30th January 2008: Soc's Appeal is launched

Socrates is a 5 year old, tabby mitted, Ragdoll cat and he is currently in the care of the UKRCC, with a foster family. As is the case with all Ragdolls that are in our care, Socs was taken for a health check. He was started on his course of vaccinations and then given a full feline MOT. We were aware that Socs had been on steroids in the past, but contact with his previous vet has revealed that Socs was diagnosed with asthma back in 2006. His breathing is a concern and following his health check, Socs is to be prescribed steroids and will also need an inhaler.

Sadly, Soc’s health check also revealed a more sinister problem. The vet found that he has an eye shake and she believes this is likely to be caused by a neurological disorder. The vet advised that there are many treatments to help continue Soc’s quality of life, but that diagnosis and treatment are expensive and likely to deplete our charitable funds substantially. She suggested that given this information we may not wish to proceed with any further investigation and may need to consider having him put to sleep. The UKRCC has a strict non destruction policy for any Ragdoll, except in cases where they are suffering and veterinary intervention cannot improve the situation. Socs is still young, at just 5 years old and he is a friendly, happy Ragdoll, who has a good quality of life. Although he does not seem to be in any pain or suffering any other symptoms at this time, we feel that in order to do our best for Socs and his future, that we need to proceed with the diagnostic procedures in order to establish a cause, a prognosis and hopefully a treatment, so that we can ensure he has a good quality of life for as long as possible.

Socs will need blood tests and a head scan in the first instance, to establish the cause of the neurological problem and we will then be guided by the vet, as to what course of action to take. Socs, his welfare and happiness will remain our focus and we shall fund all his treatment. Kelly and Steve will be caring for Socs for as long as needed and if necessary, for the rest of his life, with the financial, practical and emotional support of the UKRCC.

We are all shocked and saddened by the news of Soc’s condition, but we are hopeful we can give him a happy life and we shall make sure he receives the very best of love and care.

The UKRCC is a registered charity and all our work is funded by donations. In order to be able to support Socs and fund his diagnosis and treatment, while still remaining viable as a charity for the other Ragdolls, we are going to need raise funds to help cover his vet expenses.

So today the UKRCC are launching Soc’s Appeal.

If you feel you would like to help us in providing the care and veterinary treatment that Socs so desperately needs, then please make a donation. Every penny given will be used to fund his veterinary treatment and maintain an excellent quality of life for him, so he can have as many years of Raggie love and fun as possible.

Thank you for your support

2nd April 2008

It is with an extremely heavy heart that we have to post the following update, but as a charity, we believe in honesty and transparency and we know that many of our supporters are following Socs' story and would wish to know the truth about him.

We took the decision to consult another vet and gain a second opinion on Socs' condition, both his asthma and the neurological problems, as the vet he had been seeing seemed unable to give us adequate answers to the questions we had regards Socs' prognosis. On Friday 14th March, Socs was examined by two vets at a different practice. They felt his asthma was severe, but that the medication he has been prescribed was good and the best for him. They observed the eye shake and also noted a head shake. Socs also 'jumps' on occasion, as if he is frightened, but when there is no cause or reason for the behaviour. The vets felt that all these symptoms suggest that Socs is having mini strokes and that if this is the case, there is no cure and no treatment. They advised that any head scan would cost upwards of £4000, that Socs would need to go to the Royal Veterinary College at Cambridge for this procedure and that a GA would be necessary. The vets feel that there would be nothing to gain from having him scanned, given their opinion about the cause of the eye shake etc. and that given the severity of his asthma that he would be at great risk of dying during the procedure. The vet feels that Socs is a very unwell Raggie and that the prognosis is very poor. It is likely that he will either have a severe asthma attack, which will lead to his death or that he will have a major stroke. The vet cannot say how long Socs has, but we are to expect his life to be cut very short.

So all there is left for us to do is make sure Socs has his medication and in addition, for us to provide palliative care, ensuring that what time he has left is as happy and comfortable as possible. He has a very good quality of life, in that he is not suffering pain, is eating well, is playing and loves his fusses and cuddles. In every sense, Socs acts like a normal, happy Raggie. With Kelly and Steve, he has everything he needs and is loved as if he were one of their own Raggies. The UKRCC remain committed to funding his needs and making sure he is provided with the very best of veterinary and foster care, for the rest of his life. Should there come a time when Socs is suffering, then the UKRCC will ensure that the right thing is done by him.

We all feel so saddened that there is nothing more we can do to secure Socs the long, happy life we had hoped for him and which he deserves, but we will ensure he knows nothing but love and care for the rest of his life. We hope that he is able to have many more happy times yet and that just maybe, for Socs, there will be a miracle and he will prove the vets wrong.

Please keep this very, special little man in your thoughts.

Heart felt thanks to all those who have donated towards Socs’ fund. The money raised will be used to continue to fund his medication and other veterinary expenses, as well as anything else Socs needs to make his life more comfortable. We shall provide Socs with the very best of everything, so that during whatever time he has left, he knows nothing but love, comfort and care. If you would like to help us in caring for Socs, then you can still make a donation via our donation page. Every penny will be used to support him in his foster home.