Aa
Took Fluffy to the vet yesterday...
He weighed in at 11.15 pounds, less than I had thought. My scale at home isn't very accurate, it had said 12.2 pounds. The vet's scale is the one that weighed him in at 16 pounds in November, 14 pound in March, and now 11.15. He's no longer considered overweight.
The trip to the vet was just to check his thyroid level; normal, same medication dosage. 45 minutes each way and $85 for the visit and medication, including a discount. Oh well. He didn't seem too stressed out.
Fluffy ate pretty well for a few days and I thought I'd have some extra weight on him before leaving him with the catsitter for a little over a week. I have another week to try to fatten him up, lol.
He is having real trouble eating anything that he has to chew. He'll get these weird spasms where he almost falls over. I think its from a nerve in his face being pressed on by his lump. When he chews, it gets hit, and his left paw automatically wants to come up and rub his face; with three legs, that puts him off balance.
I've been concerned about how to get him to take his pills, as tiny as the pieces are. He has tried to spit them out in the past even when wrapped in yummy canned cat food, and has gotten so he doesn't want the canned food even all smooshed up.
The vet tech suggested a topical gel (twice as expensive) or a liquid (Fluffy does NOT do liquids), and then suggested that I grind up the pills and disolve it in some soft food.
I gave him some chicken baby food as a treat when we got home from the vet, and got a great idea. Since then, I've been smashing up a small amount of his canned food really well, heating it a little in the microwave, then mixing in a good measure of baby food.
When its time for his medicine, I grind it up in a little mortar and pestle and mix it in with the cat and baby food. He just laps it up off the plate. If he doesn't finish, I scoop up what's left on my finger and he'll lick it off. He's eating, and taking his medicine without trouble. Cool, huh? I took a picture of his "Cancer Kitty's Kitchen Supplies" and am posting it in my photos. Oy, he's kind of the center of my universe right now!
Love my little guy...
The trip to the vet was just to check his thyroid level; normal, same medication dosage. 45 minutes each way and $85 for the visit and medication, including a discount. Oh well. He didn't seem too stressed out.
Fluffy ate pretty well for a few days and I thought I'd have some extra weight on him before leaving him with the catsitter for a little over a week. I have another week to try to fatten him up, lol.
He is having real trouble eating anything that he has to chew. He'll get these weird spasms where he almost falls over. I think its from a nerve in his face being pressed on by his lump. When he chews, it gets hit, and his left paw automatically wants to come up and rub his face; with three legs, that puts him off balance.
I've been concerned about how to get him to take his pills, as tiny as the pieces are. He has tried to spit them out in the past even when wrapped in yummy canned cat food, and has gotten so he doesn't want the canned food even all smooshed up.
The vet tech suggested a topical gel (twice as expensive) or a liquid (Fluffy does NOT do liquids), and then suggested that I grind up the pills and disolve it in some soft food.
I gave him some chicken baby food as a treat when we got home from the vet, and got a great idea. Since then, I've been smashing up a small amount of his canned food really well, heating it a little in the microwave, then mixing in a good measure of baby food.
When its time for his medicine, I grind it up in a little mortar and pestle and mix it in with the cat and baby food. He just laps it up off the plate. If he doesn't finish, I scoop up what's left on my finger and he'll lick it off. He's eating, and taking his medicine without trouble. Cool, huh? I took a picture of his "Cancer Kitty's Kitchen Supplies" and am posting it in my photos. Oy, he's kind of the center of my universe right now!
Love my little guy...
Great news dear, you deserve this prize and many others.
Kisses for you and Fluffy
BTw, now I know you was right about the fur of ours pets being with us forever :-)
- girls ones are always with me,specially after they grabbing me...
Kisses for you and Fluffy
BTw, now I know you was right about the fur of ours pets being with us forever :-)
- girls ones are always with me,specially after they grabbing me...
Hi there! I just got back from a walk where I came across a doe eating just outside the property where I'm staying, who was joined shortly by another. More lovely weather, ahhh.
