Sunday, December 27, 2020

Time and Age

As the old year is running down, I am reminded of time, and its effects on age. That’s not an original thought in this season, but it comes as I have been observing Renn. My big boy, always so robust and fit, has been having a little difficulty in jumping up onto furniture, such as the bed and the sitting room couch. In the bedroom, he has been making use of the portable staircases which Cammie used to use, and which all but Neville use now, in various ways.

Having a couple of diabetic cats, I thought at first that Renn might be suffering from untreated diabetes. Weakness in the hind quarters is a symptom of the condition. After several attempts – his blood does not flow easily – I was able to gain a sample of his blood to read its glucose level. It was 3.7 which, though actually a tiny bit below the preferred range, is adequate, and certainly no where indicative of high blood-sugar.

A friend suggested that Renn, who will be fourteen in 2021, is feeling the aches of arthritis. That is a possibility. In any case, I will be making an appointment for Renn at the veterinary hospital soon. I don’t believe his need is urgent, but it’s best to have him examined. It’s been a while since he was given the once-over, and it may be time. And it may be time, and age, that is catching up to my big boy.

16 comments:

  1. I hope Renn will be OK. There are a lot of supplements that can help arthritis.

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  2. I think of Renn as the “anchor” of your cat family. He so reminds me of my late Mac, who played a similar role. I hope all will be well with this handsome boy.

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  3. Cats, like people, age at different rates so getting a full check up is a good idea. We send him and you purrs of support and hope it is something temporary. Our big Top Cat, Buddy Budd, kept his status among the family even when he aged. I think they put on their old medals at night during meetings and remind each other who is who

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  4. I, too, hope Renn will be fine, that it's only age-related stiffness, easily dealt with via a supplement. Purrs to him from Derry. ♥

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  5. Renn is such a handsome cat. As our cats age it takes a toll on us as well. I hope the trip to the vet goes well. And winter weather to accompany, no less.

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  6. I am not afraid of the upcoming...to-be report about Renn but I do feel that familiar feeling of wishing and hoping for him and the others. They are an integral part of your life and heart.

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  7. Time and age stops for no one, though I wish it could!
    I do hope Renn's visit to the Dr goes well. How is the rest of your fur family doing? Miss reading about them.

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    1. Yes, it's time, now that the kittens are in their new home, to put the perma-cats back in the spotlight.

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  8. Purrs to sweet Renn. Getting older isn't easy for any of us.

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  9. Sending good thoughts for Renn's upcoming vet visit. Hopefully it is just the natural ageing process and the vet can put your mind at rest.

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  10. I hope his visit goes well. Love the close up photo, it makes me laugh!

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    1. Renn is a prodigious sniffer, with that big nose of his.

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  11. That last image went right to my heart; Celestial Angel used to stick her face into the camera, and I loved those blurry images!
    I haven't taken Sweetie back to the vet since her dental last year, however I too noticed that she wasn't very spry. I found a product that comes in capsules, which I mix into her food daily, and it seems to help her...sometimes, she tears around her apartment like crazy, which she did NOT do prior to this supplement. However, I will make sure the vet takes a good look at her soon, since we are only guessing at 12 years as her age.

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  12. I'll be anxious to hear how Renn's vet visit went. My Alex, who is also 14, has a problem with arthritis. We tried three different medications for arthritis before finding one that helped. Renn, feel better, Sweetheart!

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  13. Hello 🐈Renn. We wish you good health ♥ ️

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  14. Purrayers and Power of the Paw for Renn (and all of you).

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