After surgery Tilly became a picky eater. She wasn’t interested in her regular food and ignored a variety of treats. Her only consistent meal was the turkey flavored Whiskas Temptations treats. It was disconcerting. I couldn’t afford to feed her Temptations forever. Her typical weight of 8.5 pounds had dropped to 7.6 pounds but the doctor wasn’t too concerned. As long as she was eating, drinking, urinating, defecating, and acting normally I should not worry unless she loses more weight.
Because her internal stitches were still healing she was restricted to the first floor with all the tall areas covered with empty boxes. I would give her some wet food at night to coax her into the small bathroom on first floor to sleep. I gradually reduced the wet food so that she would consume more of the dry. She was highly disappointed the first night that she didn’t receive the extra treat. She meowed her objection to a dry treat very loudly.
Three weeks post-operation her six-inch external incision has healed except for a small one-inch segment. Thus, she had to continue to wear the soft Elizabethan collar which looks like a flat tutu. Her internal stitches are finally starting to dissolve so there is less of a ridge on her belly. For the first time, she did the full stretch while sleeping on my lap. She had relaxed so much that I think that she added four inches to her length. She must be feeling better and began to annoy Zozo again.
Tilly continues to be very cuddly. She likes to flop onto my chest with her back to my chin and get her chin scratched. She begins to purr and sometimes sleeps in that position. It is fine except when I wish to read a book or if I need to leave the couch for any reason. Zozo doesn’t like the collar but is treating Tilly almost normally. One month post-op I removed the collar, much to Tilly’s delight. Her fur is growing back slowly, it’s about an eighth of an inch long. However, until her internal stitches reduce I still have to restrict her to first floor.
I don’t regret Tilly’s operation. I am still emotional and cry easily, which is not regular behavior. A few kind people have donated to help towards the outrageously high medical bill. I will have to sell stuff to pay for it but Tilly is young and will compensate me with love. I would be honored by your contribution to www.gofundme.com/Ima-B-Musing Read about the whole adventure starting Dec 29, 2013.
Run Tilly Run!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
Showing posts with label ill feline. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ill feline. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
UNSTITCHED TILLY
Made the appointment to remove the sutures. The surgeon who performed the operation wasn’t working that day. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to schedule Tilly with my favorite veterinarian, Paul. He’s a big guy, 6ft 2 or so, but gentle with cats. One time he complimented me on Zozo being such a good cat and I responded, “Well, you must say that to lots of pet people.” He said no but it was more significant because the veterinarian technician shook her head and silently mouthed the words “No he doesn’t.”
The stitches were not evenly spaced, as a human surgeon would do. I suppose it is because fur will eventually hide the scar. I know a new vet, just out of college, assisted with the surgery so perhaps she was the one to close up the wound. The owner of the business did the follow-up checkup thirteen days after surgery. He was pleased with her progress on Saturday, January 11th.
Apparently Tilly has developed a reputation. As I took her back into the procedure room the four vet techs all exclaimed, “Tilly, our favorite patient.” Her incision is healing so the vet techs removed the prickly stitches. Tilly wiggled but never growled, hissed, scratched or bit them. She just looked very unhappy. She had to get an x-ray to make certain that her internal organs were in their proper place. All looked well, her lungs were filled with air, heart, stomach and spleen in their proper place, and the diaphragm had the proper curve. He was nice and just charged me the base cost for the x-ray.
He removed her soft Elizabethan collar and she was quite happy. As I spoke with him, I held her in my arms and she was calm and curious to look around. She had lived there for two days so it was a familiar, though chaotic, setting. He deemed the hernia to be congenital since she had not been in an accident and he could tell that I never kicked the cat. Its appalling when human adults harm each other; its inconceivable that people would harm a weaker being, such as a child or animal.
