The State Of The Mews

TBT:   Latest update on The Mews...

1.  Feeding is getting more tricky.  The only one who doesn't like Marley's kidney care diet food is Marley!  I have to add half regular food or push kibbles into it in order to get him to eat it.  I almost don't blame him.  The stuff is mostly pig liver, and I wouldn't eat that either.  

But the other 3 love the stuff!  I have to stand over them for all of every meal to keep them away from it.  And sometimes I have to follow Marley around, encouraging him to eat it.  When he starts, he'll finish it (the tummy takes over).  But getting him to start eating is a challenge these days.

I had to buy a few different-color bowls for Marley.  It's the only way I can keep track of which bowl has his special food in it.  They all push their bowls around a bit

Meanwhile, Taz doesn't seem to like Fancy Feast much anymore.  I'll have to try some other brands to see if there are some he likes better.  When I brought Taz to the vet recently because of his peeing issues, they noted he had lost a few ounces.

Lori wants more eating privacy lately.  OK, sometimes she will eat with the others, but more often has preferred to eat in a corner out of sight from them.  And more often lately, she wants to eat in the bedroom with the light on and the door closed.  I'm not sure why.  They don't go after her bowl (much) and I am standing right there to direct them back to their own bowls.  

Binq eats anything happily.  She arrived here a pound less than Taz, but weighs a pound more than him now.  Binq's eating habit matches almost all of my previous cats.  So all this strange fussiness seems odd to me.

Yay, I actually found a picture.  Not the one I wanted, showing Lori eating alone, but you see how she prefers some distance.  Best I can get at today.

2.  Taz and Lori have been less "fussy" with each other.  Not perfect, but much less.  That is good.  So I'm holding off on the "chill pills" the vet gave me for right now.  

3.  Speaking of Taz, he had been good about not peeing on the bed for almost 2 weeks.  "Had been".  Yesterday, there was a large wet spot.  Thank goodness for the waterproof flat sheet.  I have a couple of old towels dedicated for blotting up the pee.  Then I spray a "urine destroyer", wait 15 minutes, then blot that up (per instructions).  

They go into the spare toilet (just like old cloth diapers) to soak.  At least urine is very water-soluable.  After a while, they go into a bucket for separate laundering and drying.  Thank goodness for washers and dryers.  At least I don't have to rinse them in a creek and then beat them on rocks, LOL!

I may be blaming Taz alone unfairly.  One day a month or 2 ago, I found 2 wet spots.  One looked like Taz's marking habit, but the other was small and looked "squatty".  So Binq might be doing it sometimes.  Marley has never done that, and Lori was outside at the time.

4.  Lori and Taz are getting too difficult to sleep with at night.  Taz demands to sleep on top of me, which gets uncomfortable.  Lori has always been careless of her claws against me, but is getting worse.  And even worse, if I try to move her away slightly, she wants to bite my hand.  Or she wants to sleep with her nose in my face and I am basically breathing in "used air" which wakes me up.

Marley is fine.  He likes to sleep in a corner of the bed.  And Binq likes to sleep in the old platform tree in The Mews Room.  But if the door is closed to Taz and Lori (so I can get a safe night's sleep) it is closed to Marley and Binq too.  *Sigh*

One day at a time...

Caturday Saturday

TAZ:   I used to pee on the bed.  Often enough that TBT bought a waterproof sheet he had to spread out every morning and remove at night so he could sleep [TBT:  It was annoyingly hot and crinkly-sounding for me to sleep under].

But then I stopped fer a couple months, so he stopped using it.

Well, I was a bad boy a couple days ago.  It was late morning and TBT was still sleeping.  Suddenly he felt "damp".  I was not only peeing on the bed, I was peeing on him.  I don't know why I did that, but ya know it must have seemed like a good idea at the time.

He shoved me off the bed (and I left a slight trail as he did).  Of course he got up and was upset.

TBT:  I was surprised and annoyed.  I thought Taz was done with that bad habit.  But I awoke to actually seeing him doing it.  So first, I got up and tossed the sheet/blanket open.  Then I put Taz outside in case he had more desire to continue.  Pulled off the peed clothes, showered, and got dressed (it was time to get up anyway).

Went down to the basement to see if I had forgotten to clean the litterboxes...  Nope, all mostly clean from overnight and 2 entirely unused.  I have 5 litterboxes for 4 cats.  

The amount of pee was actually very impressive.  I literally didn't know he "had that in him".  😒  A good 2' circle, soaked!  And a trail as he ran off.  So I am back to covering the bed with the waterproof sheet again

Meanwhile Taz was outside.  And not for adventure, but for penitence!  And he seemed to understand that.  He just sat on the deck and lawn not doing much.

I pulled off the blanket and sheet that go above me, the sheet and blanket below me and dragged them all down to the laundry washer.  Sniffed the layers of sheets and blankets (it's a waterbed and needs layers of them so I don't get cold at night).  Couldn't smell any pee that far down, but what is my nose compared to a cat's.  But anyway, I sprayed peed area with a urine neutralizer, given that it had been a few months since previous problems.  

When I let Taz back inside, I didn't shower him with attention (that might have signaled some sort of apology); I just let things go back to "normal".  

I hope that was a one-off event...

Collar Surprise

TBT:  So Binq went to the vet last week because she has always seemed sensitive on her belly.  I thought maybe she had an injury or inflammation there.  She hates being picked up.  Apparently, she is fine, just hates being picked up.  OK...

But while she was there, I asked the technician to help me get the Seresto flea collar on her (I couldn't by myself).  She did.  And I learned a new trick.  Make the collar a loop first and then slip it over her head.  Then adjust it loose but "enough".

That worked fine for several days.  But then Binq ate a cherry stem and I couldn't get it out of her mouth.  Then she started makes choking gags, chewing, and pawing at her mouth.  When I finally grabbed her, I discovered she had gotten the front part of her collar into her mouth like a horse's bit.  And she couldn't get it out!

How she managed that is beyond me, but I did get her between my legs and pulled it off her head from the back. Problem solved, though I was "rewarded" with a pool of "angry pee".  That seems to be her standard reaction to being held.  

OK, first, I'm sure glad I saw the problem.   I was about to go to bed and it was good she didn't suffer through that all night.  Second, I'm not sure about putting the collar back on her.  I hate tight collars on the cats.  I want to put 3 fingers between collar and neck.  The others don't mind the loose ones at all.  And don't try to pull them off.  

But Binq seems to have a problem with even loose ones.  

Not Easy Like Sunday

 TBT:  I can't say this is the usual "Easy Like Sunday".  The Head Vet emailed me about Lori's issues with diarrhea and aggression issues Monday, saying there was a new med for Lori at the front desk.  I picked it up Tuesday morning.

The new pill is amitriptyline.  I don't really like what I read about it, (a serious sedative) but the vet is a respected vet, so he must know what he is prescribing.  Still, I am unsure about it.

