Friday, August 11, 2017

And That's Progress

I would like to thank all those who commented and thought about Parker during his recent ordeal. Certainly, many cats have been through far worse, but he doesn’t know that, so the good wishes are appreciated.


My orange foster-boy is doing well. He used the litter-box last night for both numbers one and two. What is it about pet-owners that makes us so pleased with regularity in waste-disposal in our animals? There is nothing wrong with Parker’s urinary and intestinal tracts, and that he had nothing to put into the box is perfectly understandable, considering his fast, and the subsequent lag between at last eating and the inevitable disposal of what wasn’t required. Even so, it was a good sight to me.

He continues to receive his medicine, which he finds onerous. On top of the three different doses given orally by syringe, there is his insulin and, because his blood-sugar numbers are up and down right now, I have to poke him for a test before each injection. But the number of such intrusions will diminish today, with the last of his pain-killers given this evening. I rather wish that particular medicine would last longer, as Parker is likely still in discomfort. But as healing continues, the pain will disappear naturally.

His appetite never really decreased and now he is back on his regular schedule, though the small amount of hard-food he had been receiving has been replaced with soft.

I am to report to the veterinary about Parker in a couple of weeks, unless something bad happens in the interval. But all is set fair, and I am grateful for my friend’s recovery.

Then there is this guy…


Tucker, being weighed here, is still heavy. His poundage fluctuates from month to month, but only within half a pound or so; I am not worried. On a definitely positive note, the experiment to stabilize his blood-sugar numbers has not worked the way I had hoped, but has worked. His dosage of insulin was lowered from four units in the morning and three in the evening to two-and-two. This was expected to raise his numbers, but to raise them to where they are even and consistent.

There is still inconsistency, but his numbers are in fact a good deal lower. Too much insulin can affect them as adversely as too little, and Tucker may not have needed so much for so long. So, in consultation with his doctor, I have kept my roly poly on two units of insulin in both the morning and the evening. He seems no worse for it, though I am vigilant as regards other signs, such as weakness in his rear legs.

And on that subject, we can’t have good news without some bad. Tucker is limping, favouring his left rear foot or leg. This, I’m certain, has nothing to do with his diabetes; that would have a different effect. I have examined the limb and he doesn’t flinch from pain. He played very actively last night and is in every other way normal (for Tucker). I was thinking of making an appointment for him to see his doctor, but I suspect she would just feel the leg and offer to take an x-ray, and I’m pretty sure there is nothing amiss that an x-ray would display. So we will see how well the leg does over the weekend.

To finish a hectic, unusual week: a little bad news, but overwhelmingly good. And when steps forward out-number those backwards, it’s progress.

17 comments:

  1. Good news re: Parker, and mostly good news for Tucker too. Hopefully he just strained his leg and all will be well without a visit to the vet.

    Continued healing Light and purrs, to them both.

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  2. I'm so happy to hear that things continue to improve for Parker. Hopefully his progress will continue. Also, Tucker's insulin requirements have decreased, and that's great! It looks like things are certainly looking up!

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  3. Yes, a used litter box makes happy cat humans! Hopefully Parker will be A-OK when the pain meds are finished. Tucker is just big-boned, right? ;-) If I see my cat limping or shaking a leg, I'm all over that cat, examining legs, hips, shoulders, back, toes...I am so annoying!

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  4. If you think Parker would do better with more pain Ned's, let the doctor know. Some teeth come out rather easily others are quite reluctant and need much manipulation and others fracture and need to be removed in pieces. Every kitty is different. Might be nice to have something on hand over the weekend when most vets are closed. You know him best ; we're sure you will do your best by him.
    Appropriate elimination in the kitty box! As all cat owners know it's the little things in life that count.
    Could Tucker's limp be coming from his hip? Great news about his lower numbers. If you can manage to perform the almost impossible feat of getting stable numbers on a cat in a multi at household, we'll take up a collection and send you off to vet school.

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  5. doodz.....well, for de most part good nooze for ya both; heerz hopin numberz balance like they shuld... pain goez a way compleet lee.... N everee one haza grate week oh end..

    { cat father.....dood....eye toll ya knot ta kick out thoz cell barz holdin toe mas ~~~~~ capo tuna } ♥♥♥☺☺☺

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  6. I am glad it is mostly good news. I hope Tucker's leg heals quickly.

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  7. Thank you for the update on poor Parker. But we are happy he is recovering from his dental ordeal. Poor Parker. I wonder what is wrong with his leg - I think you are wise to wait and see how it goes. Managing diabetes is truly a challenge - especially with cats. We hope you and the cats have a healthy and quiet weekend.
    ps, Holly is still in her cone collar but her would is healing very well.

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    1. Thank YOU for Holly's update. I don't think you mentioned what happened to the poor girl. How did it occur?

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    2. We are not sure - it appears she was licking and scratching a possible bug bite and she managed to kick her fur off and cause a sore on her skin. Anti-biotic, steroid shit and cone - her would has healed nicely. Thank you. I do hope Tucker's limp goes away.

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  8. Ohh I'm so glad that he feels better now!
    It'll be more better each one day :)
    I'm so happy that you take care of him so much <3
    in my country there is a lot of people, who throw out an animal when it start to be sick, they don't want to waste their money to even figure out what's wrong! I hate all theese people, because animals can really feel, they're really sad about it. All my cats are found on the street and rescued. Purka fall in love with me when she saw me first time, she just felt safe I think. I got Amaya from her temporary home (she was found by a charity organisation, which is helping animals in Warsaw and nearby this city), she needed some time to get know me, but now we love to spend our time together. And Misio was terribly sad when he came to me, he didn't want to even wash his fur, I was afraid that I'll loose him, because he look like he wouldn't live on this planet anymore. But we were woring with him some time and he started to purr and hug, he really needed it. And now he's very sociable cat!

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    1. Thank goodness you are the way you are with animals. Your three certainly needed you.

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  9. Oh man the vets must be loving you. I hope both Tucker and Parker feel better over the weekend.

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  10. Hoping all continues to be well. Thoughts and prayers are with the cats.

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  11. First of all, Me and mom kudos to your human to look after you both really well and the best he can do. I'm glad Parker is getting better. Purrs for his best healing. And me prayers hard for Tucker as well. my mom is glad to hear your human will take Tucker to x-ray. Best purrs for his results.
    Purrs

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  12. Parker, I am so happy for you. Meow! And Tucker bless you sweet boy...you just keep playing. Maybe you strained your leg. I hope that's what it was. I hope your dad keeps us up on what is happening with you in that regard. Meanwhile, here are some special Tuxie smoochies just for you.. *smoochies*

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  13. I am glad Parker and Tucker are doing mostly well. Hopefully Tucker's limp is just from over estimating his capabilities and is now improving.

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  14. Sorry, I haven't been here in week it seems, certainly lots going on around your home.

    Glad to hear Parker did well after his dental. Personally I dislike the dentist and I understand the purpose. It must be so much more difficult for our cats.

    I read back a few posts and laughed at your microwave. I had the same or similar model back in the 70's however it didn't last as long as yours. My small freezer (knock wood) is still going strong almost 35 years after I bought it. Though I suspect it uses copious amounts of energy.

    Have a rest of the week,
    Eileen

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