This Past Week

TBT:   The computer photo problems weren't the only thing keeping us from posting most of last week.  That was certainly a problem and I'm glad it "may be fixed" (but it is still awkward and I have to struggle a bit).  I'll find out more about that when I get a chance to sit down and load new photos and try re-organize the old ones.  But that is a minor problem.

Lori was ill all last week (and this doesn't end in bad news so far).  She started acting oddly last Saturday (3rd).  She was suddenly having hacking/sneezing attacks several times per day (naturally right after the Vet office was closed for the weekend).  It was like she had a hairball she couldn't hack up or had swallowed some small thing she couldn't pass or expel.

Well, that sort of thing can happen.  LC once spent 3 days hacking.  She finally coughed up a small cotton pom-pom (and I got rid of all of those).  An x-ray didn't show it, nor could the Vet feel anything in her stomach.  But she was fine afterwards.

Then Monday morning, I realized she wasn't eating.  She can be fussy and skip meals sometimes, but I called the Vet in the late afternoon.  They couldn't see her until Sat morning.  I took that appointment and watched her carefully Tuesday, Wensday and Thursday.  In spite of not eating, she was active enough and steady on her feet.  

She was very quiet though.  She mostly made grumbling complaining sounds.  I noticed she had a sudden odd habit of opening her mouth slightly in time with her breathing.  I noticed some small wet drops on the sheets near her mouth.  

I'm no Vet, of course.  But I know some biology, and am analytical, and am reasonably good at diagnoses for some simple issues.  I concluded that Lori was sufferring some nasal congestion and possibly some throat or stomach blockage.  I also realized that "no eating" meant "no pooping".  But she did pee some, so water was getting through her.  

I could tell that because I enclosed her in the bedroom alone with me at night with a absolutely clean litterbox in the shower stall.  With food and water in the bedroom.  She didn't eat anything.  I couldn't really tell about water.  Cats don't drink much, and any lowering in the waterbowl could have just been evaporation.  But I did find a small peepod each morning.

But she napped and slept well, and went outside a few times.  Thursday night, I considered bringing her to the Emergency Hospital.  But I don't like that place.  I've been there several times.  The Vets there seem like zombies, don't really seem to care about cats, and there has never been a good outcome.

So I thought "OK, just Friday and then a Saturday morning appointment with the regular Vet" (who has awards and an outstanding reputation plus several very caring Vets on site).  But if Lori had shown signs of distress, I would have gone to the Emergency Hospital.

So we went to my Vet yesterday morning.  Naturally, I forgot to bring my camera...She was due for annual shots, but we put that off in favor off the eating problem.  No need to complicate her situation with shots...  Some things interfere with others.

The technician and Vet were wonderful!  The tech gathered information, held Lori to her ear (saying she could hear congestion).  BTW, I had weighed Lori each day for a week.  She went (according to my digital decimal bathroom scale) from 7.0 Monday gradually to 6.4 Saturday morning.  The tech weighed her in at 6.5 #.  Well, of course they have a more accurate and small animal-oriented scale.  But it was nice to know mine was pretty accurate.

Then the Vet came in for a detailed exam.  She did the usual temperature check (102F, high end of normal).  Then she went for the nose.  That revealed a lot!  Bright light, wiping, stethoscope-listening at nose/chest/heart/stomach.  She even sniffed her butt!

The nasal light was informative.  With the light, I could clearly see she was clogged and dripping.  I sure hadn't thought to shine a flashlight on her nose.  But she kept wiping her paws across her nose, so I didn't realize the extent of nasal discharge.

So here is the Vet's diagnosis...  Lori has a Upper Respiratory Tract infection.  No smell of food, so no eating.  No eating, weight loss and no pooping.  She gave Lori an anti-bacterial oral dose and rubbed an ear with Mirtazapine.  Provided a 14 day dosage of each.  The tech kindly drew a red marker line on 2 reusable (after a thorough rinse each time) dosers.  She called it a syringe, but I think of those as needle-tipped.  These are just more like eye-droppers.  

The Vet also suggested offerring Lori the "smelliest" food I have and warming Lori's food beforehand to release some odors.  I'm actually familiar with that.  Sometimes, after the last cat meal of the night, there is some left over and I store it covered in the refrigerator overnight.  

Since I usually have a cup of green tea in the morning, I start with hot tap water because I M/W it higher before steeping the bag.  So I usually warm up the refrigerated canned food in a small tray of warm water anyway.  It helps Marley eat his kidney diet food.  I should have thought about with Lori.

The Vet say she will call me Monday to see if there is an improvement, and the tech made a 10-day appointment for a return exam visit (and overdue shots).  But there is good news already!

