A new year... a new determination.

January hit the ground running. I'm finding it incredible that the month is almost gone. Seems like 2008 was never-ending... for me... it certainly had a lasting affect.

So, the holidays are behind us and the tree is tucked away in its box for another year. Now it's time to roll up the sleeves and get back to work.
Determination can be an odd companion. At times it is never-yeilding; at other times it is ever-wanning. But if it's truly there then deeds can be done.

[ photo of Junipurr Lily and Rosie Rosebud, titled "We're Pal's!" ]

I've had a few things impose themselves upon the temporary "retirement" from my cause - and all have been positive.
Back in early December I had an email from a vet that works at the Paris, France corporate office of Royal-Canin.

I doubt anyone is actually following this blog, but if so one might recall that I had attempted to contact a vet at RC for help and was told that she was moving to Brazil and a new vet would be taking over her position. The vet I contacted promised to give my emails and contact information to the new person. Days, then weeks, then months passed and nothing... and then in came an email from the new veterinarian.

She wrote:

C. Galli sent me your e-mail and your request. First of all, I'm sorry for this late answer but it took time to collect some information and because of personnal issues I couldn't send you this e-mail before.

In fact, I haven't found other researchs written by Dr Houard or scientfific research related to ketamine & sphynx. It seems that his paper was the result of his personal experience, as he has a private practice near Paris.

I've searched for people you could contact on this subject: it exists some veterinary associations specialised in anesthesia . They may have observed the same thing as they are specialised in this field and they consult a lot of cats & dogs.

These are the contacts I've found in the USA:
Veterinary analgesia and anesthesia support group http://www.vasg.org/
American college of veterinary anesthesiologists http://www.acva.org/

Hope it will help you, Best regards
S. Rivière

--------------------------------------------------------

I found her email encouraging and it gave a renewal to my quest... if only for the sake of having someone remember and feel it important enough to respond. See? I am so desparate for any success that even the slightest thing is a milestone.

So, then I had not one, but TWO emails sent from Sphynx owners. One in South Africa, and one from the USA. Both had heard that I had documents on Ket/Val and Sphynx and asked if I could provide them literature to give their vets. Which I most happily did. Oh, but to save one life, one heart from breaking. Encouragement!

On 07 January I was contacted by a fellow Sphynx lover who happens to be a very successful breeder as well; Arden Gaitlin-Andrews, of AngelFire Sphynx cattery. She said that she was starting an International Sphynx Breeder/Enthusiast Newsletter - for the SX community - and asked if I would be the Editor of the owner's section.

I jumped at the chance.

Now.. bear in mind I jump at chances regardless of if they have a monetary value to my time. For years I've bashed my head in, locally and w/in my own apathetic community, to bring about a community band, a community dinner-theatre, and a 5-county non-profit arts council. All were successful but back-mind-and-spirit breaking experiences. After resigning as president from the arts council I took a solomn (well other than my rants to exceptionally close friends) oath to NEVER, EVER put myself out for my unappreciative community again.

But this is different. This strikes a cord. This would allow me a platform, a voice, and a way to help countless others know more about the Sphynx breed. It would allow me to share my findings directly with others who are interested.

So.. yeah, well.. you see where this is going. :-)

Our first newsletter - Volumn 1 - will be distributed digitally and will cover the months of March/April 2009. Some of the topics covered are:

• Safram Sphynx - by Sandy Adler
• Nebulization - by Diana Scott & Carolyn McGuire, DVM
• With or Without the Necklace? - by Carlee Marrer-Tising
• Genetics 101 - by Paul Patton
• Bath Time - by Cyndee Gause
• A Special Goodbye [Sue Gleason] - by Paul Patton
• Feline HCM - by Judy Webb Gunby
• Judging Sphynx Across Associations - by Mary Perfitt-Nelson
• Sphynx Multiples - by Kay Marshall
• Showing Sphynx in Switzerland - by Carlee Marrer-Tising
• B.A.R.F. - by Judy Webb Gunby
  

I would like to encourage you to join our FREE subscription list at Sphynx Newsletter Subscribers Yahoo Groups (mention this blog in your request to join), or you can visit us online at our Sphynx Breeder/Enthusiasts Newsletter Blog and on Facebook.

I do appreciate any readership this blog has. If you are reading it ... thanks.

Bilbo and Gimli watching birds - January 2008
Artwork copyright of K.Marshall

A Christmas without our ReinDear...

Gimli... our little precious, sweet, and very irritated reindeer. What a face, and how we miss him!


Gimli loved any events that involved a chance for him to show-off. Christmas and Thanksgiving were major events for our Gims.


This year we had new little friends in our lives -- Junipurr Lily and Rosie Rosebud (Rose of Sharron), and of course our darling Bilbo.
The girls enjoyed every single aspect of the holidays and gave us so many laughs as they experienced one "first" after another.

