Frosty was a beautiful 9 year old American Shorthair who the world lost late last month. Frosty’s owner, Carlene, obtained her from Ironforge Cats Cattery in Marysville, WA. She was a gentle, sweet, dainty and exquisitely beautiful retired foundation queen that immediately stole Carlene’s heart.
Unfortunately, Frosty began vomiting one day in February of 2015, which began to progress in frequency and severity. She was brought in to see Dr. Kraabel DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline) at Lien Animal Clinic for evaluation. Frosty’s vomiting persisted and it was decided that exploratory surgery was warranted. Dr. Kraabel found a cyst between her small and large intestines that was removed. Biopsies of the cyst were submitted, and found to be benign. Afterwards, Frosty improved and returned to her jumping, playful self again.
Frosty began vomiting again in the spring of 2016. She was referred over to Animal Medical Center of Seattle’s Internal Medicine department to see Dr. Donovan DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine) for an upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscope. This is the moment sweet Frosty entered the lives and hearts of everyone here at the Animal Medical Center of Seattle. Biopsies from the endoscopy revealed that Frosty had helicobacter, which was treated with antibiotics, and inflammatory bowel disease, which was treated with steroids.
Over the summer of 2016, Frosty’s pain and vomiting increased, as did trips to Dr. Kraabel, Dr. Donovan, and the ER staff at Animal Medical Center of Seattle. One early November 2016 night, Carlene heard Frosty scream, but she could not find where she was hiding. Appearing the next morning, Frosty was immediately taken to Dr. Kraabel and diagnosed with an intussusception, a life threatening telescoping of the bowel. Thankfully the intussusception abated without surgical intervention.
However, in 2017 Frosty began to display signs of constipation. More trips to Dr. Kraabel and Dr. Donovan ensued, and Frosty was ultimately diagnosed with dysautonmia. Dysautonmia occurs when the nerves in the bowel fail to communicate and peristalsis, the normal wave like contractions of the stomach and intestines, ceases. Frosty’s downward spiral continued, and Carlene had to make the very tough decision to let go of Frosty in late March of 2017.
Frosty was an alpha female who was very smart and could learn quickly. She loved to cuddle with Carlene and sleep on her ironing board in her quilting room. She loved to watch and chase birds and leaves from inside the house through the sliding glass door. Frosty was cooperative during her illnesses and knew we were trying to help her, although the inhaler she used for her asthma was the most despised of her medications. A treat was always given to her for being brave when it was used.
Carlene is grateful for everything everyone has done for her in this tragic time in her life. She’s thankful for Trupanion pet medical insurance, who afforded Frosty to have the best veterinary care. Frosty’s care was not limited because she had multiple life threatening diseases, multiple surgeries, compounded medications, expensive procedures, tests and medical boarding. Carlene is also thankful for Dr. Timothy Kraabel and everyone at Lien Animal Clinic, Dr. Tanya Donovan and everyone at Animal Medical Center of Seattle, Ironforge American Shorthair Cats and Chewy.com who generously refunded Frosty’s recently ordered prescription food, and allowed Carlene to donate her food to AMCS.
Frosty will be deeply missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have known her, including her brother Henry.
“Frosty, I shall never forget you, for I have loved you.”
-Carlene Cole-Embree