Thursday, April 25, 2013

Wylla's Chi is Flowing

Wylla's eating well and keeping most of her meals down but this girl just doesn't want to grow. She's still just a hair above two pounds, which is about a pound and a half behind where a kitten should be at her age.  This is completely normal for a kitten with Megaesophagus.

I've been doing research on Mega-E and read that acupuncture has helped some dogs and cats with this condition.  It can help stimulate those muscles that aren't functioning like they should.

Tacoma has a great vet who practices acupuncture, so I scheduled an appointment for Wylla, and we paid her a visit this week.  

Wylla did so great and was calm through the whole session. She only flinched one teeny bit when the tiny needles were inserted in her belly, backside, bum, forehead and one of her paws.   Once the needles were in,  they had to remain for ten minutes, so she sat and waited quietly.  She was the perfectly patient patient.  I think our doctor was impressed with how well she did too - most kittens her age aren't so good at being still.

With just one session, it's hard to see if it's made a difference, but since the appointment it does seem that her appetite has been stronger, she hasn't seemed as gulpy and burpy and her energy level has been great.   We've got a few appointments scheduled over the next few weeks and I'm curious to see how her body responds to further treatment.

I didn't want to bring my camera for her first visit, but I will try to get some photos next time.

Instead, here are a few post-acupuncture pictures of our adorable girl.   I think her chi is flowing.



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54 comments:

  1. She is just the cutest little thing! Too little, I guess, but still - it suits her! Everything EXCEPT here tininess reminds me of my late Aggie -- her markings, her big round eyes, her long coat.... So cute!

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  2. Oh my goodness... she just slays me with the cute! Photo #3 in particular. Squee!

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    1. Totally dead from #3 too!!

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  3. i hope she grows but she might always be small.

    one of my cats: Bellatrix LaFluffyPants is a purebreed maine coon (from a shelter), at almost 4 years old she is a full 8lbs and thats after 6 months of really trying to get her weight up. she gets food whenever she wants unlike her 17lbs oriental shorthair mix who gets his favorite dry food only during meal times.

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    1. Yep, I have a Maine Coon mix that tops out at just shy of eight pounds. She's a tiny little thing, but perfectly healthy. She had a rough start in life - she was rescued from a hoarder along with 66 other cats when she was about eight weeks old - and we figure she just didn't get all the vital nutrients she needed at that young age and it stunted her growth.

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    2. I have a little calico that's only about eight pounds too! She showed up at my house last year and is about 5-7 years old. She was starving when I found her (or she found me, I should say!) and was barely over 6lbs. The vet put her on a very generous diet and she was crazy for food for awhile. I hope Wylla grows to her "just right" size too!

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  4. I just want to snuggle her! She's so adorable.

    P.S. Your commitment to her health is admirable...

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  5. Oh that darling. Best of health wee Wylla and keep that chi flowing!

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  6. I don't subscribe to alternate medicine and such for me and my cats, but I'd be remiss if I didn't admit I think it made her cuter.

    She looks really happy, so you must be doing something right!

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  7. I so wish I could take care of this beautiful little girl.

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  8. Thanks for the update on how she is doing. I do hope this helps her.

    Purrs,
    JC

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  9. I believe Wylla must be the best.kitten.ever!!! I love my 4 cats like crazy, but they can all be brats at times, so I feel no guilt in giving this title to Wylla! ;)

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  10. Acupuncture is great! Turned around my carpal tunnel. Even the gov't has ok'd it for certain problems. I hope it helps. Most times the needles don't hurt, but when they do pinch, it usually means that spot really needed it. The sessions when that happens are generally the ones I found most helpful.

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  11. Please let us know if we can help with these treatments financially!

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  12. Wylla, you are a wonder! You had me fooled because your pics make you look bigger than you really are. I think that floof adds some pounds (wish I could use that as an excuse!) Such a sweet Zen kitten!

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  13. Have to agree Wylla looks very zen. Can't express enough how happy I am that Wylla is with you and and you take such pains to facilitate her well being and growth. You are the best foster mom ever (!) and I say a prayer for you every day.... and one for Wylla too. She's just too sweet for words.

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  14. Wow, that's so great that this is an option for her, and what a good and patient patient she is -- amazing!! Sending out fervent wishes for the hoped-for muscle stimulation, and continued improvement.

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  15. I think this sweet girl is destined to live with an older couple - she is obviously so chill and relaxed and just ideal to be paired one day with a couple who are equally the same and ready to just devote their time to her well being. I can already picture her sitting on her new mom's lap while she reads a good book by a window, both with content smiles on their faces.

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  16. Thank you for taking such good care of this darling and really stunning little girl! :)

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  17. You are just really incredible. Wylla is too, of course, but only because of your fastidious care.

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  18. You know, she looks so perfect. It's hard to believe she's so much smaller than a kitten without megaesophagus would be. Did I say she looks so perfect?

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  19. Sweet little Wylla. I hope the acupuncture works, she would make the perfect kitty for someone. She is so adorable, I just want to snuggle her!

