Fierce Fighter Day: Remembering Pixie

My friends at Whiskers and Purrs have declared today Fierce Fighter Day. Here is what they said about this special day:

On this very special day, we is askin' that our dear friends on the innernets remember all of the Ones That Came Before that have bravely fought battles with cancer, FIP, diabetes, or any other struggle, and have now gone on to watch over us. These brave little soldiers fought long and hard to be with us but the only way they could win the battle was to go on to heaven.

So today, I am taking time to remember my big sister, Pixie.

Pixie was diagnosed with Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy when she was just a few years old. She was very brave, and tolerated twice-yearly visits to her cardiologist for ultrasounds and other testing. Every day, Pixie took her medicines without complaining or biting. She had to take Lasix, Atenolol, Plavix, and Enalapril.

Since she did not feel well, Pixie did not like to play or jump around very much. But she was happy to sit quietly, as long as she was near my Mommie. And Pixie would meow loudly with happiness when she got her ears rubbed.

Pixie did not really enjoy modeling, so she was not on the blog very often. But you know she loved her bananers!

Here is a movie we made a couple of years ago of Pixie eating a delicious bananer treat. She had some every day! If you cannot see the video, you can click HERE for another version.

Pixie never complained about having this terrible illness. But, finally, her heart got very, very tired and Pixie could not even stand without becoming breathless. Her last day was spent snuggling with my Mommie. Then, Pixie made her final trip to the vet, and she did not return. I miss you very much, Pixie. I hope they have a lot of bananers at the Rainbow Bridge.

Pixie
9/25/95 - 9/14/08

Fierce Fighter Day: Remembering Pixie

Doctor Daisy Learns Cardiology

Lately, I have been so busy that I have been neglecting my medical studies. You know, my big sister Pixie has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This means her heart is very sick. So, I have decided to take the Advanced course in cardiology to try to help heal Pixie's heart.

Pixie: Daisy, I saved up all of my allowance! Will you take my case?

Daisy: Pixie, I could never take your money. Let me study your case and see if I can fix you all up. First, I will need to practice the operation on my test subject.

Daisy: Hmmm, I think I see the problem here. The heart is broked. I must repair it without making the nose light up.

Daisy: I will first practice with my trusty tweezers scalpel.

Daisy: This is much harder than I thought. If nobody is looking...

...I will use my teeths instead. Do not worry, I brushed before the operation. This means my teeths are sterilized.

Daisy: Pixie, the operation is much too hard for me. See for yourself.

Pixie: Oh, I see, I see.

Daisy: I am very sorry Pixie. I will keep studying my hardest and maybe one day, I can cure you. For now, you must keep taking your medicines every day, and visit your regular cardiologist every six months.

Pixie: Do not worry, Daisy! I love you.
Daisy: I love you too, Pixie.
Pixie: Can I have a bananer now?

Learn more about Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, or donate to research on this disease, by going to The Ricky Fund for HCM Research at the Winn Feline Foundation

Doctor Daisy Learns Cardiology

Where I prove that I am the Good cat

It is me again, Pixie! Everybody thinks that Daisy is the Good cat and I am the Bad cat. Today, I am going to prove that I am the true Good cat. Most of you already know that I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Here are all my medicines. I take all FOUR medicines, every single day. Only a Good cat would do that. Here are some of the prizes I won from Monty Q's "Who Do You Love" Valentine contest. I think you will agree that my Ode to a Bananer could only have been written by a Good cat.

I am testing out the fancy new bed. I am already a little bit nervous...
... because Daisy is on her way to check out MY prizes.
Next, Daisy started a fight!
Who is being the Bad cat now? Daisy!
My new bed was left in a shambles.
So I groomed it right again.

I even modeled my new shirt like a professional model. I have not had as much practice as Daisy, but I think I still did a good job.

So, now I ask you: Who's the Good Kitty? PIXIE!

Where I prove that I am the Good cat

Thursday 13, Edition #40: My sister Pixie

In honor of Pixie's birthday this week, I am going to tell you 13 things about Pixie!

1. Even though she loves bananers, she always waits patiently by her food dish to get her morning serving of bananer pieces. She is very polite.
2. She also loves cheeses.
   
