Your daily cat and kitten news

[Cloo]

Back home after being away since Monday - Vastra very glad to see us and cuddly and purry!

 

[rutabowa]

Settled in

 

[Calamity1971]

Got back from the shops having thought I'd shut all the windows!
The headbanger jumped off there the other month without even trying to shimmy a bit down the wall

 

[Puddy_Tat]

The headbanger jumped off there the other month without even trying to shimmy a bit down the wall

you can get 'child proof' (but also kitty proof) window locks so you can lock windows an inch or two open.

i invested in them fairly soon after acquiring mogs, after an occasion when i got up, opened the bedroom window, then after going to the bog, went downstairs and opened the curtains, thought 'there's a confused looking cat in the front garden who looks like one of mine... oh shit'

 

[oryx]

Got back from the shops having thought I'd shut all the windows!View attachment 271892
The headbanger jumped off there the other month without even trying to shimmy a bit down the wall

Totally non-cat-related, but I don't half like your round window.

(Your cat is lovely too, of course!).

 

[Epona]

Okay, so let's focus on the positive: in for an ultrasound. You can deal with any confusion on the day. Yes you can.

Here's hoping insurance covers it.

Thank you.

I feel as though I am making a hell of a lot of important and costly decisions based on telephone calls, and I have terrible trouble with telephone calls due to an APD (auditory processing disorder). I did see one vet on Saturday actually In Person!!! who actually went through all his history with me, looked at his notes, and I felt understood the issue.

Then another vet took blood on Wednesday and submitted it to the lab for whatever tests. Then a different vet again phoned me to discuss the results of his blood tests and she thought he'd been brought in because of the congestion issue which had been noted when blood was taken on Wednesday, but nobody at the time asked me about it. So today I was trying to deal with quite a complicated and technical telephone conversation when I can't really understand normal phone conversations due to the APD and I'm flustered anyway. I realised afterwards she didn't mention thyroxine levels and I didn't think to ask, what if his thyroxine levels weren't tested because vet #2 submitted the forms asking for tests that might be more relevant to the congestion issue, which is not why I took him to the vet?

I'm going into the local vet to pick up some special litter for getting urine samples, because the vet today said they wanted a urine sample, then the hospital phoned to book him in for ultrasound on Monday as they had a cancellation, so I took the appointment because otherwise they might not be able to see him for weeks because they are backlogged with elective procedures that had been postponed due to lockdown, and I am not going to be able to get the urine test done before the ultrasound.

But when I go to pick up the urine collection litter tomorrow, I am going to ask about thyroxine levels - if the nurse/receptionist can just give me the number from the test results I can google normal range when I get home. If they tell me that test wasn't done (and it should be priority in a nearly 15yo cat that is eating well and losing weight, but might not have been requested in an investigation of nasal congestion) then I am going to firmly complain and request that is done free of charge as it should have already been included. I'll ask about diabetes too, whether that was tested for, as it wasn't mentioned and I didn't think to ask.

I understand that they are really busy right now and that it is very challenging for them, but these procedures and tests are stressful and very expensive, in the meantime my boy is losing weight so the last thing I want to do is postpone any tests, I mean he is really thin now, so it is urgent - but I feel that there is a lack of continuity of care at the moment.

 

[Epona]

BTW just in case anyone was thinking of wishing good luck and hoping that they find something, I hope that they don't. That would typically be bad news. We're hoping to rule out abdominal mass/tumour.

 

[Epona]

This is my little Sonic as he looks right now, his sweet little face in the first one and then how skinny he looks in the 2nd picture - we cannot be fucking around with this. If something can be done to help him it needs to be done quickly, not a load of appointments for different things seeing different vets and miscommunication.

I love this cat and would do anything for him but you can see from the 2nd pic how he needs veterinary help for his weight loss NOW, not whenever at some point or let's check out his allergies first and see how they are going. I've been doing my fucking best to try to get care for him. I am finding it difficult to cope right now. Or if he has something like cancer and nothing can be done, I need to know that, it won't be any less devastating, but I'd need to know at which point to just let him live while he was still able to without further poking and prodding.

BTW he has always been slender, but it is clear there is a problem

 

[Aladdin]

Got back from the shops having thought I'd shut all the windows!View attachment 271892
The headbanger jumped off there the other month without even trying to shimmy a bit down the wall

Red's face is like..
"Oops...mum caught me red handed "

 

[LeytonCatLady]

This is my little Sonic as he looks right now, his sweet little face in the first one and then how skinny he looks in the 2nd picture - we cannot be fucking around with this. If something can be done to help him it needs to be done quickly, not a load of appointments for different things seeing different vets and miscommunication.

I love this cat and would do anything for him but you can see from the 2nd pic how he needs veterinary help for his weight loss NOW, not whenever at some point or let's check out his allergies first and see how they are going. I've been doing my fucking best to try to get care for him. I am finding it difficult to cope right now. Or if he has something like cancer and nothing can be done, I need to know that, it won't be any less devastating, but I'd need to know at which point to just let him live while he was still able to without further poking and prodding.

