Wow, did I ever miss the boat(s)! Because of the weather I
thought I should point out the winter hazards that are on the horizon. But I
forgot two other happenings: National Veterinary Technician Week and World Cat
Day (didn’t that used to be Feral Cats Day?).
Just because National Veterinary Technician Week is over
that doesn’t mean you can’t go ahead and thank your local veterinary
technician. Sure, veterinarians perform the surgeries but whom do you think
preps the animals for surgery? And the veterinarian must diagnose diseases and
be the one to prescribe medications for your pet but a veterinary technician
will actually dispense those medications. Veterinary technicians will run lab
work so the veterinarian can make that diagnosis. In smaller clinics you might
even find veterinary technicians helping to clean the kennels, bathe animals
and answer phone calls. No matter what role they play in the clinic/hospital
you take your pet to, don’t they deserve a simple thank-you?
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| Two-y before he came inside |
World Cat Day is important to me because I am devoted to my
cats and because all of my present cats are “retired” ferals or the offspring
of ferals. Without my work with feral colonies I wouldn’t have my present
family! And I’m proud to say that last year I took in the last feral cat from
the last colony I’ve worked with. His name is Two-y and he is slowly learning
how to be a domestic cat. Just this weekend he came out of his cubbyhole to try
to join the other cats at mealtime. They aren’t yet ready for this though so he
had to go back to his cubbyhole to eat. I’m proud to say that yesterday I was
able to clip his claws without having someone else to hold him.
I’m happy today because we may have found the cause of
Mulberry Spot’s illness. First we had to diagnose his food sensitivity
(probably an allergy) by going through diet after diet until finally he is
stable on Royal Canin’s Ultamino diet. That helped to stop his vomiting and he
stopped pulling out his fur. I have to be extremely careful not to leave any
food out where he can get into them. He eats his meal in a carrier and doesn’t
get to come out until after I’ve picked up all the other bowls and utensils.
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| Mulberry Spot at the Cat-n-Around Cat Club show |
He continued to have diarrhea though and he continued to
lose weight and muscle mass. Finally this week we submitted a fecal swab for a
culture and sensitivity. It appears, tentatively, that the culprit is E. coli
haemalytic. So I started Spotty on the appropriate antibiotic today and am
praying that will be the solution.
Mulberry Spot is my last show cat. I continued showing him
until he started to get sick. He is now retired from the show circuit, and
enjoys his cuddle time.
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| Strawberry: "Can I get back to my nap now?" |
We are joining The Cat on my Head again this week for Sunday
Selfies. By popular request I helped Strawberry with his selfie. I interrupted
his nap, however, and he wasn’t particularly pleased. I’ve also included a
photo of a part of my feline family curled up together in a very warm lump.
Enjoy!
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| Spot, Strawberry, Glitter, Gooseberry, B.W. |