3. After her visit to the cardiologist this month, she changed medicines. She does not take Spironalactone or Diltiazem any more. Now she takes Enalapril, Plavix, Lasix and Atenolol. These medicines are for her cardiomyopathy.
   
4. Pixie loves getting her ears rubbed and makes funny little meow noises when my Mommie gives her ears a massage.
5. She has a very colorful heart! Here are some pictures from her ultrasound that prove it:
6. Pixie likes to hiss. A lot! And when she growls, she sounds like a siren. Sometimes my Mommie calls her Piccolo-Pete. Or, just "Picky."
   
7. When she goes number 2 in the litterbox, Pixie does not like to get her feets in the litter, so she perches on the very edge of the box. She is very proud of this skill. If you want to see a picture of this, click here. But I will understand if you do not want to go there.
   
8. Pixie is the very first Devon Rex cat my Mommie ever got. And Pixie was such a good cat that she got me, next!
9. She likes fresh catnip that grows in dirt. I only like the dried up kind.
10. Pixie does not know how to tell funny jokes. And when I tell her my jokes, she does not laugh.
11. She has almost no furs left on her undercarriage. So, sometimes she leaves dirt from her tummy on the things she sleeps on.
12. Sometimes Pixie growls at me. But it is never my fault. Nope. Because I am the good one.
13. I love my sister very much.

Thursday 13, Edition #40: My sister Pixie

Pixie's Heart Report

Hi everybody! It's me, Pixie. I went to see my cardiologist a few days ago. I guess I am getting a little bit worse, and they said I was in atrial fibrillation. But do not worry, I am still feeling okay. Here is what my report said:

Diagnosis: Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy, severe left atrial enlargement. Progressive left ventricular hypertrophy, left atrial enlargement. Spontaneous echogenic contrast in left atrium.

Recommendations: Severe progressive underlying structural heart disease is present and secondary to heart muscle disease. This is complicated by a concurrent arrhythmia. Patient is at high risk for spontaneous onset of congestive heart failure or clot formation. Recommend adjustment in current medications. Continue to monitor for heavy, difficult or labored breathing, sudden lameness, etc., and seek immediate veterinary attention if seen.

Comments: EKG: Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate response. No pericardial or pleural effusion, no ascites. Severe MR and systolic turbulence in LVOT. Moderately elevated/dynamic aortic outflows, normal pulmonic outflows. Mitral inflows moderately elevated (E waves only - no evidence of atrial activity). Severe, progressive concentric LVH with mild decline in myocardial contractility (actually improved since previous exam). Hyperechoic endocardium with prominent papillary muscles. No evidence of SAM, IVSH is creating the obstruction. Extremely severe left atrial enlargement with spontaneous echogenic contrast. Normal right atrial size.

Whew! Those are some big words. I do not understand much of that, but I must be important to get all those fancy tests. I think it just means my heart is a little sick. I am going to take a little nap now. And eat a bananer.

ps: I forgot to say that my birthday is almost here! It is on 9/25. I will be twelve years old! This means I am almost a teenager. I hope I get a bananer for my birthday.

Pixie's Heart Report

I am helping Pixie!!!

I am very excited today! My great friends Jake and Bathsheba sponsored a very fun contest. The winner is the 15th post on their 200th blog entry. And guess what? I WON! And the prize is a $50 donation to an animal charity of my choice, and a $25 gift card to Petsmart. Here I am telling Pixie the fantastic news! I decided the donation in my name should go to the Winn Feline Foundation. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting health related studies about medical problems affecting cats. Winn's goals are to improve feline veterinary care and help us cats live longer and healthier lives!

Donations to Winn can be made to one of several funds, including a General Fund, the Bria Fund (for FIP research), Breed-related projects, Specific disease funds, and the Ricky Fund. The Ricky Fund is for studies related to feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). I asked to have the donation earmarked for the Ricky Fund!

As you might know, my big sister Pixie has a very advanced case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I am very proud to be able to help support research on this terrible disease. And I am very grateful to my friends Jake and Bathsheba for this chance to help cats like Pixie who have HCM. I think Pixie is smiling (on the inside.)

And now I am off for my shopping spree!
Thank you very much Jake and Bathsheba!

I am helping Pixie!!!