Sherbert Time!

Sherbert went back to NC State Tuesday for some more testing. His doctors have been able to rule a lot of things out but still have no definitive diagnosis.



He went through Neuro and was rechecked and they deemed him to be doing the same. They then anesthetized him and did an Electromyogram.

An electromyogram (EMG) is a test that is used to record the electrical activity of muscles. When muscles are active, they produce an electrical current. This current is usually proportional to the level of the muscle activity. An EMG is also referred to as a myogram.
EMGs can be used to detect abnormal electrical activity of muscle that can occur in many diseases and conditions, including muscular dystrophy, inflammation of muscles, pinched nerves, peripheral nerve damage (damage to nerves in the arms and legs), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myasthenia gravis, disc herniation, and others.

An EMG is often performed when patients have unexplained muscle weakness. The EMG helps to distinguish between muscle conditions in which the problem begins in the muscle and muscle weakness due to nerve disorders. The EMG can also be used to detect true weakness, as opposed to weakness from reduced use because of pain or lack of motivation. EMGs can also be used to isolate the level of nerve irritation or injury.

We, the neurosurgeon and I, had already discussed if they would take biopsies of the nerves and the muscle. Taking a biopsy of the nerves can often cause permanent damage and leave the animal worse off than before the biopsy. Taking muscle biopsies causes little to no problems. I chose not to have nerve biopsies done and they seemed to be on the same page. Muscle biopsies were done once they got in there b/c his muscles did look a little odd. Those biopsy results should be back later this week.

If you look close you can see one incision on his shoulder..



and one on his knee...



Sherbert spent Tuesday night, after the procedure and surgery, at State and I was able to pick him up late Wednesday. This little jaunt cost $709.08 :-( bringing Sherbert's bill to $3710.00.

Where are we now? We just know what he does not have, which is a very long list of things. I may, or may not, know more when his doctor calls me. For now, Sherbert is enjoying bathing in the sun at the adoption center and is accepting visitors! We have raised a little over $2200 towards his tests and treatment. YAY!!! Thank you for your prayers, donations, and support!

Sherbert sends his love!

Sherbert Update

Poor little guy has shaven spots all over him!




Sherbert spent last Wednesday through Friday at the vet. school and is under the care of two excellent doctors (a senior neurologist and an internal medicine doctor) and one very compassionate veterinary student. They all love Sherbie and are giving him lots of love while they have him.

Wednesday the neuro department gave him a full exam, chemistry panel, and other miscellaneous tests including a heartworm test. He was also tested for Toxoplasmosis. His blood work was pretty much normal except that he showed a little anemia which surprised me. They then x-rayed his spine and lumbar region. No abnormalities. At that point they had their head ortho doctor look at him. Nothing was found.

On Thursday Sherbert had an MRI and a cerebrospinal tap. Again, no abnormalities. Rachel, the student, and Dr. Lennon, the internal med. doctor, were extremely good about calling me after each anesthesia and at the beginning and end of each day.

Sherbert was able to come home Friday afternoon, along with his bill of $2513.63. We were extremely fortunate to get $1000 donated towards Sherbert's bill by an anonymous donor to the vet. school! I have collected about another $800 from individual donors! Thank you so much for your donations and words of encouragement! More donations are still needed!

This morning Sherbert went back to State for further diagnostics. They performed nerve conduction tests on him while he was under anesthesia. Barring no problems, we'll go back to get him tomorrow and have a consult with the doctors.

Send good thoughts and prayers his way. The testing today was the roughest for him yet. Thanks to all of you!

Sherbert Update from 8-14-09

Thank you for all your inquiries about Sherbert! Many thanks to everyone that has made a donation to Sherbert's rising medical bill. Donations are still welcomed as his bill is not nearly covered.

Sherbert is still in Raleigh. Today he had an MRI and a spinal tap. At 5:30 this evening they were still waiting for the senior neurologist to look over his results.

Sherbert will be able to come home tomorrow afternoon but he must return to the Veterinary School next week for some electrode testing.

Sherbert's primary doctor said he did very well with the anesthesia and testing today. You can visit Sherbert Saturday from 11am-3 and Sunday from 1-4pm at the Next Step Adoption Center. We are asking that he is handled as little as possible as he will be very sore for a few days. But...petting and belly rubs are encouraged.

Thank you for your prayers and positive energy for Sherbert!

Sherbert Needs Your Help

Sherbert's Story

Sherbert is almost 2 years old. He was rescued last year when his owners moved from an apartment complex leaving him behind. If you have met him you know how special he is. He is the type of cat that makes a lasting impression. He is "the" typical sweet male orange tabby! He plays with the baby kittens at the Next Step Adoption Center and will roll around with the most energetic of puppies. He definitely has "special' written all over him.

In the late Fall of 2008 Sherbert developed some neurological problems that have kept him from being adopted. Dr. Mark Brigham, at Greensboro Veterinary Hospital, has been baffled by Sherbert. He has probed, x-rayed, and treated Sherbert as much as he feels his education taught him to.

Sherbert has been referred to the NC State School of Veterinary Medicine. He is now there for testing, more x-rays, and an MRI and a spinal tap. We hope to get a diagnosis for Sherbert so that he can one day be a healthy kitty but this comes with a high price tag. Approximately $3200. As I write this Sherbert is undergoing testing at State.

I am sending out this appeal to ask for donations to help pay for Sherbert's medical care. Every donation, no matter how small, helps.






Donations can be made via this blog, at www.arfpnc.com, or mailed to ARFP, PO Box 77393, Greensboro, NC 27417.