Halloween is a time when ghastly creatures roam the streets, strange occurrences take flight and superstitions seek rebirth from those who believe.<\/p>\n
It is only fitting, then, that the topic of black cats and bad luck comes up.<\/p>\n
Are they really associated with bad luck?<\/p>\n
We see a lot of black cat patients and, in our hospital, the superstition does not hold true. In fact, I remember one ebony feline who himself was quite lucky.<\/p>\n
Mr. Sanchez rushed into our clinic with a bundle in his arms. A mournful sound came from the oversized towel placed on the exam table.<\/p>\n
“Doc, I don’t know what happened to Simon. I came home and heard him wailing over and over again. I found him pulling himself across the dining room floor, dragging his rear legs. I think they must be broken.”<\/p>\n
Frazzled, Mr. Sanchez’s hands shook as he opened the towel.<\/p>\n
Our technician Stacy rushed out to get pain medication as I did a quick assessment.<\/p>\n
“Mr. Sanchez, I don’t think Simon has any broken bones. His legs are rigid and cold. As you mentioned, he’s not able to move them. This usually means that a blood clot is blocking circulation to both hind legs.”<\/p>\n
Reaching down, I took a nail trimmer and cut one of Simon’s nails really short. Doing so would normally result in blood weeping from the nail bed, but instead there was none.<\/p>\n
When Stacy returned, I immediately gave Simon an injection to help relieve his pain. Mr. Sanchez gently cradled his buddy while humming a soft familiar tune. I started to discuss options, including euthanasia.<\/p>\n
“It’s not his time, Doc, it’s not his time.” Tears welled. “Simon came with me to Hawaii. It’s just the two of us now, you see. I would do anything for him.”<\/p>\n
Mr. Sanchez was holding it together, but barely.<\/p>\n
I explained that cases like Simon’s are not uncommon. During the exam, I noticed a profound heart murmur. This usually means that he has a heart condition, as many older cats do. The abnormal blood flow in the heart causes a blood clot to form that eventually travels out of the heart and lodges in the arteries that enter the rear legs. His prognosis was poor.<\/p>\n
“We have meds to help Simon,” I explained, “but the best medication is only found at human hospitals because of the expense.”<\/p>\n
Looking up, Mr. Sanchez said, “I want to give Simon the best chance possible. If you can find the medication, I’ll pay for it.”<\/p>\n
After several phone calls, the medication needed for Simon was found, but it came with a $2,000 price tag. Mr. Sanchez rushed out and within an hour returned with the bottle. All we could do now was wait and hope for the best.<\/p>\n
The next morning Simon walked about his cage as if the night before was just a bad dream. Mr. Sanchez had saved his buddy.<\/p>\n
A year later, Simon died from his heart condition, but Mr. Sanchez was more prepared when it happened.<\/p>\n
“No regrets …” he said. It was quite a sum to pay for Simon’s life, but Mr. Sanchez didn’t even hesitate to pay the $2,000.<\/p>\n
Simon was truly a lucky cat. Although, if you asked Mr. Sanchez, he would insist that he was the lucky one.<\/p>\n
Dr. John Kaya is the director of the Windward Community College veterinary technician program and associate veterinarian for VCA University Animal Hospital.<\/I><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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