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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / July 2006Oscar's home
Around 8:30pm, I went to say good night to Oscar at the clinic, bringing freeze dried chicken treats with me on a hunch. Oscar looked like a total zombie, but when I got there she made the effort to move forward and rub her face on me. I gave her a piece of the chicken, and suddenly she showed signs of life. After gnawing on that, she discovered the dish of dried food (which had been sitting there all day) and devoured its contents, then "discovered" the litterbox (same deal) and peed for about a minute straight. The vet and I decided that, despite initial thoughts, she'd probably be better off at home, without all of the other animals, smells, and sounds. Plus, I have the crate. Oscar has been very good about her paw, so we are trying her with no collar. That means I have to watch her tonight, and if she starts licking it again, we will need to go back and get her into the collar. They say they have see through ones that are much easier on the animals. In any case, there's no point in me trying to do it myself. So I've told her, if she's good she gets to stay home; if she's bad we have to go back to the bad place. She seems okay in the crate so far. I plan to leave her in there over night, and then in the morning I might let her out to poke around a little bit. But then, how many times has the plan changed since Monday morning?  Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > Around 8:30pm, I went to say good night to Oscar at the clinic, > bringing freeze dried chicken treats with me on a hunch. [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > little bit. But then, how many times has the plan changed since > Monday morning? It sounds like you are the best medicine for Oscar. Purrs that she keeps improving. MLB > It sounds like you are the best medicine for Oscar. Purrs that > she keeps improving. MLB Only if I don't end up so sleep deprived that I do something rash. She is really getting on my last nerve. The last thing I need, ever, but especially right now, is to not get enough sleep. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> It sounds like you are the best medicine for Oscar. Purrs that >> she keeps improving. MLB > >Only if I don't end up so sleep deprived that I do something rash. >She is really getting on my last nerve. The last thing I need, ever, >but especially right now, is to not get enough sleep. Hi Monique, When my guys start licking excessively, I use a product called Pet Relief Stick aka Itch Stick or Pet Relief Spray: http://www.1800petmeds.com/pdetail.asp?SK=2725 It has a bitter agent in it, along with soothing chamomile and other healing agents. I prefer the stick as it seems to stay on better, and doesn't scare the cats when I put it on. Good luck with Oscar! Patti > Hi Monique, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Good luck with Oscar! Patti Thanks! I'm not sure if I should use something like that, since I'm already putting a topical steroid cream on the pad. Also, she has some open cuts, and I don't know about a bitter agent or the salicylic acid on an open cut ... Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca And again. Oscar couldn't keep herself from licking her affected foot (in all sorts of clever ways, designed to hide the fact that she was doing this), so now she has an e collar. It's different than the one my first vet gave her, and she seems to be slightly better with it, but her response has been (I've locked her into the master bedroom/bath) to go head-first behind the toilet and stay there. I have no idea what that's about. At least she's not able to hide in the basement where she got her paw infected in the first place. At this point I've been to the emergency vet clinic more often than to my regular one, I think. I am so tired I can't see straight, and my temper is fraying. For all of you who say your cats know you're trying to help them, etc, that's all well and good, but Oscar either doesn't know or doesn't care. Everything is a battle royale. I'm exhausted and starting to get angry at her. Obviously I know that's not rational, but that's the problem with getting tired, at least for me. Equanimity fails. Arrrrrrgh. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca I'm sorry you're having such a rough time :-( Many purrs for things to settle down. With Vino's little thing that he's got right now, it's the first time I've had to deal with any sort of sickness or injury in a pet. It's a bit depressing. Especially since I just got an email from Dennis saying he's still stuck in camp in Burma because it's such bad weather out that the plane that flies in to take him to Yangon can't land. So in the meantime I had cancelled the hotel in Perth. Who knows what time he's getting in now anyway and I don't want to leave with Vino not eating properly. So I have to resign myself to staying at home and waiting for Dennis to show up...sometime. Who knows when. Friday? Saturday??? SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > And again. Oscar couldn't keep herself from licking her affected foot > (in all sorts of clever ways, designed to hide the fact that she was [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Arrrrrrgh. > I'm sorry you're having such a rough time :-( Many purrs for things to > settle down. Thank you. > With Vino's little thing that he's got right now, it's the first time > I've had to deal with any sort of sickness or injury in a pet. It's a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > properly. So I have to resign myself to staying at home and waiting for > Dennis to show up...sometime. Who knows when. Friday? Saturday??? Yeah, I feel that. DH won't be home till Saturday or Sunday. Annoyingly enough, I know he *could* come back early, but he's spending quality time with his family, and I know that's important. I don't think I want him to drop everything to come back. I'm not even really sure it would help at all; this morning I was able to give Oscar her liquid antibiotic and the topical cream without too much fuss. Okay, there was fuss, but no puncture wounds. I just want the emotional support. And some sleep ... Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> I'm sorry you're having such a rough time :-( Many purrs for things >> to settle down. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > I just want the emotional support. And some sleep ... I hear ya. It's harder when you're alone. Latest is that Dennis eventually made it to Yangon, but now won't be coming home till Friday morning because of all the changes and screw ups. This is a full 24 hours later than normal :-( Ah well, what can you do? SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >>> I'm sorry you're having such a rough time :-( Many purrs for things >>> to settle down. [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > morning because of all the changes and screw ups. This is a full 24 hours > later than normal :-( Ah well, what can you do? Don't know about you two, but when Charlie was away for six months while the kids were small I pitched regularly scheduled fits. The military transferred him across the country just before he was to retire in a effort to force him to reenlist. To top it off he was living with my parents and going to the coast with them on weekends etc. Never mind that it wasn't his idea or choice. Or that he was none to happy about the situation either, and would much rather have been here. If nothing else it ticked me off that he got along so well with my parents back in the day when I still didn't. He would call on Sunday nights to catch up and about half the time I'd end up angry enough to hang up on him. That was more than thirty years ago. We're still married. I grew up and got along much better with my parents. Now don't you both feel better about how well you are dealing with the separations? Jo >>>> I'm sorry you're having such a rough time :-( Many purrs for >>>> things to settle down. [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > > Jo LOL! I wouldn't dare pitch a fit with Dennis. It would only make him feel *way* worse about a situation that he has no control over. And it wouldn't work either. He shuts off when I turn on the water works. Can't manipulate that guy, no way, no how! It's for the best anyway, too easy to get caught up in the trap of game playing. I learned that from a previous relationship. Glad to hear you and Charlie are still married. Growing up always helps. Sometimes I think the separations can be good in a way. Keeps me independent and also keeps things fresh. Wouldn't want to do it forever, but for the next few years it's ok and I can (mostly) deal quite well. SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >> Now don't you both feel better about how well you are dealing with >> the separations? [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > and also keeps things fresh. Wouldn't want to do it forever, but > for the next few years it's ok and I can (mostly) deal quite well. I think the key part in Jo's post was "when the kids were small." As near as I can tell, all parents of young children are sleep deprived to a point that would be considered torture were it forced upon them by outsiders. That's a large part of why I think I'd be an awful parent. To deal with that alone ... ugh. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>> Now don't you both feel better about how well you are dealing with >>> the separations? [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > by outsiders. That's a large part of why I think I'd be an awful > parent. To deal with that alone ... ugh. Oh, definitely. I would never want to deal with kids alone. Also, it wouldn't be fair to the kids to have a part time dad who was gone every other month, and would be for at least the next 5-10 years of their lives. Nah, kids are just not for us. SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > >>> I'm sorry you're having such a rough time :-( Many purrs for things > >>> to settle down. [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > > Jo And then there are those of us who just deal with stuff completely alone.... > And then there are those of us who just deal with stuff completely > alone.... True, Karen. A s.o. is definitely the most convenient form of support system, and they get a lot of dirty jobs that you wouldn't necessarily ask a friend to do. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > And then there are those of us who just deal with stuff completely > > alone.... > > True, Karen. A s.o. is definitely the most convenient form of support > system, and they get a lot of dirty jobs that you wouldn't necessarily > ask a friend to do. That probably sounded snarky. I didn't mean it to be. I've been feeling terribly overwhelmed and down about being without help, even familial, lately. It sucks being single and not living near any family at all. > That probably sounded snarky. I didn't mean it to be. I've been feeling > terribly overwhelmed and down about being without help, even familial, > lately. It sucks being single and not living near any family at all. I know what you mean. I am in the same boat. Purrs for things to get better for you and the cats soon. Winnie > That probably sounded snarky. I didn't mean it to be. I've been feeling > terribly overwhelmed and down about being without help, even familial, > lately. It sucks being single and not living near any family at all. I know what you mean. I am in the same boat. Purrs for things to get better for you and the cats soon. Winnie >> > And then there are those of us who just deal with stuff >> > completely alone.... [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > familial, lately. It sucks being single and not living near any > family at all. Well, maybe a little, but I think I understand your frustration. I remember going through some pretty tough times without much of a support system several years ago. I was lucky, though, in that I had one friend who went above and beyond, doing far more than I would ever ask a friend to do. Without him I don't know what I would have done. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > Well, maybe a little, but I think I understand your frustration. I > remember going through some pretty tough times without much of a > support system several years ago. I was lucky, though, in that I had > one friend who went above and beyond, doing far more than I would ever > ask a friend to do. Without him I don't know what I would have done. I went for counselling after I was layoff. Then my father died suddenly two weeks later, and I needed the counselling even more. Plus all the paperwork involved after the layoff was a bit overwhelming. For the first time I seeked various professional help in a lawyer and an accountant etc. It was hectic. What made it worse was people telling me I had it easy since I didn't have a family to support. Winnie > -- > monique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully > > pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I went for counselling after I was layoff. Then my father died > suddenly two weeks later, and I needed the counselling even more. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > was people telling me I had it easy since I didn't have a family to > support. Some "people" should keep their mouths shut. Right, easy. What a laugh. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I've been feeling terribly overwhelmed and down about being without > help, even familial, lately. It sucks being single and not living > near any family at all. I hear you! Same here. I do have several good friends who live nearby, which makes a big difference. For example, when Smudge was missing, one friend went to the Animal Control shelter for me. Their hours of operation fall entirely within my workday, and I work 40 miles away. There was no way I could get in, and this friend knows Smudge and would be able to spot her. Another friend came over to my neighborhood while I was at work, and scoured the streets, looking in alleyways and calling for her in garages, etc (just didn't happen to call in the garage where Smudge actually was). And yet another friend offered to help, but I found Smudge before I could put that friend to work. :) So I'm lucky that I have a community, because life would be very difficult otherwise. It's still not the same as having an SO, though. And not even for having help for difficult issues. It just gets lonely sometimes! Joyce > It's still not the same as having an SO, though. And not even for > having help for difficult issues. It just gets lonely sometimes! To be honest, I think DH would be more of a hindrance than a help in treating Oscar. But I would love to have him around for emotional support. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > To be honest, I think DH would be more of a hindrance than a help in > treating Oscar. But I would love to have him around for emotional > support. Yes emotional support is very appreciated when your cat is sick. I remember the time when Rusty was sick, I was calling around to friends with cats. Just to get somebody to talk to. A co-worker drove over in the heavy snow and took us to the emergency vet. Turned out it was a false alarm and Rusty did not have another urinary blockage. I could have just taken a cab to the emergency clinic like I did before. But it was so nice to have somebody to sort of hold your hand while we were waiting to see the vet. It was right after I got my second layoff too, and I was particularly fragile emotionally. I remember thinking probably the end was near for Rusty, and he might not see another snowy winter night. I am glad he is still with me several years later. Winnie > I hear ya. It's harder when you're alone. Latest is that Dennis > eventually made it to Yangon, but now won't be coming home till > Friday morning because of all the changes and screw ups. This is a > full 24 hours later than normal :-( Ah well, what can you do? Not much, but I think it's okay to be bummed about it. As you said, no reason to take it out on Dennis, who can't help it. I've been able to keep Oscar's collar off for several hours now, and for the most part she's been well behaved. She hasn't tried for the paw enough for me to get tired of interceding and go back to the collar. She's a clever girl; maybe she'll figure out that licking her paw signs her own collar sentence. