Today's Special: The Shaved Tummy Issue

First and foremost I'm here to make a confession. I'm a sensitive cat. Why you ask? How do I know this? Well, let me start at the beginning and tell you the whole story...

A few weeks ago peeps' real estate agent gave them a call about a house in our current neighborhood that she thought would be perfect. The peeps were in the process of getting ready to start renovations on our current house - which we all love. Well, peeps went to see this new house and low and behold, it was indeed perfect. Peeps fell in love with it...mostly because they felt it would be wonderful for us. Not only is it bigger, but we'll have a room just for our litter boxes...which we'll access thru a kitty door!  And there's a place in the master bedroom that will be just right for a brand new kitty tree!  Be still my heart! A kitty tree! I can't wait! I can't wait!

So, to make a long story short, the peeps made an offer to this house and the house accepted it.  At first I was worried the peeps had offered it my food, but since that time I've come to learn that they didn't. Whew! So we are officially moving! As soon as this offer was accepted and lots of paperwork was signed, the peeps went into overdrive to get our house ready to go to the market. Or maybe it's on the market. I can't keep all this real estate mumbo jumbo straight!  It was a frantic time! One of the hardest things they had to do was...gulp...board us so that people could come look at our house and hopefully want to buy it. It was a really hard decision for peeps to make.  They did not want to board us. They even looked around at extended stay hotels or short-term apartments so that we wouldn't have to be boarded. But alas...in the end...boarding was the only option. With heavy hearts they inspected a few places and found one they really liked just 5 minutes from our house. It had these really nifty glass condos and each condo held two cats so none of us would be alone. So...they made the reservation and dreaded the day when we'd have to go. That day finally came on Friday 11 June. Peeps packed us up that afternoon and off we went. They got us all settled and left for a few hours. The boarding place already knew that peeps would be coming to visit us every day and they'd be feeding us dinner.  Sure enough, 3 hrs later peeps came back! And boy I'm glad they did...

When peeps arrived they opened up all the condos to let us out. But when they got to my condo, they found me in the bottom, foam all around my mouth and throw up everywhere. They were terrified...and so was I. They could see that I wasn't feeling well at all to say the very least. They got me out of the condo and I started panting so they quickly called the vet, explained the situation and the vet said that they should bring me right in. So into the carrier I went and off to the vet. On the ride over, I really started scaring my peeps b/c they thought I was going to pass out. They could see I was "out of it" and just drove as fast as they could to get me help. Once at the vet I was whisked into an exam room, quickly checked over and taken to the back to an oxygen cage. They set me up with an IV and waited to see if I would stabilize. Vet said as far as she could see, I'd had a panic attack and gone into shock. It was the shock she was worried abt. She said...I might not make it.

Fast forward abt 45 minutes later and I had stabilized and was ready to be transported to the local emergency hospital b/c I needed 24 hr care right now. So with one peep carrying the IV bag that was attached to me and the other peep carrying me we made our way out to the car and drove to the emergency place.  Once there I was admitted and taken to the back for all sorts of tests. I had blood work done (which all came back perfect may I just say!), x-rays taken (which showed "something" in my intestine - hopefully just inflammation) and finally I had my tummy shaved  (I'm not pleased abt this!) for an ultrasound which...thank god...did indeed just show a bit of inflammation probably caused by the stress and vomiting.  I spent that first night in an oxygen cage in the critical care unit.  It was a LONG night for peeps as they waited by the phone. They finally got the good news abt the ultrasound results at 2am!!

For the rest of the weekend I stayed at the emergency vet slowly getting better and better. On Saturday evening I was transferred to the standard unit and peeps visited me twice every day. I was always so happy to see them. I'd eat when they visited and then just cuddle up with them b/c I was so exhausted.  I charmed all the techs and vets there too so when it came time for me to leave Monday evening they were sad (but happy that I was better) to see me go.


So now I'm at home again and we have a contract on our house!!  Whoopie! Overall I'm feeling pretty good. I still haven't gotten my appetite back fully and I'm sleeping a little more than usual. Peeps actually took me back to the vet today (Saturday) to make sure I was ok. I am. Vet thinks I might have a little virus or sinus infection now. I probably picked it up at the hospital when my immune system was lowered from the stress. So I've got medicine to take for the next week and then, hopefully, I'll be back to my old self! :)  Well, then again, almost my old self. I still have the shaved tummy issue to deal with! I'm drafting the complaint letter this very week ;)

xoxo

Today's Special: The Lucky Winners Were Bellatrix & Max

It was that time again. A yearly visit to the v-e-t. This time the lucky winners were Bellatrix and Max. Before I get started, let me just say that none of us like going to the v-e-t. No shock there right? Peeps always bring the carriers out a bit before it's time to go so that we can sniff them up and get comfortable with them. I'm actually quite happy to relax in a carrier if the mood strikes me. And Bellatrix is quite relaxed around the carriers. She actually loves them. Anytime they're brought out, she immediately crawls inside, curls up and takes a nap! It's great when Bella is actually one of the cats going to the v-e-t (like this time), but it's awful trying to get her out of the carrier when they need to insert someone else!