I brought her home and she was happy to be free of the collar. I washed it off. Tilly focused on grooming for several hours and drank lots of water. Unfortunately, she irritated the wound and reopened a small scab. She was unhappy that the collar was reinstalled. I was happy that I don’t have to worry about her tearing open the gash. The doctor gave the okay for her to run up and down stairs but she still needs to avoid high jumps. Thus, she will get free reign of the first floor and still sleep in the bathroom for a few more weeks. Zozo will join Tilly during waking hours but sleep in the basement at night, which has lots of places to jump.
Sadly, there was a cost to the medical progress exam $233.22 which brings the grand total to $2,756.05! Wowza, she is nearly worth her weight in gold or some other precious substance! I love her dearly but am frightened about paying this horrendous bill. I would greatly appreciate any contribution that you would care to make at www.gofundme.com/Ima-B-Musing
PS Part I of this non-fiction was published on Dec 29, 2013.
Heal Tilly!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
The stitches were not evenly spaced, as a human surgeon would do. I suppose it is because fur will eventually hide the scar. I know a new vet, just out of college, assisted with the surgery so perhaps she was the one to close up the wound. The owner of the business did the follow-up checkup thirteen days after surgery. He was pleased with her progress on Saturday, January 11th.
Apparently Tilly has developed a reputation. As I took her back into the procedure room the four vet techs all exclaimed, “Tilly, our favorite patient.” Her incision is healing so the vet techs removed the prickly stitches. Tilly wiggled but never growled, hissed, scratched or bit them. She just looked very unhappy. She had to get an x-ray to make certain that her internal organs were in their proper place. All looked well, her lungs were filled with air, heart, stomach and spleen in their proper place, and the diaphragm had the proper curve. He was nice and just charged me the base cost for the x-ray.
He removed her soft Elizabethan collar and she was quite happy. As I spoke with him, I held her in my arms and she was calm and curious to look around. She had lived there for two days so it was a familiar, though chaotic, setting. He deemed the hernia to be congenital since she had not been in an accident and he could tell that I never kicked the cat. Its appalling when human adults harm each other; its inconceivable that people would harm a weaker being, such as a child or animal.
I brought her home and she was happy to be free of the collar. I washed it off. Tilly focused on grooming for several hours and drank lots of water. Unfortunately, she irritated the wound and reopened a small scab. She was unhappy that the collar was reinstalled. I was happy that I don’t have to worry about her tearing open the gash. The doctor gave the okay for her to run up and down stairs but she still needs to avoid high jumps. Thus, she will get free reign of the first floor and still sleep in the bathroom for a few more weeks. Zozo will join Tilly during waking hours but sleep in the basement at night, which has lots of places to jump.
PS Part I of this non-fiction was published on Dec 29, 2013.
Heal Tilly!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
Thursday, January 9, 2014
TILLY’S TRAUMA
Each morning I look for poop in the litter box. Gross, but true. I am happy that Tilly is eating, though not enough, and her GI tract is intact. She needs the calories to heal. Thankfully, her incision looks okay. It is a bit swollen but no signs of external infection or bleeding. Her blue flexible Liz collar is keeping her tongue and teeth away from the stitches.
Friday morning, January 3rd, I ran some errands. Procured books and videos from the library and a few essential food items. Sequestered Tilly to the bathroom but she didn’t seem to mind. Zozo gets the run of first floor and the basement when Tilly is in the restroom. Watched the film “Silver Linings Playbook” which was good but not great. The hospital would have conducted a thorough mouth check for medication and psychiatrist never would have come over to the house. Content that Tilly slept on my lap and Zozo on my right side while I viewed the film. Shoveled a bit of snow on Saturday morning. Tried to watch “The Big Lebowski” but turned if off due to the excessive amount of swearing. Swear words are like spice, a little is okay but too much ruins the flavor. Decided not to attend a social event, due to the chilly weather. I don’t trust my 14-year-old car at night in the cold and I don’t have AAA to bale me out.
