The Milo Files | A Health Update

I just have to say that the extent to which you have shown such an outpouring of love and concern over Milo's health has been incredibly humbling and touching. I received numerous emails from you this weekend inquiring about his road to recovery, from his recent catastrophic health crisis, and I thought that I should post an update for you.

As you all know, he came back home after a 3 night stay with an emergency vet clinic, and we thought that he was in the clear. However, he was misdiagnosed, and treated, for pneumonia and hyperthyroidism– neither of which were illnesses for which he needed medical intervention and treatment. In fact, his "pneumonia" was asthma, and he didn't have hyperthyroidism at all. The medications that we had to administer for hyperthyroidism made him physically sick, he couldn't keep food down, and as a result he lost a full pound in less than 2 weeks. At the time that we took him to our regular vet poor Milo was looking scrawny and quite ill. Furthermore, and most shockingly, the emergency vet clinic, who performed lots of labs and tests, failed to mention that there was a sizable mass on one of Milo's lungs. Our vet ran tests, including an ultrasound, and conclusively diagnosed that the mass was a benign cyst. Milo was taken off of all of the meds prescribed by the emergency clinic, and is home recuperating.

All signs point to a full recovery, but he is being treated for asthma, and the inhaler is the bane of his existence. His energy is beginning to rebound, he is no longer reclusive and he has a healthy appetite. Therefore, we are finally optimistic about his prognosis. Thank you again for your much appreciated compassion! xo, Helen

Milo is Coming Home Tonight!

Milo is coming home tonight! We spoke to the vet yesterday and Milo is off of oxygen and he was transitioned from IV to oral antibiotics. The vet wanted to keep him one more night for close observation to ensure that Milo was stable enough to come home today. Therefore, notwithstanding an unforeseen medical setback he will be back home today. He will be on antibiotics for a while longer, but his prognosis for a full recovery is quite good. Thank you again for your outpouring of well-wishes and Milo love– I appreciate it more than you can imagine! xo,Helen

Milo's Health Update

(Taken a few weeks ago)

First, I want to thank all of you for your outpouring of love and support for Milo. The good news is that he is responding favorably to the IV antibiotics and the Oxygen Chamber therapy. The bad news is that the vet felt both were indicated longer, and therefore Milo had to spend a second night in the hospital. His breathing is improving, and they were going to wean him off of the oxygen beginning last night at about 8:00PM, and the hope is that today he will be ready for oral antibiotics. If all goes as planned, then he will be able to come home today, but he will still have a long road to full recovery. While he still looks and behaves like the kitten that we brought home 15 years ago– he is a senior cat, and therefore he's a bit less resilient than he once was. Pneumonia in cats is no small thing to contend with, but he has been receiving excellent medical care. Please keep your good vibes coming! xo, Helen & Lola