Baby Noel rescued Dec 2007
Noel near death when rescued
We rescued Noel and Constance from Last Chance Cat Rescue at PetSmart during Christmas 2007. I started the adoption process in November, but they put us through a tremendously long wait (which I think was crazy). We had to wait almost a month. By the time we got them home, both kittens were sick and Noel was critically ill. Noel had an extreme case of feline Herbes. She required a tremendous amout of medicine and attention. She was about 9 months old and had never been held or played with that we could tell. When you rescue, you just really don’t know their stories.
Feline Herbes attacks the respiratory system and the eyes. We were not sure if she would be blind. So, for almost 2 months, I held her and gave her medicine, and we taught her how to play with cat toys. It was a long process, but slowly, month after month, she grew stronger and larger and more playful. Now Noel is the biggest cat in the herd and has become the leader. I still pick her up and hold her like a baby (even though she protests for a moment). She rarely lets anyone else near her, but even that, after 5 years, is getting better.
I have been told that Herpes infection is extremely common in young kittens, especially if they are stressed from fleas, poor nutrition, environmental cold, etc. Young kittens can produce so much ocular discharge that their eyes gum closed sealing the infected secretions around the eye. In severe cases, the eye could rupture and become permanently blinded. Treatment is crucial. That is the situation we had with Noel.
Herpes virus as a group are highly dependent on the presence of an amino acid called arginine. WIthout arginine, Herpes cannot reproduce. So I immediately put Noel on Lysine, which is also an amino acid, that is taken up by the virus in favor of arginine. You can take advantage of this situation and saturate the virus with lysine and thus suppress the virus’ ability to replicate. I bought lysine at the health food store in a capsule I opened and put in her food; just make sure that the formula is free of the preservative ‘propylene glycol,’ as cats can have blood reactions against that compound (wow, what we learn when our animals are sick). She also was on Clavomox and Vibramycin. Please seek a Vet’s knowledge on this!
Noel 2008 (1 yr later)
Noel in the window 2011
Look at Noel today! Other than being a nose breather (just like me) and having a scratch on her left cornea, she has no long term side effects that we are aware of. 75% of the rescues that come to us seem to be sick when we get them home. We know that it is a lot of work but Noel, and also Mr. Moto (a guinea pig story for another day) would never had made it, if not for them finding us and telling us they wanted to come home forever and be our special pets.
Just another CatDogDay morning at the zoo ❤ 
DogDaz Zoo 
Lynne Wasserman
May 2, 2012 at 02:42
Lorian, Medicine and antibiotics sure help a lot. But, the one ingredient you can’t buy or get a prescription for is, LOVE. Your love, affection, and dedication is what saved Noel, more than anything else. Your heart, your human contact, and your gentleness saved Noel. She is so pretty. May her life be long with no other sicknesses. But, in the event she falls ill, I know you will nurse her back to health with all you’ve got. Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it.
Love,
Lynnne
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dogdaz
May 2, 2012 at 17:47
Lynne – Such sweet words. I do love these little foundlings and they give me tons of love back (and a few scratches). Nono is a really good cat and I am glad that I got the chance to help her find her strength. It is one of my greatest joys. Thanks – Lorian of DogDaz
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jmgoyder
May 2, 2012 at 04:54
What a lovely story!
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dogdaz
May 2, 2012 at 07:33
Thanks – with a happy ending
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Bassas Blog
May 2, 2012 at 04:55
I was very happy to hear that Noel overcame all of the early challenges and is enjoying life. Thank you for sharing this story.
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dogdaz
May 2, 2012 at 07:34
Thank you for reading 🙂
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Basil
May 2, 2012 at 07:54
I wish there was more people like you in this world! Thank you for a lovely story
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dogdaz
May 2, 2012 at 08:07
Shucks – Thanks! The animals seem to pick me more then me picking them. 🙂
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Basil
May 2, 2012 at 08:13
They can sense a good soul!
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2browndawgs
May 2, 2012 at 08:24
A great story. Good for you. I do not understand why that rescue made you wait so long either and why they didn’t do more to treat that sick kitty.
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dogdaz
May 2, 2012 at 09:15
They did not even realize they were sick, but did send me medicine once I told them how sick they were. The last 2 kitties I got (same rescue but different store), we went home with them that day. Rescue orgs are all different. Thanks
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kate
May 2, 2012 at 09:06
❤ our sweet noney
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Jodi Stone
May 2, 2012 at 11:14
It’s great that you rescued her and didn’t give up on her when she was so sick. Isn’t it amazing how quickly they can touch our hearts?
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Sonel
May 2, 2012 at 13:39
Wow! Stunning photo’s of her and she is one gorgeous lady! She is so lucky to have found you. What a lovely share. 🙂
*hugs*
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dogdaz
May 2, 2012 at 13:42
Thanks Sonel – She has become my office cat and is always next to me all day while I work (like right now). I am the lucky one with each of my foundlings.
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Paws To Talk
May 2, 2012 at 20:56
We are so happy Noel is happy and healthy!
Bella and DiDi
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Genevieve Petrillo
May 2, 2012 at 21:29
Great success story. Yay for Noel. She is brave and strong and let love heal her. That’s the best way to heal.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Phoenix Tears Healed
June 29, 2014 at 20:44
you did real well in helping her through it all 🙂 beautiful Christmas I’m glad you are safe and happy now 🙂
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dogdaz
June 30, 2014 at 12:25
Thank you. Many of the animals we rescue seem to come to me because they are near death. I guess just a role I play in the cycle. She has turned into one great kitty.
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