But it is a moot point.  Lori won't accept the pill in any form.  I put it in a pill-pocket and she ignored it.  I ground it up and mixed it with a small amount of food.  She backed away like it was poison.  

I went firm and gave her nothing than small amounts of food with the pill powdered and mixed in.  She refused to eat it for 3 days.  I surrendered.  She ate a spoonful of the same food (unmedicated) like a fox on a mouse.  It's not the food.  It's the med.  She just won't eat anything with that med in it.  

I've emailed the vet about that, and am waiting for a reply.  He seems to like my emails; I am detailed and specific.

Lori is actually doing better about the diarrhea and attacks on the new Mews, but there is still some of both.  So the issues remain even if "lesser".  

I don't know what is going on in Lori's mind and body.  That's why I go to a vet.  He has a great reputation and is one of the rare "board-certified vets.  He has awards on the walls.  .  And I don't think there is anyone better locally.  

Something about him concerns me.  He is fanatical about "no kibble".  I thought it was good for their teeth.  But OK, maybe it isn't.

What really concerns me is that his email said I misunderstood about stress causing diarrhea.    My recollection of the conversation is that I suggested Lori's diarrhea might be stress-related and he poo-pooed the idea (no pun intended), saying that stress did not cause diarrhea.  And he said something like 99% of all cat diarrhea was caused by food problems.

When I asked about that in an email, he said I "misunderstood".   That stress does cause such problems.   What bothers me is that he was pretty forceful in saying it didn't when I talked to him face-to-face and then said the opposite in email.  I have a pretty good memory for things like that.

Maybe there was some detail he had in mind during our face-to-face visit that I failed to understand.  But he's the best I've got.

And Lori gets her rabies shot on the 24th, so I can ask more questions then.

Lori is actually doing better the past few days.  But better is not perfect.  She still "syurps" a bit and hisses at Loki and Binq sometimes.

This is all quite confusing and sad to me.  I'm used to a happy cat household.  Nothing has been "right" since Iza suddenly had blood on her backside in April 2020 and died.  Looking for a Tonkie, I accepted Laz ( half Siamese) who had serious problems.  I thought I solved his fears, but they re-emerged into vicious attacks on Lori.

And I thought Lori missed friendly housemates, so I got Loki and Binq.  And she utterly hates them.  Everything seems to be going wrong...

Lori is so upset that when she sleeps under the covers with me, she is all claws against my skin.  I'm kind of "losing it"...

Wensday Update

TBT:   Well things are not going perfectly among The Mews.  But it has been only 3.5 days.  I expect things will calm down.  Soon, I hope.  I left the door to the Mews Room open yesterday morning.  I'll discuss each of The Mews in turn...

1.  Lori is being the most difficult!   She is completely upset that there are intruders in her house.  She hisses and growls. She even grumbles while eating.  Which sounds rather funny, but she is very disturbed right now.  She has even hissed at Marley and whapped him a couple times.  Lori is being very watchful.  

2.  Marley is being very good.  It is sort of like "Oh, 2 more"...  But it it having some kind of affect on him.  He refused to eat his kidney care food for 2 days.  He started again last night though.  But he can walk past Loki without any signs of distress.  And they have sniffed each other a couple of times.  He isn't paying any attention to Binq yet.

3.  Loki is adjusting well.  He seems to be a very calm cat.  He was walking around the house by yesterday afternoon.  He is very exploratory.  Seems to accept attention calmly too.  He purrs slightly when I stroke his fur.  He ignores Lori when she hisses at him.  I kind of expect that from a cat that was calm in a shelter community room.  

I am a bit worried about his breathing and appetite though.  He seems to have sneezing or throat-clearing issues.  I hope it it nothing serious.  He doesn't want to eat.  I've tried canned fish, chicken and beef.  I've tried kibbles.  I tried treats.  I even tried a pill-pocket.  

4.  Binq is confusing.  She doesn't seem to want to leave The Mews Room even with the door open for an hour.  Yet she runs to me when I enter the room and seeks attention enthusiastically.  But almost too enthusiastically!  She is very "clawy".  She wants to grab my hands with her claws and she wants to climb up my pants legs too.  Good thing I was wearing heavy jeans (though I felt her claws anyway).  

And I'm not sure why she wants to climb up me; she fights being held the couple times I tried (so of course I am not trying to force that).  Meanwhile though, I have many claw-pricks on legs and hands.  Nothing serious, but I look like I have flea bites...

She wants to play, but she is very rough about it.  I wouldn't have expected that from a female cat.  I had a few toys in the room and she played with those some.  Yesterday, I tossed her a rattley mouse and a spring and she played with those briefly.  

Her real obsession is the Turbotrak.  I mentioned that she seemed good at it.  But she is really REALLY good at it.  The Bridge is a problem for most cats.  She whaps it right over.  When she hits the ball around the track in a certain way, she waits for it to show up under the Bridge.  She knows it is coming.  I hear her playing with it frequently.

I often participate in the game, flicking the ball back to her.  She sees me flick it and she knows just where to expect it to arrive.  And yesterday, I saw the ball roll out of the room.  But she wouldn't chase it beyond the doorframe.  I don't know why.  

But, since she loves it so much, I think I will improve it. Lori used to play with the turbotrack often herself, so I bought a second one and made it a single bigger one (that took a while to figure out).  Lori didn't like that, so I made it the smaller original version and she played with that sometimes.  But I think I will combine them again.  Binq might enjoy the challenge.

  ------------

So that is the current state of The Mews.  I have a few things to do next.  I hesitated for a few days in case there was something so obviously wrong with the newbies that one or both might have to be returned (and it would have had to be pretty serious).  But neither of them seem to have problems beyond initial "new home" adjustment.  Marley is not a problem.  Lori should settle down in a week or two.

Call my Vet for a complete exam for Loki and Binq.  Get accounts opened there for them and hand over copies of what medical records the shelter provided.  Get them shots for any they are missing.  Get all The Mews claws trimmed (I wonder if there is a groomer who visits at home).  Or I'll just bring them to the Vet in pairs.  

They sent me an email about "Holiday Specials" that included grooming and claw-clips.  Loki has some dried stuff on his back and tail (that he resists me getting at) so he needs a bath and Binq has a smell.  Well, as shelter cats, there is only so much care they can be given, so I'll get them washed, groomed, and cleaned.  Maybe Lori will stop hissing if the newbies are all cleaned up. LOL!

I have some pics on the camera but haven't organized them yet.  Next time, I hope...  It will take a while to get back into regular routines.

Happy 6th Birthday, Laz...

 LAZ:  Today is my 6th Birfday.  I am happy to have it.  When I was younger, I never expected to see it.  But I was rescued from A Bad Place, kept in a different house and then a different room fer a while, and found a home as one of The Mews.  An I admit I haven't been the Best Cat there.  I have troubles...