Commenced with cleaning and organizing. I am far behind what I had planned to accomplish during the holiday break. I have devoted a lot of time tending to Tilly. She actually played on Saturday morning but I am concerned by her lack of appetite. Normally, she is a fully tummy kind of kitty. She likes to eat a little bit every hour. She isn’t overweight because she plays a lot and likes to chase Zozo. Zozo is a long lean cat whereas Tilly is a bit short and stout.
I still haven’t figured out how I will pay the nearly $2,600 bill for Tilly’s trauma. She is now worth her weight in gold (thereabouts), if you figure 8.5 pounds (before the operation) equals $19.11 per ounce or $305.88 per pound. That is a lot of purrs and cuddling! I had feared that a catastrophic event would occur while I was underemployed, I just didn’t figure that it would involve my wee feline.
Donations for Tilly’s trauma are immensely cherished at www.gofundme.com/Ima-B-Musing PS Part I of this non-fiction was published on Dec 29, 2013.
My sweet babu.
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
Friday morning, January 3rd, I ran some errands. Procured books and videos from the library and a few essential food items. Sequestered Tilly to the bathroom but she didn’t seem to mind. Zozo gets the run of first floor and the basement when Tilly is in the restroom. Watched the film “Silver Linings Playbook” which was good but not great. The hospital would have conducted a thorough mouth check for medication and psychiatrist never would have come over to the house. Content that Tilly slept on my lap and Zozo on my right side while I viewed the film. Shoveled a bit of snow on Saturday morning. Tried to watch “The Big Lebowski” but turned if off due to the excessive amount of swearing. Swear words are like spice, a little is okay but too much ruins the flavor. Decided not to attend a social event, due to the chilly weather. I don’t trust my 14-year-old car at night in the cold and I don’t have AAA to bale me out.
Commenced with cleaning and organizing. I am far behind what I had planned to accomplish during the holiday break. I have devoted a lot of time tending to Tilly. She actually played on Saturday morning but I am concerned by her lack of appetite. Normally, she is a fully tummy kind of kitty. She likes to eat a little bit every hour. She isn’t overweight because she plays a lot and likes to chase Zozo. Zozo is a long lean cat whereas Tilly is a bit short and stout.
I still haven’t figured out how I will pay the nearly $2,600 bill for Tilly’s trauma. She is now worth her weight in gold (thereabouts), if you figure 8.5 pounds (before the operation) equals $19.11 per ounce or $305.88 per pound. That is a lot of purrs and cuddling! I had feared that a catastrophic event would occur while I was underemployed, I just didn’t figure that it would involve my wee feline.
Donations for Tilly’s trauma are immensely cherished at www.gofundme.com/Ima-B-Musing PS Part I of this non-fiction was published on Dec 29, 2013.
My sweet babu.
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
TILLY’S BIG BOO-BOO
There it was, a wee pile of pooh. I had never been so happy to see cat scat before! Tilly’s gastro-intestinal tract is working. Yeah, I am thrilled that she can shit again. Thus, is the life of a concerned human with an ill feline. Pathetic, yeah - a bit, but I’m sure that people with sick kids feel the same. I am responsible for her health and happiness. When either is threatened, I must do what I can to fix the situation.
Thursday, January 02, 2014 yielded the litter box present. Tilly dashed out of the bathroom. She is still picking at her food. Coaxed her to consume more of the Whiskas Temptations turkey flavored treats and Friskies Ocean Whitefish and Tuna pate wet food. I give her lots of praise when she eats because she has definitely lost weight since Saturday. Normally, she is about eight and a half pounds of trouble. She had dropped to 7.92 pounds when she was discharged on Tuesday night. I gave her the final dose of the anti-inflammatory, which may cause some her lack of appetite.
Thankfully, she has not been crying in pain and is walking around normally. The IV line site seems to have healed though it will take a month or more for the fur to grow back. It is strange to see dark stripes on her skin, which matches the fur. The sunshine is making the house warm despite the terribly cold temperatures outside. Managed to do some cleaning and leave the cats alone for a while. I do check on them hourly. Tilly jumped up on some furniture that I had placed large boxes on and pull off her e-collar. She didn’t seem to have damaged herself but I’m glad that I have a few days of vacation. I didn’t plan to be a nurse to a cat. I’d be worried sick at work and probably not be very productive. Every hour that Tilly is healing is a good step in the right direction.