But through it all there was one missing and one that was missed.

After "the curtain fell" in late October I will admit to having a need for a time-out. A time to regroup and reaffirm. That's OK. I know my resolve will return.

What isn't known by some is how much resolve I actually have.
I'll not forget, Gimli, and I will not allow your death to be in vain.


We love you! Mom & Dad, Bilbo, Lily, and Rose.

Our seasonal card - FRONT

Our seasonal card - INSIDE

Message on Gimmie's photo reads:
In memory of Godz Gimli-GilGalad who was defeated in life by Ketamine and HCM.
Please support the Winn Feline Foundation.

And the curtain fell to no applause...

After a moment of joyous rapture in locating Dr. Houard (after a six-month effort), the curtain came crashing down.

I had located him. I prepared a letter of introduction and explanation of why I was reaching out to him. My friend, Mary Perfitt-Nelson, of Enchanted Lair & GoNaked Sphynx, offered to lend me the help of her brother-in-law, Laurent (a Frenchman), who kindly translated my documents into French.

I bundled my two airmail packages up and sent them International Express to both Dr. Houard, in Paris, and his former assistant (now living in Canada), Aline Noel. Mme. Noel took my letter on her next trip to Paris -- the day AFTER my letter arrived -- and personally sat down with Dr. Houard to go over it with him and explain my interest in Ketamine.

How kind and generous people can be... even those whom I have never met.

The last week in October my husband and I, and our Sphynx kids, Bilbo, Lily, and Rose, went RV camping for a week. The day we left and only a few short days after sending my letter to Dr. Houard I received a reply back, via email, from him.

He wrote:

Dear Mme.

I attentively read your mail. I believe that it is necessary to distinguish two phenomena at the time of the first usage of the Kétamine.
Which you eventually observed can relate itself to an intolerance to the dissociative anesthetic, of which the leader is the Kétamine, cats Rex Devon and Sphynx that I evoked in the magazine "Cat Interests Me".

I did not publish this phenomenon in other reviews for I did not succeed explaining the pathégonie of this disturbance.
The death of your cat at the time of the second anesthésie is classical when it exists a cardiomypathie, all anesthetic other probably would have provoked the same consequence. I hope qu these precisions will be useful for you.

Sincere greetings.

Dr Michel HOUARD

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I wrote back immediately, that morning, but have not yet received a reply. It is my belief that this kind doctor opened a new email account just to reply to me directly. I am guessing that he has not checked it since.

Dear Dr. Houard,

I wish to thank you for your response to my letter. I am curious of the phenomenon that you talked about in your e-mail and I would like to ask if I can continue to communicate questions that I have in consideration of Ketamine and the cats in the exotic types, notably the Sphynx. You said that it is necessary to distinguish two phenomena when Ketamine is used for the first time. What are the two distinctive identifying phenomena? Is it your opinion that there is a strong connection between the usage of Ketamine and the progression of a myopathy (cardio or hereditary myopathy) in Sphynx and Devons? Pardon me for misunderstanding; but, in your opinion, would any type of anethesia given to a cat with HCM have the same resulting death? Would that apply to HCM cats given isoflurane or sevoflurane or only cats in the exotics line? Other veterinary doctors have posted serious concerns in the matter of Ketamine used on cats with a common genetic link. I would like to provide a document that details a discussion of this subject by American veterinarian, Dr. Mike Richards. Dr. Richards provided answers to AOL members regarding pet-related questions. If doctors know about the potential dangers of Ketamine and other disassociative anesthesias is there not a need for this information to be more available to veterinarians and pet owners? I use a program of translation of language to communicate with you, so please forgive any errors in the syntax and grammar. I wish to again thank you, and Aline, for communicating with me. I am optimistic that a communication line can continue.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The very same day that his email came in to my account the postal service delievered a letter, from the insurance company representing the vet that killed Gimli, stating that they declined my request for replacement, necropsy, creamation, and mileage costs. A total lack of accountability even WITH a statement from the pathologist that the Ketamine caused his death.

Emotions that had subsided through my sense of purpose eroded into tears of frustration, anger, and immense sadness. It was, literally, all I could do to gather my bags and join my husband and our cat-kids in the RV for the trip.

Am I defeated? No... but I am temporarily behind the curtains.

Humble Pie

Eating humble pie is not as bad as, say, eating a bug or walking into an unseen (and quite large) spider web (as I did today)... but it's, well, humbling.
My ranting last post still has some small measure of validity with an emphasis on *small*.

I just spoke to the vet that made the calls... yes, that's plural... to the number I provided to her for Dr. Michel Houard. No, she didn't update me on the fact that she had tried and was unsuccessful. Had she done that I would have been back on the trail enforce.
However, as a person who doesn't really believe in FATE but who likes to leave her options open on that subject (to some extent), I guess - as with many things - timing is everything.

