Monday, February 7, 2022

Madame's Changed World

I realised earlier today that I haven’t reported on Minuet in five days, and that the last time I did, she was feeling poorly. I’m pleased to write that she has improved.


Her diarrhea, which was very bad, was, I believe, connected to stress; it had happened to her before in stressful moments. There can’t be a much more stressful event for a cat than losing everything you have had for sixteen years. But I made extensive use of Feliway spray, which was efficacious for her in the past, and it seems to have worked. She once again has control over her bowels - which emptied pretty much anywhere during her troubles - and her stools are once more formed. She is wetting and pooping her in her litter-boxes again (I have two for her in the library, as she may have an animus against too much debris in a box.)



My newest cat is making gains in other directions, as well. She still spends time behind the library couch, where she obviously feels as safe as she can under the circumstances, but she has also come on to the couch itself. One half is plain cushion, while the other is covered with a blanket, under which is a heating pad. She has been on the blanket and so knows there is extra warmth available for her, if she wants it.


She has also explored a little bit. When the boys are snoozing and there is little chance of them invading Minuet’s sanctuary, I leave the library door open, for her to come out, if she wishes. On Sunday, she looked into the storeroom, the bedroom and the sitting room, but hurried back to the library soon after.



Her blood-glucose numbers continue to be very un-diabetic. They vary quite a bit - as may be expected with a cat under stress - but only within a restricted range, and within the range that is considered normal for diabetic numbers (four to eight). I have tested her blood four times since the first day of February, and the results have been 6.8, 6.8, 8.3 and 4.4. She has not been given insulin since January.



Her eating is still very limited, however. I believe it will return of its own accord, but in the meantime, I worry about her nutrition. I am syringe-feeding her Recovery-and-water; I am not worried about fatty-liver issues, but she needs to eat more on her own. As well, her rear end may be sore and infected. These two problems are prompting me to take her to the doctor. A veterinary visit is not necessary, I think, but it would not go amiss, either.


Slowly, ever so slowly, but, I believe, surely, Madame is reconciling herself to her new life in exile.


15 comments:

  1. Minuet...sending you love. Please continue to get better, little one.

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  2. Such a life upheaval for this sweet little girl. Sending purrs and purrayers that she continues to adjust and get better. ♥

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  3. I just want to reach into the monitor and give Minuet a gentle petting and murmur words of comfort for the senior kitty.

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  4. When I think what it would be like if I were suddenly taken from all I'd know most of my life and put into a new environment I'm not sure if my stomach and eating habits wouldn't be upset. I'm so glad she has you to be patient with her while she undergoes this change. She's doing well under all the circumstances and your understanding helps her heal.

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  5. Maybe she's a bit like a human, afraid to eat so as not to have diarrhea
    again and again. It is good to see she has enough curiosity to look about a few of the rooms.

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    1. That had occurred to me as well--perhaps the poor girl is right now associating food with a bad tummy, so she's being cautious about how much she eats. Hopefully, that will just be temporary.

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  6. we R sorree ewe R havin a time of it minuet....it will get better onze ewe noe yur way a round....we haz been off de grid; sorree ta lurn ya had a bit oh trubullz healthee wize; we send de manee blessingz oh R pal st francis that yur on de road ta happee healthee and ree coveree ♥♥

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  7. Poor little girl. It is so unfair that she has this upheaval at such a late stage of her life. She probably doesn't realise it yet, but she is in the best place possible for love and care.

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  8. I'm so glad to hear that Minuet is improving. I think you're probably correct to think her diarrhea was due to stress. After all, who wouldn't be stressed with all of the changes she has undergone recently?

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  9. We sure send purrs to those sweeties, we too are glad that Minuet is doing some better.

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  10. Poor wee girl. I hope she starts to eat more on her own, and continues to settle in well. Purrs from Saku.

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  11. Minuet so wants to be social, but she is very cautious...maybe she feels that something else bad might happen...
    Glad she has improved, but we sure hope she will start eating more.

    POTP and pawyers!

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  12. Minuet is in good hands but what an upheaval at her age! I find it strange that she was supposedly diabetic but her numbers are normal even under stress. I do hope she starts eating on her own. Please give that sweet girl a cuddle from me all the way from Illinois.

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  13. Purrayers and Power of the Paw to sweet Minuet as she continues to realize she is ok.

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  14. We are glad Minuet is doing a bit better, and we will keep purring that she knows she is safe and loved there.

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