On December 24th I dreamt that I had trouble breathing, when I looked down my kidney was shoved under my ribs. In the dream I said, “It ought not be there” and awoke enough to remember the dream. Odd, could it of been a premonition about Tilly? Am I so in-tune with the cats that I can feel them? I think that anything is possible. We are all living creatures and I adore these silly pets. On Sunday night I could not warm up, I was shivering and felt nauseated. The next day I mentioned it to someone at work and she said that perhaps I was feeling the after-affects of anesthesia. I think it was probably due to adrenaline but maybe…
Donations for Tilly’s big boo-boo are profoundly prized at www.gofundme.com/Ima-B-Musing The current total is $2,522.83 (swift intake of breath).
PS Part I of this saga was published on Dec 29, 2013.
Love your kitty!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
Thursday, January 02, 2014 yielded the litter box present. Tilly dashed out of the bathroom. She is still picking at her food. Coaxed her to consume more of the Whiskas Temptations turkey flavored treats and Friskies Ocean Whitefish and Tuna pate wet food. I give her lots of praise when she eats because she has definitely lost weight since Saturday. Normally, she is about eight and a half pounds of trouble. She had dropped to 7.92 pounds when she was discharged on Tuesday night. I gave her the final dose of the anti-inflammatory, which may cause some her lack of appetite.
Thankfully, she has not been crying in pain and is walking around normally. The IV line site seems to have healed though it will take a month or more for the fur to grow back. It is strange to see dark stripes on her skin, which matches the fur. The sunshine is making the house warm despite the terribly cold temperatures outside. Managed to do some cleaning and leave the cats alone for a while. I do check on them hourly. Tilly jumped up on some furniture that I had placed large boxes on and pull off her e-collar. She didn’t seem to have damaged herself but I’m glad that I have a few days of vacation. I didn’t plan to be a nurse to a cat. I’d be worried sick at work and probably not be very productive. Every hour that Tilly is healing is a good step in the right direction.
On December 24th I dreamt that I had trouble breathing, when I looked down my kidney was shoved under my ribs. In the dream I said, “It ought not be there” and awoke enough to remember the dream. Odd, could it of been a premonition about Tilly? Am I so in-tune with the cats that I can feel them? I think that anything is possible. We are all living creatures and I adore these silly pets. On Sunday night I could not warm up, I was shivering and felt nauseated. The next day I mentioned it to someone at work and she said that perhaps I was feeling the after-affects of anesthesia. I think it was probably due to adrenaline but maybe…
Donations for Tilly’s big boo-boo are profoundly prized at www.gofundme.com/Ima-B-Musing The current total is $2,522.83 (swift intake of breath).
PS Part I of this saga was published on Dec 29, 2013.
Love your kitty!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
Sunday, January 5, 2014
RECOVERING TILLY
Only once did I get up during the night to check on Tilly’s first night home. I made certain that she was okay and try to coax her to eat. She sniffed at her regular food but did eat a few pieces of Whiskas Temptations turkey flavored snacks. Normally, they are treats but I will willingly let her eat the whole package because she needs the calories to heal.
New Year’s Day was rather dull. I was too worried to leave the house. I watched Tilly closely and would occasionally get her to nibble on food. I called all my friends to update them on her condition. Zozo isn’t hissing as much but not back to normal with Tilly. I placed a couch cushion below the radiator to reduce the jumping height and provide a softer landing pad. The radiator is the warmest location in the house so Tilly spent a lot of time sleeping there. I am sure her skin, internal diaphragm and stomach muscles are sore and hurt from the stitches.
