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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Animal companions in our happy homes
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Boogie
Boogie on down!
# 13538
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Posted
Lovely Keir has earned his jacket already and he's only 17 weeks old!
Clever boy!
You can see a photo of him looking like a teddy-in-a-jacket on my 'room' blog.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
I've still got Mollie (12 month old Guide Dog puppy) and my own Lab Tatze (four years old). My friend's dog, Zaba, is visiting this week so that makes four - dog heaven! Keir loves them all.
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Garden. Room. Walk
Posts: 13030 | From: Boogie Wonderland | Registered: Mar 2008
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
Well done Keir - clever dog! ![[Overused]](graemlins/notworthy.gif)
[ 30. September 2017, 21:10: Message edited by: Piglet ]
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
On the referral of my vet, I took Bjorn to a specialist today, and after spending a lot of money for hospitalization and test and a sonogram the verdict is that it;s probably lymphoma.
Has anyone here had to deal with their cat being treated for that? I have to decide to treat aggessively, or treat they symptoms. I don't know what to do.
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On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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Rossweisse
High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
Years ago, when I had a favorite cat suffering from cancer, I asked the vet what she would do if it were her cat. She said that the treatment for this particular cancer (a brain tumor) was difficult and painful, and that she would make her own cat comfortable and see that she didn't suffer. (She also gently let me know that it was very expensive and not likely to work for long.)
I don't know much about lymphoma and its treatments, but I would try to make sure that the treatment didn't cause more feline suffering than the lack thereof.
And having said that, I hope the lymphoma can be cured.
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I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Kittyville
Shipmate
# 16106
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Posted
Nicole, I lost a cat to lymphoma a few years ago. It was treatable, but the treatment itself brought on diabetes. He went downhill very fast in the end. I often wonder if I prolonged his life in a not-very-good way for him, but he seemed happy at first.
I'm very sorry to hear about Bjorn. Strength to you to make the best decision for you both.
Posts: 291 | From: Sydney | Registered: Dec 2010
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MaryLouise
Shipmate
# 18697
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Posted
Nicole, an unbearable decision and no easy answers. You might, as suggested, talk it over again with the specialist vet and your own vet about what the options would involve for the cat. When my little cat fell ill years ago, I found out all I could about the cancerous tumours and rates of growth, treated symptomatically with the help of a caring vet and then made a decision to end my cat's life when she was visibly weak and had no appetite left.
I'm so sorry to read this.
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“As regards plots I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots.”
-- Ivy Compton-Burnett
Posts: 646 | From: Cape Town | Registered: Nov 2016
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
I made the decision to go with the option of pallative treatment for Bjorn rather than aggressive diagnostics and chemotherapy. At his age it didn't seem the right thing to do to subject him to a treatment that would make him uncomfortable and probably gain him very little extra time. So he'll be on prednisone which should bring up his appetite and make him feel better, until it's time for him to leave me. ![[Tear]](graemlins/tear.gif)
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On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
That sounds like a very brave decision, Nicole.
![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif) for you and Bjorn.
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Rossweisse
High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
I know it's hard Nicole, but I think you're doing the right thing for both Bjorn and you.
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I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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MaryLouise
Shipmate
# 18697
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Posted
Nicole and Bjorn
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“As regards plots I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots.”
-- Ivy Compton-Burnett
Posts: 646 | From: Cape Town | Registered: Nov 2016
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
My thoughts are with you and Bjorn Nicole.
Huia
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Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Egeria
Shipmate
# 4517
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Posted
Oh Nicole I am so sorry.
My first cat, Circe, developed diabetes at the age of 11. About nineteen months later, she began to look seedy, lost weight (she'd always been a rotund kitty), and started having bouts of violent diarrhea. The vet tried different insulin formulations and other medications--nothing seemed to make much difference. Then I noticed that one pupil seemed to be fixed--a trip to an eye specialist followed, then the removal of the eye, and the resulting biopsy showed lymphosarcoma. The specialist left the diagnosis on the answering machine, and I sat on the sofa and cried while Circe got very concerned and tried to comfort me. The treatment choices I was given were prednisone, an intermediate home chemo program, and aggressive chemotherapy (not affordable). Given her age and the fact that the disease had already spread through her body (so aggressive treatment probably wouldn't have given her much time), I chose the second option. It gave her about five weeks of reasonable comfort before the disease really took hold again. I spent as much time with her as I could. That's all I could do. And I wish I hadn't kept her at home for one last night together--she was really suffering by that time.
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"Sound bodies lined / with a sound mind / do here pursue with might / grace, honor, praise, delight."--Rabelais
Posts: 314 | From: Berkeley, CA | Registered: May 2003
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Rossweisse
High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
Iris the Orange Menace is to be collected in the morning. I'm not sure how I'm going to get through this.
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I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
Bjorn is home, very weak, and didn't eat. I don't think he has very long to go.
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On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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Graven Image
Shipmate
# 8755
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Posted
Prayers that Bjorn may find comfort with you in his last days.
Posts: 2641 | From: Third planet from the sun. USA | Registered: Nov 2004
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Bjorn is home, very weak, and didn't eat. I don't think he has very long to go.
