Litter Box Happiness.

[Guest]

Yeah, yeah, I know. But cat owners, most pet owners, actually, will understand.

We have a kitty with a serious bladder infection. It's bad.

We first noticed it on Friday when she was making frequent but very brief trips to the litter box(es). (We have many litter boxes. The rule is, one per each cat and then one extra - that keeps the pee in the box.)

At any rate, even though her appetite was fine we knew something was up so we checked the litter after one of her last visits. Small amount of liquid and it was all blood. Damn it.

This was after vet hours Friday, of course, so it was off to the Emergency Vet Clinic. Serious antibiotics and kitty painkillers. And hope.

We've been watching her since then. It's been nearly 36 hours on meds. She is eating, drinking more water, but still producing blood. They said we'll need to take her in after 48 hours to double-check kidney function so we were expecting this, but just a bit ago I worried aloud to my husband that if her system had shut down we'd probably have to put her to sleep. Maybe tomorrow.

BUT - just a little bit ago, she peed. Translucent stream with a tinge of red. But real pee. Big sigh. She is still making many visits but maybe things are finally getting better.

Here she is, little Taz. She looks big in this pic but she's just 7 pounds. And she keeps the rest of the kitty household in line. And her angry expression is because she thought I was going to put meds in her just then instead of taking her picture.

She is so going to punish us for all of these indignities.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/sweetsubsarahh/MVC-003S_edited.jpg

 

[AngeloMichael]

Awww she's cute. I'm glad her bladder infection seems to be improving and hope she is completely better soon.

 

[arienette]

I hope she feels better soon - she's a cutie!

 

[Guest]

.....

 

[Wildcard Ky]

No more litter box for me. I had to have my cat put to sleep yesterday.

He lived a good life, he was 20 years and 1 month old. Born in June of 86. He was in really bad shape though. He had basically quit eating. He could barely walk, and literally had lost his mind. He would literally be walking across the room, and you could tell that he was lost. He had no idea where he was, or where he was going. In his forgetfulness, he also forgot where the litter box was. Over the last few days, he meowed constantly. I was thinking he was in pain.

So I took him yesterday morning. It was difficult, but it was the right thing to do.

 

[Guest]

No more litter box for me. I had to have my cat put to sleep yesterday.

He lived a good life, he was 20 years and 1 month old. Born in June of 86. He was in really bad shape though. He had basically quit eating. He could barely walk, and literally had lost his mind. He would literally be walking across the room, and you could tell that he was lost. He had no idea where he was, or where he was going. In his forgetfulness, he also forgot where the litter box was. Over the last few days, he meowed constantly. I was thinking he was in pain.

So I took him yesterday morning. It was difficult, but it was the right thing to do.

Yes, it was. That took courage and compassion, Wildcard.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Glad things are working out. It is such a relief, I know. Yours looks just like one of my two boys.

Wildcard, sorry about your old pal. My old friend of sixteen years let go and passed a few weeks ago. She lived with my parents. Don't know what they'll do without her. Really worried about my Dad because she was his little buddy.

 

[rgraham666]

Here's hoping Taz gets well, sarahh. She's a real sweetheart.

And I'm sorry for your loss, Wildcard. It's so hard to lose a pet. *HUGS*

 

[Guest]

 

[dr_mabeuse]

No more litter box for me. I had to have my cat put to sleep yesterday.

He lived a good life, he was 20 years and 1 month old. Born in June of 86. He was in really bad shape though. He had basically quit eating. He could barely walk, and literally had lost his mind. He would literally be walking across the room, and you could tell that he was lost. He had no idea where he was, or where he was going. In his forgetfulness, he also forgot where the litter box was. Over the last few days, he meowed constantly. I was thinking he was in pain.

So I took him yesterday morning. It was difficult, but it was the right thing to do.

Deepest sympathies, WK. That was pretty much the way it went with our cat Katy too. 21 years old, and she would just lie on one spot on the floor, could hardly walk, and would pee there too. When we took her to the vet, they said she was already dying, so we held her while they put her to sleep.

Cats are so mysterious though. It's almost like they're already living part of their lives in that other world, and though it hurt to lose her, it was almost like what Heinlein called mercy killing in "Starship Troopers" (the book). He called it "giving grace."

As for bladder infections, hey, I'm an expert now. They're scary as hell what with peeing blood, but they respond very quickly to this common antibiotic they use, at least in people. They can clear up in 6 hours.

Watch her though. Bladder infections are often caused by a urinary obstruction.

Of course, in people, they're also often caused by too much sex. Honest.

 

[Guest]

Deepest sympathies, WK. That was pretty much the way it went with our cat Katy too. 21 years old, and she would just lie on one spot on the floor, could hardly walk, and would pee there too. When we took her to the vet, they said she was already dying, so we held her while they put her to sleep.

