Cattula

Charlie Update

I am happy to report that Charlie is feeling better - so much better that he is back to chasing mice on string and creating random mischief.  Go Charlie!

Love: It's Priceless

Or at least worth a few hundred dollars.

The past few weeks have been rough for my cat, Charlie.  First, we woke up one morning to find he had vomited so much during the night that he started throwing up blood.  It was almost like a crime scene.  Off to the vet he went - where he was promptly prescribed a round of steroids to reduce any gastro-intestinal inflammation.  They seemed to do the trick. 

Then, about a week later, he developed a cold.  Since steroids can reduce immunity we decided to wait it out and see if the cold just went away.  But as the week went on he got worse.  He stopped eating dry food and would only eat wet.  Then he ate less and less of the wet food until he was eating nothing.  He also wasn't drinking any water.  Knowing how quickly this situation can become dire we went to the vet.  He was given IV fluids and a shot of antibiotics which the vet was certain would cure the cold and get him back to eating within 24 hours.  Which brings us to this morning.

The cat was still not eating.  Or drinking.  I called the vet - he said the situation was urgent and asked us to bring him in.  We did chest x-rays and blood work.  It doesn't seem to be anything serious - like cancer or the like.  Just a bad infection.  The vet broke out his stock of liquid food - which - hello! - we could have used that yesterday- and coaxed it down his throat with a medicine dropper.  He now has a series of injections we will administer at home and a good supply of liquid food.  And an appointment with a cardiologist - because aside from the cold - he has developed a heart mummer.  But he is okay.  And home.  And safe.  And even intermittently purring. For which I am so, so thankful.

   

Get better little guy.  We love you.

Charlie Discovers It's Spring

When Karma Kicks You In the Ass

So, Charlie has been sick lately.  I will spare you the details, but let's just say it has involved a lot of carpet cleaner.  So I took him to the vet the other day, where the following conversation ensued:

    Vet: Your cat is really constipated.

    Me: (nodding sympatheically)

   Vet: Have you ever heard of Crohn's Disease?

   Me: Yes, my husband has it.

    Vet: So might your cat might have it too.

Later that day....

   My Mom: So, is that like, communicable.

Fortunatley, no.  So, my husband can rest easy.  Even if my cat can't.

Crouching Charlie Paper Dragon

Here is a picture of my cat, Charlie, the origianal paper tiger, which was going to be the name of this blog, but somebody beat me to it - damn them;-)