The Vet applied the Mirtazapine about 12:15 Saturday.  At 6 pm, Lori sniffed at Marley's leftover kidney-care diet food and licked the bowl clean!  So I gave her more of it.  I guess pig liver has a strong enough smell.  Given that Marley's food is prescription, I suppose it isn't the best-balanced diet.  But seeing her eat anything after a week was wonderful.  Heck, I would have given her my dinner meat!

So things are looking up.  First and most-importantly, Lori ate some food.  Second, the anti-bacterial oral stuff should clear up the respiratory infection.  I look forward to Lori re-gaining her lost weight.  I look forward to seeing her running around the yard rather than just walking around and sitting a lot.

I look forward to seeing her grow older.  I had my doubts for a few days.  Well, I can usually tell what's going wrong with me, but it is trickier with cats.  This may not exactly be the most serious problem a cat can have, but by Thursday night, I was imaging the worst.  But it seems curable.  And anything curable can be dealt with...

Poor picture, but it shows she was starting to eat again!

Womancat Wensday

LORI:   Just a quick note to tell everyone I am feeling better.  Whatever Dr Vet did seems to have helped.

Saturday Caturday

 TBT.:  A progression of adjusting...

One day two cats eating together...

Marley ate by himself near.

Lori ate in another room.

And Binq actually let Loki finish his own bowl, undisturbed.

He enjoyed that.

Then there was Marley and Lori eating together.

And then suddenly, there were 3.  Marley joined Loki and Binq.

Lori still demanded to eat alone...

And then there was 4!

Maybe I just got lucky with the foods.

But there was peace at the dining mat, and that was good.

Binq still likes to take over bowls.

But the others were calm.  And Loki is probably used to "somecat" who is hungrier pushing in.  

The next meal went well, too.  I encourage my cats to understand a "place" around the food mat where they eat that is "theirs".  Binq has some trouble with that, but is learning slowly.

But all 4 of The Mews eating calmly together has got to be a sign of adjustment!

Loki's Vet Visit

TBT:   Loki went to the vet today and I returned with him, alive so don't worry. I was there for 3 1/2 horribly boring hours!  Evidently "I'll be back in just a minute" means 20-30.  Argh.  I am not good at doing nothing.  And the only chair in the 8x8 exam room squeaks terribly too.  I almost decided to curl up on the exam table...  And the motion-detector ceiling lights go off every 10 minuted.  I had a miserable time!

But Loki got the full treatment.  I guess bored is better than probed and stabbed.  The vet reported that he has a fever of 103.9, serious nasal congestion, and an ulcerated tongue.  Each of those individually could cause him not to want to eat.  His 2nd (3rd?) eyelid was infected as well.  She cleaned his face thoroughly.

She forcibly pushed some Hill a/d wet food into his mouth and made him swallow it.  Then took him into the lab are for subQ fluids, a mild sedative (Butorphanol?), a blood panel, B+ and B12 injections, Meloxicam and Convenia injections, and she gave me Mirataz (appetite) and Erythromycin  (eye) ointments.  She also clipped his claws.  

Before doing the work, the vet said she would work up an estimate, but I told her I was going to say "yes" anyway, so just go ahead and do it.  Considering all the work done and medications, I fully expected the bill to be $1,000.  I was surprised to get out for less than $700. 

And I have to say something about that.  When I was looking for a new vet earlier this year, I checked Yelp and saw comments about high costs with this vet and that they didn't miss an opportunity to charge.  I need to return there to offer a more positive review.  

When I had to have dear Ayla euthanized at the emergency cat clinic in September, the cost was $800.  When I had to have poor Laz euthanized by this regular vet 2 weeks ago, the cost was $55.  And they clip claws for free.  And while Marley's subQ fluid bag costs $40, they advised me that they would do the 2x a week injections at no cost.  That doesn't seem like an office just looking for charges.

But back to Loki.  The blood panel results were fairly good.  A few of the results were a bit too high or low.  But the vet said they fell within the range of a stressed cat and wasn't worried about any of them.  And if she isn't worried, I'm not worried.

She was a little worried about his ulcerated tongue-tip and was not sure of the cause.  She did say it wasn't from chewing on an electric cord because that would have been farther back on his tongue.  It may be that he was so dehydrated and coughing that he was biting it.  He was mouth-breathing and dry-swallowing.  The vet didn't say that; it's just a guess on my part.

Another thing I liked was that she said "he has sticky platelets, but most cats do".  When I related the tale of Lori's delayed spay operation, she was surprised.  To explain, my previous vet refused to do Lori's spay 2x because of "low platelet count".  But the 3rd time, she sent a blood sample to a tech lab, who told her about "sticky platelets" and that Lori's count was actually perfectly fine.

