Intro:
Ita was picked up on 31 March 2005 at the Greenmeadows Annex Area (open lot beside parking area).  He had 1 sibling who died (unknown causes).  We had been seeing Ita and his sibling for about 3-4 days prior to picking him up.  No mother in sight.  Cats were a bit playful and noisy.

31 March 2005 – We took Ita to the office, Ita was acting normal and playful.  Played with other cats.  Ate dried catfood (Friskies).

08 April 2005 – Had Ita examined by vet (Animal Clinic) just for checkup.  No fecal test done, no bloodwork done.

1.    Treatment/medical history

•    deworming – 10 April 2005, 18 April 2005, 22 April 2005, 08 May 2005, 30 May 2005

•    no vaccinations

•    vitamins:
before .5ml LCVit / 2xday, 0.3ml Polynerv / 2xday, 0.3ml CalciAid/day
currently . 5ml LCVit /day, 0.5ml Polynerv /day, 0.3ml CalciAid/every other day

•    1 blood test done by Animal Clinic (records with VIP)

•    Observed seizure – usually silent when seizure starts and we only notice noise of limbs shaking.  Collapses and then limbs stiffen, back arches, nails out. sometimes cries, sometimes urinates and defecates. Then whole body violently jerks. This all lasts about 30-60 secs. He then lies breathing heavily where he’s fallen, and stiffens for a while. Seems really vacant, but comes around slowly. After about 5 mins is up and about and eating from his bowl.

•    Current Medication (as of 22 Oct 2005) is Jetepar 0.5ml/2x a day, and Polynerv 0.5ml/2x a day, Rescue Remedy when he seems anxious or seems like he will have a seizure (no more than 2x a day, drops applied at inner eartips) link for Rescue Remedy details is here http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

2.     Seizure History

10 April 2005 –
1500H – Ita had 1st seizure, lasted approx 1 minute, full body jerking, did not urinate / defecate, taken to vet (Animal Clinic), fecalysis done, diagnosis: worms, dewormed by vet, prior to this seizure we changed cat food to Royal Canin (sample from vet) after seizure we went back to Friskies dry

11 April 2005 –
0300H and 0430H – 2 seizures, approx 1 minute each, Ita was caged during seizures, taken to vet (Animal Clinic) at 0330H, no bloodtest done, vet prescribes calcium (Calcivit 0.3ml/1x a day), suggests to give Mondex regularly, Ita taken to another vet (Animal House) at 0900H, blood test taken, findings, anemic, slight hypoglycemia

15 to 16  April 2005  –
Midnight to early AM – 2 seizures, less than 1 minute (15-30 secs?) each, partial only, stiffening of leg on 1 side and falling over, Ita starts to cry before seizure and is hungry and tired afterwards, Mia calls vet (Animal Clinic) and is told to continue with vitamins and Mondex

18 April 2005 –
5 seizures from early morning to around 0730H, taken to vet (Animal Clinic), tested for worms, roundworms still found, 2nd deworming, bloodtest done

22 April 2005 –
5 seizures, whole body lasting approx 1 minute each, Ita taken to Vets in Practice and confined for 3 days, bloodtest from Animal Clinic forwarded to VIP, findings – roundworms, anemia, hypoglycemia, catheter feeding and 3rd deworming while at VIP, no seizures while confined, take home instructions to feed and give Mondex every 4 hours

26 April 2005 –
2 seizures before midnight less than 1 hour apart, approx 1 min each, full body stiffering, Ita cries after seizure.  We take Ita to VIP at around midnight and he is received by Dr. Eve, he has 3 more seizures at VIP, valium given, Ita is confined for 1 week, and we take him home after and continue feeding / Mondex every 4 hours

08 May 2005 –
approx 0200H – 1 seizure, full body, lasting about 1 minute, urinates / defecates, cries after seizure, very hungry and tired.  Ita taken to vet at 0830H, fecalysis shows roundworms, 4th deworming, confined for 3 days, no seizures while at vets

27 May 2005 –
approx 0800H – 1 seizure, urinated, defecated, confined at vet 1 day, 5th deworming

31 May 2005 –
approx 1800H – 1 seizure with urination, defecation, was quite violent (was hitting edges of cage while shaking / seemed to be bouncing off cage sides), heavy breathing and panting after seizure, missed a meal (6 hours in between meal), was listless and panting all day, brought to vet for 02 and catherter feeding, confined at vet 3 days, no seizures while at vet, prior to seizure was near window and could have been feeling warm