I still struggle with fears and angries and forget to be all good and nice sometimes.  But this is the best place I've ever been. And I'm doing the best I can do here.

One time, I was living in hell-home.

It took all I could do, to survive.

There were bad dogs

And, there were some bad kiddies too.

 

It was hard to just to get through the day

And wait for the night,

Where I could hide.

But a new day then would start.

 

Hiding, I always was hiding,

When the dogs came around, 

I would hiss and show claws...

Avoiding all the bad things

 

And the children, 

They thought that I was merely a toy,

So I hid from them 

And their cruel joy.

 

Then, one day I was rescued. 

By the person who first raised me 

And discovered my troubles,

And took me back home.

 

But I couldn't stay there,

She had some sweet kittens

Who needed homes of their own,

And I was too mean to stay there.

One day, some old guy called The Big Thing

Called the woman while searching

For a Tonkinese cat.

She said no, but...

 

She had (me) this half-Siamese who was 

Troubled and stressed,  She said

"If you try him, You might be

The best hope he has".

 

So I came here

Fearing the end of my days

And was locked up

In a room.

 

I was fearful,

But he talked to me lots, 

And I smelled no bad doggies

Nor children, those brats.

 

One day, the door finally opened,

I was free to walk out

To a house with no doggies or kids

But 3 other cats in the house.

 

I had never experienced other kitties

It was bit of a shock

I had smelled them of course

But never a look.

 

I've had problems adapting,

I didn't grow up really well.

But I'm trying my best.

And most days are good.

And this place is a dream

Even when I mess now and then.

I try my best.

And I hope I stay here...

 

---------

 

I started by saying I never thought I'd live to 6.  But I have.  For me, that seems like a wunnerful life.  Each change in my life has been better.  

 

I have a big back yard ta run around in, good foods, kind attention, and good places ta nap each day safely.   "Safe" is real important to me.  I didn't have much when I was a kitten.

 

And the other Mews are kind to me (even if I kinna go crazy now an then).  And I get to sleep calmly against TBT most nights.  I sometimes think I don't deserve either, but I sure appreciate it...

 

I just wish those bad memories would go away and let me be nicer but they don't.  TBT says they may someday.  Even after a few years now, they come around in my head and upset me.

 

Please go away, demons, and let me find peace...

TBT:  Laz has reached 6, and there have been some doubts if he would.  His inner-demons are less than when he arrived, but they are still there.  Sometimes he is at peace for a few weeks.  And then they come out in his mind again.  

He is free from bad dogs and grabby children, and that helps.  But he has never quite adjusted to other cats either.  I can tell he tries his best.  Mostly, he is Very Good.  He does the usual cat things like sniffing butts and noses.

But he doesn't do others.  Wand toys are just strings to chew.  Toys don't mean a thing to him.  He doesn't like my lap.  He doesn't like playing.  He hates being held.

I do what I can.  He does like sleeping next to me. He is very attached to me generally inside the house and out.  He is happy to be around me.  He jumps to eye-level, wanting strokes and attention.  And he gets plenty of it.

He is very pushy about it against me in bed, but I allow it as long as possible.  And sometimes a slight movement on my part relieves the push and keeps him "close enough" to stay happy.  He is on the bed almost every night.  

And he talks to me constantly.  He is half Siamese and aside from the utter blue eyes, he has the vocalization habit.  We talk often.  Sometimes, I think he understands my words more than Marley and Lori do.  His name is not one of those words though.  Calling his name doesn't get even an ear-twitch.   

So he is 6 now.  It may be a hard more 10 or so years. Or it may get better; I don't know.  But he loves me and I love him as he relates to me.  I hope that age and calmness will cause him to adjust better.

Happy 6th birthday Laz!  Rest peacefully today and enjoy the treats you will get at dinner! 

It was hard to find a picture of his deep blue eyes.  This is the best I could do.

Serious Saturday

TBT:  I am looking for both advice and perspective.  I hate to say this.  I have been hiding how bad Laz has gotten.  

Laz has become violent again (he was when he first arrived but I thought I and Lori had solved that).   He attacked Ayla a week ago.  He attacked Lori 3 times in one day the next day.  He and Marley wrassle sometimes, but it never develops into a fight; Marley is just too strong.  Laz is utterly peaceful and friendly to me.  

I had a "calming collar" on him.  I have a Feliway diffuser (and it was mostly full).  I give him considerable attention (and he enjoys that).  He is allowed outside almost any time he wants.  When I am near him he flops over to seek attention and I give it.  

He gets attention when he asks and I make sure to offer some when he is just sitting around.  I give him the foods he likes, often with freeze-dried chicken crumbled on top (the Vet told me to stop with the kibbles).  

After 3 years of peace from his terrible first home, he should be about as happy and calm as a cat can be!  But something is going wrong again.

When he attacked Ayla recently, I separated them quickly and got Ayla into the bedroom for sanctuary.  And Laz calmed down almost immediately.  I mean, his tail wasn't even puffed.  I know Laz doesn't like Ayla for some reason (though she is the smallest cat here)

But the 3 attacks on Lori disturb me greatly.  They do/did like each other.  The play together, eat together, sleep together.  They are often close together outside.  

There have been a few "fur-on-the-floor" fights, but I know that sometimes happens.  One cat goes too far in play, the other gets angry and it builds.  But then it stops.  

This wasn't like that...  The first 2 attacks were almost just one attack.  Laz attacked Lori for no apparent reason (and for once, I saw it develop).  He just jumped on her and was biting her around the throat.  She shreeched but couldn't get loose.

I grabbed Laz and tossed him a few feet away.  And he immediately attacked her again, with me right there!  I was shocked!  I grabbed Laz and tossed him out on the deck.  Lori ran and hid.  Later in the day, after I saw both walking past each other calmly, I let both outside.

Then, while I was watching. Laz stalked Lori and then attacked her again.  This time it was a screeching chase all around the yard.  Lori got in the open deck door and I closed it become Laz got there.  They have not napped together since.

I'm not sure what to do about this.  I think (sadly) that Laz cannot stay here.  I have never had cats that attacked each other.  Oh maybe a slight dust-up or temporary thing, but never anything like this.

Nor perhaps can he be around other cats.  

I posted an request to re-home him on Craigslist several days ago (honest about him having to be an only pet), but have gotten no replies. He would be a great cat if he was the only one. I don't know anyone who has no pets who wants one.  I did emphasize that he is great with people.

I can't stand the idea of surrendering him to a shelter.  His likelihood of adoption is very low.  So that would mean euthanasia in a couple weeks I think.  And he would go crazy in a shelter.  His reaction to be caged when he is used to being free in a house and outside in a yard would just make things worse for his appeal to adopters.

My house is not suited to "zoning" (and neither am I).  And isolation would eliminate what socialization he has.  I'm kind of running out of options here. I know some of you casually mention cats fighting.  I can't really stand that easily, but should I just let them and learn to put up with it?

