Rags was given to my siblings and me for Christmas in 1989 with his brother, Cosby. Rags and Cosby were replacements for my very first Ragdoll, Skittles, who died at 2 years of age from FIP. Cosby died at 10 months old of FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis). The vet told us then that Rags had probably been exposed to the disease, and would never be affected by it since he hadn't died. And so it went that Rags lived and I entertained him and myself by dressing him in Cabbage Patch clothes, putting him in the pool, putting him in baby carriages, bringing him with me on the jetskis, etc. I really lugged him around everywhere and that's probably why he is so mellow in public these days (we still go to Petsmart or Petco on occassion when he is feeling well).
In December 2005, Rags was diagnosed with lymphoma (he was on his last legs) and was given 4-12 months to live if given chemotherapy. If no chemo, then 4-8 weeks. Rags, technically is my family's cat (although I have stolen him from for good, because I cannot sleep without him).
My mom and I decided to try chemo--yes, some would say it was ridiculous, but I needed to know I tried.
Due to his fantastic internist, Dr. Michael Wasmer, at Mission Med Vet in Mission Med Vet, Rags was treated with two different protocols. He also had surgery three times - the surgeon was Dr. Jayce Lineberger - what an incredible heart this man has!
As you can see, Rags responded very well to his chemo protocol and obviously has outlived his diagnosis (32 months to be exact)...never would have thought he would have made it this long nor been his happy! I am thrilled that it has worked out this way and he has puzzled all the doctors...who now tell me, "I don't know what to tell you about that cat anymore--he's incredible". Of course, he has had three surgeries to remove tumors--so there has been a lot of help. During the last surgery, right before New Year's 2007, they found a tumor in his liver which they could not remove, but it was benign. So I suppose that tumor will grow until he is ready to go...
Here is the picture of that tumor. You can tell where the tumor is because of the white instrument that is pointing to it.
Due to Rags' Lymphoma and just because he is an old kitty, he has his blood drawn routinely every three months. To learn more about how a cat's blood is drawn, go to our page about blood drawing.
Also, I have asked for Rags' medical records from when he was going through his chemo protcol and have included that information on the following page: lymphoma.
About 3 years ago I searched on the Internet to find two Ragdoll kittens for my parents (all as a scheme to be able to steal Rags from my parents). We adopted two from Bluegrass Rags in Kentucky. They are Murphy and Caymus and live with my parents. I fell madly in love with them both, but cannot take them from my parents or my parents' dogs (2 German Shepherds)-- Murphy loves the dogs. Surprisingly enough at the age of 15 (and being an only cat nearly his entire life), Rags was very accepting of the kittens --no peeing as a result! Click the picture of Rags, Caymus and Murphy.
Rags was never much fond of toys or treats. But at the age of 15 my mom (a.k.a Santa) purchased Rags a catnip banana. And boy oh boy, has it been a hit ever since. He, at the age of 18.5, still plays with them on a daily basis. of course, I have had to get more as they run out, but they are such a hit. You can buy some of those by clicking below. Good luck and let me know if your cat is the same way! Oh, and yes, Caymus and Murphy like them too!
I am currently looking for descendents of Rags' father, Ragnarok's Thor. If your cat is breeding or you know of a cat that is breeding that is a decendent of him, please contact me.