My catsitter went and bought some chicken breast canned in water. She moistened some of his dry food with warm water (he had just about quit eating his canned food), then poured a little chicken water over it, then wrapped his powdered thyroid med in a few flakes of chicken. He devoured it all!
I hadn't considered that having the meds in the cold catfood for the 5 second heating might affect it's potency, thanks! I'll make sure my catsitter knows to get the meds into him first; she can heat a small amount, give him his meds, then heat some more for him to eat. She's lucky to have a dog that just puts his head back and opens his mouth when he needs to take medicine.
She froze some of the chicken, will heat up small amounts for meds and feeding. If his tummy tolerates the chicken, she'll give him more, since he seems to like it so much.
She called me last night while sitting on my couch with Fluffy leaning against her leg. She said he had jumped up there himself while she was in cleaning the litter box.
It sure makes it easier for me to enjoy myself here. I was looking in a wonderful shop today, and found some wonderful items for dog and cat lovers. I started getting misty, and the shopkeeper and I discussed cancer (it took her mom, my dad) and how it affects those close to the ones that have it.
My catsitter went and bought some chicken breast canned in water. She moistened some of his dry food with warm water (he had just about quit eating his canned food), then poured a little chicken water over it, then wrapped his powdered thyroid med in a few flakes of chicken. He devoured it all!
I hadn't considered that having the meds in the cold catfood for the 5 second heating might affect it's potency, thanks! I'll make sure my catsitter knows to get the meds into him first; she can heat a small amount, give him his meds, then heat some more for him to eat. She's lucky to have a dog that just puts his head back and opens his mouth when he needs to take medicine.
She froze some of the chicken, will heat up small amounts for meds and feeding. If his tummy tolerates the chicken, she'll give him more, since he seems to like it so much.
She called me last night while sitting on my couch with Fluffy leaning against her leg. She said he had jumped up there himself while she was in cleaning the litter box.
It sure makes it easier for me to enjoy myself here. I was looking in a wonderful shop today, and found some wonderful items for dog and cat lovers. I started getting misty, and the shopkeeper and I discussed cancer (it took her mom, my dad) and how it affects those close to the ones that have it.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi Kathy. Glad you're getting some rest and enjoying your vacation. It sounds like you've got a real winner of a catsitter who is very dedicated to Fluffy. That must put your mind at ease.
Thanks for the update. I'm so happy to hear both you and Fluffy are doing so well.
Thanks for the update. I'm so happy to hear both you and Fluffy are doing so well.
Glad you are enjoying your vacation, you deserve it.
Just wanted to add one thing about added Fluffy's meds to his food. I would do that right before you feed him. Some meds lose potency when they are heated or chilled or exposed to light. Better to mix the ground up meds into a very small amount of food after it has been warmed and then just feed him the the bit of food with them meds in it and then more of just the food after that. That ensures he is getting all of the meds rather rhan some of it getting thrown out with uneaten food.
Just wanted to add one thing about added Fluffy's meds to his food. I would do that right before you feed him. Some meds lose potency when they are heated or chilled or exposed to light. Better to mix the ground up meds into a very small amount of food after it has been warmed and then just feed him the the bit of food with them meds in it and then more of just the food after that. That ensures he is getting all of the meds rather rhan some of it getting thrown out with uneaten food.
Hello everyone, I'm in Colorado Springs and having a very nice time. It's beautiful here, great weather (though some very windy days), I'm getting some quality sleep, and my catsitter says that Fluffy's doing pretty well.
He's not eating a lot, but he's eating, and sitting by her on the couch. He's getting attention and food, and she said she was eating some chicken there and he snagged a piece of it and gobbled it down. If he doesn't eat enough, she'll go buy some canned chicken breast and give him small amounts at a time.
Life is pretty good.