I love Laz to pieces personally.  And he adores me and loves to be around me.

But I can't continue to have Laz viciously attacking Ayla and Lori...

Any suggestions desperately desired.  

Last Week

TBT:  I didn't post yesterday (feeling both uncreative and a bit worried) and it was a busy day.  But it occurred to me late last night that a lot have things went "off" with The Mews the past week that I hadn't mentioned (being worried about it and waiting for resolution).  Then things seemed to get resolved, so I kind of ignored them.  But then I thought I should mention those things.

I mentioned Laz going to the Vet and having some blood drawn for and FiV test.  I didn't mention a minor issue the visit revealed and what happened for several days after.  And do keep in mind that "almost all was resolved".  ;)

So what was the bad stuff?

When Laz returned from the Vet, Lori sniffed him.  Then hissed and swiped a paw at him.  And she growled at him.  OK, I know that is not too unusual a response to a cat returning from the Vet with strange medical smells.  But then she even attacked him (briefly).  Poor Laz was shocked and confused!  

She even growled and swiped at Marley!   Now, that's pretty futile.  It's like waving a ping-pong paddle at a tennis racket.  So she must have been very very upset.  And that was all very confusing to me because Laz has come back from the Vet before since Lori arrived.

Worse, she kept it up for 2 full days.  I saw Laz approach Lori next to the pillow on the bed (where they routinely nap together) and she hissed at him even then.  I considered whether Lori was have some separate problem coincidently occurring at the same time.

And then, none of them wanted to eat!  Well, Ayla did, but she stays separate from the others.  Marley, Laz, and Lori were all turning up their noses at the regular canned food, even when I put a few kibbles on top,  and even when I crushed some freeze-dried chicken on top (which would probably get Laz and Lori to eat dried potato flakes, but Marley hates the dried chicken anyway but does like the kibble sprinkles)!

Lori's odd actions lasted until Thursday.  I saw then napping "nearby".  Later that day, I saw them curled up together.  But even today, I notice they don't cuddle like they used to.  I hope things get back to normal soon.

I tried some various things.  I got Lori up on a table and "carefully" ran my fingers through her fur looked for something that might be bothering her (wound, thorn, sticky-seeds, tick) and found nothing.  I also checked Laz thoroughly  to see if he had some infection at the blood-drawing site or anywhere else.  Nothing I could findLaz and Lori are now almost back to usual.  I say almost because even now it is more 50-50 mutual napping rather than 90%.  

They are all eating normally again, so that is good.  And yesterday, Laz and Lori chased each other all around the house after dark in apparent good spirit.  

This will probably just be one of "those cat mysteries" I will never have an answer to.  I will just accept that things are mostly back to normal and be grateful for that.

Yesterday (once)...

Lori's 2nd Spay Visit

TBT:   Nothing went bad, but nothing went good either.  Her blood platelet count is still too low to operate.  The Vet is certain her equipment is accurate (and discussed it with a technician).  She certainly does blood tests on other cats and it must give normal results for them.  And she said she again did a manual microscope slide platelet count (as she did at the 1st visit). 

She suspects Lori has a lingering infection that is causing the low platelet production, but that there are some tests she can't do herself.  So, she has sent a separate blood sample to a feline pathologist for verification or more information. 

Most of the usual infections/conditions are unlikely.  All The Mews are fully vaccinated and Lori has never even been outside.  The other Mews seem utterly healthy.  And as the Vet said "Lori is a house-raised purebreed, not a street-cat you rescued.  No offense to former street-cats, but yeah, she just hasn't been exposed to much of "the dirty outside world".

The pathologist may discover a problem.  I both hope and fear he (the Vet said "he") will discover the problem.  Hope, for a possible resolution; fear that it may be very serious and permanent.

I remain a bit uncertain about the Vets (there are 2 at the clinic.  I "inherited" them 2 years ago from the previous Vet who solved everything for 35 years.  I'm not saying they aren't fully-able, but 2 years is not 35 years.  And until now, it has all been very routine exams and shots.  And this might be a situation that would challenge the best Vet.

Vets know about animal stuff.  I am no Vet.  But I was an analyst on many subjects for 30 years with the US Govt.  I know how to do research and pick up information quickly.  So I researched cat low platelet count at a dozen reputable sites.  There are things about this "low platelet count" that don't make sense.

I mentioned in a previous post that Lori had no symptoms of low platelet count.  She continues not to, and the Vet agrees (though possibly thinking I am shading the truth).  Well, no medical expert ever loves an amateur...  But I went down the list I had while talking to her on the phone.  Lori has NO symptoms of low platelet count other than a lab test and manual count.  

I asked her the most obvious question last.  If Lori has a low platelet count that causes excessive bleeding, shouldn't she bleed from the blood sample extractions (and she didn't).  She agrees that "it doesn't make sense".  But she WOULD find the cause.  

Not that it stops me from learning about a subject.  There are illness possibilities, physical problem possibilities, and idiopathic possibilities.

1.  Lori has been vaccinated against most of the diseases that can cause low platelets.  I say "most" because (apparently) there are some rare ones with no vaccines available.  Some have meds to solve it.

2.  There are some physical problems possible.  A non-fully functional spleen is one (the spleen stores platelets - among other things - for release as required).   An over-active spleen can also destroy platelets thinking there is too many.  Bone marrow produces platelets; bone marrow cancer can stop that.  An over-active immune response can also reduce platelet count.  There are others rarer.

3.  Idiopathic just means "no known cause" (and maybe genetic?).  And by definition, not fixable.

So here we are, waiting for pathology lab results and wondering what the future will bring.  Lori seems perfectly happy and healthy otherwise.  

Any information, similar experience, or suggestions are welcome.  If it is long, the email is on the sideboard.

*SIGH*

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!

The Vet clinic just called.  The pathologist said Lori had "clumps of platelets" but nothing to worry about!  She has plenty of them.  She will get spayed March 21st.

I KNEW she was fine about the platelets.   I just had to make the Vet realize it.  If you sense a certain glee at this outcome, you are not wrong.

Doctors and Vets  are trained to look for horses, not zebras.  Meaning that they look for the expected, not the rare.  But rare exists.

Dr. Theodore Woodward, a former professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, coined this term in the late 1940s. He explained that since horses are the most commonly encountered hoofed animal for most people and zebras are hoofed animals that are less likely encountered; one would naturally guess that the hoof beats belong to a horse and not a Zebra.  That how Drs diagnose problems.  The likliest is likliest.

Lori is the Zebra... I knew it, I knew it, I knew it.  Nothing else made sense.  In my career, I could always see the "Zebras".  One small wrong assumption always got to me and I found the "why".

I will not say this to the Vet.  She knows.  And she would have been right 99 of 100 times and I expect to have years of good regular care for The Mews from her.  But I saw the 1 and it was confirmed. 