My timing this past month was extraordinary. I was, shall we say, hell-bent on gaining some ground on my lost time. I posted to a group of Sphynx breeders - a Yahoo based group I help moderate - asking for any more assistance on finding a person willing to make a call to gay old Paree. By luck I was offered help from four kind breeders; one in Tennessee, one in Texas, one in the UK, and one in France.
Here's how it played out and why I am eating this tasty pie.

My UK contact and my Texas contact both put me in touch with the Project Manager International Marketing for Royal Canin Group in France. I contacted her - she is moving to Brazil. She gave me another vet's name that will be taking her place. Both of those outlets were a no-go.

Then I decided to phone the breeder in Texas. While we spoke she found not one, but two more possible French "connections" tucked away in her files. One, a TICA judge and the other, the president of FiFe (Federation Internationale Feline). I wrote first to FiFe president, Annette Sjödin. She responded back within thirty minutes to offer me two more contacts. I wrote to both.
Another scant few minutes passed and then an email came in to me at gimmiesfishes from one of the contacts. She was willing to help and she gave me another contact as well.
... you know what's coming next, I suppose... Yes, I wrote the new contact.
The first contact is a Sphynx breeder in France. She had a new document containing scientific information on a research study conducted by a team of researchers studying Ketamine use in felines. [ see document ]

The second contact took me back once again to the International TICA judge. Her email to me has had me on cloud nine for days. She stated:

"You found the right person. I know well Michel Houard. I worked with him as his vet tech for 22 years. I can translate things for you or bring him material because I go in France every month. Tell me what you need."

As tears streamed down my face I composed myself as well as an email reply to this kind person. Her advice to me was to draft a letter to Dr. Houard (who is apparently not a member of the virtual community) and outline my mission and my reasons for it. She also told me that the telephone number that I have for Dr. Houard was incorrect. One little number was off... umm, now are you following me?

So... that brings me to today and the meal upon which I now feast.
In my letter to Dr. Houard I am including the names of all of my contacts - people who have stated that they clearly want to help. I wanted to include the vet cardiologist who was trying to contact him as she is fluent in spoken and written French... so I phoned her this afternoon to ask if she would allow me to list her as an Alabama contact for Dr. Houard. In our conversation she mentioned to me that she had tried two or three times to phone him with no success -- umm -- no wonder. I told her about my recent streak of good fortune and that my latest contact corrected the incorrect telephone number. "AHHHHhhhhh, she said, so that's why I couldn't connect with him!".
Yes, indeed. *chomp-chomp*

As for being kind enough - and most importantly, interested enough to allow me to list her as a contact for him, she also offered to translate my letter to him from English to French. I most likely will accept that offer even though I have already arranged for the Tennessee breeder to "loan" me her native French brother-in-law.

Always have a backup plan. I've learned that about ten weeks too late but...

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance..."

Today I am dancing for Gimli.



Gimli looks back at Mom - taken two days before his death.

One more reason why I prefer pets to people...

For the past ten weeks I have been patiently waiting word from a doctor of veterinary cardiology who agreed to phone Dr. Houard, in Paris, France (to try to validate his research, etc.).
I was asked to be patient and, despite my natural personality type (which includes an impatience gene), I have waited with hopeful expectation of an answer or in anticipation of a new direction to scope out.

I phoned the Drs. office late last month and was told I would get a return call. Didn't happen.
I phoned again the end of last week and was told that I could speak with the doctor on Monday. Monday the doctor was out, so I left a message asking if I could have ten minutes of her time today to discuss her efforts in speaking with Dr. Houard or his associates.
... an answering service called to tell me that the doctor had tried to phone Dr. Houard many weeks back, and did not get a reply.

Now.. one might ask; what is my gripe?
-- Did the doctor fulfil her promise to me? hmmmm... well, I suppose so, if pressed for an answer.

-- Did the doctor follow up with me so I would no longer be kept waiting and wondering? That one's easy. No.

-- Do I appreciate the effort, regardless of the lack of compassion shown to my inquiry and concern?
That's tough... well, tough, I should say, for me to be gracious.

Had I received a courteous (dare I say, even conscientious?) update from the doctor I would not be sitting here feeling like my efforts are unimportant, feeling irritated and anxious, and wondering why such a small courtesy could not have been extended. How long ago she tried to phone him? Was it only one, quick effort?
How many days and weeks have passed by that could have been used searching for someone fluent in French to make that call?

I don't have a clue as to the age of the researcher, Dr. Houard. For all I know he may be young and still very active in his field; but what if he is not? What if there is a window of opportunity to find out the questions I need to verify? These are the notions that so worry me.

