The Enemy is Always at Our Gates

There seems always to be something threatening my cats’ health. It is an on-going war against disease, injury and various uncategorized conditions. Battles are won and lost but there is no peace. At best, there is a cold war.

And, on the subject of ‘cold’, Tucker’s is, at last, more gone than present. He sounded quite bad for a couple of days, gurgling and snurggling, snotty and grotty. I thought he must live with George Jefferson, because he was wheezy. Fortunately, he never lost his appetite and, being my roly poly, he kept purring, his tail mostly up, through the worst of it. He would have sneezing fits and, if I was at home, I would pet him and try to calm him; that seemed to help. The malady is on its way out, but the scrape on Tucker’s nose is not healing, probably because, as I have witnessed, he keeps rubbing his face. I know the tingling that comes with a sneezy nose myself. Plying him with Lysine to fight the cold has reverted to giving him fish oil, alternating with Restoralax to keep him regular. And, of course, he continues his course of insulin.

Josie too is receiving Restoralax thrice a week. I realised a few weeks ago that I had not seen evidence of her solid waste deposits lately, so I began giving her small amounts of laxative. It softens stools, too, and at her age, a little help with her regularity won’t hurt. Indeed, I believe it has been having beneficial effects. But my old lady is starting a new medicine. I watched with wistfulness as she seemed somewhat frail compared to how she had been, slower moving. Though Josie is in very good health for her age, and actually moves rather spryly, her efforts seemed to be a little greater than formerly. There was no specific concern, but I thought a little assistance with joints and bones would not be amiss. She now receives joint-medicine on the days when she doesn’t get Restoralax. The new concoction’s taste is clearly not to her liking, as she hurries to a water-bowl immediately after its delivery, but hopefully its effects are more enjoyable.

I recently reduced Neville’s insulin dosage. His last curve started rather low (14.5) and fell to 3.2, which is too low. Based on this, and surveillance of his behaviour, I decided to decrease the amount of insulin he receives from three units twice a day to two. This may be too much of a diminution; I will determine its effects with another curve in a month’s time. I dislike the idea that the Nevsky may have to go up again, even by half a unit, but practical application of a change is really the only test of its efficacy. Diabetes is a tricky condition; each patient’s case is different. Tucker receives less insulin than Nev, and his numbers are consistently higher. Yet the roly poly’s clinical symptoms, such as the strength of his nether parts, are good, as are his curves. There is more to consider than the numbers, though these are a good guide. They will guide me in Neville’s case in three or four weeks.

Lastly, there is Renn. My big boy continues to be in good health. At thirteen, he remains active and strong; I hope this is not deceptive. All signs, however, point to things being good and untroubled with him.

All recent attacks made against my beasts have been repulsed; the defences have been repaired and manned. We are enjoying a respite, for the moment, but our spies are ever-vigilant and the citizenry stand ready. We can never relax, it seems, for the enemy is always at our gates.