A friend once said my middle name should be "Persistence".  Yeah, he got that right...

But, for now, Lori gets her spay operation from a skilled and caring Vet in a week, and that's really all I care about.

Tonight I will have a good steak dinner about the good news.  Lori will share it...

TBT

Spay Visit

TBT:  I titled this "Spay Visit" because there was no actual operation today.  Lori's platelet count was too low.  I spoke to the vet when picking Lori up to bring her home.  The vet is uncertain about the cause and after asking me about symptoms and behavior at home is downright baffled.  She wants to see her again in 2 weeks.  Also, I did some research when I got home.

Normal platelet count is above 200 "somethings".  Below 150, it is too dangerous to operate.  Lori's is 98. That seems extremely low.

Possible symptoms include :

Bruising - No sign of that.

Localized red areas on the skin and gums - No sign of that. 

Retinal hemorrhage - No sign of that.

Hematochezia (presence of blood in the stool) - Her previous fecal exam in December showed no sign of that, but they hadn't asked for one this time. 

Hematuria (presence of blood in the urine) - The vet didn't do that test this time, but if it is visible to me in the litterbox, she doesn't have that problem.

Lethargy - She is practically hyper-active!  She and Laz chase each other around constantly.

Epistaxis (nosebleed) - No sign of that.

Lack of appetite - She eats like a pig (lots of anything).

Temporary mild illness or infections - No sign of that.

Inadequate diet - The Mews get Fancy Feast and Wellness wet food most meals and a handful of kibble once a day and a few treats.  The vet said that was fine.

Wounds causing bleeding - She and Laz bite and bunny-kick each other a lot.  They both heal nearly scabless.  I have found a few little ones on both, but never any bleeding.  In fact, the vet said the spot where they took the blood sample didn't even bleed.

Parasites - No sign of that.

Bleeding from the gums - No sign of that.

There are some long-term diseases and non-symptomatic conditions that can cause low platelet count.  I won't even try to describe them.  But some are things Lori has been vaccinated for previously; some require extensive treatment (bone marrow sampling, transfusions, etc); and some are "unfixable" (genetics, for example).

So, for now, we just wait.  The vet says platelet counts can spike or plunge temporarily, which is why she wants to see her again in 2 weeks.  Lori might have a perfectly normal platelet count then.

I am, of course, worried.  But there is nothing I can do right now.  Apparently, you can't increase platelet count by any means at home through diet or activity.  I expect that this problem will be overcome at some point and Lori will get a safe and successful spay operation and everything will be fine in a few weeks.

I will have some fears until then, though.  Ayla went through 3 spay operations over the course of a year, and I nearly lost my mind from all the howling and grabby-claws.  I'm not sure how I would deal with a lifetime-unoperable cat.

But today, Lori was happy to be home.  In fact, she was nearly undetachable for 2 hours after returning.  Tonkinese are unusually attached (physically and emotionally) compared to most cats (not saying yours aren't).  But after 15 hours with no food, she wanted my attention more than she wanted to eat anything.  

The next 2 weeks will feel like a year.  And "oh joy" it means she will go into heat again...

Edited to add:  Can't get any vet within 20 miles to schedule an independent blood platelet count sooner than 3 weeks.  I think the term "independent second test" scares them ("professional avoidance"?).  But I am not certain I feel fully confident in the vets I "inherited" from the previous one of 35 years.  I seem to have few options...

Womancat Wensday

AYLA:   I am irritated.  Literally...  We all got flea collars weeks ago.  They work, fleas dropped right off us.  Oh, not manny; its not like we were INFESTED!  But we each had a few.  I blame Laz of course.  We didnt have anny BEFORE he arrived.

TBT:  And not for a year after he arrived either, Ayla; I would have noticed in a year...

AYLA:  I'll blame who I want!  Annyway, the Brofurs didnt mind the collars at all.  Mine made me itch!  In fact, it was so bad, I scratched off fur around it in 2 places.  An when TBT saw me scratchin at it, he checked.  I dont like him feelin around my neck, but I'm glad he did.

I not only scratched off some fur, I scratched off some skin. The collar itself was rather loose, so it wasn't that.  Had ta be the stuff in the collar.   So he took it off.  It wasnt easy.  The collar has some lumps to hold it in place.  But he was both forciful and careful and I DID want it off.  When it was just open-enough, he slid it over my head to avoid more pulling on my neck.  I was glad about that.

The spots are about healed.  But he needs ta talk ta the vet about other flea controls for me.  I mean, *I* sure dont wanna be the only flea-target in the house!

I kinna wish the collar had werked for me.  I had little bumps at the base of my tail and they disappeared a couple weeks after I wore the collar.  He and I didn't connect those to fleas, but apparently they were.  We will see if those bumps return...

Sorry I dont have anny pictures of the scratch-spots, but I refused.  Princesses just NEVER show ugly spots, you know...

One other thing I should mention.  TBT put some Triple Ointment (that he uses hisself) on the wounds at first, but he looked it up about cats and found there can be a rare reaction.  I didn't have one, so its all OK.  But he stopped "just in case".  

Well, just so there is a picture...

And because it IS Ginger Day, here is one of Marley, too...  Loving his hammick!

Freaky Friday

TBT:  No, not Flashback Friday this week,  "Freaky Friday".  Or maybe I should say "Flea-y Friday".  I am a bit distressed.

Yes, we ALL have fleas!  I even found one on ME.  I don't know quite how it happened.  I haven't found a flea on any of The Mews for 20 years.  Maybe it is perfect weather for fleas and the squirrels or possums brought them into the yard, shedding some all over.  I comb The Mews for fur mats regularly (Marley mostly; Ayla and Laz have thinner fur) but I look at the fur and hadn't seen any previously.

I DID notice Marley seemed to have more "grit" in his furs recently, and I dipped some of it in water.  Flea specks (feces) turn red when exposed to still water and they didn't. The water turned a pale brown, but I took that to mean it was fine-grained dirt and bark dust.  And it may have been.  

But I had also noticed that Ayla small little scabs at the base of her tail.  Laz had no grit or scabs...

If you don't have a flea comb, you should.  And I will mention mine has 2 sides with the teeth spaced a little farther apart on one side than the other.  I can't take a good picture of it or find one.

I use the wider-spaced side dematting Marley's fur (it pulls on him less so he tolerates it longer).  That may have been a mistake.

It started a week ago.  Marley was on my lap and I saw a tiny movement.  It hid before I could pick it off.  It confused me a bit.  Pictures of fleas show them as brown and this thing was black.  And smaller than I remembered a flea being.

But I also found this one...

But I went through his furs and saw 2 more moving.  I went all through his furs with the closer-toothed side of the comb and caught 2.  Oh DAMN!

So I went straight to the internet and researched flea removal products.  Some seemed barely effectual, some had comments from owners about their cats running around crazy after an injection, powders seemed harmful when licked off (and The Mews are thorough groomers), and it is hard for one person to bathe a cat.  

