Her Sting

Sometimes a cat’s sting is in the teeth. Sometimes, the sting is in the claws. Then again, sometimes, a cat’s sting is right where it should be…

Further Up

Tempo is almost back to normal, which is a relief for me. I was greatly worried that, as a result of her operation, she would stop eating, and she did, briefly. But unlike the recent episode when she lost all interest in food, this one seemed directly linked to the drugs she had to have for her surgery. Once the medicine had made its way through her system, she recovered her desire to eat. It is not back to where it had been, but it is a good amount, and I suspect it will improve further.

She and Brazil are playing again. I would like her to give her wound more time to heal but, when it comes to cats, especially kittens, such a decision is not up to humans. I am examining her abdomen repeatedly, and it still looks good. Furthermore, I have noticed Shimmer grooming Temps. Her reaction is one of bemusement; I don’t know that she understands what he is doing. Nonetheless, it is a step forward for both of them and their relationship.

On the other hand, Indigo is still chasing Tempo out of the library - and Tempo is still going into the library…

Her Morning After

Tempo had a quiet night, as I had expected. I think she spent much of her time in the nylon tunnel. After I rose for the day, she came out and used the litter-box, but returned to the tunnel. I fed her there, and she ate. I gave her three small portions of a Fancy Feast tin’s contents. She finished them all and probably would have eaten more, but I was wary of feeding her too much. She purred quite a bit while I petted her, so I think she is feeling better. I gave her the prescribed dose of painkiller for today.

I did put a cone on Tempo, as she was starting to lick her incision. However, she managed to remove it twice, so I don’t know if it will stay on. I tried tying it reasonably well, but I didn’t want to strangle her. I think I will just have to trust that she doesn’t do too much damage. She had not done any in the night, as her wound looked fine this morning.

I think Temps is going to recover quickly from her surgery.

Tempo's Surgery Day

Tempo had her spay surgery this morning. I was worried because, unlike Zofia, Tempo’s heat cycle was not obvious in its stages. There was no posturing, no extra affection and the amount of vocalization she made was not much greater during than not. Her appetite seemed to be affected; I believe it’s what contributed to her apathy toward food a while back. I think she had another cycle this past weekend, and that she was finished by today. Fortunately, my estimate was correct, and she was spayed without complications.

Also unlike Zofia, Temps is very lethargic now. She is lighter than Zo was at the time of her surgery and, though of course the doctor would take into account her weight when administering drugs, including the anaesthetic, I think they are having a deeper affect on Tempo. She doesn’t want any food, which is understandable, but spent a long time lying in the same spot at which she came out of her carrier, upon her return home.

But she evinced some interest in playing, when I and Brazil were having a game – though of course I would not have played with Tempo in any case - and now she is lying in the nylon tunnel. It is softer than the relatively rough rug on which she had been lying, and it’s more difficult for her to bend and lick her wound, though I have not seen her try. That may change as the pain-killer wears off. I have some more to give her tomorrow morning, and will debate whether to put a cone on her then.

But I don’t see why she won’t make a full recovery. My main worry is her not eating; the previous veterinary visit put her off food as much as the heat cycle did, I believe, so I will measure her appetite in the next day or two. Nonetheless, the great surgical hurdle in the life of a rescued cat is behind her, and better times lie ahead.

To Change and Not To Change

Sometimes, the removal of a long-time resident in a cat-household will change things. I think that has been the case here. With Renn’s death, the feline pieces in the Cosy Apartment are re-arranging themselves a bit. The odd thing is that Renn did not have a very active influence on any of the other beasts, especially in his later years. But influence may be passive, too. Then again, the much more assertive influence of an eight month old kitten might have something to do with things.

The changes aren’t great, but they are noticeable. For instance, Indigo is coming out of the library more often. She spent an hour on an armchair in the sitting room, and coming out to sit on the dining table and yowl for her food – adding to the splendor that is the meal-time symphony here – is no longer unusual, if still not daily. As well, Indie has joined me on the library couch by jumping up from the front, directly from the floor, for the first time; previously, she had climbed Min’s cat-tree from the back. That is a very small alteration of habit, but, I think, significant.

Imogen is coming out to sit – or, more accurately, crouch – among the others. (And by ‘among the others’, I mean sit several yards away, watching them warily.) She seems less bothered by Tempo than I thought she would be. Imo still hisses and growls at the newcomer, but they have sniffed each other without complaint, as well. And Miss Silky has switched from lying on the near side of the bed by the pillow to the far side. Why? Who can say.

These are all small differences, but those who have cats know that small can grow, like a kitten. On the other hand, last night I watched Brazil take a literal flying leap at Imogen, land on her, then dash off, so not everything is changing.

How She Is Among Them

Indigo is becoming daily more accustomed to the other cats. She doesn’t like them and, I think, doesn’t like other cats in general. But she is getting used to them, which means that she would not necessarily have to be adopted as an only-cat. I believe she would do quite well with older felines who don’t really want to interact that much, like my Neville.

If Indie didn’t want anything to do with the other beasts, she would remain in the library day and night. But she clearly wishes to widen her world, even at the expense of having to relate to others. Here, she is tolerating Tempo’s presence. A few minutes later, there was hissing and manifest displeasure. Indigo has actually chased Temps out of the library on more than one occasion, moving pretty swiftly for a middle-aged cat. I don’t mind Indigo establishing her place in the hierarchy. She doesn’t want to cause mischief, so if she takes a position above those who do, I won’t be upset.

How Heat Affects Typing

The heat is rather oppressive here right now, and the cats are trying various ways to beat it, or at least reduce its effects. Imogen has decided that the surface of my computer desk is cooler than other surfaces. It is also in the way.

I type quite rapidly, despite using just two fingers and my thumbs. Though I have to look at the keyboard most of the time, it is not to watch every key; it’s just a general observation of the whole field. Nonetheless, when Imo is lying in front of the board, her legs or tail hang over the edge of the table enough to disrupt the flow of my typing. It’s like attempting to play the trumpet when someone’s hands are between your fingers and the valves. Every third or fourth letter that I type is wrong, my speed is slow and I have to watch every movement.

I can’t wait until autumn…