tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post1247264262366789713..comments2024-02-23T02:03:23.020-07:00Comments on The Eco Cat Lady Speaks: Missing in ActionEcoCatLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-91238455579005599652012-11-20T14:24:56.734-07:002012-11-20T14:24:56.734-07:00Hmmmm... well, we're just about to head out th...Hmmmm... well, we're just about to head out the door to our vet appointment, so I'll ask him about it. I'm really hoping we can get a clean urine sample so they can do a culture, but unfortunately he just peed... AAARRRGGGGGHHH!<br /><br />Anyhow, wish us luck!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-70836962221140431522012-11-20T13:54:40.969-07:002012-11-20T13:54:40.969-07:00My mum's cat is on something called cystaid, w...My mum's cat is on something called cystaid, which he has every day and is supposed to be preventative. He has metacam, which is anti-inflammatory, to start with until it all settled down. Was going to suggest the feliway thing, but I see you already have that :)<br /><br />Fingers crossed that it is cystitis and nothing more sinister- and that he is feeling better soonNicolaBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542310810409358114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-55584530806458874372012-11-18T11:49:36.625-07:002012-11-18T11:49:36.625-07:00Interesting... I'll have to ask my vet about i...Interesting... I'll have to ask my vet about it.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-78867983798964703862012-11-18T11:48:47.702-07:002012-11-18T11:48:47.702-07:00Awwwww... how sweet of you to choose this moment t...Awwwww... how sweet of you to choose this moment to de-lurk. I really appreciate your thoughts and support.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-8385538481387119282012-11-18T11:48:03.344-07:002012-11-18T11:48:03.344-07:00Perhaps getting Megan off the holodeck allowed her...Perhaps getting Megan off the holodeck allowed her to see a glimpse of reality? :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-72229135946714821682012-11-18T11:46:36.202-07:002012-11-18T11:46:36.202-07:00Well... that's a good point about the chemo/su...Well... that's a good point about the chemo/surgery. I doubt I'd consider either. I guess doing an ultrasound would really be for me, and not him - so I'd know what to expect. Maybe that's selfish, I dunno. The money doesn't really worry me because his insurance would cover it. Guess I'll have to think about it.<br /><br />In terms of alpha cat stuff, Sputty used to be the unquestioned top cat. When the boys arrived as kittens (Smoky & Jasper) they were content to let Sputty be in charge. Then Princess entered the picture and for a while she had the boys completely cowed. But at some point Smoky woke up and realized that he was twice the size of Princess and didn't have to take her bullying anymore. That's when the trouble started. I think Smoky has been challenging Sputnik in both subtle and not so subtle ways.<br /><br />I got a Feliway dispenser, and it seems to be helping a little, but Smoky just likes to chase everybody else. If I exercise him really good for a few hours a day it helps but I can't always do that. Oy!<br /><br />Anyhow, I guess I'll wait and see what the tests show and what the vet recommends. I've dabbled with giving fluids with several other cats... I'm not sure that Sputnik would let me do it - but maybe I could find a way to wrestle him down. Getting him in the carrying case is challenge enough! Guess I'll cross that bridge when I get there.<br /><br />Thank you SOOOO much for all of your thoughts and support.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-73516648488257229472012-11-18T11:38:44.128-07:002012-11-18T11:38:44.128-07:00Apparently "never" is a relative term!Apparently "never" is a relative term!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-4367136359429638872012-11-18T10:59:21.998-07:002012-11-18T10:59:21.998-07:00That was one of Jon's best bits. "Is that...That was one of Jon's best bits. "Is that math you do as a Republican to make yourself feel better?" Finally Megan Kelly says something that makes sense. Connie, Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03352603326494248659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-22033293143628015492012-11-18T10:57:39.799-07:002012-11-18T10:57:39.799-07:00BTW, it's easy to do subcu fluids yourself &am...BTW, it's easy to do subcu fluids yourself & much cheaper. A bag of fluids, a syringe and a bunch of needles.Connie, Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03352603326494248659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-76964799183326131662012-11-18T10:56:27.965-07:002012-11-18T10:56:27.965-07:00Question - if the EXPENSIVE ultrasound shows a tum...Question - if the EXPENSIVE ultrasound shows a tumor or tumors, what is your next step? Chemo, surgery? Mega bucks & little to no guarantee it will work. Sorry to be Debbie Downer, but because of my herd, I tend to look downstream. Chemo and/or surgery isn't a pleasant experience for humans, so I doubt that it is for kitties. I'm willing to bet it's either a pH imbalance, infection or stones. Stress does not help either & is sometimes the primary cause of the problem, at least in my experience. Is Sputty your alpha cat - the picker on-er as opposed to the victim? My 2 boys who suffered from chronic cystitis (FUS) were alphas - type A personalities, Rulers of the Kingdom.Connie, Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03352603326494248659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-67402710645464860562012-11-18T10:49:43.544-07:002012-11-18T10:49:43.544-07:00I lost Colt to lung cancer at the end of last year...I lost Colt to lung cancer at the end of last year, just before christmas.Connie, Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03352603326494248659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-46570067582084360572012-11-18T10:48:59.673-07:002012-11-18T10:48:59.673-07:00I cannot remember the anti-anxiety drug my vet gav...I cannot remember the anti-anxiety drug my vet gave Carson years ago when his cystitis flared up. I think it starts with a T. (can we say Senile Old Lady?) It chilled him out & the frantic straining stopped as did his aggression toward the other cats. Worked well along with the antibiotic.Connie, Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03352603326494248659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-55783552237669337102012-11-18T01:50:07.924-07:002012-11-18T01:50:07.924-07:00I'm a long time lurker, but just wanted to say...I'm a long time lurker, but just wanted to say I know how you feel, and I hope everything works out for the best. People who aren't animal/cat people just don't get how much they mean to us. <br />Keeping my fingers crossed it's nothing serious, and that you find out soon what the problem is with Mr. Sputnik.