Cats are so mysterious though. It's almost like they're already living part of their lives in that other world, and though it hurt to lose her, it was almost like what Heinlein called mercy killing in "Starship Troopers" (the book). He called it "giving grace."

As for bladder infections, hey, I'm an expert now. They're scary as hell what with peeing blood, but they respond very quickly to this common antibiotic they use, at least in people. They can clear up in 6 hours.

Watch her though. Bladder infections are often caused by a urinary obstruction.

Of course, in people, they're also often caused by too much sex. Honest.

Thank you, Zoot.

Condolences again on your Katy.

The vet isn't as concerned about urinary obstruction because Taz is female and that tends to be more of a male issue. The analysis on her urine and blood showed serious evidence of infection. The fact that she's able to pass more liquid makes us feel a bit better, but I would be pleased not to see any more blood. (That's damn horrifying, actually.)

She's on Clavamox, a solid antibiotic.

Taz is 16, fiesty as hell and still quite angry with the lot of us.

Good.

 

[Guest]

Of course, in people, they're also often caused by too much sex. Honest.

And would this then be the voice of experience, Zoot?

 

[elsol]

Yes, I understand, so get it all out.

Nothing like being worried about a pet and having someone say "Dude... don't you think you're getting a little carried away here... it's a dog."


Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[Guest]

Yes, I understand, so get it all out.

Nothing like being worried about a pet and having someone say "Dude... don't you think you're getting a little carried away here... it's a dog."


Sincerely,
ElSol

And to that person I would say -

Dude, you're a dick.

 

[SeaCat]

Yeah, yeah, I know. But cat owners, most pet owners, actually, will understand.

We have a kitty with a serious bladder infection. It's bad.

We first noticed it on Friday when she was making frequent but very brief trips to the litter box(es). (We have many litter boxes. The rule is, one per each cat and then one extra - that keeps the pee in the box.)

At any rate, even though her appetite was fine we knew something was up so we checked the litter after one of her last visits. Small amount of liquid and it was all blood. Damn it.

This was after vet hours Friday, of course, so it was off to the Emergency Vet Clinic. Serious antibiotics and kitty painkillers. And hope.

We've been watching her since then. It's been nearly 36 hours on meds. She is eating, drinking more water, but still producing blood. They said we'll need to take her in after 48 hours to double-check kidney function so we were expecting this, but just a bit ago I worried aloud to my husband that if her system had shut down we'd probably have to put her to sleep. Maybe tomorrow.

BUT - just a little bit ago, she peed. Translucent stream with a tinge of red. But real pee. Big sigh. She is still making many visits but maybe things are finally getting better.

Here she is, little Taz. She looks big in this pic but she's just 7 pounds. And she keeps the rest of the kitty household in line. And her angry expression is because she thought I was going to put meds in her just then instead of taking her picture.

She is so going to punish us for all of these indignities.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/sweetsubsarahh/MVC-003S_edited.jpg

Sweet,

Here's hoping that everything works out, and from what you mentioned in your follow on post it is working out.

Yes Taz will punish you, but surrender to it and know that your ordeal is coming from a good cause.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Wildcard, Doc,

Both of you have my deepest condolences. I know how hard it is to put down a friend. (I have been there too often, and with some of the strangest critters. Peyote, a six year old Egyptian Minature Hedghog. {Yes he was a good friend, they can be quite friendly if treated well.} Whiff, a wild Skunk of unknown age who lived with us for 5 years before dieing of an unknown reason. {Yes he was wild but he became tame and actually lived in our apartments for several years.})

Currently my wife and I share our place with not one, not two but six felines. We have Smokey, aka Crackhead who is now around 9 years old. She was our original and lived with us in Mass. before moving down to Florida with us. (Yes she lived in the tent with us, and no she does not like T-Storms. I still carry scars from that.) There is Bubba Shay. He is now five years old and the largest of our brood. We adopted him from one of my co-workers who had to get rid of him or watch her B/F's new Pitbull kill it. (17 pounds and declawed.) Then we have Critter, the wild one who adopted us then gave birth in our Carport. She may be a bit over one year old and is noisy as hell when she goes into heat. (She will soon be fixed.) Oh and she is one of those cats with Thumbs. Then we have the Critterlings. Magellin (Magi) a noisy little black and white attention whore (male). Squeek, a Calico with a mostly black face, friendly as hell. Scrapper, another Calico. Loves to snatch Pork Rinds from off my desk and eat them while laying in my lap while I'm surfing.

Oh, I suppose I should mention that we have tried to give away the kittens and Critter but there is an incredible number of cats being offered right now. The shelters are being over run and some of the no kill shelters have even been forced to turn over some of their cats and kittens to the county pounds where they will be killed.

Cat

 

[Guest]

Sweet,

Here's hoping that everything works out, and from what you mentioned in your follow on post it is working out.