She has been walking a bit funny because her right forearm was shaved for an intravenous line. I’m sure that it still hurts. Her back right leg is also shaved so they may have used it during the operation but it doesn’t seem to bother her. I gently massaged the areas around her incision and arm, which made her purr. Tilly has been eating a bit more. Lack of hunger is a side effect of the Onsior drug but she only has one more dose to take.
Due to lack of funds, I had procured movies from the library last week before Tilly got ill. Too damn cold to go outside. I watched “Beasts of the Southern Wild” which was very good. However, the boats would have been sucked through the breach in the levy. I also viewed “V is for Vendetta” because I had missed out on a lot of the dialogue when I saw it at the movie theater. It was nice to use close captioning. However, how did she get perfectly fitting clothes when she wasn’t at home?
Zozo snuggled up under the covers and Tilly slept on top. I was happy and relieved that she had survived three days post-operation. Happiness is a purring cat on your lap! Donations for Tilly’s ouch are wholly treasured at www.gofundme.com/Ima-B-Musing The current total is $2,522.83 (gasp).
PS Part I of this saga was published on Dec 29, 2013.
Happy 2014!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
New Year’s Day was rather dull. I was too worried to leave the house. I watched Tilly closely and would occasionally get her to nibble on food. I called all my friends to update them on her condition. Zozo isn’t hissing as much but not back to normal with Tilly. I placed a couch cushion below the radiator to reduce the jumping height and provide a softer landing pad. The radiator is the warmest location in the house so Tilly spent a lot of time sleeping there. I am sure her skin, internal diaphragm and stomach muscles are sore and hurt from the stitches.
She has been walking a bit funny because her right forearm was shaved for an intravenous line. I’m sure that it still hurts. Her back right leg is also shaved so they may have used it during the operation but it doesn’t seem to bother her. I gently massaged the areas around her incision and arm, which made her purr. Tilly has been eating a bit more. Lack of hunger is a side effect of the Onsior drug but she only has one more dose to take.
Due to lack of funds, I had procured movies from the library last week before Tilly got ill. Too damn cold to go outside. I watched “Beasts of the Southern Wild” which was very good. However, the boats would have been sucked through the breach in the levy. I also viewed “V is for Vendetta” because I had missed out on a lot of the dialogue when I saw it at the movie theater. It was nice to use close captioning. However, how did she get perfectly fitting clothes when she wasn’t at home?
Zozo snuggled up under the covers and Tilly slept on top. I was happy and relieved that she had survived three days post-operation. Happiness is a purring cat on your lap! Donations for Tilly’s ouch are wholly treasured at www.gofundme.com/Ima-B-Musing The current total is $2,522.83 (gasp).
PS Part I of this saga was published on Dec 29, 2013.
Happy 2014!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
Friday, January 3, 2014
POST-OP TILLY
Shorn from armpit to thigh the softest fur was removed revealing eight tiny nipples. The incision is stem to stern, six inches in length stretching from just below her ribs and down her stomach. The gash is held together with sixteen stitches and looks ghastly. It is slightly swollen and two quarter sized bruises mark where the forceps pinched the skin. Tilly’s diaphragmatic hernia operation occurred on the evening of Sunday, December 29th. (Part I was published on Dec 29, 2013.) Unfortunately, I do not own a digital camera or I would post a photo.
I wasn’t allowed to see Tilly right after her operation, probably because I had been crying so much. I dropped by on Monday morning on my way to work. She was rather spacey from the medications but was breathing better. The clinic had to place a “bolter” sign on her cage because when they opened the door she would run out. I reluctantly went to work. I called the clinic every two hours to check on her condition. The drive home was terrible due to slippery snowfall; it took an hour and a half to journey to the clinic. Tilly was doing much better but had a slight fever and didn’t want to eat much. I was content to have her purr and fall asleep with me stroking her ears. They said that she was extremely social.