The look on my new vet's face made it clear I had made a wise decision to leave the previous vet.  And there is more to it than that.  I happen to drive past the previous vet's clinic routinely.  There are almost never cars parked there now.  My new vet's parking lot is almost always nearly filled.  There's a reason...

Let's just say Loki was pretty thoroughly subdued by the time we left!  But he is better already even before his 1st appetite ear gel application (once a day, alternating ears).   And he is purring and wandering around the house again.  When I sat on the edge of the bed last night  to change my shoes for slippers (I do love my soft slippers), he came over and rested his chin on my leg!

He is "perkier".  He drank some water.  I pushed some food into his mouth and he swallowed it.  Later, he actually ate some food on his own.  Oddly some moistened kibble; but whatever he will eat is good.  The vet said "stinkier" is better, so I will buy a can of sardines and/or tuna later today.

Lori is being a B****!  Even after 7 days, she hisses and Loki and Bliq whenever she sees them even from the full length of the house.  She even hisses at Marley sometimes close-up.  Fortunately, Marley is calm about it.  As are Loki and Bliq.  Well, that makes sense.  They wouldn't have been in the shelter community room is they weren't calm about other cats.

So Loki should be better in a few days.  If not, I have an appointment for Binq to visit on Monday for a general exam and the vet said I can bring Loki in too if he is still having problems.  So things are looking better.

Binq seems to be healthy and happy, so I am not worried about her.  I just want her to have a general exam.  Temperature, teeth, ears (check for mites), heart rate, etc.  And claw-clips!  She is a bit too enthusiastic with her claws.  But even then, she is less so the past couple days.  I had to tap her on the head with a finger a few times and she seems to have gotten the message.

Neither Loki nor Binq have slept on the bed with me yet, but I'm sure that will happen soon enough.  I'm pretty sure they will both fit in well in another week or so.  I don't blame them for hesitating.  Shelter life can't be easy.

The shelter people told me what they knew about both.  There are some medical records and both are up-to-date on shots.  They didn't know much about Loki.  He just seems to have "arrived" one day and is about 4-6 years old.  Weighed 8.9 pounds.  And they didn't even have a name for him.  But he was orangish (actually more ginger), so they named him "Pumpkin".  HAD to change that.

Bliq came in with 2 siblings.  Apparently, the family had a "surprise litter".  They didn't know their new female arrived pregnant.  The guy showed up and said "we have too many".   So at least the shelter knew something about her.  She is 2 years, 2 months old.  7-8 pounds, but I'll get an official weighing Monday.  I would weigh her myself, but she fights about being picked up.  I have too many scratches to force i myself, LOL!

But things are looking positive.  Now I just have to get Lori calmed down...

Womancat Wensday

 AYLA:  I love my windersill.  Yeah, it is a bit of a mess, but TBT promises to do a cleaning soon.  He does it often, but it doesnt last long.

I love eating up here.  And my little glass bowl is better than the plastic ones the other Mews eat from, so I like that.

And nocat noses into my bowl up here...

Yum!  That was good.  I eat almost everything, but that was chicken with cream sauce and I love that one.

I only eat as much as I need, BUT, there is a little leftover and I will enjoy that. 

Thankful Thursday

Our Nip plants are growing again.  TBT brought in a leaf for each of us.  We don't quite know how it is, but TBT has to squeeze them before they happify us.  He did.  And it was Lori's first.  She stretched and rolled around on the kitchen floor then rubbed against all of us.  Well, we others did some of that too.  

Then she ran around and house and pounced Laz, but that its kinna normal. 

Lori went to the Vet about her spay sutures.  TBT knew they were almost all gone, but it was a free visit  and goes into their records as having been checked.  She's been running around since the day after the operation, so we weren't worried.

TBT scored serious good foods fer us at Walmart.  Few days ago, it was some good stuff.  FF Liver and Chicken, Turkey and Giblets, Cod and Shrimp, Friskies Ocean Whitefish with Tuna, Mariners Catch.  And he found Wellness Chicken Morsels, Minced Tuna, and Turkey Dinner

But he really hit the jackpot yesserday!  Walmart had Chicken Feast in Creamy Sauce and Tuna in Creamy Sauce.  We go gaga over THAT stuff.  But it is hard to find and expensive.  But guess what?  They were selling it at the same price as the regular FF!  He bought every can they had!

Marley eats about anything.  Lori eats about anything.  Ayla eats almost anything, but more dutifully sometimes than with excitement.  Laz is fussy!  He loves kibbles.  So most times, TBT has ta add some on his wet food.  At least, after he starts eating, he keeps eating.

But he ADORES the FF Chicken or Tuna in Creamy Sauce!  He licks the bowl clean...  And TBT got 48 cans of the 2!  We other Mews, love it too, of course, but Laz is Fanatic about it.

