrotum. I immediately called the contact number on the adoption paperwork.
The papers I signed gave me 10 days of medical care included.
While I was waiting for Kitty Kind's contact to call me I called my Veterinary's office. Soon after that call I was called from Kitty Kind's contact, Cathie. Cathie and I discussed Leo's symptoms and we agreed together that he did need immediate care of a licensed Veterinarian. She told me she would find out if Murray Hill could see him that day or what other arrangements could be made.
A short while later Cathie called me back and asked if I had a way to travel into the city to a 24 hour Veterinary hospital on West 55th Street. I told her I would drive him. And that is exactly what I did.
At this time I explained that I was not going to keep the adoption. Leo seemed like a very sick cat and since I had just lost my cat of 17 years only weeks earlier, I was not willing to take on such a responsibility again so soon.
On my way into the city, I received a call from a new person, Siobhan. Siobhan told me that Leo (previously named Raymond by Mayors Alliance) was rescued by her and that she would help me out and to speak to her from now on. She begged me the entire drive into the city to the emergency Vet's office to keep Leo. I told her the same thing I told Cathie, that I had just lost a pet I had for the better part of two decades and that I was not willing to take a cat that was chronically ill.
Siobhan begged and begged and begged me to give Leo's adoption a chance. She assured me that Mayor's Alliance whom she worked for and who initially rescued him, would pay for his medical care and have tests run to find out why he was bleeding and why he could not hold down food. And to her credit this was honored.
While in the emergency Vet's care, Leo received the following tests: full blood work including thyroid panels, a CAT scan, and a spinal tap. Leo was put on 2mgs of Pepcid and thereafter showed no signs of vomiting.
The emergency Vet said that they had to fix the neutering done by Murray Hill Hospital because it was not initially performed correctly and that blood was filling up in the wound. They fixed that issue and he had to live with a cone on his head for a week so that he could not lick that area and take out the new stiches.
He stayed at this Vet. until Wednesday evening when Siobhan called me to say that the Vet wanted me to take him home. During those few days I went to see him every day after work. The first night I went to visit the Vet and I witnessed Leo going from a very happy state to almost collapsing, with his mouth open in a sort of dolt like look. I expressed extreme concern and the Vet replied that, "This is the exact reason why I want to run the CAT scan."
By the end of those few days, the Vet. staff concluded that there was no cancer in Leo's brain and that he had no signs of viral disease that would be causing the symptoms we were seeing.
I took him home.
And then the bigger problems began.
He was originally picked up by the NYC Mayor's Animal Alliance.
Leo's came with papers from Murray Hill Animal Hospital stating he was tested and had no medical problems other than a neurological physical tick that made him swing his head from side to side. I saw no reason not to adopt him. He was listed as loving and sweet. And since I am a certfied energy worker I felt I could help rehabilitate his neurological condition. Leo is estimated at one year old.
I paid for his adoption and picked him up the next day.
That day Leo barely ate. Later that evening he decided he was hungry and he ate everything I left for him in his dish. I fed him organic kitten food. Two and a half hours later Leo vomited and all the food he ate came up and was now on my floor.
A few hours later Leo ate again. Like clockwork, two and a half hours later in the middle of the night, Leo vomited again. And the food he ate was again on my floor.
The next morning Leo followed me into the bathroom and jumped on my lap when I was on the toilet. When he got up blood was all over my leg. I went over to check on him and saw blood on his rectum and scrotum. I immediately called the contact number on the adoption paperwork.
The papers I signed gave me 10 days of medical care included.
While I was waiting for Kitty Kind's contact to call me I called my Veterinary's office. Soon after that call I was called from Kitty Kind's contact, Cathie. Cathie and I discussed Leo's symptoms and we agreed together that he did need immediate care of a licensed Veterinarian. She told me she would find out if Murray Hill could see him that day or what other arrangements could be made.
A short while later Cathie called me back and asked if I had a way to travel into the city to a 24 hour Veterinary hospital on West 55th Street. I told her I would drive him. And that is exactly what I did.
At this time I explained that I was not going to keep the adoption. Leo seemed like a very sick cat and since I had just lost my cat of 17 years only weeks earlier, I was not willing to take on such a responsibility again so soon.
On my way into the city, I received a call from a new person, Siobhan. Siobhan told me that Leo (previously named Raymond by Mayors Alliance) was rescued by her and that she would help me out and to speak to her from now on. She begged me the entire drive into the city to the emergency Vet's office to keep Leo. I told her the same thing I told Cathie, that I had just lost a pet I had for the better part of two decades and that I was not willing to take a cat that was chronically ill.
Siobhan begged and begged and begged me to give Leo's adoption a chance. She assured me that Mayor's Alliance whom she worked for and who initially rescued him, would pay for his medical care and have tests run to find out why he was bleeding and why he could not hold down food. And to her credit this was honored.
While in the emergency Vet's care, Leo received the following tests: full blood work including thyroid panels, a CAT scan, and a spinal tap. Leo was put on 2mgs of Pepcid and thereafter showed no signs of vomiting.
The emergency Vet said that they had to fix the neutering done by Murray Hill Hospital because it was not initially performed correctly and that blood was filling up in the wound. They fixed that issue and he had to live with a cone on his head for a week so that he could not lick that area and take out the new stiches.
He stayed at this Vet. until Wednesday evening when Siobhan called me to say that the Vet wanted me to take him home. During those few days I went to see him every day after work. The first night I went to visit the Vet and I witnessed Leo going from a very happy state to almost collapsing, with his mouth open in a sort of dolt like look. I expressed extreme concern and the Vet replied that, "This is the exact reason why I want to run the CAT scan."
By the end of those few days, the Vet. staff concluded that there was no cancer in Leo's brain and that he had no signs of viral disease that would be causing the symptoms we were seeing.
I took him home.
And then the bigger problems began.
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