BTW he has always been slender, but it is clear there is a problem

Send those pics to your vet hospital, if you haven't already. Their inaction is unforgivable.

 

[donkyboy]

This is my little Sonic as he looks right now, his sweet little face in the first one and then how skinny he looks in the 2nd picture - we cannot be fucking around with this. If something can be done to help him it needs to be done quickly, not a load of appointments for different things seeing different vets and miscommunication.

I love this cat and would do anything for him but you can see from the 2nd pic how he needs veterinary help for his weight loss NOW, not whenever at some point or let's check out his allergies first and see how they are going. I've been doing my fucking best to try to get care for him. I am finding it difficult to cope right now. Or if he has something like cancer and nothing can be done, I need to know that, it won't be any less devastating, but I'd need to know at which point to just let him live while he was still able to without further poking and prodding.

BTW he has always been slender, but it is clear there is a problem

Hope Sonic recovers.

One thing I hate is seeing locum vets. I prefer seeing the head vet. A few years ago when chloe developed cystitis I took her to the vet in streatham. Took her 4 times and each occasion was seen by a different vet who gave different advice or suggestion. in the end logged a complaint. the person who was in charge of the site then told be next time insist on seeing the same vet and also put credit on my account for next visit. Haven't been back there since. Now if there is a big problem, I plan to book the girls into the RVC centre in Camden while for minor issues, take them to the local goddards vet.

 

[High Voltage]

Bloody Casper's got another tick in a difficult to get to location yet perfectly sited to be "removed" by usual cat scratching

The penny's finally dropped though that the vet will have a spot on anti tick medication

 

[Red Cat]

What a worry for you Epona and a long wait until Monday.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

(((( sonic and Epona ))))

 

[Reno]

I'm a gadget-hound and as my vacuum cleaner is ancient, I decided to get one of these Roomba style robots (the budget version). Alfie is terrified of the old vacuum and as the robot is quieter I also thought he'd prefer that, I was already looking forward to buying him a shark costume. Boy was I wrong, he nearly had a coronary the first time I used it and then didn't come into the living room for three days, where it's charging. But we are making progress, by now he's as intrigued as he's scared and he even sleeps next to it, while still keeping a close eye on the black, round animal that now lives in the corner. How many weeks till he's riding it ?

 

[ddraig]

(((Sonic))) Hope nothing is found.

No pics here! still only fleeting glimpses of either cat
Had call from place we adopted them from yesterday and they're not surprised they're hiding still, suggested sitting in bathroom and talking to Kizzy in soft voice and trying treats, they also suggested prompting them and stroking them, if only there was a chance. They will ring again in 2 weeks

Did go and sit in bathroom yesterday afternoon when put more food out and Kizzy stuck her head almost all the way out looking at me, it was a bit scrunched up and a ear flapped back (wish I had a pic!) but stayed like that for about a minute whilst I was a couple of foot away, was hoping she might come out but not yet.
Misty did run past me the other night to use the litter tray then stopped on the way back to have a look at me, nervously.
They are both still eating and using litter trays.

 

[philosophical]

Bloom my neighbours scrounging cat knows that there is little effort required beyond cute wriggling around exposing a furry tummy to get a treat.
However he always has an opportunistic eye open for when.
Has a loud purr.

 

[fucthest8]

Thank you.

I feel as though I am making a hell of a lot of important and costly decisions based on telephone calls, and I have terrible trouble with telephone calls due to an APD (auditory processing disorder). I did see one vet on Saturday actually In Person!!! who actually went through all his history with me, looked at his notes, and I felt understood the issue.

Then another vet took blood on Wednesday and submitted it to the lab for whatever tests. Then a different vet again phoned me to discuss the results of his blood tests and she thought he'd been brought in because of the congestion issue which had been noted when blood was taken on Wednesday, but nobody at the time asked me about it. So today I was trying to deal with quite a complicated and technical telephone conversation when I can't really understand normal phone conversations due to the APD and I'm flustered anyway. I realised afterwards she didn't mention thyroxine levels and I didn't think to ask, what if his thyroxine levels weren't tested because vet #2 submitted the forms asking for tests that might be more relevant to the congestion issue, which is not why I took him to the vet?

I'm going into the local vet to pick up some special litter for getting urine samples, because the vet today said they wanted a urine sample, then the hospital phoned to book him in for ultrasound on Monday as they had a cancellation, so I took the appointment because otherwise they might not be able to see him for weeks because they are backlogged with elective procedures that had been postponed due to lockdown, and I am not going to be able to get the urine test done before the ultrasound.