I visited again on Tuesday, December 31st, morning and Tilly’s fever was finally gone. I hugged the surgeon out of gratitude. Tilly was curious and wanted to meet the other animals in the hospital. I called only once to procure an update about her status. I picked her up on the way home from work. Quick drive home in the cold. Thankfully, she is young and was in good shape before suddenly becoming ill on Saturday. She would have died without the surgery. I am too emotionally fragile to have another being that I love die since my mom died a couple months ago. The grief boiled up into a lot of tears during the past few days and sleepless nights.
“Tilly is a sweet girl and has been a very cooperative patient,” the Discharge Instructions further stated that, “Although Tilly has only eaten small amounts while in hospital, we feel she is stable to continue her recovery at home.” She is taking two medications: Buprenorphine 0.3mg/ml (pain medication) every twelve hours for five days; and Onsior 6mg tab (anti-inflammatory for her fever) one tablet a day for two days. “Tilly must be kept quiet at home for the next couple of weeks to allow for the incision to heal,” were further notes. She is wearing a blue E-collar, which is a more humane version of the standard hard Elizabethan collar. It does not permit her to reach her incision but can lick some parts of her body. The poor kitty will have to wear the collar for several weeks until her wound is healed.
I blocked off everything that she normally jumps upon, much to the chagrin of Zozo. Zozo began hissing at Tilly on Saturday and wasn’t happy about the hospital smell that permeated the patient. Tilly will sleep in the downstairs bathroom and only be permitted to saunter around on first floor until she gets the okay for jumping and stairs. Zozo isn’t happy that she too is restricted to first floor but I do let her sleep in the basement at night.
I cancelled plans for New Years Eve and stayed at home with my cats. I was perfectly content to have them curled up on my lap sleeping. I was so tired that I went to bed before midnight. 2014 has to be better than the past lap around the sun. Deeply concerned about my failing finances.
Donations for her operation are greatly appreciated at www.gofundme.com/Ima-B-Musing The current total is $2,522.83 (barring additional complications).
Have a great year!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
I wasn’t allowed to see Tilly right after her operation, probably because I had been crying so much. I dropped by on Monday morning on my way to work. She was rather spacey from the medications but was breathing better. The clinic had to place a “bolter” sign on her cage because when they opened the door she would run out. I reluctantly went to work. I called the clinic every two hours to check on her condition. The drive home was terrible due to slippery snowfall; it took an hour and a half to journey to the clinic. Tilly was doing much better but had a slight fever and didn’t want to eat much. I was content to have her purr and fall asleep with me stroking her ears. They said that she was extremely social.
I visited again on Tuesday, December 31st, morning and Tilly’s fever was finally gone. I hugged the surgeon out of gratitude. Tilly was curious and wanted to meet the other animals in the hospital. I called only once to procure an update about her status. I picked her up on the way home from work. Quick drive home in the cold. Thankfully, she is young and was in good shape before suddenly becoming ill on Saturday. She would have died without the surgery. I am too emotionally fragile to have another being that I love die since my mom died a couple months ago. The grief boiled up into a lot of tears during the past few days and sleepless nights.
“Tilly is a sweet girl and has been a very cooperative patient,” the Discharge Instructions further stated that, “Although Tilly has only eaten small amounts while in hospital, we feel she is stable to continue her recovery at home.” She is taking two medications: Buprenorphine 0.3mg/ml (pain medication) every twelve hours for five days; and Onsior 6mg tab (anti-inflammatory for her fever) one tablet a day for two days. “Tilly must be kept quiet at home for the next couple of weeks to allow for the incision to heal,” were further notes. She is wearing a blue E-collar, which is a more humane version of the standard hard Elizabethan collar. It does not permit her to reach her incision but can lick some parts of her body. The poor kitty will have to wear the collar for several weeks until her wound is healed.
I blocked off everything that she normally jumps upon, much to the chagrin of Zozo. Zozo began hissing at Tilly on Saturday and wasn’t happy about the hospital smell that permeated the patient. Tilly will sleep in the downstairs bathroom and only be permitted to saunter around on first floor until she gets the okay for jumping and stairs. Zozo isn’t happy that she too is restricted to first floor but I do let her sleep in the basement at night.