05 June 2005 –
1302H and 1715H – 2 seizures, full body, lasted approx 1 minute each, after 1st seizure some Glucose syrup and Mondex and Nutripet given, 2nd seizure more violent than 1st (bouncing off cage walls while seizure), urinated, ate some after seizure and looked very tired, taken to vet at around 1800H, confined at vet

10 June 2005 –
approx 0030H – 1 seizure, placed on Pheno (1/8 tab 2x a day for 5 days, then every other day – strictly at 9am/pm), continue with Polynerv .5ml/day, taken home from vet on 11 June 2005

11 June 2005 -
we start giving 1/8 of a 15mg pill every 12 hours (9am/9pm) daily. Vitamins .5ml LCVit/day, .5ml Polynerv/day, .3ml CalciAid/every other day

16 June 2005 -
sleepy, a bit lethargic, did not eat 5pm meal, we gave 1/2 tsp glucose mixed with water, and about 2 cm nutripet.  Soft BM at around 620pm and 645pm.  Called vet told to observe and give some nutripet if he doesnt eat. Vomited about 820pm and 920pm (yellowish could be color of cat kibble, bubbly vomit)Vomited out 9pm pheno pill so we gave another (smallest cut one we had)

17 June 2005
1st day without pheno (starting every other day dosage of 1/8 of a 15mg pill 2x/day), some loose (porridge-consistency) BM, vet prescribed some Yakult, a drink for digestion, to be given regularly until 1200NN 18 June 2005 (no solid food)

18 June 2005
still not eating much (only about 1tbsp wet cat food at 1PM), vomited 3 times, loose BM, Pheno given today, taken to vet at midnight for feeding via catheter

19 June 2005 – 21 June 2005
Confined at vet, Pheno stopped by vet, catheter feeding first 2 days, then fed 1/2 can (80g) of Feline I/D Science Diet daily, loose BM stopped, very tiny poops only

22 June 2005
Ita goes home, we are to feed him approx 1/2 can I/D daily, stop pheno until further notice.  Continue .5ml Polynerv (VitB) daily

26 June 2005 –
approx 1455H – 1 seizure, approx 40-50 secs, stiffening of limbs, jerking, back arched, urinated and pood, silent during seizure, cried a bit after then twitched for about a minute, after seizure hind legs were stiff (for about a minute), gave about 3ml glucose, fed I/D after seizure, was a bit wobbly after but we placed him in his cage for him to rest.  called dr. siday to report. prior to seizure Ita was lying down sleeping / resting on my bed.  in the past days ita was fed ID every 4 hours, given .5ml polynerv, was sniffing a bit from nose colds (but nose not runny)

26 July 2005 -
0650H – 1 seizure, less than a minute, shaking whole body but running around wildly, urinated; gave 1/8 pheno, 3ml mondex, 5ml glucose, was not wobbly after but was very hungry

27 July 2005 -
0920H – 1 seizure, less than a minute, shaking whole body but running around wildly, urinated; gave 1/8 pheno, 3ml mondex, 5ml glucose, was not wobbly after but was very hungry

28 July 2005 -
0300H – 1 seizure, shaking whole body but running around wildly like before but was able to go down stairs, urinated; gave 5ml glucose, was not too hungry after

0940H – 1 seizure, could be longer than a minute, shaking whole body (in cage)but was standing / jumping for most part, urinated during/ defecated after; gave 1/8 Pheno, 5ml glucose, was not too hungry after
* before these 2 seizures Ita was a bit quiet and not playful, he would just lie / sit around. We sort of sense he may have a seizure if he suddenly lies down or looks lethargic during the day

01 August 2005 -
took Ita home from vet, no seizures while at vet, prescribed 1ml/2xday Jetepar (Glucometamine Glucodiamine Nicotinamide ascorbate) liver supportive therapy and detoxifying agent.