He's not eating a lot, but he's eating, and sitting by her on the couch. He's getting attention and food, and she said she was eating some chicken there and he snagged a piece of it and gobbled it down. If he doesn't eat enough, she'll go buy some canned chicken breast and give him small amounts at a time.
Life is pretty good.
Earplugs do help some, but they cause a lot of pressure in my ears (I've tried different kinds). Also, Fluffy will wake up, too, and think it's time to get up.
Speaking of waking up, he just came out of his closet bed and wants attention. Good, he laid down and is waiting.
I called the animal hospital that's close to my apartment and gave them my information in case the catsitter needs to take him in. She's taken her dog there before, so they are familiar with her.
They told me that they have an oncologist on staff that will do a free phone consultation with my vet about possible treatments for Fluffy. I thought that was cool; I'd told her that my income was limited and couldn't afford to take Fluffy to an oncologist.
I talked to my catsitter twice today, as well as typing up a full page to leave for her.
Anyway, I'll pet Fluffy for you, feed him as full as I can, and give him lots of love.
Speaking of waking up, he just came out of his closet bed and wants attention. Good, he laid down and is waiting.
I called the animal hospital that's close to my apartment and gave them my information in case the catsitter needs to take him in. She's taken her dog there before, so they are familiar with her.
They told me that they have an oncologist on staff that will do a free phone consultation with my vet about possible treatments for Fluffy. I thought that was cool; I'd told her that my income was limited and couldn't afford to take Fluffy to an oncologist.
I talked to my catsitter twice today, as well as typing up a full page to leave for her.
Anyway, I'll pet Fluffy for you, feed him as full as I can, and give him lots of love.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh, thought you were leaving today for some reason. Happy to hear Fluffy ate a good breakfast. He's sure going to miss you.
Your neighbors sound so loud and frankly, like a nightmare. That must be so hard to sleep with all that noise going on all the time. You ever tried earplugs, Kathy? I discovered them 30yrs ago and they've been a life saver!
Well, get lots of rest and come home refreshed. The fact is, you're going to need your energy. Please give Fluffy a pet for me :)
Hugs back and take care...♥
Your neighbors sound so loud and frankly, like a nightmare. That must be so hard to sleep with all that noise going on all the time. You ever tried earplugs, Kathy? I discovered them 30yrs ago and they've been a life saver!
Well, get lots of rest and come home refreshed. The fact is, you're going to need your energy. Please give Fluffy a pet for me :)
Hugs back and take care...♥
Thanks for the warning, opus! My vet is the one who advised me to use the water from water-packed tuna to stimulate Fluffy's appetite, but it stands to reason that the mercury would be a no-no! I rarely eat tuna myself because of it.
I just printed out my boarding pass for my flight tomorrow morning. Fluffy ate quite a bit this morning, which made me feel pretty good.
Now I'm going to type up some instructions/suggestions for my catsitter, then finish packing.
hugs to you all
I just printed out my boarding pass for my flight tomorrow morning. Fluffy ate quite a bit this morning, which made me feel pretty good.
Now I'm going to type up some instructions/suggestions for my catsitter, then finish packing.
hugs to you all
sorry I'm in a rush here this a.m....just wanted to send you a warning about canned tuna!!! only give this to a cat very rarely and in very small amounts, there is tons of mercury in tuna (even the water in the cans)...while we can tolerate higher amounts cats cannot. so beware.
have a good trip and wishes for fluffy to do well and be waiting for you to come home.
hugs.
have a good trip and wishes for fluffy to do well and be waiting for you to come home.
hugs.
I'm not sure how the canned food/baby food combination will freeze, and since Fluffy is so picky and I don't have time to experiment, I'll just have to count on my catsitter to smash up the canned food really soft, heat it, and add the baby food.
Fluffy's not eating much at all now. I think I'll go buy some "parmesan cheese" stuff tomorrow and give that a try. Maybe a few cans of albacore tuna; I made some tuna salad a few days ago and the water drained off the cans would have gotten him to eat anything; he totally cleaned his plate without me needing to scoop any up with my finger.