Cue flashback music...

Bellatrix came to live with us in December 2006. We were at the same shelter. I left in April 2006. In December Bella was still there. :( How shall I put this? Bella is...and I mean this in the nicest way possible...crazy. Insane. Bonkers. She has a few behavioral problems to say the least.  Because of this, she wasn't exactly first on most people's adoption list. She's a tortie and from what we've been told, torties are just...wild cats! Bellatrix is fiercely loyal & loving, but also...well...may I say coo-coo?  Because she has spent so much time in shelters she really came to be totally content in carriers & cages. It's a sad thing, but it's true. If Bellatrix is accidentally locked in a room, she won't ever make a sound. She'll simply accept her fate, curl up and wait for someone to open the door. Having said all that, one might think she's a calm little kitty. Haha! I believe that's her trick. Bellatrix is like a live electrical wire when she has one of her "episodes."  Unfortunately she ALWAYS has one of her episodes at the v-e-t!

Max, on the other hand, avoids the carriers at all costs. When it finally comes time to put him in one, he grows exactly 12 additional legs, each with claws sharpened to razor sharp points! Then these 16 legs all move in different directions coming in contact with as much skin as possible. Eventually the peeps get him in the carrier, but they both look like living road maps. Max doesn't mean to do it. He's a very sweet, gentle cat overall, but leaving his home is not something he wants any part of!

Cue flashback music...

Max came to live with us in January 2008 at the age of 6. He started out in a shelter when he was 2. Then my peep's mom adopted him. He's always been a very nervous kitty, but once he got settled into his new home he was very happy. My peep's mom loved him very, very much and he loved her. He was the only cat and he relished all the attention. But, anytime anyone visited my peep's mom, he would hide away, sometimes for a day or two after they left.  Obviously no one knows what happened to him before coming to live with my peep's mom, but it must not have been good b/c he was very scared of everything. Sadly, in January 2008 my peep's mom passed away totally unexpectedly.  To say the least, this was a terrible blow to Max. Not only had he lost his most loved person, but he lost his house and all his security. He went from being a single cat to one of seven. For awhile after he came to live here, peeps were really worried that he wasn't going to make it. They felt he had just given up. He was completely terrified, wouldn't eat and didn't socialize. One look from any one of us and he'd run the other way and hide for days. So, as a last resort, peeps took him to the v-e-t to see if there was anything that could be done. Come to find out, all the stress had given him a pretty serious heart murmur as well. Thankfully the v-e-t suggested Prozac to help him relax a little and it really has given him his life back. His heart murmur has actually repaired itself somewhat, he's happy, playful and social now. When people come over to visit, Max is one of the first ones to greet them and give them some leg rubs. I know my peep's mom would be so thrilled to see Max so happy.

So off they go to the vet. Bella is napping in her carrier and Max is simply two enormous eyes in the back corner of his. Once at the vet, Max goes first. Again the 16 legs make an appearance but this time they fight to keep him IN the carrier. Eventually though, out he comes and he snuggles up to peep and never says another word. He's the type of kitty that you just can't help loving to bits. A perfect patient. Not a moment's trouble. And very happy to make a quick retreat back into the carrier when his visit is over.

Next up was Bellatrix. To quote the v-e-t, "she's hell on wheels." The v-e-t learned a long time ago that it's best if my peep holds her. One technician isn't enough. Two technicians just means more blood to spill!  So out from the carrier she strolls and the drama begins. She off the table in a flash and prowling around the exam room. Peep grabs her and puts her back on the table. The v-e-t starts to move closer. First the growling starts. Then the hissing. Then the screaming. As the v-e-t starts to check her over there's flipping, twisting and hopping. Yes, hopping! If it's a really special day, Bella might spit a little. Then comes the biting of the digital thermometer. Then the slapping of the stethoscope. The v-e-t can't hear her heart beat because she's growling too loud. Then comes the time out. And finally, the vaccinations. It's all over in about 10 minutes, but it feels like hours! Haha! The funny (and sweet) thing is that there's not a mark on my peep. Not a scratch or a bite. If it had been the technician holding her, there would have been casualties...believe me!

So as you can see, in my house, going to the v-e-t is quite an adventure. Don't tell anyone, but Louie and Petunia are next! Heehee.

xoxo