The best bet seemed to be the newest generation of collars.  They got the fewest negative comments at 2 cat health sites (not obviously connected to a brand).  It's not like I would go to a company site and ask if the product was good, LOL!

So I ordered 3 Seresto Flea collars...  This is not an ad.  It's just what I decided on.  You may choose a different one for good reasons.

So I put them on Wednesday night.  I left them loose, as I wasn't sure how they would react to collars.  Marley arrived here wearing a standard (pressure-release) collar.  Ayla and Laz did not.  So I kept them all inside yesterday to make sure they would keep them on.  Well, it would be a lot easier to find a removed one in the house than outside.  And the flea collars cost $54 each and I sure didn't want them to  get lost after a day or two!

Fortunately, none of The Mews seem to be objecting to the collars.  I would like to keep them inside another day to be sure they will keep them on.  

Marley can stay in or go out usually, he doesn't much care either way these days.  Ayla has liked going out more the past few months, but only on the deck.  She is about as happy being on windowsills and looking out.  

Laz is going nuts though!  He loves to go outside.  He is talkative (even for a Siamese).   In fact, he is a bit of a whiner (sorry, Laz).  He did not stop complaining all day Thursday!  I swear, he was grumbling about it even while he ate.  It was like having a colicky baby.

Two things Laz DOES understand (among many, but I mean relevant to the "staying-in" part) is dark and rain.  He seems to understand that none of us go out in the dark and he doesn't WANT to go out in the rain (sensible mancat).

Oh what I would give for a rainy day tomorrow!  But apparently, it won't be one.  I may have to let him out.  I'm not sure I could stand another day of crying to go out, possible loss of collar or not.

But there is GOOD news!  Yesterday, Marley was on the newspaper I was TRYING to read (he LOVES getting in my line of sight) while I ate dinner, and 2 fleas just fell right OFF him.  Newspaper is good for seeing that.  The fleas are black, the paper is mostly white.  They wobbled around a bit, obviously unhappy and struggling.  I got a tweezer and crushed them (they are darn hard to kill).   

BTW, I've found 3 other good ways are using needlenose pliers, folded sandpaper rubbed together, and holding the tweezers to a bic lighter ( flick will do).  I don't feel a lot of sympathies for fleas.

I found 2 dead fleas on the platform where Marley and Laz nap.  Two were dead, one was moving in a circle (so I killed it).  I was running my fingers through Ayla's fur and found 2 dead fleas.  

I wasn't sure Laz had any.  No scratching, no bumps, nothing in the flea comb.  But he doesn't sit on my lap and he still doesn't like being handled.  But he does sometimes come up on the table.  I was scritching him over the newspaper and one fell off alive.  I tweezered it.  But it confirmed that he had some too.

So they are all being treated.  Later today, I start a daily vacuuming regimen.  Simple stick vacuum on all the wood floors, rugbeater cannister on the carpets and the cat trees (I found 2 there using a magnifying glass),  and I'll take out the old flea trap later today.  The flea trap is a low heat light set above sticky tape.  The fleas think it is a cat, jump, and get stuck.  Sort of like a roach motel for fleas.  I've never caught any with it before, but I bet I will now!

Not exactly like this, but the same idea...

The stick vacuum is easy to empty (and I'll do it outside because some bits fall out as you empty the container).  The cannister vacuum takes more time and bags cost money, but I will buy standard old flea powder to sprinkle in a new bag.  The only place THAT bag will go in to the landfill and I compost and recycle so much that a small paper bag and one of used cat litter is almost a week's "trash" for me.  And I doubt any fleas will find anything to feed on in a landfill.  :)

Another thing to do is put everything in a closed clear plastic bag and set it outside in the sun for a day.  That will cook anything in it.

The flea *I* got was from the platform Marley had slept on.  I was examaning it and rubbing all the loose fur off and one fleas jumped on my wrist.  It was it's last jump.

I discovered some surprising facts about fleas.  First, I thought they were specific to individual species.  They are generalists.  I may have been thinking of lice.  Second, they can live away from animals for up to a year.  My older "understanding" was that they could only live a month.  Maybe that is way modern medications are designed to last up to 8 months of "slow release" lethality and repellent.

I basically dislike chemical treatments.  My yard is basically organic.  But as I WILL use an herbicide on poison ivy, I will accept the benefits of a flea-killing chemical that doesn't SEEM to harm mammals. And hopefully, this is a one time (though for months) requirement.

Comments about flea-control are welcome.  If you have a longer thoughts, I would like an email for the fullness of it.  I always want information and the experiences of others.

marksmews2118 AT verizon DOT net

Not Easy Like Sunday

TBT HERE: "Houston, we have a problem".  That may or may not relate if you are young.  But it means there is a problem in The Mews world.

Laz came here as a rescue/socializing effort.  He had been in a home with 2 pit bulls and a couple of grabby children.  He was returned (retaken?) by the seller who breeds Siamese.  Laz is 1/2 siamese.  I don't know all the details.

Laz was traumatized by the pit bulls and the children.  The breeder gave him care and attention, but he wasn't exactly what she needed.  When Iza died, I contacted her to ask if she knew Tonkinese breeders like whom she had gotten Iza from.  She did not but had this poor guy who needed a caring home and she just knew I could provide it.  

I found an actual Tonkinese breeder but they were a year on a waiting list.  I accepted Laz from the other.  I wish I had not.  I had never failed with a cat before and I expected Laz would get used to a secure life.

I kept him in The Mews Room for a week, talking and singing nonsense stuff many times a day so he would get used to me.  I offerred comfort and safety.  I gave him peace and assurance.  He responded slowly.  Eventually, he stopped clawing at me and accepted head scritchies and chin rubs.  

I finally let him out of The Mews Room when Marley and Alya were outside so that he could wander around.  He seemed happy and calm after a few days of being around the house alone.

He seemed to adjust when I let him be in the house with Marley and Ayla.  Lots of sniffings went on, and no problems.  That's what I EXPECT from a new cat.  It is normal.

Then suddenly, Laz started attacking Ayla.  And I don't mean chasing and pouncing.  I mean claws and teeth!  Poor Ayla had scabs around her neck.  The attacks were random with no apparent cause.  I worked with Laz many times daily to calm him, assure him, and try to let him know he was safe here.

Over Winter, he seemed to calm down.  I thought he had accepted his Forever Home and his new cat family. I thought he had finally become socialized.  He is to ME.

I used Feliway.  I think it helped a lot.  Laz never attacked Ayla once in the past few months.  But he did again yesterday.  And I don't mean "chase and pounce".  I mean teeth and claws!  Ayla has scabs around her neck again.

I'm struggling here.  I've never failed with a cat, but I may need to give up on Laz.  I'm reluctantly learning that Laz is unrelentingly vicious toward smaller weaker cats.

