“Preparing for Battle”
Food, supplements, medication and constant care quickly became part of our daily routine as we fought to help every cat recover.
Photograph © CatsHope™
Mimi Dolly Guli – A Journey of Many Hearts
Part 4 – Fighting Back
The outbreak spread through the CatsHope™ colony with a speed none of us had ever experienced before.
Although many of the cats displayed similar symptoms, no two responded in exactly the same way.
Some developed only mild symptoms and recovered within a couple of days. A few appeared to recover, only to suffer a brief relapse before bouncing back just as quickly.
Others faced a much longer battle.
Mimi, Kimi, Tami, Angel, Rockie and Tara all experienced more prolonged recoveries. Each required different levels of care, treatment and close monitoring.
Mimi, (CatsHope™ Resident)
One of several CatsHope™ residents who experienced a longer recovery during the outbreak.
Photograph © CatsHope™
Kimi and Mimi eventually needed veterinary treatment and antibiotics when their symptoms persisted.
Rockie became another major concern.
He stopped eating completely. A cat refusing food quickly becomes a medical concern, so he too was taken to the veterinarian for treatment and support.
“When Love Meant One More Mouthful”
When Angel and Rockie stopped eating, every small amount of nourishment became precious. Syringe feeding required patience, perseverance and hope.
Photograph © CatsHope™
But our greatest concern was Angel.Her condition steadily deteriorated.
She stopped eating altogether. She developed diarrhoea and repeatedly vomited whatever little food we managed to get into her. Her beautiful white coat became badly soiled, and much of each day was spent gently cleaning her, nursing her and trying everything possible to encourage her to eat.
Despite everything, we tried to keep our spirits up. We jokingly called her our “little calico cat” because her once-pristine white coat had become stained during her illness.
We attempted to syringe-feed her, but Angel fought us every step of the way. The tiny amounts we managed to get into her were often vomited back up again. Despite our best efforts, she was effectively going without food.
Day after day we hoped she would suddenly decide to eat.
Day after day she refused.
By the sixth day, it was painfully clear that she needed more help than we could provide.
Angel
Angel’s condition deteriorated despite intensive nursing at home, eventually requiring emergency hospitalisation.
Photograph © CatsHope™
Angel was admitted to hospital, where she received intensive veterinary care. It was one of the most frightening moments in CatsHope™’s history.
While Angel fought for her life in hospital, the rest of the colony still depended on us.
Every day settled into a demanding routine.
Temperatures were checked repeatedly.
Medication schedules had to be followed.
Supplements such as Lysine, IGG and SOD tea became part of our daily routine where appropriate.
Cats reluctant to eat needed patience, encouragement and constant monitoring.
Food bowls, litter trays, bedding and living areas required continual cleaning and disinfection.
Sleep became a luxury.
Emotionally, it was exhausting.
Financially, it was overwhelming.
But there was no choice except to keep going.
Every small improvement became a victory.
A cat asking for breakfast again.
A fever finally breaking.
Bright eyes replacing watery ones.
A little more energy.
Another day without a setback.
Throughout it all, Mimi Dolly Guli quietly continued her own rehabilitation. She never asked to become part of one of the most difficult chapters in CatsHope™’s history, yet her journey had become forever intertwined with ours.
By the time Mimi Dolly Guli left to begin her new life with Tracy, the battle at CatsHope™ was far from over.
The outbreak continued for many more weeks.
Some cats recovered quickly, only to relapse. Others developed lingering symptoms that required ongoing treatment and close monitoring. It would take almost two months before the colony gradually began returning to normal.
Even then, recovery was not measured in days or weeks, but in patience, perseverance and countless small victories.
The epidemic had changed CatsHope™ forever.
But through determination, teamwork, veterinary care and a great deal of love, every cat was given the opportunity to fight.
And one by one, they did.
“Every Little Bit Helped”
Supplements became an important part of our daily care, helping to support each cat’s recovery alongside veterinary treatment, nutrition and nursing.
Article By Tiffany Argent.