But when I go to pick up the urine collection litter tomorrow, I am going to ask about thyroxine levels - if the nurse/receptionist can just give me the number from the test results I can google normal range when I get home. If they tell me that test wasn't done (and it should be priority in a nearly 15yo cat that is eating well and losing weight, but might not have been requested in an investigation of nasal congestion) then I am going to firmly complain and request that is done free of charge as it should have already been included. I'll ask about diabetes too, whether that was tested for, as it wasn't mentioned and I didn't think to ask.

I understand that they are really busy right now and that it is very challenging for them, but these procedures and tests are stressful and very expensive, in the meantime my boy is losing weight so the last thing I want to do is postpone any tests, I mean he is really thin now, so it is urgent - but I feel that there is a lack of continuity of care at the moment.

Yeah, not being able to go in with the cat and talk to the vet adds a whole layer of complexity, as does seeing/talking to different vets, and that's before you add APD and phonecalls into the mix.

I hope you are comfortable enough with telling people that you've got APD and getting them to work with you; totally understand if not mind.

As ever though, you are doing a stand up job of getting the best care for your cat. Grit your teeth and keep on at them - and tell them that you are concerned about the lack of continuity, etc.

Anyway, you know all this, not sure I'm helping, just want to be supportive.

 

[Epona]

Thanks everyone for the good wishes - he'll be alright til Monday - he's always been long and very slender (typical OSH build) and the weight loss hasn't been sudden, it has been over about 3 months, first noticed about 2 months ago that he had lost some weight (vet said at that point monitor for 2 months, I had him seen a bit sooner than that due to noticing a bit more weight loss) - but it is atm very gradual, he's not on his last legs just yet and he's got plenty of energy for his age and he loves his grub and a good cuddle (he is on my lap with his head pressed to my chest now).

I was a bit floored when the blood tests came back normal, I was expecting hyperthyroid or early renal issues which are manageable conditions if caught early - and the vet(s) have stressed to me not to worry too much because whatever it is, I didn't delay getting it investigated.

He always has been skinny, it's only just started to dip into being/looking unhealthily so.

(I didn't go to the vet today in the end to pick up the urine sample litter, I had a bit of a think and rationalised that I am going to wait until after Monday to get a urine sample and it may be a moot point after the ultrasound anyway - when I go to the hospital on Monday morning they can look up his records and print off his blood test results for me to bring home and have a thorough look at - OH used to be a nurse/phlebotomist and I can find out the normal ranges for cats without issue - and I can pick up the special litter after that if it is still needed).

 

[Epona]

I must also remember to tell them that if they have to sedate him for the ultrasound please take that opportunity to examine his mouth and teeth, just in case there is an issue there - he is a right bugger about letting anyone have a look and dental/oral issue that may be meaning he is eating less should also be investigated if there is an opportunity.

 

[High Voltage]

Tick drop applied and then tick successfully removed

They really are truly repulsive creatures

 

[stavros]

Note to self: get a bigger cushion.

 

[High Voltage]

I'm a gadget-hound and as my vacuum cleaner is ancient, I decided to get one of these Roomba style robots (the budget version). Alfie is terrified of the old vacuum and as the robot is quieter I also thought he'd prefer that, I was already looking forward to buying him a shark costume. Boy was I wrong, he nearly had a coronary the first time I used it and then didn't come into the living room for three days, where it's charging. But we are making progress, by now he's as intrigued as he's scared and he even sleeps next to it, while still keeping a close eye on the black, round animal that now lives in the corner. How many weeks till he's riding it ?

View attachment 271957View attachment 271958

Alfie will always have a home here should the budget roomba ever prove too much

 

[ddraig]

Had Kizzy poke her head out again (after putting food out) didn't get pic, was going to post this pic of her eyes under the bath


Kept talking to her and waiting for her to come out

 

[ddraig]

And then after a few minutes she squeezed her way out for the food, I'd retreated to the other side of doorway and sat down in entrance
She was eating and kept looking at me and the gaps between looking at me got longer, I was talking softly and making silly noises and sat there about 6ft away the whole time she was eating.
Thought might put bowl closer tomorrow to see if braver. Was motioning her over and when she finished food she moved slowly in my direction and actually came over for strokes!!!! Ecstatic here!
Pic of her eating

 

[eatmorecheese]

Moz is not letting me get away with the fact that I've tried to alter his food to a slightly cheaper option.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Moz is not letting me get away with the fact that I've tried to alter his food to a slightly cheaper option.

that's a "we need to talk" look...

 

[Epona]

And then after a few minutes she squeezed her way out for the food, I'd retreated to the other side of doorway and sat down in entrance
She was eating and kept looking at me and the gaps between looking at me got longer, I was talking softly and making silly noises and sat there about 6ft away the whole time she was eating.
Thought might put bowl closer tomorrow to see if braver. Was motioning her over and when she finished food she moved slowly in my direction and actually came over for strokes!!!! Ecstatic here!
Pic of her eating

Wonderful news!

 

[donkyboy]

Mr Fox is back in the garden

Chucked him some food

 

[Epona]

Mr Fox is back in the garden

Chucked him some food

He looks very healthy and his coat is lovely