Pondering the subject of... What do people learn from their pets.

Recently I was asked to possibly contribute to an article being composed on the subject of What do people learn from their pets?.... Great topic, hmm? It's a pertinent topic as well.

As the article may be geared more toward shelter rescues I'm not sure that a response from an owner of  pedigreed cats would be something they'd want to include, but here my thoughts on that question.

I can't begin to relate all that my husband and I have "learned" from our pets. We have, as you know if you have read any of this blog, four pedigreed Sphynx cats, Bilbo, Rose, Lily and Sigmund. We treat them as our children. They have board certified vet cardiologist, vet ophthalmologist and very caring general vets that have adopted the use of Isoflourane or Sevoflourine over Ketamine at their clinics. None of the vets we use for our cats use the anesthetic Ketamine or the common knock-em-out cocktail of Ket/Val (Ketamine + Valium).
I, of course, would mention this drug because it has been a huge focal point in the relationship with our cats and in the vetting of our cats. I've learned to not blindly trust my beloved pets to a vet's care. I've learned to ask more questions, demand more answers and do more research. I've learned this from being heartbroken over an unnecessary death of our Sphynx boy, Gimli, the impetus behind this blog. Gimli died from the drug, Ketamine, during a routine dental cleaning in April of 2008, only one day after his 3rd birthday. Ketamine, which can act as a trigger in some breeds for an underlying disease, HCM, is the cheapest anesthetic and the most commonly used. However, it is not always the safest choice and should not be the only choice offered to a pet owner.

I've learned that we, as pet owners, have a duty to our pets. It is our responsibility to make sure that anyone dealing with them has the knowledge and care that we want. I've learned that life is meaningless to some vets and ultra-important to others. These may not be the lessons most people want to hear. But, if we love our pets -pedigreed or not- then we, as pet parents/adoptees, must do our part. We must advocate for them. We must be their voice.

The experience with Gimli made an impact on many people the world over and for that I am glad. Perhaps his tragedy has averted the tragedy of another. I have had countless emails, personal encounters and shared grief over similar losses from others have meant so very much and have aided in my own personal healing, grief and guilt. I spent two years researching Ketamine and have been blogging about it and offering the information I have gathered in the hope that other people may have information that I could not find when I was looking up anesthesia's in 2008.
When Gimli was killed we had him necropsied (an autopsy for animals) at the University of MS Vet School, in Starkville. They found that he was in advanced stages of HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), which was very likely brought on due to the use of Ketamine during neutering, a medical procedure (he burned his paw and the vet tech told us he was only using Valium... he did not, he used Ketamine), and of course the final whammy... the dental cleaning. Ketamine affected our lives. I believe it caused Gimli's case of HCM to be switched on and then, on the fateful day, he was given too large a dose and his death was swept under the covers and out the door of conscientiousness by the vet to which we entrusted our cats.
I learned about HCM through Gimli's death and became an advocate for scanning and am the co-chair of a non-profit organization called Hairless Hearts, Inc.,(http://www.hairlesshearts.org). Hairless Hearts helps owners afford to scan the hearts of the Sphynx that they care for and love. We also submit the scan results to the three major HCM directories and to PawPeds. We try to advance the knowledge of the disease and to negotiate lower board certified vet echo cardiogram pricing for pet owners wishing to scan or recheck their pet's heart.

My husband and I have travelled over five hours (one way) to Georgia Vet Services in Atlanta, GA for board certified heart screens with Dr. Darlene Blischok.We have done had three series of heart scans since last October. In 2010 all of our cats were scanned in Birmingham, AL. We had the two that received bad scan results rechecked with Dr. Blischok on 11 April 2011. She found that Siggy nor Rose had signs of HCM but requested to see Siggy again w/in a six-month window. So our most recent scan, with Dr. Blischok, was on 20 October 2011 and yielded good results and no more medications for our youngest.
Yes, I have learned the hard way that our responsibilities are much greater than merely taking them to a vet. We must be interactive with our vets, question them, do research, learn and... share with others.
Our veterinarians should be more involved in their patients care as, for many pet owners, they are a vital first-response agent in helping people make the best decision for their pets. Today I only use veterinarians who feel as I do about the health care of our pets.
What our pets give us, daily, is worth any effort made on their behalf. I can't even begin to speak of the joys of pet ownership - be it cat, dog or iguana. They give to us every moment of every day. They give unselfishly and they give with joy. They love us regardless of what we do for a living, how we look, our educational background or how much money we make. They should be rewarded for this unbiased love and it is our duty to learn to give back to them in a way that benefits their lives and their longevity.

HCM recheck in Atlanta for Siggy

I am happy to announce the result of the 3rd heart check on our Sphynx boy, Siggy.

