A Contrast of Cats

Indigo is still refusing to eat. She will take in a little of chicken- or fish-flavoured pudding treats (the kind that squeeze out from a flattened tube.) I tried flavouring food, particularly Recovery, with it, but I would have to have more treat than food to coax her to consume it, and that isn’t practical, as it would require a huge amount to be worthwhile. I may have to force-feed her, which will not be enjoyable for either of us. I will attempt that tonight.

In the meantime, the progress that is being made is with Sable. She does not hide every time if, to scoop litter or sweep the floor, I come into a room in which she is lying or sitting. As long as I don’t approach her, she will remain where she is, watching me. This is an improvement over the past. The photograph below depicts Sabe when I came home on Friday: I know she has been on the bed during my absences, and caught her once dropping to the floor after lying within a foot of Moxy.

Yesterday, while I was at the computer in the bedroom, Sable was elsewhere. When she returned, she sat on the threshold, in no hurry to hide under the bed again.

Then, today, she did the same thing, though when I spoke to her and told her to come over and see me, rubbing my fingers together at floor level (because this is the irresistible way of inducing a cat to bend to a human’s will…), she crouched for several minutes facing me, as if actually considering coming closer. She decided against it.

Sable is well used to the cats here. I think the only problem is her being chased periodically - probably by Brazil - though even this seems rare. It is certainly not often enough to prevent her from roaming about the house when she has a mind to. Sable’s only real difficulty is with me. And time is on our side in that instance, unlike the case with Indigo.

The Long Road Starts Here

Indigo came home yesterday with a case of pancreatitis. This will affect her permanently. Among the problems it causes is dehydration, which means that Indie will be on fluids for the foreseeable future. She will also need Restoralax to soften her stools and keep her regular. In the short-term, she will be taking Clavamox twice a day to fight a possible infection, Gabapentin twice a day for pain, and Cerenia once a day to reduce nausea, which is an effect of pancreatitis, even without visible vomiting. She will also continue her insulin treatments, of course.

As you can imagine, her days will not be pleasant for the next week, filled with medicine and various procedures that she won’t like. The Restoralax I have successfully mixed in with a pudding-like treat; whether she will continue to eat that, I don’t know, but it is the only thing she has wanted to consume since returning from the hospital, and it isn’t enough in terms of nutrition. Nor is it enough for her insulin, which needs to go with food. The Cerenia will, hopefully, make her feel better.

The difficulty is putting the medicine into her. I have the three in liquid form, but Indie resists being given even this, especially the Gabapentin, the taste of which every cat loathes. I think I was able to give these medicines to her this morning, but she jinked and jerked so much, I can’t be sure.

I was surprised that she put up no fuss over receiving subcutaneous fluids. This was no small blessing, especially in its unexpectedness. Another improvement is that she seems in less discomfort. Though she is shunning her favourite chair, she is not moving or changing position every few minutes, and is actually resting, if not sleeping.

The pancreatitis and its treatment, even after the immediate medicines are finished, will probably reduce her chances of adoption to nil. Few people seeking to bring cats into their homes will choose a diabetic, never mind one who has another condition which will require, at the least, daily fluids. I was hoping she would find a home without other cats to cause her annoyance, but that will likely not be.

Indigo will of course stay with me for as long as she needs a home. It may not be what she dreams of, but it will keep her safe and warm.

Our Long Weekend Tradition

Indigo has been withdrawn over the last few days, not wanting to spend time on my lap, not showing interest even in telling the other beasts where to get off. I made an appointment for next week to have a fructosamine test conducted, to measure her blood sugar over the past fortnight, since she has been most reluctant to allow me to jab her ears for a glucose reading. I thought her insulin allowance might need adjusting. Then, I decided on an examination. Afterward, in consideration of the long weekend coming, and her possibly feeling poorly over the three days, I moved the appointment up to Thursday. Nothing conclusive found.

Last night, though, Indie was clearly in discomfort, moving about throughout the night, never seeming to find a comfortable position. This morning, she didn’t touch her breakfast. Though she had eaten well on Wednesday, and consumed a decent amount Thursday, her food this morning was left untouched. I called the hospital to have her fit in for another appointment, with possibly an x-ray.