And we should mention something else about foods.  Treats...  We were sent some freeze-dried chicken from our Secret Paw.  It ran out last week.  TBT found more!  And Jerky treats.  We all like them (except Marley).    Laz goes crazy for both!

Well, Lori loves Laz and Laz loves Lori.  But if she tries to get her nose into his dried chicken, he pushes her away.  And they struggle over the jerky treats.  Not that they don't both get there their own, but SOMEONE always eats their's first and pushes to get more.  TBT always keeps a couple small pieces set aside for peacefullness.

Easy Like Sunday

We Three like eating together.  Bad pics, but you never know until later.

Lori is fitting right into mealtime.  She isn't afraid to eat with us Mancats.  In fact, she has nosed into a bowl herself.  She is getting bored with "kitten food" and wants the "adult cat stuff".  TBT is keeping her on "kitten" until 6 months though.  It is probably what she needs.

She eats a LOT!  More than we do sometimes.  Lately, we are getting those Fancy Feasts cans and TBT splits those in 1/3ds for us 3 adults.  Lori has the same in "kitten food" and she eats a 1/2 each time.  

 Where DOES she put it all?  Well, she sure runs around a lot.  TBT says a kitten's motor runs "hot".  

Ayla still prefers to eat separately.  She like to nibble slow.  We gobble fast.  Lori keeps right up with us. MOL!

BTW, the picture of the small cat tree is a couple years old.  No mice as ornaments.  But the current on goes up today.  TBT has to thread the mouses with a loop of carpet thread (strong stuff) to attach a regular tree hook onto.

We have promised not to pull the mousies off the tree.  There are enough on the floor.

Easy Like Sunday

TBT:  Well, I SURE wasnt expecting THIS!  Ayla routinely hisses at Laz. 

Calm and napping from Ayla and Laz?

And they stayed there for a photo-shoot...

Good thing the flash was off.  Laz isn't used to that AT ALL!

And then they ate together.  Ayla usually demands her food in the bedroom at several places and I never know where it will be until she settles down somewhere.

 This MIGHT become amazing...

Easy Like Sunday

AYLA:  Iza and Marley usually eat together (though Dad has to watch Iza to make sure she doesn't eat Marley's bowl too).  I usually eat alone and I have a bunch of places and make Dad follow me around until I pick one.  Princesses get to choose like that...

But sometimes I like the food so good I will eat near them.  Dad bought some stuff called a "Beyond" variety pack and I really like it.  Enough to eat in the kitchen...

No Picture Saturday

I don't have the camera nearby and if I got up to get it, the Mews would follow me, ruining the shot anyway. 

But Iza is sleeping on the floor next to me, Marley is on the back of my chair monorail style, and Ayla is sitting on the windowsill looking out at the night.  

They might not be as attached to one another as they are to me, but they are comfortable around each other wherever *I* am and that is good enough for now...

I am grateful they get along.

Sometimes "good enough" is good enough.  A peaceful household is worth a lot.  Ans I know that, later when I go to bed, they will all slowly gather around me. 

Iza will slowly push her way against me until I lift the covers so she can crawl under and drape over my hip.  Marley will lay on a corner and then ask to come under the covers near dawn but not push against me.  Ayla will come around several times during the night seeking the only 2 spots she wants at night. 

Mostly, she wants to find me laying on my stomach because she loves to sit on the backs of my calf muscles.  Sometimes, to stretch a bit, I pull my legs under me (it's a waterbed thing) and she waits for that in order to hop on my back.  I have no idea why that attracts her, but it does.  She treads then.  The pressure on my back feels good, but she mostly sits there and treads on the bed over my back. 

On rare occasions, she treads on my back (no claws).  Oh that feels great!

But eventually, I have to lie down on one side or another.  Ayla rests in the crook of my knees.  Sometimes, they are all so close (but never touching each other) that I can barely move.  I'm aware of that when awake, but not when I'm asleep.

They all come and go during the night (nature calls, I assume).  But they are usually all there when I finally have to get up in the morning.  I know they are all hungry, but they are patient.  They know when I really get up (turning on the lights and stuff) it is first breakfast time for them.

They get small amounts at first (in consideration to Iza who has to eat just a little to keep it down first thing in the morning).  That's why there is 2nd breakfast an hour later.  Iza can handle that better. 

And there is first and second lunch so that Iza doesn't lose weight.  As she is up and around, she can eat more.  And Marley and Ayla get more. 

Ayla and Marley eat just what they need.  Their weight seldom changes.  Iza can go up and down a pound in a week because feeding her what she can keep down is tricky.  Marley is a very routine 13 or so pounds, Ayla is ALWAYS 6.4.  Iza can go from 9.4 to 10.4 in days even when it seems she is eating normally.  I never know what she will weigh in the morning (I weigh her daily).

And it is time to go to bed.