An option is calming collars.  Do you know anything about them?  I've also heard about "chill pills".  Are those safe and do they work?

How about cat behaviouralists?  Any of you tried that?  

Because if I can't get get Laz to stop attacking weaker cats I am probably going to have to do something I have never done before with a cat.  Give up.

And that is so strange.  Laz gets along with me well enough.  He isn't a lapcat, but he spends the night curled up next to me.  If he was an "only cat", he would be great.  But I think he needs to be an "only cat".  I personally like him, but we aren't a one-cat family.

Can anyone take in an "only cat"?

Freaky Friday

TBT here:  Yesterday things got a bit out of control here.  Laz is young and a bit hyper.  He runs in the house recklessly, yells a lot, and sometimes chases Ayla around (he's too smart to bother Marley much).  Mostly (based on how Ayla reacts) it seems playful.

But yesterday, she came inside and he attacked her.  Jumped on her and bit at her neck!  He chased her all around the house and they are both way too fast for me to catch up.  She was screeching and he wouldn't stop.  It was a "fur on the floor" at one point.  I finally managed to get him closed in a room to calm down.

Then Marley even sniffed and whapped her and made a a brief chase.  At least Marley responds to "STOP"!

I checked the Felliway dispenser and it seemed to be working (about 1/4 left after 3 weeks).  But as I was standing there wondering what on Earth had happened, I detected a faint smell of "skunk".  And I HAD noticed some varmint scat in the back yard recently.  Maybe Ayla got some smell on her that triggered Laz and even upset Marley slightly.

I hope, I hope, I hope...

I don't really understand Laz.  He is more aggressive than any other cat I've had.  On the other hand, the only male cats I have had for decades have been laid-back orange and white ones.  And even Marley has chased Ayla briefly when outside.  Laz acts like a feral indoors cat sometimes.  I am assured he has been an inside cat all his life.

Most of the time, I post about his progress.  Well, "most of the time" things are good and Laz seems to be adapting to his forever home.  But it isn't always.  

He had a bad start with dogs and children in his first home, and I think he has basically been an "only" cat.  I get the impression he is like a young human boy locked in a room.  He needs space to run.  On a 1-10 scale of energy, he is at least a 9.  It seems more than FRAP or THOE.

He fights being picked up even briefly.  Yet he sits on my lap peacefully sometimes, and he sleeps up against me most every night.  He eats calmly with both Marley and Ayla.  He doesn't deliberately push things off tables and desks.  He loves my attention.  He doesn't seem malicious; just "uncontrolled".

I know he is new and adjusting.  I know he had a hard start.  I am giving him a LOT of attention and peacefulness.  I don't like the "squirt bottle" training but if things don't improve in a month or so, I may have to try it. 

Laz is friendly to Marley and Ayla most of the time.  Here is a picture of them sleeping together on the bed at night a couple of days ago...

I do not have much experience with a "sometimes angry cat".  Mean Old Tinkerbelle (who had a reason to be angry due to a bad dog-bite across her spine when she was a kitten)  was tempermental and  sometimes drew blood if I touched the wound wrong, but that was understandable.  And she was an only cat for 10 years so she wasn't attacking other cats (and accepted Skeeter and LC well later).

What Laz NEEDS is a yard he can fling himself around and run himself into exhaustion but cant escape from, but I can't manage that.  I intend to introduce him to the outdoors soon.  I have a Hav-A-Hart trap rather larger than a carrier that would allow him to be on the deck and see/sniff/hear around in all directions.  He went ape-crazy when I tried to get him in it, but that was because I couldn't hold the trap open AND guide him in calmly AND close the door at the same time. 

It occurs to me to hold the door open with a spring clamp and add a cushion and try again.  I looked at small dog kennels at the local pet store, but the doors latches are pathetic.  Doors are tricky; if I built one, the door would still be "iffy".

Most of the time, all is calm.  I think what he wants to be is an only cat in a large house.  He is so great with me, inviting attention and scritchies, flopping on the floor in front of me (and I never ignore him then).  He eats well, is perfect with the litter boxes, and keeps his claws in around me.

Any suggestions?

Tuesday Transition Update

TBT:  Saturday, Laz visited my vets.  Since there are no medical records of him, he got a rabies shot and 2 others (I can never keep all those initials straight) and a microchip.  I don't ask too many questions, I just say "yes Maam", and sign the credit card receipt afterwards.  And he goes back in 3 weeks for either more or 2nd shots.  Fecal sample was clean.  He weighs 9 lbs 7 oz.

They said he was adorable, calm, and in apparent purrfect health.

I let him rest from being "handled, probed, and stabbed" in The Mew's Room when we returned.  After an hour, I decided it was time to let The Mews meet nose-to-nose.  I simply left the door open and kept an ear and eye open for any problems.

Laz didn't want to come out; Marley and Ayla didn't want to go in.  The room had to smell pretty strongly of Laz; he had been in there for 6 days!  Eventually, Marley sauntered in and sniffed the litterbox, sniffed the carpet, and ate some of Laz's food.  Then started to leave, but stopped and turned around.  My guess is that with a strong smell of Laz all around, Marley hadn't realized he was right there a few feet away.

They sniffed.  Mostly Laz as the newbie, but Marley accepted the sniffing as part of a proper meeting.

Laz:  "He is BIG".

 Sniffin politely.  And interesting!

Laz:  Watcha eat here?   (And BTW, that may be the best picture of his furs so far).

Marley:  Mousies.  And Stinky Goodness from cans.

Laz:  "Whats a mouse or cans"?

Marley:  "Oh Bast, give me patience!  I'll have to teach this grasshoppercat a LOT!"

Marley:  What is THIS weerd litter?  You LIKE that?   It smells like pine needles!

Ooh, leftovers!

Yum.

Wait, he ate my food...?   Not that I was eating it, but still...

Laz:  Can I be your brofur?

Marley:  "Groom my head"!

OK.   You're in...  But I'm in charge.  (the mild hiss of dominance...)

Marley then walked out.  I considered that a good start.  Ayla came by a few minutes later, saw Laz right away and offerred a few rather more sincere hisses.  When you are small, sometimes you have to trash-talk loud!

After about 15 minutes, it seems to have occurred to Laz that he could leave the room I had to quick-click before the camera got focussed).  My bedroom is directly across the hall, so that's where he went.

 "Under the bed" usually means "anywhere under the entirety of it".  But my waterbed sits on an enclosed  platform of drawers.  So "unner the bed" here actually means the 12" of space high and wide under the bookcase headboard between the drawer platform and the wall.

Laz has basically stayed there for 2 days.  I haven't been able to touch him since I let him out of the Mews Room.  I set bowls of his accustomed dry food, another brand of dry food, some canned food (smellier, so maybe attractive and "just in case he likes it"), and a water bowl.  I refresh them 2x a day.  He eats a small amount of each and drinks sparingly.   I can tell by the bowls and his pine pellet litterbox, but it sure isn't as much as seems normal.

