Update from Bella January 2010
Bella at 15 months is still only one and half pounds. Bella recently had a severe attack due to her cerebellum which controls all the motor skills. Bella was rushed to NY, as they really are the only ones that know what Bella can and can not have due to her liver ammonia problem and the quantity of meds she can handle at a pound and a half.
Her cerebellum problem seems to be getting worse and she is currently on predisone and anti-inflammatory medication to try to reduce the brain inflammation. Some cats can live with the cerebellum issues, but Bella;s seems to be progressing which is not a good sign at this time. Bella has had two more attacks but only a few seconds and not as severe.
Please keep her in your prayers!
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Bella's August Update
About a month ago, Bella was not doing too well, she was sluggish and very finicky with food due to her diet restrictions. Bella also contracted a fast spreading yeast infection all over her face, causing her to loose fur and she seemed very uncomfortable. With another trip to the Animal Medical Center, she had to meet another doctor, a dermatologist, who immediately cultured her skin, and prescribed medicine for the Yeast infection.
Originally the doctors had hoped if Bella maintained a low protein diet, there would be some improvement. However, with Bella being a finicky eater, there was little improvement. The key was to keep the ammonia level down, with low protein. Getting scared for Bella, we had also done some research and found a homeopathic medicine that has been know to reduce the ammonia levels in the body, which if worked, would make Bella very comfortable. After consulting with her doctors, we decided to give this a try. In addition, the AMC doctors also prescribed an immune booster for Bella.
It has been over a month now, and Bella is responding well. She has more energy, playfulness and even finds the energy to chase her sister, Heidi. Her appetite is still at times finicky, but we work with her in alternating foods to keep her interest. Since it is more important that she eat, we do go out of the restricted diet at times. We really do not know which medicine, or if it is the combination of medicines, that are resulting in Bella's positive feedback.
Bella's medicines exceed over $ 200.00 every 6 weeks. Since she is doing well and responding, her doctors do not want to make any changes at this time, but may in the future.
Thank you to everyone who helped with Bella's expenses, and those who continue to help!
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About a month ago, Bella was not doing too well, she was sluggish and very finicky with food due to her diet restrictions. Bella also contracted a fast spreading yeast infection all over her face, causing her to loose fur and she seemed very uncomfortable. With another trip to the Animal Medical Center, she had to meet another doctor, a dermatologist, who immediately cultured her skin, and prescribed medicine for the Yeast infection.
Originally the doctors had hoped if Bella maintained a low protein diet, there would be some improvement. However, with Bella being a finicky eater, there was little improvement. The key was to keep the ammonia level down, with low protein. Getting scared for Bella, we had also done some research and found a homeopathic medicine that has been know to reduce the ammonia levels in the body, which if worked, would make Bella very comfortable. After consulting with her doctors, we decided to give this a try. In addition, the AMC doctors also prescribed an immune booster for Bella.
It has been over a month now, and Bella is responding well. She has more energy, playfulness and even finds the energy to chase her sister, Heidi. Her appetite is still at times finicky, but we work with her in alternating foods to keep her interest. Since it is more important that she eat, we do go out of the restricted diet at times. We really do not know which medicine, or if it is the combination of medicines, that are resulting in Bella's positive feedback.
Bella's medicines exceed over $ 200.00 every 6 weeks. Since she is doing well and responding, her doctors do not want to make any changes at this time, but may in the future.
Thank you to everyone who helped with Bella's expenses, and those who continue to help!
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| Help Save Bella |
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Bella’s Story
At over 6 months old, Bella weighs only 1.5 lbs. Bella needs our help to get through these tough times and help find answers for her medical condition.
Bella was found at 6 weeks old, an only kitten quiet and reserved. Once Bella was tested for the regular Feline ailments Aids & Leukemia, she was placed with other kittens, her play time seemed limited as she would tire easily. From the early age of 8 weeks old her days have been filled with doctor visits and hospitals, all searching for answers for her lack of growth. Doctors were puzzled by her dwarf size.
At the Animal Medical Center in NY, Bella’s diagnosis finally included: Proportionate dwarfism, deafness, and Hyperammonemia in her urease cycle, which is the process for ammonia production and removal through the gastrointestinal system, including the liver and kidneys. Many times with Hyperammonemia, specific enzymes may not be producing correctly, or to their fullest capability. Anxiously we await Bella’s tests, submitted to the University of PA, for enzyme deficiency. Many times these deficiencies build up ammonia and result in neurologic signs. Bella occasionally has slight head and paw tremors.
Our hopes are to identify the enzyme Bella is lacking, which will allow us to provide supplement, to help her system to function. Little is known about these ammonia enzyme deficiency disorders, and is poorly described in literature. Bella must maintain a strict diet low in protein. With this diet and once we identify and supplement the missing enzymes, we are hopeful Bella will become more active and enjoy a real life.
Bella may be small in size, but she is so very big in personality. She is full of spunk, lets you know when she is hungry, and also when she doesn’t want to be held anymore. Bella’s knee cap often pops out of socket but she knows exactly how to straighten her knee to fix the problem. Her adorable way of running looks more like a rabbit hopping and her meows seem to be more like chirpy noises. She is so full of life!
Bella needs to be monitored through blood tests and through her physical daily activities. . We hope her tremors associated with her high ammonia count remain stable, and that enzyme supplementation is possible. Bella’s medical expenses have accumulated over the months to over $4,000 and continue to grow in search of answers, to give this little beautiful girl a chance at life.
If you would like to donate to help with Bella’s growing medical expenses, please make a donation through PayPal for Bella’s Fund (below) or Mail your donation to S.T.A.R.T., c/o Bella, P.O. Box 1098 ,Little Falls, NJ 07424
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