Camie (and Gracie)

We don't often post pictures of Camie because this is our blog, but she had to go to the V-E-T on an emergency yesterday, so we thought we would ask our friends for some purrs for her.

About a month ago, she got a lump on her neck, so Mom took her to the V-E-T then and they did a needle biopsy, but it came back just showing blood cells. The V-E-T assumed she had an edema and told Mom to keep an eye on it.

Well, yesterday when Mom got up, she took Camie out for a walk and she was fine. About 15 minutes after she came in, Camie was panting in the kitchen, and wouldn't come lay down. Mom finally got her into the living room to lay down, and noticed that her neck was starting to swell up. Mom thought it was an allergic reaction, so she drove to Target to get some antihistimine medicine. She gave her a pill, but realized almost immediately that the swelling was a lot worse, and that it would be best to take her in to the V-E-T.

When they got to the V-E-T, he decided that it didn't feel like an allergic reaction, so he took a couple of x-rays. Fortunately, they showed that her airway wasn't closed at all and that the swelling was all on the outside of her neck area. He still isn't quite sure what the problem is, but he kept her for the day, and gave her a steroid shot to help with the swelling and some antibiotics for her to take in case it is an infection of some kind. He also took bloodwork to send away to the lab and we should have the results later in the day today.

Here is what her neck looked like last night - about 12 hour after Mom first noticed the swelling. We are sorry the pictures aren't that great, but Mom still hasn't found the camera so she used her cell phone. (The bruising is from the bloodwork they took - not an injury)

Here is a bonus picture of Gracie playing with a flashlight spot. She isn't smart enough to realize that the light comes from Mom and you can't ever catch it.

PS - We also want to wish everyone a very happy New Year. We hope everycats' beans are safe tonight.

Tortie and Tabby Tuesday

Me Gracie. Me had to go to B-E-T again. Me not hab op-per-ate-shun. B-E-T and two legged thing think me already have op-per-ate-shun, so me not hab one unless me get like Ayla. Me get rooster shots and big needle with tag inside. Me not understand that. Me bery good again. Two legged thing thinks me like big blue box that moobes. B-E-T think me bery attached to two legged thing. Me not want to let go of her. Me want to be held by her always. Me still kind of growly at other cats. Grrrr. Me bery purry at two legged thing and me lub to make small holes in her when I need on her. Me like to need on her lots and lots. She says me clawrs sharp. Purrrrrr

My tummy gotted shabed. Me has scar in place where op-per-ate-shun was before.

Miss Jade here. I had to go to the V-E-T today also. Mom decided to see if she could make an appointment while she had Gracie there this morning and they had one this afternoon for me. I weigh all of 6 lbs. Gracie is over 9. I was so scared going to the V-E-T that I pooped in my carrier. It was majorly stinky and I got it all over the blanket and all over myself. The good thing is that when we got to the V-E-T, I got it all over the table, all over the assistant and all over Mom. Mom said she understood, but that I was very Stinky! They got me all cleaned up and gave Mom a plastic bag to put my blanket in. The V-E-T is having some medicine compounded for me for my achy tummy, and he wants me to try some new foods. My records were faxed by my old V-E-T and my new V-E-T is going to go thru them and try to get all the results from all of the tests I have had, so I don't have to have more. Otherwise, I am more or less okay healthwise.

Mom here: Yes, I made two trips to the vet today. Gracie was a little love, but kept wanting to climb up me to be held. The vet was surprised by her reaction since she has only been here a little more than a week. Jade is okay, but the vet is concerned about the constant diarrhea. The old vet report showed that tests were run, but not the results, so hopefully he will consult with the old vet.

In other news, does any kitty know of anyone in the southern CA area that would be willing to foster a mama kitty and her three week old babies? I have a friend whose neighbor didn't get one of their cats fixed and at first threatened to drown the kittens. At first they were going to let me take her before the kittens were born, but changed their mind at the last minute. In the meantime, Gracie came, and I no longer have room for a mama and her kittens as Gracie is taking up my only "free" space (my bathroom). Now the neighbor(s) are tired of dealing with the mama and the kittens and seem to be willing to let them be fostered. If anyone knows of anyone or anyplace that would take them, please e-mail me at taramorse(AT)aol(DOT)com. Sorry for the long post.

Thanks!

Tortie Tuesday

Hi, me new here. Me not happy today. Me had to go to B-E-T. Me was bery, bery good there. Me was bery, bery good in big blue box that moobes. Two legged thing said so. Me bery healthy. Me no hab any sickness. Me no hab any kittens. Me go back on Monday to make sure me no hab kittens eber.

Me had to get fur stolen for blood test. When the two legged thing brought me home, me growl at other kitties. Me like to growl at them. Grrrrr! Me like to purr on two legged thing. Me purr loud. Purrrrrrrrr!

Me hiding in bathroom. Me tired now.

Oh, two legged thing say to tell you, Me Gracie!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Camie's Kitties!

V-E-T Visit?

Mom is calling the V-E-T today to see if anything can be done about Tiki. We may not be visiting much today.

