26-MAR-2015
Kitty is NOT Pleased
Two minutes before this photo was taken, dad used a pill-plunger to get an antibiotic pill down my throat!!! Oh, the indignity!
I bragged too soon about gaining weight during my Monday checkup. Things took a little downturn after that. Let's just say I was losing fluids from both ends, and my weight dropped 3 ounces.
It seems I've developed a bacterial imbalance in my colon, so I need 5 days of antibiotics to sort things out. This has happened several times before, so it's not too unusual.
Yesterday (Wednesday), I also received fluids under the skin and another Cerenia shot. We go back to the vet's office tomorrow for a glucose check and probably another Cerenia injection to get me through the weekend. That'll be our 3rd trip to the vets this week. They are nice folks, but I'm getting a little fussy about these trips that always seem to interrupt my afternoon nap.
Oh, the pain, the pain!
28-MAR-2015
The Day After
I really don't feel like being bothered right now. We all had a rough night. Mom or dad must have been up with me ten times.
My pancreatitis is acting up which means my glucose levels were high yesterday at the vet's office. I feel weak in the limbs when this happens and just want to curl up somewhere and be left alone.
I had a #1 accident in the bed during the night and soaked the covers and sheets through to the mattress pad. The bacterial imbalance has not sorted itself out, either, so there were quite a few messy #2 trips to the litter box. Dad is still giving me antibiotics with the pill plunger for that.
Did I ever tell you that I tend to be an uncooperative patient? If you think you're just going to tilt my head back and pop a pill in my mouth, you're in for a fight. And even if you think you succeeded, the truth is I only pretended to swallow it. I'll hold it in my mouth and then spit it back out when you're not looking.
You want me to eat a pill pocket with the antibiotic inside it? No way. Even if you insert the pill with a pair of tweezers to keep the scent off your hands or the outside of the pocket, do you really think an old kitty can be deceived? Try harder next time.
Begrudgingly, I have become a bit more accustomed to the pill plunger, so that is less a struggle. Especially if I get a couple of "party mix" kitty treats immediately afterwards.
28-MAR-2015
Panthor and Jaymo Hanging Out
Panthor and Jaymo hang out together in the late afternoon. Jaymo is the neighbor's "indoor/outdoor" kitty, so he is allowed to roam free. Panthor has an enclosure that dad built for her with three dog crates. Thankfully, he did not include the dogs!
Although mom and dad would love to allow Panthor to run free, the fact is that free range kitties have a much more dangerous life. They lost their beloved companion, Miss Kitty, a few years ago. She was also an "indoor/outdoor" kitty, and early one evening she went out and never came back.
More recently, Jaymo had a female companion, Jovi, who was a welcome visitor to our yard. She was run over and killed by a car. That was heartbreaking news because she was such a friendly girl.
Panthor's "playhouse" has a second level where she can watch the activities of birds and squirrels around the bird feeders, so it's a little bit like live kitty-cat TV. That helps keep her entertained. And, of course, there is nothing like an outdoor nap!
29-MAR-2015
On the Mend
After a few down days, I'm doing much better now. This morning I found a beam of sunshine on the couch and soaked up the warmth.
30-MAR-2015
Cuddle Time
Despite not feeling my best, I've had lots of premium cuddle time with both mom and dad. This is what makes all the visits to the veterinarian's office worthwhile! Okay, and going outside, and naps in the sun, and naps under my comforter, and naps on the couch, and naps in my cat bed...you get the idea. :-)
Panthor Beauty Queen
My sister Panthor received lots of attention from mom and dad this morning. They call her their "beauty queen." But just to be clear, no one gets called "beautiful" more times in this household than me! Just keeping the record straight.
As you can see, Panthor also has a white undercoat.
02-APR-2015
Spa Treatment
Well, not really a "spa" treatment--it's not like I was getting my nails done or anything--but mom did give me a gentle brushing, and then dad washed my face with a warm washcloth. Not bad. Not bad at all.
03-APR-2015
Harriet Selfie
I asked dad to help me take a selfie and these are the results. For some reason, HE is a little more in focus than I am. Next time I'll keep a closer eye on what he's doing!
08-APR-2015
Tired Kitty
No, I'm not dead, just tired. I have a number of health issues going on at the moment and we're all dealing with it as best we can. I'm grateful that I can stretch out on the couch and take a much-needed nap!
My glucose levels have been high for the last several checkups and are not yet under control. My limbs are weak and my forelegs cross over one another as I walk. I also have to rest before I walk too far. This is diabetic neuropathy. Dad says that I'm "wobbly." We can only up my insulin dosage a little at a time, or run the risk of low blood sugar, which is even worse.
A few days ago I had heavy discharge from my left eye. The vet diagnosed it as conjunctivitis due to a scratch on the third eyelid (nictitating membrane). I'm getting antibiotic eye ointment twice a day to treat that.
No doubt to the high glucose levels, I have developed a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). I've had a tough time with bladder control since early this morning. I can't get to the litter box in time before an accident happens, or when I do get there, I only make it partially inside the box before losing control. Dad went to the vet and got a prescription to help with this.
So it has not been a restful morning, for anyone.
08-APR-2015
Cuddle Time With Mom
The antibiotics for the UTI are doing their job and I had some cuddle time with mom. I've been something of a "momma's girl" recently and sleep on her shoulder at night.
For all the problems that come and go, dad, mom, and the vet all agree that even though there are days I do not feel well, I am not in a chronic pain situation. In other words, I am not suffering, nor have I given up the will to live. I continue to be the same loving girl I've been since the first days here in my new home.
08-APR-2015
Coming Out of My Tent
After cuddle time with mom, I lay down on the couch and she wrapped me in my wool blanket. It's raining and there is thunder in the background, so it helped me feel safe. Here I am coming out to take another run at my food saucer.
Notice that my left eye is still a little messed up. The ointment is working its magic and the drainage is hardly anything compared to how it started.
10-APR-2015
Notch Visits
Our dear friend Notch comes by frequently these days for an evening meal. She appears to be sporting a number of old battle wounds. Life is tough for kitties on the street!