02 August 2005 -
0420H – 1 seizure, shaking whole body but running around wildly like before we stopped and held him, urinated and defecated; drank and ate a bit after, this seizure seemed longer than 1 minute, Ita was wobbly and could not stand well after seizure

02 August 2005 – 08 August 2005
confined at Vet,1 seizure on 04 Aug (there was barbequeing outside vets and some smoke entered prior to seizure), jetepar and polynerv continued, released 08 Aug with instructions to continue meds, give Pheno ONLY AS NEEDED (AFTER SEIZURE) — dosage increased to 1/4 tab, stop smoking in Ita’s vicinity, keep him from being too active, cage him if possible

10 Aug 2005
0420H – 1 seizure, shaking whole body while lying on floor, drooled, urinated and defecated; purred after but was still a bit shaky, very hungry and thirsty afterward,1/4 pheno given and Ita was kept in cage, where he rested/slept

13 Aug 2005
1800H – 1 seizure, shaking whole body while lying on floor, drooled, urinated; cried for a bit after, very hungry and thirsty afterward,1/4 pheno given and Ita was kept in cage, where he rested/slept

18 Aug 2005
1000H – odd twitching possibly mini-seizures, was lying downstairs when we noticed him with a slight twitch where he would blink and his ears would go backward (like a naasiman look) every minute or so.  This continued for more than 8 times.  DId not see when this stopped.  Ita was placed in cage when this happened.

20 Aug 2005
0620H – 1 seizure, wwas in cage, bounced around but we held him down.  Whole body, urinated.  Lasted about 1 minute, afterward panting and laying down.  Did not drink water (seemed very weak), gave 1/4 pheno.  Kept in cage after.

22 Aug 2005
0500H – 1 seizure, was in cage, bounced around but we held him down.  Whole body, some blood in mouth — possibly bit tongue.  Lasted less than 1 minute, afterward panting and laying down.  was hungry after, gave 1/4 pheno.  Kept in cage after.

28 Aug 2005
0040H – 1 seizure, was on shelf and fell.  Whole body, drooling during seizure, no urination, no defecation.  Lasted less than 1 minute, afterward panting and laying down.  Ate a bit after, gave 1/4 pheno.  Kept in cage after.  Possible cause is that meal at 930am was followed by meal at 330pm

31 Aug 2005
0345H – 1 seizure, was in cage.  Whole body, drooling during seizure, some blood in mouth — may have bitten tongue, no urination, no defecation.  Lasted less than 1 minute, violent bouncing then stiffened, afterward panting and laying down (heavy panting abt 10min).  Ate a bit after, gave 1/4 pheno.  Kept in cage after.

04 Sep 2005
2330H – odd twitching possibly mini-seizures, slight twitch where he would blink and his ears would go backward (like a naasiman look) every 5 seconds or so.  Gave a small piece (less than 1/4pill) pheno. Prior to this Ita missed 1 meal (meal at 0900H next meal at 1600H), seemed pantish and sleepy and didnt eat when we got back so gave him small piece of 1/4 pheno (total 2 small 1/4 pheno today)

10 Sep 2005
0300H – 1 seizure, less than 1 minute, drooled, peed a little, no aftershocks but panting after, given 1/4 pheno

11 Sep 2005
1330H – 1 seizure, 50 sec, whole body stiffened, drooling, mouth bled a bit, gave 1/4 pheno and applied rescue remedy on ears

14 Sep 2005
1425H – 1 seizure, fell off cabinet, ran around while seizuring, was able to walk after, given 1/4 pheno and kept in cage

20 Sep 2005
we moved office that day and he was given 2 application of RR prior to seizures
2225H – odd twitching possibly mini-seizures, slight twitch where he would blink and his ears would go backward (like a naasiman look) every 7 seconds or so.  Gave 1/4 pheno.
2235H – 1 seizure in cage, started stiffening but was aware, started to cry, full seizure about 1 minute, peed, drooled, given 1/4 pheno again (small piece) continued ear twitch as of 2310H, ate, kept in cage, cage covered to block light

23 Sep 2005
0500H – 1 seizure, less than but close to 1 minute, in cage, screamed and jumped around then fell over stiffened, was stiffish for a few minutes after, bit tongue so it bled, gave 1/4 pheno (largish) and RR

27 Sep 2005
0715H – 1 seizure, less than but close to 1 minute, in cage, screamed and jumped around then fell over stiffened and shaking, was stiffish for a few minutes after, peed a litte, gave 1/4 pheno