Prayers for both of you.
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
Bjorn, Iris and Circe...beloved feline companions.
Our hearts are so wrapped inside of their hearts, aren't they? <3
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Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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Rossweisse
High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
Iris was collected early this morning. She has been with me through every stage of the cancer, for almost seven years now. I had thought she would be with me to the end.
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I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
((Ross)) So sorry.
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On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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Sipech
Shipmate
# 16870
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Posted
Got a text from my sister to say their 4 month old kitten, Kismet, had been run over and killed by a delivery driver. This, two weeks after their eldest cat, Morpheus, had succumbed to pancreatic cancer.
Rough time on that side of the family.
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I try to be self-deprecating; I'm just not very good at it.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheAlethiophile
Posts: 3791 | From: On the corporate ladder | Registered: Jan 2012
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Rossweisse
High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
((Nicole)) I'm praying for you and Bjorn.
for the family of Kismet and Morpheus.
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I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
So sorry to be reading about everyone's feline friends.
for all, especially Ross and Sipech's sister and her family.
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Rossweisse
High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
Thank you, Piglet. It's been really tough losing Iris this way, but at least I understand what's going on. I can't help thinking that she's distressed, yanked out of her home and not knowing why.
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I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Nicolemr
Shipmate
# 28
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Posted
Bjorn died during the night last night. Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers.
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On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!
Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
(((Nicolemr))) ![[Waterworks]](graemlins/bawling.gif)
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Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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Rossweisse
High Church Valkyrie
# 2349
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Posted
(((Nicolemr)))
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I'm not dead yet.
Posts: 15117 | From: Valhalla | Registered: Feb 2002
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
{{{Nicole}}}
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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MaryLouise
Shipmate
# 18697
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Posted
So sorry Nicole, a big hug
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“As regards plots I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots.”
-- Ivy Compton-Burnett
Posts: 646 | From: Cape Town | Registered: Nov 2016
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
Calling those of you who are slaves to cats.....
Please can I have some help/advice?
I am cat sitting for a friend who is away for an extended break. I had to take him to the vet the other day, and the result of this is that I need to administer three different sets of eye drops/eye ointment twice a day (and one of them more if possible). How do I do it causing least stress to the cat and to me?
Because I need to leave each one to work in, I have to leave some time between each med, but I need to get all in before I go to work.... And it's getting to the point where every time I pick him up, he struggles because he thinks I'm going to mess with his eyes (some justification to be fair) .... Is there a technique? This morning I resorted to wrapping him in a blanket for the third med, which cut down on some of the wriggling. But I'd rather not if I can avoid it, as if I have to keep doing that I'm worried he just won't come near me at all (yeah, I know... first catch your cat).
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I came to Jesus and I found in him my star, my sun.
And in that light of life I'll walk 'til travelling days are done
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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Fredegund
Shipmate
# 17952
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Posted
Can only send best wishes for the eye drops. We had to do it with our Great White, only 2 types of drops with a gap, and we all lost blood. It all ended up rather hit and miss and hoping that he rubbed it into his eyes when he washed.
What's the matter with the eyes? GW's was the lower lid growing inwards and required surgery - but at least that put paid to the eye drops.
Posts: 117 | From: Shakespeare's County | Registered: Jan 2014
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Boogie
Boogie on down!
# 13538
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Posted
The only way I could do it when we had cats was when the cat was asleep, putting it on a cotton pad and wiping it in the eye - not ideal but enough medication got in.
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Garden. Room. Walk
Posts: 13030 | From: Boogie Wonderland | Registered: Mar 2008
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
Do you know how to wrap a cat? Get a large towel or perhaps a sheet, and wrap the animal tightly up in it. This prevents the cat from clawing away from you. You can hold the wrapped cat down on the table or on the floor between your knees, and quickly drop the drops in.
Always do this -before- feeding the animal. They soon learn that sorrow reigneth in the night but joy cometh in the morning, and put up with all your nonsense so that the food will appear.
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Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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Fredegund
Shipmate
# 17952
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Posted
True - GW would forgive most things if they were followed by garlic sausage.
Realistically, it takes 2 to wrap a cat and dose, so if you're on your own you need to evolve another arm or two.
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Pax et bonum
Posts: 117 | From: Shakespeare's County | Registered: Jan 2014
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
This may be where I went wrong... he did get treats afterwards but given we were in wrangling territory meds & treat probably weren't close enough together! (I did wrap him finally this morning. It was rather more successful than the previous attempt, but I felt a complete bastard for doing it!)
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
No, keep the food reward entirely for after. During is of no help at all. With a sturdy and large enough wrap you can do this alone. My model here is James Herriot, who describes his cat-wrapping skills lyrically in his animal books. His boast was that other vets said, "Herriot may have his limitations but by God he can wrap a cat."
Another possibility, if you have such a thing, is a large sturdy cloth sack or pillowcase. Invert it over the (ideally sleepy or unsuspecting) cat and gather it around the neck.