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> I hear ya. It's harder when you're alone. Latest is that Dennis >> eventually made it to Yangon, but now won't be coming home till [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > collar. She's a clever girl; maybe she'll figure out that licking her > paw signs her own collar sentence. Great news about Oscar. Yes, perhaps she is starting to associate paw licking with the collar. Vino's doing alright but his tummy is still upset. He ate half his breakfast this morning but then puked it up 2 hours later. Of course now that we have carpet in the bedrooms and the hallway, guess where he chooses to puke? I think when he doesn't eat much for a few days, his stomach takes a while to get back to normal. He gets another (smaller) dose of antibiotics tonight. We'll see how it goes. SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Vino's doing alright but his tummy is still upset. He ate half his > breakfast this morning but then puked it up 2 hours later. Of course > now that we have carpet in the bedrooms and the hallway, guess where he > chooses to puke? Oscar has never chosen to puke on the tile. Always carpet. > I think when he doesn't eat much for a few days, his stomach takes a > while to get back to normal. He gets another (smaller) dose of > antibiotics tonight. We'll see how it goes. Purrs and good luck. I guess I can be thankful that Oscar's bad reaction to her antibiotics has been limited to trying to spit it all up. She hasn't been eating unless I put some of her kibble right in front of her, or unless I give her a bowl of tuna. So I fed her some more tuna nicely drenched with the packing liquid and with extra water liberally added this evening. She lapped up a fair amount of the liquid and some of the tuna; left the rest. But at least she's eating and drinking a bit. She's never liked yogurt; I offered her some of mine (granted, maple flavored, probably odd for a cat) and she sniffed it curiously, but no go. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > And again. Oscar couldn't keep herself from licking her affected foot > (in all sorts of clever ways, designed to hide the fact that she was [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > not rational, but that's the problem with getting tired, at least for > me. Equanimity fails. Monique, just put Oscar in the crate you got for her and go get some sleep. She won't get into trouble or stuck somehwere with her e-collar. You are getting frustrated. It is not easy taking care of a sick cat. They seldom cooperate. They don't always understand what is going on and try to hide. I should know, been there, done that, after 11 years with Rusty who seldom has robust health.You may want to reconsider boarding Oscar at your regular vet. The people at the vet clinic know more about how to deal with a sick cat than we do. Purrs continuing. Winnie > Arrrrrrgh. > > -- > monique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully > > pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > Monique, just put Oscar in the crate you got for her and go get some > sleep. She won't get into trouble or stuck somehwere with her [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > the vet clinic know more about how to deal with a sick cat than we > do. Purrs continuing. I let her wander around the room last night, rather than putting her in the crate ... she parked herself behind my shoe rack and stayed there all night. I think she feels more secure when she can jam herself into a spot she can barely fit into, and she seemed to also like the smell of all my shoes (cats!). So I just left her there. I did get some sleep but still feel pretty ick today. This morning I managed to get her to eat a little, and also got most of the antibiotic in her, and the steroid on her paw. The paw was actually not much fuss at all; I was amazed. I think I will have breakfast and then try to take a nap with her. I think we could both use it. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > And again. Oscar couldn't keep herself from licking her affected foot > (in all sorts of clever ways, designed to hide the fact that she was [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Arrrrrrgh. Lots and lots of purrs and gentle hugs for you and Oscar, Monique, Polonca and Soncek > Lots and lots of purrs and gentle hugs for you and Oscar, Monique, > Polonca and Soncek Thank you =) DH is coming home this evening. It will be good to have someone in person to hug. I don't know how well he'll adjust to having the bedroom transformed into an urgent care facility, though =P Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > Around 8:30pm, I went to say good night to Oscar at the clinic, > bringing freeze dried chicken treats with me on a hunch. Lots of purrs for continuing improvement. SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com > Around 8:30pm, I went to say good night to Oscar at the clinic, > bringing freeze dried chicken treats with me on a hunch. [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > little bit. But then, how many times has the plan changed since > Monday morning? Purrs for Oscar's continued improvement. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) Cats leave pawprints on your heart. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk |
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