Gracie Elizabeth Van Gogh the Fourth
Statistics
- Birthday: 'July 1st', 1988
- Place of Birth: North Syracuse, New York State, USA
- Kind: black DSH
- Eyes: light green
- Sex: female
- Status: foster member of Smiling Felines
History
1988-1996: Gracie grows up in one of three houses belonging to a collector couple in North Syracuse, New York. There are 40 other cats and kittens in this one house. The environment is not sound---there aren't any litter pans, social contacts, lights, fresh air, proper food, etc. None of the cats receive medical attention. Neighbours complain about the smell. The Health Department condemns the house. The couples' lawyer seeks to find homes for Gracie and the other 39 cats and kittens.
June 27th, 1996: At age 8, Gracie is rescued by a New York no-kill shelter along with 22 other cats and kittens. Gracie's teets are drying out; therefore, she had recently given birth to kittens. There were so many kittens in the collector's house it was impossible to know which belonged to what cat. She is thin, dirty and covered with fleas. The staff give her a flea bath and treat her with flea spray.
August 15th, 1996: Gracie comes to live at Smiling Felines as a foster. Gracie would be happiest in a single cat household. If you wish to help support Gracie, please send your donations to the address at the bottom of this page.
Medical History
June 27th, 1996: At age 8, Gracie is given her first flea bath and treat with flea spray.
June 28th, 1996: Gracie is tested for Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Both results are negative. A large tumor in her left ear is discovered with an infection underneath. Cost: $25.00 US
July 3rd, 1996: Gracie is spayed. She also has large tumor in left ear removed. She is prescribed Clavamox orally twice daily for 10 days and Gentocin eardrops (5 drops twice a day) after surgery. Cost: $73.75 US
July 12th, 1996: Gracie is examined. To the best of the veterinarian's knowledge she is free from infectious or contagious diseases including rabies. She receives 1 cc. of Solvay brand Rabies Vaccine, Serial No. 029. She is also vaccinated for Kitten FVRCP, Fe-Leuk, FIV (distemper combination). Her sutures are removed from the 3rd. Cost: $45.00 US
August 9th, 1996: The veterinarian writes up rabies certificate so Gracie can travel to Canada. He also gives her a follow up immunization for distemper combination, first administered July 12th. Her left ear is examined. It is discovered she still has an infection. Instructions are given to continue administering the Gentocin eardrops.
August 14th, 1996: Gracie no longer has a problem with fleas. Occasionally, she has some problems with diarrhea. Rechecking stool samples for parasites or reducing amount of canned food given is suggested.
August 15th, 1996: Gracie arrives in Canada. We are given the Gentocin eardrops and continue administering the prescription. We commence feeding her high quality dry cat food.
September 28th, 1996: The veterinarian states Gracie is in dire need of professional dental cleaning. She is prescribed 10 Amoxicillin 100 mg tablets---once daily until finished. She is also prescribed Tresaderm solution 15 ml for an 'ear infection' to be applied 4 drops daily for a week. She's vaccinated against Feline Leukemia. Cost: $66.61
October 1st, 1996: Ultrasonic descaling of teeth and polishing. Presurgical blood screen done (kidney function, protein deficiency or anemia)---pre A exam/premed/ind to sp. Anesthetic gas (isoflurane). Hospitalized 1/2 day. Penicillin injection. Recommended use of Nolvadent for routine care at home. Cost: $135.06
December 5th, 1996: Re-examination of ear. Growth must be removed. Prescribed 10 Amoxicillin 100 mg tablets---once daily till finished. Also Otomax ointment 7.5 ml to be instilled 5-7 drops daily for 2 weeks. Gracie weighs 10.2 lbs. Cost: $52.00
December 15th, 1996: Growth removal from left ear deep in the canal. Anesthetic induction (inc pre A exam/premed/ind to sp), anesthetic gas (isoflurane), injection (ethacillin), hospitalized day and a 1/2. Weighed 10.2 lbs. Cost: see below
December 17th, 1996: Check up by veterinarian. Cost: see below
December 18th, 1996: Swabbed area w/ peroxide. Orders to let dry and scab. 7 Amoxicillin 100 mg tablets prescribed---once daily until finished. Cost: $224.11
December 23rd, 1996: Gracie receives a check up.