28 Sep 2005
0545H – acted twitchy, lay down in litter, gave 1/4 pheno

29 Sep 2005
1855H – 1 seizure, less than but close to 1 minute, in cage, screamed and jumped around then fell over stiffened and shaking, was stiffish for a few minutes after, peed a litte, gave 1/4 pheno, RR

02 Oct 2005
2345H – 1 seizure, less than but close to 1 minute, in cage but door was open so ran out, was tired for a few minutes after, peed, gave 1/4 pheno, RR

08 Oct 2005
1820H – 1 seizure, lasted for about 40 seconds.  First he screamed then hissed twice while pissing and shaking and jerking.  He also bit himself; there was blood on the floor, gave pheno and RR
**Before the incident he sort of fell down the stairs, like he lost his balance or slipped. A couple seconds later he had the seizure
**After eating, I fed them all sabay, ita would bite anyone that went near him.  Like the nipping bite of mother.

09 Oct 2005
0120H – 1 seizure, stiffened for about 20 seconds and afterwards had the “blinkingâ€? and ear flattening spasms, gave 1/4 pheno, RR

12 Oct 2005
0235H – 1 seizure, about 30 seconds, peed, no blood, gave 1/4 pheno, RR
**during the day of the seizure (morning) Ita fell down the stairs 2x, first time was about half a flight (full tumble) and he was very shaken after the 1st fall and was quite twitchy, 2nd was about an hour later, he slipped a few steps

17 Oct 2005
**Ita had a blood test for his liver. Doc Nick & staff had a difficult time drawing blood. Ita was screaming & resistant. They had at least 3 unsuccessful attempts in front of me (neck, then leg, then neck again) before they transferred him to another room & closed the door. Doc Nick was very worried that he might seizure from the stress & kept on cradling & kissing him in between attempts. Finally they came out of the room with blood drawn. Test results will be called in tomorrow. Ita was very calm on the way to the vet’s & back.
1800H – 1 seizure during feeding time, he started yowling this eerie meow & all the cats stopped eating & stared at him. Liza picked him up & after a while he started hissing & shaking ( & split half of her pinky open with his claw! ) & had a seizure for 30 seconds. Aer gave him a phenobarb and placed him in his cage but he refused to eat the wet food. He just sat on his bed breathing rapidly for a long time.
1835H – 1 seizure for 1.5 minutes, while inside his cage. He ate some of the wet cat food after. We called Doc Nick and he said not to give a phenobarb after the 2nd seizure, but in case another seizure happens to give him a phenobarb then.
2255H – 1 seizure that lasted roughly 1â€?15’.  The usual shaking; peed and defecated. Gave pheno and rescue remedy. Fed wet cat food, ate a little and ate with the others when Aer gave them foodies. Defecated in kitty litter then placed him in his cage.  During all this time after the seizure he kept on walking/stumbling around until placed in cage.

18 Oct 2005
0555H – 1 seizure Seizure at 5:55am, about 2min duration. Frothing mouth with blood. Highly disoriented afterwards. Drank a lot & ate a little. Did not give pheno. Resting now.  At 9am Ita seems back to normal, walking around. Ate a lot (mixture of 25%dry & 75% wet). Even ate Debil’s food. Went upstairs & explored files room while Mang Pilo was cleaning it. Put him back in Aer’s room to rest.

24 Oct 2005
0220H – 1 seizure lasted about 45s.  hissed twice (usual) then started convulsing.  Fell down stairs, upper gums bled possibly from fall, peed.  Gave pheno, food and water.

Ita was in a good mood & ate a lot later that morning, but after the meal he lay down in the kitty litter box for a long time. Brought him to the vet for his pre-surgery confinement & warned Doc Nick of possible incoming seizure.

2 seizures during pre-confinement for neutering. The first one was at 10am after we had brought him in (as was predicted, because of his behavior with the kitty litter). The second one occurred at 6pm.  Surgery postponed pending observation.

