Going to the Vet

The kitties went back to the vet over the weekend to monitor their improvement. Siren is doing much better; he is gaining back weight and seems comfy and happy. Isadora still has some respiratory issues going on but she's eating and only hides half the day.

On going to vet day ...

Siren takes on his 'Hell No I Won't Go' stance

While Isadora dons her cloak of invisibility

45 minutes later I finally got her out from under the sofa. People laugh when I tell them we start getting ready for our trip to the vet 3 hours before the appointment but it's true.

Much later that night everyone came out to celebrate being home and feeling better.

We thank you for all the kind words and concern and hugs.

Cats on Tuesday

Hopeful Yet Realistic

Soon after I adopted Isadora I discovered that she was sick with an immune system disorder that caused her gums to swell and split open. Imagine the worst case of gingivitis times 10. After trying many treatments I decided that removing all her teeth was the best hope. That surgery was done just a year ago. The success rate for the surgery is at best 60% and gets lower the older the cat is. Isadora is 3, Siren is 10.

Isadora's issues are better but she still suffers relapses. They're not as severe and don't last as long.

About 6 months after Isadora joined us Siren began exhibiting similar symptoms. Little is known for sure about this disease. A very small group of vets and researches say it's a virus; more say it's environmental, poor nutrition in stray moms, or perhaps it's genetic. They thought a bacterial cause had been found but that was disproven.

The most effective treatment is a combination of long lasting, heavy duty steroid injections, antibiotics and pain killers. The steroids can cause diabetes as they did with Siren 6 months ago. I changed his diet and once the drug was out of his system his blood sugar was normal. Good news. Bad news is that none of the other treatments are working. Since Christmas Siren has lost 2 of his 10 pounds and is so miserable that it breaks my heart just to look at him.

So we come to yesterday. I took both Siren and Isadora to the vet and had them treated with everything that will make them feel better NOW. They need to eat. They need energy. They need to be happy NOW.

I will continue a high protein, low carb diet for them and the vet will monitor.

It was a difficult decision but using an ineffective treatment is absurd.

Cross your fingers for us

I have linked to Cats on Tuesday, I could use a hug from some fellow "cat people"

And on we go

The Calm and The Chaotic

Siren has become so mellow and so much more affectionate since Isadora joined the family. They still fight from time to time and he still won't allow himself to be hugged or kissed but he cuddles next to me more and he doesn't get anxious as much. I think a little sister has been good for him.

Isadora is hilarious and a bit odd, even for a cat. She has this thing about hiding with her feet sticking out - she does it everywhere; under the bed, behind the sofa, under pillows and now her new position - in and out of her little house.

She also steals bedding. She finds blankets, sheets, even clothing and grabs them up in her teeth and pulls them to the floor. Then she rolls around on them for a bit before falling asleep.

They're wonderful little creatures.

Cats on Tuesday