A Guardedly Optimistic Day

Cammie’s situation is better but could stand some improving.

The princess did not eat anything yesterday after her Cerenia injection. This morning, she consumed a few kernels of hard-food, and then threw up. This was discouraging, to say the least. I figured I would have to take her for another Cerenia shot. A double dose has been needed only once in the past. However, it was yet before the hospital opened, so I decided to try some slippery elm, followed by some Z/D-and-water.

For some while, I have not resorted to slippery elm because it had not worked several times with Cammie; she had, in fact, swiftly regurgitated it. But I thought that, as long as I am waiting to take her to a doctor, why not try something myself; the worst that could happen was that she would vomit it back up. I guessed that she was doing that anyway. I prepared some elm powder and gave it to her at 8.30. By nine o’clock, it was still inside her, so I followed it with some liquid food. It wasn’t much, but it was fluid that she needed and some nutrition. That too stayed put. I repeated the process at noon, and then fed her just the Z/D-and-water an hour ago. So far, so good.

She still will not eat on her own. I think that will come; she needs simply to see that she won’t throw up after eating. The force-feeding should do that. If, of course, it makes her throw up at any point, my actions will work against me and reinforce her reluctance.

There are two other aspects of Cammie’s day that may be reported. One is that she appears very needy. Since the onset of her blindness, she has shown that she wants attention by sitting on the edge of the bed and leaning toward me. That is my signal to lie on the bed; she will then climb on my chest for petting and purring. (Being unable to see renders her much more liable to do me injury. She spent half an hour this afternoon with a rear foot firmly planted on my larynx; I spent some time afterward sounding like Lionel Stander, but I survived, and the princess enjoyed herself.)

The second is that she has now mastered the shorter of the two new staircases I was given for her use. This one is on the opposite side of the bed, where there is less room. Though I had attempted to show her how to use them, as I did with the larger set, she never responded. But today, I watched her climb the stairs by herself, and then step lightly on to the bed.

My Siamese girl continues to astonish me.

Holidays are Just One Very Long Weekend

…And what happens almost every long weekend? Cammie becomes sick.

Very early this morning, the princess threw up her breakfast. I didn’t attribute it – I didn’t want to attribute it – to her usual illness, some form of severe food allergy. Her behaviour suggested that it was a momentary aversion to the particular meal she had consumed. But after she regurgitated twice more later in the morning, I realised that she would need another trip to the veterinary hospital, and an injection of Cerenia.

This she received at 2.30 this afternoon. She has been quite morose since, and refuses to eat anything. This was expected. After vomiting food, Cammie becomes distrustful of food in general. She has not eaten anything – that stayed down – since last night, so if this condition prevails by tomorrow evening, I will force-feed her something, an action to which I am not looking forward.

I am very much puzzled as to why she is having this episode. I am certain she did not get into anyone else’s food; I am vigilant in this proscription. Though she has managed it even under my eye in the past, I can’t believe she did it this time. Her blindness makes the possibility even more difficult.

The only thing I can think caused it was the Z/D soft-food that Cammie eats. It is horrible hydrolised rubber, barely edible; she has liked it for some time now, however. The likelihood, given its composition, that the Z/D created this disturbance in her is very small. But the tin I opened for her this morning seemed to be of a slightly different consistency. I had noticed one or two other tins like that on previous occasions. The fact that she ate from them and suffered no ill effects suggested that this one too would cause no problems. Perhaps it was contaminated.

For now, we wait. Cammie has not thrown up since this morning. Neither has she eaten, nor even drunk. I think she wants to, but is afraid of the consequences. I hope to see that change tonight.

The Temperature of Hell Dipped a Little Today

Cammie is as sensitive to the presence of other cats as always. That is to say, she dislikes their presence and she dislikes them. But I am beginning to discern some elements characteristic of her behaviour now that she is blind. She is quick to fall back on the defensive (with hissing and a threatening posture) if she stumbles into one of her roommates while she is walking through a room or corridor. She even did so when she bumped into one of those carpetted oblongs that hang from cat-trees and with which cats are supposed to play.

But there are certain situations in which the princess does not exhibit her usual behaviour. I haven’t found a pattern yet, but there are instances which arouse intrigue, and I am beginning to wonder if her sightlessness may initiate a change in her attitude. Witness this.

Cammie was awake. She must have been aware of Josie’s presence, whether by feeling my Chubs’s proximity or by smell. Yet she tolerated this contact. Furthermore, when Josie noticed that I was seated near by, her tail started moving. Cammie shifted position to be out of its way (repeated tapping must be reckoned as different than constant touch), but she showed no anger or fear.

There is the possibility that I am reading too much into this. But the loss of vision must create a great rift between what had been and what is, so it is not impossible that Cammie may mellow in her attitude toward the other cats. The odds, after all, can’t be longer than winning the lottery, discovering a cure for cancer, or getting a raise at work…

Disappointment for the Peach

Raleigh’s visit to the doctor produced disappointing results. I was able to capture him with surprising ease, but after that, the news was not as encouraging.

The reduction in his dosage of Prednisolone was not working, and he must go back to the previous amount. Furthermore, his remaining teeth appear to be the focus of a heavy stomatitis occurrence. His gums are quite red elsewhere, so the teeth may not be a cause; if they are, however, they will have to come out, which means yet more surgery for Raleigh. He returns to the veterinary hospital in a fortnight’s time for another examination.

On top of this, there is a superficial ulcer developing in his left eye. This can be treated with drops, but capturing him twice a day to do this has damaged his trust in me. He runs from me if I come anywhere near him, even if I am just passing by. He has regressed yet again to where he was months ago.

I hope that he will regain his confidence as he learns that all I am giving him is drops in his eye, though this in turn will undoubtedly suffer a set-back when he must go once more to the doctor. I’m afraid Peachy will be unhappy for some time.

 

Raleigh Goes for a Check-up

Raleigh goes to the doctor this afternoon. There is nothing new to worry about in his case, but it’s been a while since he’s had a veterinary look at him; specifically, his mouth. I reduced the amount of Prednisolone he is receiving from a full tablet once a day to three quarters. The goal is to wean him off it completely, but when I have attempted it in the past, it has affected him adversely, even a small reduction. This time, however, he seems to be coping adequately. It’s one of the things I will talk to the doctor about.

I am actually nervous about catching the Peach to put him in his carrier. He is very skittish, and doesn’t always come up to me for petting. There is no sense in me trying to approach him when he doesn’t want it: he runs and there is no catching him. I have to wait until he comes to me and then grab him. I don’t like that, either, as it seems like I am breaking the little trust he is developing in me. But it must be done. I hope he approaches me some time close to his appointment…

I will report the results of his appointment tomorrow.