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Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
You people are wonderful. Cat-wrapping and treats to follow worked well and whilst I still felt rotten about it, it was rather less stressful than previous attempts. And most of the meds went where they were supposed to go....
And the cat is still talking to me.
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I came to Jesus and I found in him my star, my sun.
And in that light of life I'll walk 'til travelling days are done
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
Kingsfold, you're a hero, it's difficult to do those things to a cat when you've lived with it and been the source of food and rewards for years - well done.
I've never had to wrap Georgie-Porgy fat'n'fluffy, but the first few times of administering gel to her ears were fairly fraught.
Huia
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Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
I'm so glad nothing like that happened to Tabby when we were her servants. She's quite a laid-back cat, but in those circumstances I don't think I'd be a very laid-back human ... ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
It's actually kinder to overwhelm the cat with an immovable wrapping, than to allow her to struggle and possibly injure herself. (And claw you to shreds.) When it's inevitable they accept it.
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Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
Oh, the wrapped cat struggles and wriggles. He wasn't so well wrapped this morning, but the claws were all inside, and not being shredded has a lot going for it!
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
Well done, kingsfold! As has been said already, medicating a cat is hard enough for regular cat staff. You are a friend, indeed!!
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Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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Gill H
Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
I've been following this thread and it's time to introduce you to our lovely cat Spikey.
She's a rescue cat - we got her in January 2016 and were told at the time she was 17, but it's hard to believe. She looks much younger and doesn't have that scraggy look older cats can get.
We live 2 floors up with no garden, on the high street, so wanted an indoor cat. She is deaf which means she can't go out on her own anyway.
So we started taking her out on a lead with a little harness. It's mostly 'going out for a sit' rather than a walk, but she loves seeing people. So we go to the park, or to one of the local coffee shops with floor-to-ceiling windows, so she can sit next to the window and watch the world go by.
Here's a short photo montage:
Spikey
Anyway ... the vet has said she needs all her teeth out. Going for blood tests today to make sure she is strong enough for the general anaesthetic. If so, it will be done on Friday.
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*sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Kitten
Shipmate
# 1179
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Posted
She's lovely Gill
Good luck for Friday
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Maius intra qua extra
Never accept a ride from a stranger, unless they are in a big blue box
Posts: 2330 | From: Carmarthenshire | Registered: Aug 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
She is a bonny cat - how will she manage without any teeth?
Best of luck on Friday.
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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no prophet's flag is set so...
Proceed to see sea
# 15560
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Posted
Toothless cats can do quite fine. You just have to give them soft food. Our's (she's 21) likes nothing better than a gum rub, to the point she hugs the hand which is in her mouth, with hind legs against the forearm, much like a kitten might nurse on a finger.
The dog (a rescue) whom she's parented for 6 years, has taken to licking in her mouth as well which is a tad gross and odd, but the vet says it is just a sensitive area and enjoyable probably for both of them. The dog is sort of toothbrushing her. It is weird, animals are weird sometimes. But then humans are also weird. maybe more often.
[ 01. November 2017, 21:04: Message edited by: no prophet's flag is set so... ]
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Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.
\_(ツ)_/
Posts: 11498 | From: Treaty 6 territory in the nonexistant Province of Buffalo, Canada ↄ⃝' | Registered: Mar 2010
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Gill H
Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
The vet says the gums harden and they even eat dry food again after a while. Currently she has both.
She also has a habit of yowling at night - probably due to her age. She'll come and settle on the bed for a while, but then goes for a wander and seems to forget how to find us again. The vet has given her a supplement which we tried mixing with Lick-e-lix last night (has anyone else discovered this creamy cat cocaine? She licks the bowl clean!)
Anyway, she chose to sleep in her own bed last night, and didn't wake till 4.30 am when she decided to serenade us. That's an improvement over most nights.
In other news - she had the tests yesterday, except the vet couldn't get a urine test, so I need to provide a sample.
For all those who (like me until yesterday) are wondering how the heck you do that for a cat...
We've cleaned out her litter tray and put in some special non-absorbent sand. The theory is that the urine will sit on top and I can collect it with a pipette and put it in the sample bottle.
I say theory, because last night she didn't use the tray at all, and this morning she still hasn't! She's happily curled up asleep. Hurry up and wee, Spikey!
Sheesh, and I thought by not having kids I'd escaped dealing with gross bodily fluids...
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*sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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Fredegund
Shipmate
# 17952
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Posted
Hope the messy bit is happily over. It's amazing how well cats can eat with few or no teeth. My late lamented tridentine Burmese managed everything offered to her, and a few things that weren't, with just the 3 badly placed teeth. She bit us beautifully, as well.
Very worried about our feral. Daft object insists on going on, and can't always be found at night. Haven't seen him since yesterday morning, and with idiots setting off fireworks and trick or treating....
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Pax et bonum
Posts: 117 | From: Shakespeare's County | Registered: Jan 2014
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Gill H
Shipmate
# 68
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Posted
Mission ChatEau accomplished.
Now we've been told not to feed her after midnight tonight.
She's a mog, not a mogwai!
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*sigh* We can’t all be Alan Cresswell.
- Lyda Rose
Posts: 9313 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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