Yesterday (08 September) marked the fifth month since Gimli was killed through the use of Ket/Val during a routine dental cleaning. Yes... feelings are still raw and, as the days, weeks, and MONTHS push onward I feel an urgency to press forward and make some progress.
In some ways I feel... haunted. I don't mean to imply that in a spiritual sense or a malicious sense... but rather in an obligatorial sense.
I feel indebted to Gimli for the love and joy he brought into our lives.
I feel indebted to him to make his death meaningful and helpful to others.

Therefore.. all of this is pretty important to me. Such are the things that drive people into action.

Do YOU, kind reader, know of someone who might be willing to help? I'm suffering from a locale problem as well... for, unfortunately, in my area French is not taught in our local schools or local community college, nor anywhere within my immediate vicinity.
If so, please contact me through this blog. I could use some good fortune about now.

So in my pondering and silent debate on Pets vs. People, Pets seem to be winning out.

Final thought today: I feel very much alone in this quest to help our breed.

Written to a friend in a professional circle who lost their kitten by extreme violence. Her kitten was torn to shreds by a neighbors dog - in her own yard. The dog, known for its aggressive nature has harmed other animals and yet is still roaming free in the neighborhood.
A loss is a loss.

It angers me so much that people allow their aggressive pets to do such random acts of violence upon other animals == and if they are pets then that violence cascades down upon owners and their families.

Accountability is something I'm currently, personally, carrying a banner for in my own quest for justice over our Gilmi's unnecessary death at the hands of our trusted vet this past April. While our issue differs from the utterly violent nature of your loss of Moe, it's all the same thing... accountability - whether it be a vet who's too damned lazy to check the facts, or an idiotic animal owner who carelessly allows their dangerous pet to roam and harm at will.

My heart goes out to you for your loss... and to others on this list who have mentioned similar instances. Pets have SO little rights. It's shameful. Their only voice is ours. Don't forget to visit the Pet Loss website -- Gimmie's tribute is there; and it does help, somewhat.
Death is easier if not untimely and unnecessary; the parting and hurt, however, remains the same.

*hugs*

Three months and standing still...

I've been thinking so much about the progress I've made and *not* made on this journey that's been forced upon me. To be honest, I've felt guilty for not posting since the 22nd of June. The reason is... I've needed some time away.
I cry at the drop of a hat when I think about Gimli and why he died. I'm still reeling and I feel depressed.

One might think that because Gimli was a "pet" that his life is over and we, I, should now move on. We have two new kittens to "take his place" and Bilbo's trying hard to adjust... we should be OK, right?
Oh how I wish it were so easy.

The girls, Junipurr Lily and Rose, are delightful. They've adjusted well, Bilbo loves them, we adore them, and I'm grateful for them being in our home and our lives... but they are not Gimli. They can't take his place in our hearts and they don't make the hurt and anger go away. I often think how unfair it is to them that I can't be overjoyed that they are with us as I was when we first got the boys. I'm simply not capable of feeling that sort of joy now.

So.. I've taken a break. I have people I need to nudge who have promised to be proactive for me -- or for the cause (Ketamine deaths in our breed). I have people who have reached out to me that I've yet to contact... to my shame. I have let the ball drop these past three weeks; but I've needed a break from the constant sadness, the constant anger, the constant drive and late-nights of research.

I have a new business that's getting off the ground next week... it's a business that I've been trying to grow since 2004 and, for the first time, it really has a chance of being successful. I should be plunging myself head-first into this project with no other thoughts in my head but its groundbreaking debut. I'm trying to do that. I owe it to myself and to my partner who is not an animal lover and can not understand (but, to his credit, has tried).

I'll get past this month and continue anew. My committments include not only my work and new project, but necessary time and trips to doctors with my dad and with our Sphynx kids. The little girls are now five months old and ready to be spayed and microchipped. That process is scheduled for 22 July, and they'll use an Isoflurane box during the process. Still.. I'm dreading it. I dread it for our girls and I dread the way I know I will feel during the process... scared, anxious, and memory-filled. Wish us luck, please.

As for our Gimmie -- I kiss his urn each night and tell him good morning the next day. We miss him, and want his legacy to be filled with potential life-saving information for other Sphynx owners.
Our attorney has been approached by the vet who is responsible for his death. She phoned him to clear her character. I can't imagine her motive in phoning him. Our case is now in the hands of her insurance company, and if things don't work out well there I have full intention of seeing it through in court. She will be held accountable.

I appreciate those who read this blog. I encourage you to view the posts from May which detail the Ketamine findings. Please don't leave this blog without viewing the information there.

PHOTO: Our sweet boy, Gimli, riding in his "going home" spot in our motorhome. We've not camped since we lost our boy.