I have about 15 jars of chicken baby food, which is smooth and yummy so Fluffy will be eating while I'm gone. This is the second day on this mixture of canned and baby food, so I think tomorrow will be the last day for it, and he's probably eaten a couple of tablespoons full. He did eat a little of his dry food; go figure!
I'm totally exhausted; I'll probably sleep the clock round before I start checking in with my catsitter all the time. On top of trying to get Fluffy to eat and be comfortable, I have a downstairs neighbor with a horrid sobbing cough at all hours; then there's my next door neighbor (the drinker) who was entertaining noisily well past midnight.
I did speak to my neighbor on the other side (one with hearing problem) about her extremely loud clock chime that chimes all night and occasionally plays a tune; was also waking me. She was sorry and agreed to turn the sound off on the clock. I'm going to write her a thank you note!
I keep meaning to mention that Fluffy hasn't had another sneezing attack like he had that one night; he's had a few sneezes, but nothing like that long drawn-out night of forceful sneezing. Now his breathing is more labored.
I took a video of him last night, of him lying on the couch breathing, then trying to talk him into eating. I think it's about 45 minutes long, and funny because I was filming it with my phone and trying to feed him while scooting after him across the floor on my bottom. Plus all the cute things we say to our furry ones when we're alone with them...
Fluffy's not eating much at all now. I think I'll go buy some "parmesan cheese" stuff tomorrow and give that a try. Maybe a few cans of albacore tuna; I made some tuna salad a few days ago and the water drained off the cans would have gotten him to eat anything; he totally cleaned his plate without me needing to scoop any up with my finger.
I have about 15 jars of chicken baby food, which is smooth and yummy so Fluffy will be eating while I'm gone. This is the second day on this mixture of canned and baby food, so I think tomorrow will be the last day for it, and he's probably eaten a couple of tablespoons full. He did eat a little of his dry food; go figure!
I'm totally exhausted; I'll probably sleep the clock round before I start checking in with my catsitter all the time. On top of trying to get Fluffy to eat and be comfortable, I have a downstairs neighbor with a horrid sobbing cough at all hours; then there's my next door neighbor (the drinker) who was entertaining noisily well past midnight.
I did speak to my neighbor on the other side (one with hearing problem) about her extremely loud clock chime that chimes all night and occasionally plays a tune; was also waking me. She was sorry and agreed to turn the sound off on the clock. I'm going to write her a thank you note!
I keep meaning to mention that Fluffy hasn't had another sneezing attack like he had that one night; he's had a few sneezes, but nothing like that long drawn-out night of forceful sneezing. Now his breathing is more labored.
I took a video of him last night, of him lying on the couch breathing, then trying to talk him into eating. I think it's about 45 minutes long, and funny because I was filming it with my phone and trying to feed him while scooting after him across the floor on my bottom. Plus all the cute things we say to our furry ones when we're alone with them...
COMMUNITY LEADER
Opus gave perfect advice so I've nothing to add. I was thinking 2days too, but Opus has the actual experience so there you go.
Have a great time on your trip and get some much needed rest. You'll be calling catsitter for updates each day?
Fluffy will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs to you both :)
Have a great time on your trip and get some much needed rest. You'll be calling catsitter for updates each day?
Fluffy will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs to you both :)
I make my own cat food with a pork recipe. I put it in small pint sealers and use it withing 2-3 days...
make a bunch and freeze it in the pints like I do, unthaw in the fridge takes a good day, than add the baby food if he likes it on top or otherwise mix it all together before freezing.
Just add the thyroid med. as you feed don't freeze.
When Nemo gets a little picky, one trick I learned on a cat recipe site is to sprinkle a very light dusting of 'Parmesan cheese' on top.....he absolutely loves this and will usually eat the whole bowl after getting started...even with all the taurine and glucosamine powder I add.