Our Vet Visit-UPDATED

Well, as many of you know, we had our new V-E-T visit yesterday. We weren't used to being in the car that long. The V-E-T was 30 min. away. Tavi got car-sick about 5 minutes before we got to the V-E-T. This is the waiting area. They have cat artwork all over the place. And Mom said that it was a very comfortable space. "Very Homey"
Here we are in our stroller waiting to go in to see the V-E-T. Mom brought our stroller because she said it would be easier to get us around, and with Tavi getting car-sick, it helped a lot.
Tavi looking out of the door in the exam room.
Tiki looking out the door in the exam room. We each took turns exploring.
Tavi saying "GET ME OUT OF HERE!"


Some of the artwork in the exam room.
Bigify to read what these two say.

Tavi waiting to go home. We slept all the way home with minimal fuss. As for what the V-E-T said, we'll start with the good news. Tavi looked good. The V-E-T said that if she didn't know that he was 15, she would have guessed 10 or 11. She said that he was a good weight and not to change anything with him. Mom was concerned that he was getting a little pudgy, but she said she would rather see just a bit of pudge on a 15 year old cat, than a skinny one, so he is good. He weighs 12 lbs 9 oz.

Now for me, Tiki...I have lost about another pound since November and weigh 7 lbs 5 oz. The V-E-T was concerned about the weight loss and gave us some names of different types of food to try. She wants me on an all protein diet with NO Temptations or Greenies treats. If I want treats, I can have freeze dried chicken, turkey, venison, beef or liver. We got samples from the V-E-T. I can also have meat people food as long as it isn't fried. It can be baked, broiled, boiled, grilled, etc, so we are happy about that because it means we can all have that. Our room mate has already said she is going to stock up on chicken for us and keep some boiled for us all the time. She is so nice.

The V-E-T was also worried about my kidneys, so I had to have blood and urine stolen. I yowled the whole time. The V-E-T did a quick kidney test and I now have to have Sub-Q fluids. I got my first treatment at the V-E-T so Mom could learn how to give them to me. In the picture below, you can kind of see the bubble of fluid under my armpit. It made me wobbly to walk because I was off balance. Until we get my lab results back tomorrow, I have to have them every other day. It didn't bother me to get them today. It only took about 5 minutes, so it wasn't bad at all. The really bad news is that I have to go back in a month, and so does Tavi. Tavi has to have his blood stolen then. Mom couldn't do both senior panels at the same time.

Mom said I was up and about more than she has seen me for a while, so hopefully these sub-q's will do me so good energy wise.

UPDATE-2:20 pm PST. Mom here. I just got off the phone with the vet with Tiki's blood results and it isn't good. She said the kidney disease was much more advanced than she thought and he has to have fluids every day. She classified his kidney disease as level 4 out of 4, and the fluids are to preserve what function he has left. She is putting him on some medication also to help bind the phosphorus he eats (in meat) so that his kidneys won't have to work to take care of that. And his liver function levels were out of whack too. She wants to do an ultrasound on his abdomen and maybe take a biopsy if she sees anything. She said it could be an infection because of the diabetes or the kidney disease, but it could also be something worse like lymphoma. We are going to do the fluids for the next month with the medication and a Vitamin B suppliment and when he goes in for his recheck in 4 weeks, hopefully I will have enough saved for the rest of the tests he needs. I am trying very hard to be strong for my baby boy, but it is hard. The vet did say that she couldn't give a prognosis as far as his kidneys were concerned but that it sounded hopeful that his energy level was up last night. Purrs would be appreciated.

Thursday Vet Visit

Well, today is the big day. Oh no, not for me. I don't have to go to the vet. Tiki and Tavi are going. Mom will take her camera and get pictures of their appointment if she can. We will try to update later this evening with what she/he says, but if not, it will definately be the topic of tomorrows post.

My Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Well, Mom couldn't sleep Friday night, so she didn't go walking yesterday, so all is good you think, right? More time with Mom, right? Boy could you not be more mistaken. In case you can't tell, we are in our carrier, and I am not happy! Something horrible happened to put me in here, and unfortunately, Tavi had to come along. (sorry for the bad pictures, but Mom only had her cell phone with her).
I had to go to the V-E-T. Mom was opening the door when Papa came home, and my tail got caught between the door and the jamb (on the hinge side) when she tried to close it. Boy did it hurt. She was almost in tears, but she called our V-E-T, but they were already closed. So, we have a new clinic that opened up a few blocks aways from our house that have longer hours, and a 24 hour emergency clinic. They were able to get me an appointment 10 minutes from Mom's call, so she scooped me up carefully and put me in the PTU, threw in Tavi (because I don't do car rides or the V-E-T by myself well, but do much better with him), hopped in the car and took off for the clinic. The V-E-T there was very nice. He said I didn't look 15 (I'll be that old in a month) and said that fortunately, my tail doesn't look broken. It is just swollen, and since I was using it well, he didn't feel comfortable giving me any pain meds because of my age.
As you can see, it is still swollen, and Mom is still really upset with herself, but I have forgiven her. I even gave her a few licks on her face last night, and it has been a while since I have done that.
I am moving it, and Mom can stroke it lightly without it hurting me. This picture is right after she took the other one and as you can see, I moved it to a different position. I think I am going to be alright.