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  20. Wylla is the ultimate Zen Kitten, what a little darling she is! Amazing how she accepts the treatments, sure hope they work as intended and she gets all better ASAP!

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  21. I am sure I'm not alone in saying that Wylla holds a special place in my heart. She's been doing so since before we knew she was sick... it might be the poof? But I am just SO happy that she's doing well and that she has such an amazing foster mom!

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  22. I am sure I am not the only one who feels this way, but Wylla holds a special place in my heart. She's done so since before we even knew she was sick... it must be the poof? At any rate, I'm so happy to know that she's doing so well, and that she has such an amazing foster mom!

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  23. Facsinating to hear about acupuncture used by vets. Hope you're able to get some photos during treatment next time if Wylla permits. And hope she responds positively to treatment. She is an adorable kitten. Wish I lived near Tacoma - I'd adopt her in a heartbeat!

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  24. Aww! She just overflows with adorable! And I just can't get enough of that permanent, cute expression on her face. Then when she makes a cute face on purpose, Gah!!!!

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  25. I am super impressed that she sat still for 10 minutes. I think that all her calories are used to grow and maintain all that adorable floof.

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  26. Love that last upside-down earless picture. She looks so impish!
    One of the vets at the practice my cats patronize does accupuncture w/ great results. I am personally in favor of it: payback time for all those. 'Catupuncture' sessions the cats have influcted on me...

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  27. Wylla is so adorable! I wish I lived closer - I'd be at the top of the list for her!

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  28. The last photo is great! I hope this is successful.

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  29. She is just precious. I would LOVE to take care of wee baby Wylla. She's my favorite of all time.

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  30. Wylla is a real star, I love all the pictures of her today, thank you
    It will be very interesting to see how she does with the acupuncture

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  31. I am so glad you are able to have Wylla try acupuncture treatments! I am a scientist in real life, and until last year had no truck with alternative medicine. But then, when my 18 year old cat's veterinarian suggested a series of acupuncture treatments for her arthritis which impeded her hind legs, I agreed to it. It took a few treatments but gradually we saw some good change. She just turned 19 and is a spry old-lady tortie!Interestingly, once the needles are in, she just Zens out as well - sometimes even falling asleep!
    I hope Wylla's treatments help her, too! Yay for you and the shelter for taking this out-of-the-usual step to help this precious girl!

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  32. Wylla, let your chi flow! And above all, grow and grow! I´ve got all my fingers and toes crossed for the perfect family for this beautiful perfect girl since N.J. is too far away for her fly.

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  33. I am not surprised that Wylla seemed to embrace the experience. She has a sweet, wise expression and has adapted so nicely to the "harsh" reality of post-meal cuddling and her dining counter.

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  34. Hey, Acupuncture works for me! At least once per week I get a dose of needles to help with an autoimmune condition that's pretty severe. I am so glad for Wylla that there is a vet in Tacoma that works with acu; and that her people helpers are willing to give her the chance! I have read from many people that use acupuncture with pets and working animals to great success!

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  35. such a sweetie! Hope this helps her. and as others have said, you totally rock for all the time and energy you spend with her, esp what we don't see. Thanks!

    Linda

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  36. Laurie, you make the world a better place with the beautiful care you give this precious creature.

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  37. Thank goodness this little sweetie pie ended up at the Humane Society. Whoever is responsible for that should be hugged.

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  38. ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeow

    Such a sweet face. Also loving the last upside-down pic, which kinda reminds me of my turbo tabby.

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  39. Thank you Laurie for trying this to help this little girl. Will Wylla reach "normal" weight with mega-E? Such a dear little soul. Mary A

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  40. Oh Wylla, I wish I could take you home, I luuuuuv you so much. And Laurie, you are the best foster momkitty EVER! <3

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  41. I do hope it helps! Oh my gosh, she is just the cutest little thing! she looks perfectly relaxed

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  42. I saw this gif and thought of little Wylla. Maybe you guys can build something like this for her? ;)

    http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_magr2qqQb61r63wjwo1_250.gif

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  43. All that food might just be going to floof.

    K from MN

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  44. Wee Wylla may have had a bit of a rough start, but no one can say she's not thriving to her utmost under your care, Laurie. You really do a marvelous job for your babies, and especially for this special needs baby. I know Wylla is going to have a good life thanks to all you've put into giving her the best possible start. And I can believe her chi is flowing; I've had acupuncture myself where I can actually feel it, and it's the most healthy, invigorating, yet relaxing feeling imaginable! It's no surprise she's so relaxed in these post-acu pictures!

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  45. OMG this little girl is impossibly cute. Those eyes! And it's fascinating to learn there is such a thing as veterinary acupuncture out there! I do hope it helps her. I've been considering acupuncture myself for my chronic migraines...

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  46. Thank you for taking care of her. It makes my heart happy.

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  47. thank you for taking care of her. It makes my heart happy.

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  48. When my husband had difficulties swallowing after major oral surgery, acupuncture made a huge difference. Hope that it has the same benefits for little Miss Wylla.

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  49. She's so freaking cute!! <3

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