Sure hope fluffy will do ok when you are away, big worry.
make a bunch and freeze it in the pints like I do, unthaw in the fridge takes a good day, than add the baby food if he likes it on top or otherwise mix it all together before freezing.
Just add the thyroid med. as you feed don't freeze.
When Nemo gets a little picky, one trick I learned on a cat recipe site is to sprinkle a very light dusting of 'Parmesan cheese' on top.....he absolutely loves this and will usually eat the whole bowl after getting started...even with all the taurine and glucosamine powder I add.
Sure hope fluffy will do ok when you are away, big worry.
I tried mixing up my food in the blender which Fluffy liked much better, though he insisted that I add some baby food on top, after I heat up the blended cat & baby food.
My Kitchen Aid blender is heavy and hard to clean, so after he finished that batch, I tried my food processor, which has a small bowl attachment to put inside the large bowl. It worked even better than the blender.
Unfortunately, Fluffy seems to be losing his appetite again. He ate about 10:30 this morning (after his 1am and 5 am feedings). He slept in the closet some today, but came out often to sit by me, against me, or to lie at my feet. He ate a few pieces of dry food when I had my lunch.
I fixed his dinner about 6:30, but only got him to eat maybe a tablespoon of his freshly blended mixture with thyroid medicine in it. I covered what was left and hope that he'll be interested in eating it a little later after I reheat it.
He kind of stumbled a little as he walked away and went back into his closet.
It's only a little more than two days until I leave for a nearly nine days. I'll leave detailed instructions for my catsitter, will have his records out for her if she needs to take him to a vet, but I can't help but worry.
Oh, a question; how long do you think that blended canned cat food/chicken baby food will last in the refrigerator? I mean flavor quality as well as safety. It would be nice if I didn't have to ask the catsitter to use and clean my food processor, but the food has to be safe and taste good to tempt Fluffy.
My Kitchen Aid blender is heavy and hard to clean, so after he finished that batch, I tried my food processor, which has a small bowl attachment to put inside the large bowl. It worked even better than the blender.
Unfortunately, Fluffy seems to be losing his appetite again. He ate about 10:30 this morning (after his 1am and 5 am feedings). He slept in the closet some today, but came out often to sit by me, against me, or to lie at my feet. He ate a few pieces of dry food when I had my lunch.
I fixed his dinner about 6:30, but only got him to eat maybe a tablespoon of his freshly blended mixture with thyroid medicine in it. I covered what was left and hope that he'll be interested in eating it a little later after I reheat it.
He kind of stumbled a little as he walked away and went back into his closet.
It's only a little more than two days until I leave for a nearly nine days. I'll leave detailed instructions for my catsitter, will have his records out for her if she needs to take him to a vet, but I can't help but worry.
Oh, a question; how long do you think that blended canned cat food/chicken baby food will last in the refrigerator? I mean flavor quality as well as safety. It would be nice if I didn't have to ask the catsitter to use and clean my food processor, but the food has to be safe and taste good to tempt Fluffy.
COMMUNITY LEADER
My thoughts exactly...just heat it up. Hope it works...that's a lot of grinding and wait a minute...1,3 and 5am??...oh my gosh, you must be so tired. Lot's of "cat" naps? :)
Aw, Fluffy and I both thank you.
I'll have to give the blended food a try; sounds like a great idea, much easier if it works! Especially at 1, 3, and 5 am! Just heat up a portion, stir, and its ready to eat; love it.
I'll have to give the blended food a try; sounds like a great idea, much easier if it works! Especially at 1, 3, and 5 am! Just heat up a portion, stir, and its ready to eat; love it.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sorry you had to make that long trip, but sounds like you and Fluffy made it with little stress. A long day I'm sure, though. I wonder, could you put a can of cat food and baby food in the blender and puree it so you'd have premixed meals for a day or two then just add his mashed up pill to the portion he eats? Or...idea for catsitter? :)
We love Fluffy too...♥
We love Fluffy too...♥
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