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-90234357660740483122012-11-17T22:24:34.651-07:002012-11-17T22:24:34.651-07:00Thanks so much for your thoughts. He's actuall...Thanks so much for your thoughts. He's actually a pretty good drinker, although since I've been mixing more water into his food he's actually drinking a bit less - so I'm not sure I'm affecting much change in the total volume of liquids he's getting.<br /><br />I tried a fountain years ago, but the poor little guy was terrified of it. Can't win for loosin'!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-63980982622643223882012-11-17T22:22:32.046-07:002012-11-17T22:22:32.046-07:00Oh nooooo! Well, all you missed was Karl Rove beco...Oh nooooo! Well, all you missed was Karl Rove becoming incoherent as Ohio was called for Obama. Oh, the sweetness!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-32469161074846131222012-11-17T19:46:27.216-07:002012-11-17T19:46:27.216-07:00How much water does Sputnik drink? If not much, ma...How much water does Sputnik drink? If not much, maybe providing more places to drink might help. If Sputnik likes to drink out of dripping facuets and/or toilet bowls, a water fountain might help water intake too. (I noticed my cats drank more when I got a fountain, and they also drink more if the water is close to where they usually sleep. They also drink more if the water is placed by the cat pans, but somehow they get kitty litter in them then.) I bought mine, but you could probably DIY one with a large bowl and a cheap fountain pump - they sell them on eBay.darcholenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-70813548909259367822012-11-17T19:03:36.089-07:002012-11-17T19:03:36.089-07:00I'm a sucker for anything Jon Stewart, but our...I'm a sucker for anything Jon Stewart, but our series of tubes is clogged and slow here in the desert.The Good Luck Duckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08448071993000984393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-55891128291250747572012-11-17T12:51:50.438-07:002012-11-17T12:51:50.438-07:00Hi Jes,
Wow... 20 years is an impressive average!...Hi Jes,<br /><br />Wow... 20 years is an impressive average! My mother seems to have cats that live forever too - and she feeds them crap dry food from the grocery store. Sigh.<br /><br />Of course, I don't really know how old any of my cats are, since they were all rescued from the alley.<br /><br />Anyhow, thanks for your kind words and I promise that, barring some unforeseen encounter with a large truck, I'd let y'all know before I just disappeared!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-10693855229024797582012-11-17T12:48:45.631-07:002012-11-17T12:48:45.631-07:00Thanks so much - I hope so too!Thanks so much - I hope so too!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-86313714700308133162012-11-17T12:47:21.772-07:002012-11-17T12:47:21.772-07:00A disturbance in the force... so that's what i...A disturbance in the force... so that's what it is. Here I thought it was just the sound of the neighbor's roof being replaced! :-)<br /><br />Well, he's been on a mostly canned food diet, but we've now switched to all canned with some extra water mixed in for moisture - and I'm letting him eat as much as he wants, so he sorta thinks he's died and gone to heaven! I've never fed them fish, but yesterday I decided to read through all of the ingredients on the various kinds of food (which was sort of challenging since presbyopia seems to have set in) and was dismayed to learn that a few of the premium brands have fish as an ingredient even in the chicken varieties! UG!!<br /><br />Anyhow, he has a follow up appointment on Tuesday where they'll probably give him some more subcutaneous fluids and do another urinalysis. Hopefully they'll be able to get a clean sample this time so they can do a culture and get a definitive answer on whether there's a bacterial infection or not. Depending on how that goes, we may move on to doing an ultrasound to check for tumors. <br /><br />If we can rule out bacteria and cancer then the vet wants to try a prescription cat food, and they also have a holistic practitioner who works in their practice, so we'll probably see what she has to say.<br /><br />I'm feeling glad that we have kitty health insurance right about now!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-32002544706764010692012-11-17T12:37:56.597-07:002012-11-17T12:37:56.597-07:00Thanks so much for your kind words. I really hope ...Thanks so much for your kind words. I really hope he isn't in too much pain... other than lots of trips to the litter box, he seems pretty much like his goofy happy self - which is encouraging. Hope to be back to lolcat-ing soon!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-45727747801656225712012-11-17T12:34:18.887-07:002012-11-17T12:34:18.887-07:00Thanks Rue, We're both enjoying a sunbeam at t...Thanks Rue, We're both enjoying a sunbeam at the moment so that's gotta count for something!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-3465502103329192612012-11-17T12:33:37.478-07:002012-11-17T12:33:37.478-07:00Thanks Megyn. I'll be back in form soon becaus...Thanks Megyn. I'll be back in form soon because, really, it's me and keeping quiet is not in my nature!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-84371706173563945132012-11-17T12:32:50.405-07:002012-11-17T12:32:50.405-07:00Thanks for the vibes... we're feelin' them...Thanks for the vibes... we're feelin' them!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-30100972040226054212012-11-17T12:32:05.063-07:002012-11-17T12:32:05.063-07:00Wow... sounds like you've been through the rin...Wow... sounds like you've been through the ringer - how many cats do you have? Thanks for your healing wishes... I'm feeling a bit less stressed today - I think a long bike ride with CatMan helped!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.com