26 Oct 2005
neutering operation, confined until 31 October 2005, no seizures while at vet, was eating well and playful after operation and during confinement

10 Nov 2005
0910H – 1 seizure, 30-45 seconds, milder than previous seizures, mini-seizures? (ear flattening and twitch every 5 seconds)for a while after, urinated a bit, no poo, pheno given, purred nonstop afterward, eating as of 10:05AM

1700H or 1715H approx – 1 seizure, not observed by anyone, when we saw him he was making post seizure whining / neighing noises, panting, and his tail hair was raised, peed a little, pheno given

20 Nov 2005
1740H – 1 seizure, 30 seconds, no hissing to signify start of seizure; shaking. Gave rescue remedy right after, phenobarb after he recovered a bit. Happened in the cat room, he was sleeping on one of the lower shelves

21 Nov 2005
1240H – 1 seizure, approx 40sec — not as violent as pre-spaying seizures, drooling only, no pissing, no hissing, secondary seizures every 5 seconds for a few minutes after (flattening of ears and blinking), gave RR and pheno

3.    Precipitating events

•    No major changes/disruptions in the household occur before he has the seizures, except:

•    Prior to 1st seizure we tried out Royal Canin Kitten (dry)

•    Prior to 02 June 2005 seizure we installed vinyl at 2F of office (moved Ita to GF near window so he would not smell fumes)

•    All cats are indoor cats, not allowed to go out

•    Air Purifier with HEPA Filter purchased 11 June 2005

•    No Smoking indoors (Ita’s lair) starting 08 August 2005

•    Moved office on 20 Sept 2005, Ita sleeps in room with Aeroin, during the day is let out to go around office or kept in Cat room (w air filter and exhaust, office is a NO SMOKING INSIDE office

•    We notice that if Ita LIES IN THE KITTY LITTER BOX that is a sign he will have a seizure

•    26 Oct 2005 – neutering operation, confined until 31 October 2005, no seizures while at vet, was eating well and playful after operation and during confinement

4.     Behaviour

Very hyperactive.  Ita is the youngest of our 12 office cats.  He has a playmate, It, who is roughly the same age as he is.  Runs around a lot, and plays with his toys (stuffed mouse, scratching post, stuffed fish).  He is especially active after midnight until early morning. Chases feet, climbs up leg until he reaches person’s chest / shoulder.  Purrs when being petted.

5.     Cyclical patterns and sensations

Majority of seizures occur during early morning.  Likes cool places and is usually lying at kitchen (vinyl floor)

6.     Dietary summary

Until day before seizure used to eat Friskies dry.  Day before seizure tried Royal Canin Kitten.  After 1st seizure fed Friskies dry and Mondex solution. After VIP consultation Ita given a mix of wet and dry catfood and Mondex every 4 hours. After 08 May feeding intervals changed to every 6 hours.   We were instructed to strictly maintain feeding schedule and to give Nutripet or Glucose solution if he missed a meal.

Fortunately, all these dogs have gotten sponsors somehow for their treatment.

Yesterday morning, after a week of waiting to be rescued, “Romeo”- a thin dog with an injured leg roaming in the Greenhills area – was finally taken into the PAWS shelter.

Rescuers had to shuttle him from the PAWS clinic to a clinic with an x-ray. Romeo – sweet dog though he was- was in such pain, his snout had to be tied to keep him from biting the gentle hands which held his injured leg against the x-ray machine.

When the x-ray came out, it was obvious now why Romeo was in great pain: his hind leg was broken clear into two (see attached x-ray). Romeo needs to have a bone-pin operation that PAWS would be unable to afford.

Our choices:

1. leave him to heal on his own while giving him pain-killers. His bones will eventually fuse but he will be walking with one short hind leg for the rest of his life.

2. get him that bone-pin surgery he needs by asking help from supporters

We decided, of course, to try course of action #2 first by posting this message. Approximate cost of the operation is P15,000 (or perhaps less if we get some kindhearted veterinary surgeon to just charge us the cost of the meds and surgical materials)

Please, if any of you who are subscribed here would want to pitch in to help with Romeo’s surgery, send us a email indicating the amount that you pledge to deposit to our PNB account on or before September 30, 2008.

Account details:

Account Name: The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

PNB Current Account No. 072-830174-0

PNB Branch: PNB Financial Center (Main Branch)

*important: please send email first indicating the amount and when the deposit will be made or send us validated deposit slip via fax 475-1688 with the note- “For Romeo” plus your name and mailing address- where we can send the official receipt.

Thank you.

-The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

You may also email us at philpawsATyahooDOTcom

or call up PARC (the PAWS Shelter) at 475-1688.