I cancelled plans for New Years Eve and stayed at home with my cats. I was perfectly content to have them curled up on my lap sleeping. I was so tired that I went to bed before midnight. 2014 has to be better than the past lap around the sun. Deeply concerned about my failing finances.
Donations for her operation are greatly appreciated at www.gofundme.com/Ima-B-Musing The current total is $2,522.83 (barring additional complications).
Have a great year!
Copyright © 2014 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
Saturday, December 14, 2013
CAT SCRATCH FEVER
Dreadfully worried about the cat’s continued dermatological issues. They both have scabs and obviously are suffering from the itchy nature of the irritation. Zozo tore out a small section of fur on her stomach and Tilly has crusty nodules scattered throughout her body. First, I returned them to the old cat food and old litter but to no avail. Their behavior has not altered and they continue to eat and drink. The second attempt at a cure was adding a half a tablet of L-lysine to their diet. I ground it in a mortar & pestle and mixed it in with wet food, which they love. After two weeks there was no difference.
Since I am a member of the “working poor” I can’t afford to buy anything more than absolute necessities. Thus, I haven’t brought new items into the home. The only change is a subscription the Star Tribune newspaper. It was extremely cheap at $15 for six months and I do love to read the Sunday edition while sipping tea. I usually toss the newspaper on the floor because the cats like to jump, play on and under it. Perhaps the newsprint is bothering their skin. My third try at a cure was gathering up all the sheets and placing them in the shed. I will use them to cover the garden as mulch in the spring. Unfortunately, it didn’t bring about healthy skin.
I consulted several websites and spoke with a Veterinarian Technologist. As a result, my fourth endeavor was to add a half a tablet of fish oil/omega-3 and a half tablet of anti-histamine (loratadine) to their wet food twice per day. It seemed to reduce their itching. Zozo’s stomach rash has subsided but Tilly has not improved. I don’t want to over-tax their wee bodies with medication. I’d be crushed if I inadvertently harmed them.
The next step is to place an Elizabethan collar on each cat. It will stop them from excessive chewing and licking but make them miserable. Zozo had to wear one for four months while recuperating from leg surgery several years ago. It took her a long time to forgive me. However, I will do it if required. Tilly's anal glands now appear to be blocked, I don't know how to clear them out so I will also have to find a super cheap veterinarian. I can’t afford $200+ for a two-cat visit, plus tests, plus medications. However, I feel terrible that they must suffer from my poverty. Felines are a luxury, which I could afford when I was paid properly. However, they really help my mental health and would be emotionally crushed if I had to get rid of them.
Heal my sweeties!
Copyright © 2013 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
Since I am a member of the “working poor” I can’t afford to buy anything more than absolute necessities. Thus, I haven’t brought new items into the home. The only change is a subscription the Star Tribune newspaper. It was extremely cheap at $15 for six months and I do love to read the Sunday edition while sipping tea. I usually toss the newspaper on the floor because the cats like to jump, play on and under it. Perhaps the newsprint is bothering their skin. My third try at a cure was gathering up all the sheets and placing them in the shed. I will use them to cover the garden as mulch in the spring. Unfortunately, it didn’t bring about healthy skin.
I consulted several websites and spoke with a Veterinarian Technologist. As a result, my fourth endeavor was to add a half a tablet of fish oil/omega-3 and a half tablet of anti-histamine (loratadine) to their wet food twice per day. It seemed to reduce their itching. Zozo’s stomach rash has subsided but Tilly has not improved. I don’t want to over-tax their wee bodies with medication. I’d be crushed if I inadvertently harmed them.
Heal my sweeties!