January 3rd, 1996: Check-up and suchers removed.
April 16th, 1997: Geriatric profile (inc CBC and LS) done---blood collection. Believed to have hyper-thyroid problem. Results indicate this isn't so. Special diet ordered. Gracie weighs 11.8 lbs. Cost: $95.77
April 21st, 1997: Purchased Medi-Cal Feline Hypo-Allergenic/Gastro prescription diet---2 kg bag. Cost: $14.93
May 1st, 1997: Re-examination of Gracie's ear which has some discharge. Discover small tumor in left ear. Prescribed Otomax ointment (18 ml) for 10 days. Surgery date set up for May 12th. Cost: $43.34
May 12th-13th, 1997: Small growth removed from left ear. Biopsy results pending. Anesthetic induction (pre A exam/premed/ind to sp), Isoflurane, Ethacillin injection, 1 1/2 days hospitalized, histopathology. 10 Cefa tablets at 100 mg prescribed (1 per day). Puss discovered coming from deep in inner ear. Abscess? or infection? Not known. Suggest skull x-ray may be necessary. Cost: $245.58 (Medi-Cal Feline Hypo-Allergenic/Gastro 2 kg food included in cost)
June 1, 1997: Biopsy results show tumor is not cancer.
June 13th, 1997: Gracie has discharge from her left ear. Crusty. She goes in for a re-examination. It is determined antibiotics will not solve this middle ear problem. The name of a specialist is given. We discuss Gracies tummy problems. The doctor suggests trying charcoal tablets sprinkled over her food. If that fails, we could try preparing home meals. Two recipes are given. We request dewormer pills for the summer so Gracie is weighed. Pyran 35 tablets are prescribed. She is to be given 3.5 now and then 3.5 in 2 weeks. Cost: $30.65
July 22nd, 1997: Gracie goes for a referral examination with a specialist. It is discovered she has a severe inner ear infection from when she was a kitten. Antibiotics are given (a two week supply of Clavamox tablets (62.5 mg)) and an operation date is set. Gracie weighs 5 kg. Cost: $86.88
July 24th and 25th, 1997: Gracie goes in for her operation. IV set up first day complete, 1 catheter IV Cephalic, 1 fluids IV Admin setup, 1 fluids intravenous per litre. Lab services: 1 DVS - Bacterial culture and sensit, 1 histopathology 1 tissue. Routine radiology sml/med. Anesthesia induction, pain control injection, and 4 isoflurane gas anesth. 1/4 hour. 1 bulla osteotomy unilateral, operating fee for room (orthopedic), 1 day hospital boarding and daily care by professional, 1 Elizabeth collar 10 cm, 1 PDS 4-0 sutures, 1/4" penrose drain. 1 other initial injection the next day, 1 daily oral medication, 28 Clavamox tablets (62.5 mg), 1 anafen injectable 0.1 ml. Cost: $943.41
August 5th, 1997: Gracie goes in for the suture/drain removal from her ear. She is prescribed another 2 weeks of Clavamox tablets (62.5 mg). Cost: $21.19
September, 1997: Gracie has not had any ear problem reoccurence. The healing and cure of her ear has also cleared up her stomach problems. She is now a 'normal' functioning cat.
November 8th, 1997: Bathed and given purple Hartz flea collar (flea prevention).
December 1st, 1997: Gracie receives annual vaccination: Rabies, Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Leukemia. Purchase Medi-Cal Geriatric Formula cat food. Cost: $88.58 ($55.00 vaccination, $25.85 food)
NEXT VACCINATION DUE DECEMBER 1ST, 1998.
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Donations can be sent to:
Smiling Felines No-kill Shelter,
P.O. Box 334,
Uxbridge, Ontario L9P 1M8
Canada