Category Archives: Pets

Health Challenges Beset Choco the Cat

It’s been an exhausting week. but we still have our love bug.

Choco the Cat was diagnosed with diabetes earlier this year, despite being a skinny gal all her life.

An adult rescue, we’re not sure of her exact age, but she’s around 16 years old. We welcomed her to our family in August, 2005.

The vet recommended insulin shots twice a day, and we’ve been administering them.

Over the last week she suffered a couple of seizures.

The seizures were terrifying for her, and for us. Thankfully Yumi was still awake the first time it happened, heard something strange and ran down to see what was going on.

Choco was convulsing, and Yumi brought her to bed, placed her in my arms, and Choco tucked her head under my chin, and clenched her front paws around my neck as if to say, “Help me Daddy!”

Yumi quickly prepared and administered a sugar solution, and Choco came back from the brink.

She was at the vet’s all of the following day on an IV. She’s come back a bit, is eating and drinking.

We are struggling with quality of life issues, but as long as she’s happy cuddling, still eating, drinking, and eliminating, and not having more seizures, we’ll give her the best care and attention possible.

She’s having a blissful cuddle with Mommy as I write this .

Damn we love her.

Choco and Yumi
Relaxed in Yumi’s arms.

UPDATE: 10/20

Choco and I just watched an entire football game like this. I’m going to need a shoulder transplant. . . 

choco paul watching football

At her request I had the sound turned down so low that I could barely hear the game.

There was also a ban on backseat quarterbacking, general yelling, and jumping up and down ;-).

Sorry honey, Christmas is Long Gone

Aw, sorry honey, Christmas is over. . .

cat mourns Christmas
Took down all the lights today. Sigh.

Kitty is mourning the Xmas tree again this year.

I finally took it down today, and “butchered” it in the garage, keeping it for campfire kindling this coming camping season.

And just as in previous years, Choco the Cat has been crying at the door to the garage, going in and sniffing at the remains, and repeating the process.

Medicating Pets

I’ve medicated dogs, I’ve medicated cats, and I’ve medicated turtles.

They are all aware and after the first dose immediately catch on to what’s coming.

And they all cotton to various ruses within a try or two. . .

Yes, even the turtle.

I would say that in terms of potential injury to the applier of medication, cats can be the worst. Sharp fangs, incredibly twisty and strong for body size, and those fangs carry potential infection. Dogs don’t like meds, but are less likely to retaliate on a loved and trusted one.

Turtles? After the first few oral doses, if they start clamming up, it is damn hard to get them to swallow anything. You have to irritate them to the point that they get angry and open up and hiss and snap, and try to get a syringe of fluid spritzed into the mouth. Sigh.

I hate it when a pet goes from “hey, Daddy’s here!” state, to, “Oh, No, Daddy, don’t do that again” state. But, that’s part of the responsibility, eh?

And I’ll be recognized as good Daddy again some day. 

Muggy, Smoky West Coast — Keep Your Pets Hydrated

Dunno about you, but I’ve been downing liters of water, unsweetened lemon juice, cold green tea, and, um, OK, a beer now that the clock is ticking into the evening hours. . .

What about your pets? Make sure they are hydrating, too. Especially with cats, it may take a bit of effort, but make it fun, and they’ll drink.

Fortunately our cat has a well-established drinking routine, and seeks us out for mutual hydration.

cat hydration