The fuller examination today, along with an x-ray, revealed that Indigo is badly constipated. Though a friend suggested this as a cause of her problem, I would not have thought it so. I saw her having no difficulty in the litter-box, though, to be honest, while I can distinguish some of the cats’ crap - Sable’s in particular is unique among the gang - I cannot determine how well or often Indigo performs the deed.

Now, she is at the hospital, staying for the day. She will receive fluids, an enema and painkillers. When she comes homes this afternoon, she will have more painkillers in case she needs them over the weekend. As well, she will come with fluids. It’s been a while since I’ve given those, and never to Indigo, who likely won’t take them easily. But, all this is better than it could have been, and my friend will be home, safe and warm for the long, cold weekend.

Her Secret

Valkyrie has a crooked whisker. What caused it? Why just one? What does it mean? She’s not telling...

Giggles Underneath

Sometimes I can’t find one of the beasts. Everyone who has had a cat goes through this. I like to know where they are when I leave for work, and where they are when I go to bed. Sometimes, it is not a small cat who is missing; size has nothing to do with it. But sometimes it does.

I could not find Valkyrie Sunday evening. I was calling her name in each room but it wasn’t until I was in the bedroom that I heard a response. A strong purring emanated from under one of the dressers. Valkyrie was giggling at her cleverness.

She has slid under the dresser before. There is a lunette at the bottom of each side which even she shouldn’t be able to squeeze under. But the carpet lifts the furniture a tiny amount, and also allows a thin and small cat to push down for more room. And thus, she has her hiding spot.

Moxy was intrigued by Valk’s manoeuvre, but of course would never be able to fit his fat head under the dresser. So he waited with me while the kitten stayed under the furniture. And giggled at us.

Wider Views

Along with her increased affection, Imogen has now started to spend more time in the sitting room. She disliked that space previously because she did not want to be cut off by Brazil from any escape to the rest of the house, where she feels safer. Shimmer will sometimes come in and stare at Imo. This makes the latter uncomfortable, which is understandable, given their history.

Nonetheless, Miss Silky is now feeling more comfortable in the sitting room, relaxing on the tall cat-tree, and viewing the wide world through the wide front window. She still doesn’t like other cats’ propinquity, including Valkyrie’s, despite their exchange of whaps at play-time. Val’s interest in Imogen on the cat-tree is more innocent than Brazil’s, but is unwanted, even so.

But, as may be seen, Imo is quite at ease on her unaccustomed perch, not too worried about interference. The Cosy Cabin’s influence on the beasts continues to be positive.

All In Good Fun

I like how Moxy and Brazil’s relationship has evolved. Initially, I thought that Shimmer was going to bully the Mixer, or at least periodically chase him with unpleasant intent, as he does Imogen. To be honest, I didn’t know what Brazil wanted to do if he caught Moxy. It may have been no more than an invitation to play, which the latter did not understand; he was still learning about play.

But rather rapidly, their interaction became something else. I first noticed it when they lie together on the bed. It wasn’t just the fact that they were lying peaceably together, often with Valkyrie, but that Moxy allowed it. Imo would never tolerate Brazil’s proximity.

Then I noticed Moxy trying to grab Brazil now and then, usually as Mox was lying on the floor and the other passed by. I didn’t think that someone like Moxy was trying to start a real fight. I was right.

Now, the two will wrestle. They are harder and a bit more earnest battles than those Moxy has with Valkyrie. The seizing and twisting of heads, the kicking of stomachs, the biting of necks, the tossing of bodies over shoulders: all are heavier and slightly fiercer. This may have to do with the combatants being closer in weight and size than in the duels between Moxy and Valk. It is impressive to see and hear, with the thuds and bangs, though neither the Mixer nor Brazil say anything during the match.

The cats’ silence, among other things, tells me that the fighting isn’t real. There are no growls, no hisses; the ears aren’t flat back; there are pauses when bellies are exposed and backs are turned. Neither is really afraid of the other.

This is just fun; for the beasts, and for me.