Copyright © 2013 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved
Monday, April 8, 2013
ZOZO’S PETALS
When you don’t know what is wrong, you suffer. When the injured party can’t tell you what is wrong, you both are miserable. Such is the plight of an ill feline. She can’t use human words to articulate the problem, and the veterinarian can only make an educated guess. Zozo appeared to have a sinus infection and breathing returned to almost normal after consuming the Clavamox medication for a few days. Unfortunately, a couple days after ceasing the medicine her breathing became labored again. I called the veterinarian and procured another round of antibiotics. The new meds, Zeniquin 25mg (Marboflocacin) is a stronger formula that has been approved for dogs but the vet said that there have been good results with cats. It cost $27 for two weeks since the pills are cut in half.
Because she is intelligent, I learned to show Zozo the pill, pry open her mouth, and set the pill on the back of her tongue. When she is obliging, she swallows, I praise her, and Zozo purrs. Better than trying to trick her to eat it, which usually did not work or forcing it into her mouth. The logical approach reduced her bitter and resentful reaction to an irritated scowl. Placing a dab of butter on the pill seems to make her more compliant but she knows enough to avoid me when she hears the pill bottle being opened.
Tillie is excited because I have continued to give Zozo a daily dose of L-lysine. The 500 mg pill is huge so I crush it in my mortar bowl with a pestle. I scoop out about a tablespoon of wet cat food, mix in the crushed amino-acid, and place it on a small plate. Tillie gets about a teaspoon on her own plate. I have to watch to make certain that Zozo consumes her portion or else Tillie will body-check Zozo and gobble down the doctored food. Tillie is a bully even though she weighs less and is younger than Zozo. I have been taking a pill too since I’ve been dealing with the whiplash and a cold. The vet copied a page from a medical book to support the use of lysine for me to read. I should have asked for the title of the book.
Zozo was better after only two doses of the stronger antibiotic. The vet told me to give her the entire two-week dose to make certain that the infection is cleared. She has been throwing up more than usual and I wonder if it is related to the medication. Veterinarians should provide the same reference sheet as human-treating doctors do when administering prescriptions. I would have a better understanding of what to watch for regarding adverse reactions. The stress of having an ill animal makes it difficult to remember conversations at the vet office; I’m lucky that I don’t collapse from worry. I adore my cats and have a responsibility to make certain that they are healthy and happy. They rely upon me to be a good caretaker. I take that responsibility seriously.
Love my felixes.
© 2013 Ima B. Musing
Because she is intelligent, I learned to show Zozo the pill, pry open her mouth, and set the pill on the back of her tongue. When she is obliging, she swallows, I praise her, and Zozo purrs. Better than trying to trick her to eat it, which usually did not work or forcing it into her mouth. The logical approach reduced her bitter and resentful reaction to an irritated scowl. Placing a dab of butter on the pill seems to make her more compliant but she knows enough to avoid me when she hears the pill bottle being opened.
Tillie is excited because I have continued to give Zozo a daily dose of L-lysine. The 500 mg pill is huge so I crush it in my mortar bowl with a pestle. I scoop out about a tablespoon of wet cat food, mix in the crushed amino-acid, and place it on a small plate. Tillie gets about a teaspoon on her own plate. I have to watch to make certain that Zozo consumes her portion or else Tillie will body-check Zozo and gobble down the doctored food. Tillie is a bully even though she weighs less and is younger than Zozo. I have been taking a pill too since I’ve been dealing with the whiplash and a cold. The vet copied a page from a medical book to support the use of lysine for me to read. I should have asked for the title of the book.
Zozo was better after only two doses of the stronger antibiotic. The vet told me to give her the entire two-week dose to make certain that the infection is cleared. She has been throwing up more than usual and I wonder if it is related to the medication. Veterinarians should provide the same reference sheet as human-treating doctors do when administering prescriptions. I would have a better understanding of what to watch for regarding adverse reactions. The stress of having an ill animal makes it difficult to remember conversations at the vet office; I’m lucky that I don’t collapse from worry. I adore my cats and have a responsibility to make certain that they are healthy and happy. They rely upon me to be a good caretaker. I take that responsibility seriously.
Love my felixes.
© 2013 Ima B. Musing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)