On 20 September 2011 Dr. Darlene Blishchok found that Siggy's heart was stable but had a slight defect that did not affect his hear's ability to function.
We went with hope and left with joy.

They had to use Isoflurine on Siggy during his first visit (he is cantankerous) but this visit they were able to do the echocardiogram without the use of any sedation. I am overjoyed about that as well.

To note: This wonderful clinic has also banned Ketamine. As a caring pet owner I believe that it is important to note that knowledgable vets are now prohibiting the use of this dangerous drug.

HCM scan in Atlanta - April 2011

We visited Dr. Darlene Blishchok, at Georgia Vetinary Services, in Atlanta, GA, on 11 April 2011. We went thinking that both Siggy (GoNaked FreudianSlip of RmplSlkSknz and Godz Rose of Sharron) had HCM.
Thankfully the result from Dr. Blishchok (a board-certified vet cardiologist) showed that their diagnosis was clear.
Siggy was taken off Atenonol and is to be rechecked in October 2011. Rose was dismissed until at least one year. We are... overjoyed.

A Willingness to Help... A Voice Being Heard

I often wonder if anyone, anywhere has truly been touched by my outcry over Ket/Val and our breed. It is something that I wonder about from time to time and especially as I continue to find myself staying up well into the early morning hours plugging away at this cause.

Just last week a supporter and friend of mine reminded me, quite accurately, that medicine is an art.

She very wisely said that, "Living beings are very complicated and there is no ONE recipe for success. And people are human and mistakes are made. I've learned to accept that over time. And that acceptance came with lots of tears, for sure. But reality is reality. And there is so much we can't prevent no matter how hard we try. Fighting that truth takes up a great deal of energy and the end result doesn't usually change much."


*sigh* Yes. I do agree with that assessment of the medical arts and our hearts; but let me share with you my reply.

"There is certainly much truth in your statement and I know you mean well to share it with me. However I can't let the Ketamine issue drop. I sorely wish I could as my life, my free-time, and my mental health would surely find relief.

My life has gone from being somewhat joyful to somewhat depressed and I find I am uplifted and encouraged as I in push onward with my little quest. I agree and I'm afraid, as you've eloquently stated, that all my efforts will be in vain in the long run ...BUT... if we don't TRY then we have to deal with complacency, apathy, indifference and, ultimately, more loss. I just don't want to do that.
So my plan right now is to continue bashing my head against the forces that be... a lack of vet knowledge, much indifference by the vet community, and a great possibility that I'll never really make a dent. But I'm trying, and at some point in time, perhaps I can stop and say... well, I gave it my best and I feel good about that.

Maybe it is a teeny bit different when we are owners and not breeders. Breeders see a great many babies go in and out of their life. Some share time at other catteries, some go to new homes, and some go to the great beyond. I realize attachments are made with each and every one, but due to the cycle of life and, sometimes death, that breeders witness there may be an adjustment that gives you all a better perspective.

For me and my husband, having two Sphynx was not something we would normally be able to afford but Fate saw a way to put our first two firmly in our hearts. Losing one so quickly and after such a commitment of our time and emotion has been tough and, for me at least, I've not found the solace in another little one that quenches the hurt and the missing.

I do appreciate your words and I know I have support among many here and w/in the Sphynx community. I also know that my intentions may be somewhat naive - but they're honest and I have to honour them."

Another supporter and friend wrote:

"Please don't forget: thanks to you, I (and I am just one or many!) know about the danger of Ketamine, and that means that my vet knows. This means that my Sphynx will not share Gimli's fate (I'm not sure if I am spelling his name correctly, so please let me know), nor will my Devon Rex, another breed that should not be given Ketamine. It also means that my vet has been alerted to this situation and will never give any other Sphynx or Devon Rex Ketamine. I hope he will alert other vets in Basel and even other Swiss vets. I have let Victoria in Austria know, so her Sphynx should also be safe from this scourge. We can also tell the whole Sphynx Friends group, and I think that it is indeed possible for ONE voice to make a huge difference! Look at articles in magazines that feature some person who has changed everything for a whole society or country or whatever! I very much admire you for not giving up on your "quest." Just don't listen to anybody who discourages you.

I also agree that medicine is an art. And, as my dad once pointed out to me: doctors practice medicine! And although practice makes perfect, perfect doesn't exist in art."

This week alone I was contacted by two people - from two different countries, both asking if I would kindly send the information I have on Ket/Val, and Gimli's story, to them. They both wanted to read the infomration and print it out for their vets. That makes me feel purposeful and proud.

As I am now being head-butted by Gimli's brother, Bilbo Bombadil, I must cease my ponderings for today and find something for this boy to nosh on.