I am slightly concerned.  I know cats can "hold it" for days under stress, but I don't want that to go on too long.  On the other hand, I've realized that Ayla and Marley don't drink much water (obvious from changes in their litter boxes since Iza left - the peepods have gone from many softball-size clumps to a few golf-balls).

I do know Laz has been into the main area of the house a few times.  I have woken to a few hisses and some running sounds a couple times each of the past few nights.  I actually consider that a good sign.  If he is moving around at night it means he is getting used to the rest of the house and meeting Marley and/or Ayla even if they are not getting along yet.

All my recent cats (1992 Skeeter onwards) have gotten along with the other cat(s) after only a few days.  This one is taking longer.  And it isn't like Skeeter and LC weren't stressed when they arrived to face established cats.  If Laz continues to hide, I am going to have to move the bed headboard (door closed) to pick him up and return him to the (aired-out) Mews Room for for socialization toward me and possibly even eating-encouragement.  I will squirt chicken broth and electrolytes down his throat if I have to.

I thought I had Laz slightly socialized to me when he was in the Mews Room.  He hid the first few days of course, but he later would stay on the platform tree and let me stoke his back and give him scritchies.  And he seemed to like that.  He kneaded his paws and even was starting to purr.

The sudden stand-offishness is sad.  The lack of eating as much as he should is sad.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Comments?

We have the uncomfortable feeling that we have been typing comments to our friends and they are not showing up in many sites.  If that is true, be assured we are trying. 

We see more and more blogs where the comments box asks for our name, email and address.  Some autofill with a letter or two but more don't lately (demanding we enter it all from scratch).  And one site demanded we clear our cookies and cache.

We dont unnerstand that stuff and will keep trying, hoping it is temporary.  But if you haven't been hearing from us, that might be why.

Meanwhile,  March 2017...

Marley on Mouse Patrol...   Patient, silent, looking for movement, listening for squeeks...

Caturday Saturday

TBT:  Well, some preliminary news about Iza.  I brought a detailed list of her problems to the new vet last week.  The front desk person said they don't do things that way, but I explained that these were problems that wouldn't be observed in a regular office visit and I wanted the Vet to consider them before I brought her in.  She reluctantly accept the list and scanned it into Iza's records.  The expectation was that they would contact me for an appointment after the Vet had reviewed the symptoms.

I also mentioned that the previous Vet (whom they had combined practices with anticipating his retirement in May (he did) had never seemed to pay enough attention to her issues, and since we were starting over with a new vet, it seemed like a good time to make a deliberate restart on addressing Iza's problems in detail. 

I will add that the new Vet seems more organized.  The previous Vet had folders of paper; the new one has everything on computer.  We even get birthday wishes. 

I was beginning to feel ignored, but I got a very good email from the Vet herself last evening.  She went into considerable detail about the possible problems, possible solutions, and the possibility that some of the problems might not be curable.

To summarize, Iza horks up white foam at dawn, can't keep down a full meal first thing in the morning, will eat dry food until she returns it to the floor, has pudding poop, and won't poop in the litter box unless I happen to be standing there (at which time she is a "good girl").  She appears to have a constantly swollen belly.  She drinks water constantly.

The Vet mentioned each issue (so she read what I gave them).  She mentioned Gastritis, IBD, stomach-lining irritation, food allergies, eating habits, diabetes, and possibly kidney disease.  She suggests a blood tests, possibly and xray, meds, habit-changes, and an exam. 

Iza has an appointment on the 16th.  Given the new Vet's positive and detailed email, I have hopes that Iza (and I) will get some relief from at least some of her problems.  It may require several visits, some meds, some special foods, etc, but I won't mind that a bit. 

Just wanted to give everyone an update of the situation.  I won't know whether this results in anything successful maybe even after the initial visit, but the attitude of the new Vet seems promising.

Not Good Tuesday

IZA:  I cant belief it.   Dad is going ta bring me to the NEW vet (Dr Jeffrey retired 3 moons ago) and not fer an annual visit either.  Well, not today, but soon.

So what if my poops are like "pudding"  So What if I return my first meal to the floor sometimes?  So what iffen  I hack up white foam every morning?  Who doesn't?

TBT:  Iza, most cats DON'T.  Ayla and Marley don't.  Neither do your friends (mostly).

IZA:  They don't?

TBT:  No.  You have a problem, Iza, and maybe now that Dr Jeffery has retired, we should take a new look at it.  Just because Dr Jeffrey couldn't find the problem doesn't mean a new vet can't.  Wouldn't you like to eat and keep your food down in the morning?

IZA:  Well, yeah, I guess...

DAD MODE (I'm still trying to get used to this):  So understand, Iza, it is going be an annoying visit.    The new vet is going to stab you a couple times, invade your nether parts and "maybe" do some other annoying stuff I don't even know about.  But she really cares about kitties and wants to figure out how to make you happier!

IZA:  "Happier"?

DAD:  Well, do you LIKE horking up foam every morning?

IZA:  Well no.

DAD:  So let's give the new vet a chance to make you feel better, OK?

IZA:  You gotta be kidding me, right?  New vet, new place, stabbies,  thermometer up the wazoo, and maybe more and you think I'll be "happy".

DAD:  Its worse.  It's a "maybe".  But you remember when Ayla had her 3rd spay operation and that was a "maybe" and it worked?  This is a "maybe".

IZA:  Dang...

Im NOT happy about this Dad...

DAD: Hope and trust Iza,  Have I ever done you wrong?

IZA:    You stepped on my paw in the kitchen last week...

DAD:   You snuck up behind me. But I AM sorry.  And I let you stay on my lap for an hour after.  And I stroked you until you fell asleep.

IZA:  OK, OK, newlady vet huh?
  ..........................

TBT:   I've written an outline of Iza's "intake and output" problems to bring to the new vet later today.  I want her to read it first and consider the entirety of the problems before I just drop Iza on her and explain them verbally. 

Doctors sometimes don't listen very well (or sometimes all they know is what the receptionist writes down), and these are problems a vet can't discover just by an exam.  And having a written list of problems might help in a diagnosis. 

For example, are Iza's stools soft because she drinks so much water and why is she drinking so much water anyway (she always has, it's not new).  I tried an anti-diarheal and if anything, her stools are worse. 

And what's with the white foam most mornings at dawn?  That almost sounds like me when I had acid reflux problems the last 10 working years (stopped completely a few months after I retired).  But I can't think of any stress Iza has.

So she regurgitates good high-quality food of various meats, drinks a LOT of water, poops pudding,  and horks foam in the morning.  She has always seemed to have a swollen stomach, but past x-rays have shown no blockage or twisted intestine.  Dr Miller could never find a cause. 

Its time to have someone new look at the problems...