Yes Taz will punish you, but surrender to it and know that your ordeal is coming from a good cause.

Cat

Thanks, Cat.

The picture of Taz was taken beneath the coffee table where she has been hiding. We've been worried about that, of course, because it is unusual for her to be in that location. We thought it was sick behavior and would be getting better, but since she spent time under there again today we were getting concerned.

But we finally figured it out. As soon as we medicate her (with hubby wrapping her in a towel and holding on for dear life while I advance with eye droppers of icky liquid) she retreats to her hiding place to glare at us and hide out so we can't give her any more meds.

That isn't sick behavior. That's pouting angry kitty behavior.

Good news.

 

[SeaCat]

Thanks, Cat.

The picture of Taz was taken beneath the coffee table where she has been hiding. We've been worried about that, of course, because it is unusual for her to be in that location. We thought it was sick behavior and would be getting better, but since she spent time under there again today we were getting concerned.

But we finally figured it out. As soon as we medicate her (with hubby wrapping her in a towel and holding on for dear life while I advance with eye droppers of icky liquid) she retreats to her hiding place to glare at us and hide out so we can't give her any more meds.

That isn't sick behavior. That's pouting angry kitty behavior.

Good news.

LOLOLOL

Oh no it isn't. That is not pouting Kitty Behavior. That is the place she has decided is the most central and is therefore the best place to plot her attacks from. Wear shoes and cover your ankles. (I would suggest sheet steel.) Taz may soon live up to her name.

Remember, kitty bites are not a joking matter. I almost lost my foot because of one a couple of months ago. (My lower leg and ankle are still slightly swollen from it, and I have one hell of a scar.)

Cat

 

[Guest]

LOLOLOL

Oh no it isn't. That is not pouting Kitty Behavior. That is the place she has decided is the most central and is therefore the best place to plot her attacks from. Wear shoes and cover your ankles. (I would suggest sheet steel.) Taz may soon live up to her name.

Remember, kitty bites are not a joking matter. I almost lost my foot because of one a couple of months ago. (My lower leg and ankle are still slightly swollen from it, and I have one hell of a scar.)

Cat

Laughing - Her expression is still more confused anger. Not attack mode. Not yet, anyway. We're pretty happy about it, though.

But we'll be careful.

 

[ElizabethWest]

No more litter box for me. I had to have my cat put to sleep yesterday.

He lived a good life, he was 20 years and 1 month old. Born in June of 86. He was in really bad shape though. He had basically quit eating. He could barely walk, and literally had lost his mind. He would literally be walking across the room, and you could tell that he was lost. He had no idea where he was, or where he was going. In his forgetfulness, he also forgot where the litter box was. Over the last few days, he meowed constantly. I was thinking he was in pain.

So I took him yesterday morning. It was difficult, but it was the right thing to do.

Awww... Im so sorry.

SSS, I'm glad your friend is feeling better.

 

[SeaCat]

Laughing - Her expression is still more confused anger. Not attack mode. Not yet, anyway. We're pretty happy about it, though.

But we'll be careful.

Sweet,

Cats are smart. They may get disgruntled because of what we do to and with them, but they seem to know when we are doing it to help them.

My injury was Caused by Critter latching onto my leg when I was disciplining Smokey. (She had decided to piss all over the floor in the bedroom to show her displeasure at having more cats come into the house.) Critter thought this was a threat to her Kittens and acted in a way that was natural to her. I can't fault her for that. Before and after that she has been more than friendly. As a matter of fact she is one of the more well behaved Cats I have ever dealt with. (She taught the kittens to use the Litter Box, and when she sees either my wife or myself becoming upset at the kittens for something they are doing she races in before we have to do anything.)

Cats will however exact their revenge. If I don't keep the food and water bowls filled I can expect to be awakened by several cats in the middle of the night. (Usually by having several of them sitting on my chest as I try to sleep.) If I don't keep the Litter Box cleaned to their satisfaction then they let me know by sitting in front of the litter boxes and howling loud enough to wake the dead. If I don't give them enough attention I can expect to have at least one of them crawling all over me, usually when it is the least convenient for me. They will let me know what they want.

Cat

 

[Guest]

Sweet,

Cats are smart. They may get disgruntled because of what we do to and with them, but they seem to know when we are doing it to help them.

My injury was Caused by Critter latching onto my leg when I was disciplining Smokey. (She had decided to piss all over the floor in the bedroom to show her displeasure at having more cats come into the house.) Critter thought this was a threat to her Kittens and acted in a way that was natural to her. I can't fault her for that. Before and after that she has been more than friendly. As a matter of fact she is one of the more well behaved Cats I have ever dealt with. (She taught the kittens to use the Litter Box, and when she sees either my wife or myself becoming upset at the kittens for something they are doing she races in before we have to do anything.)

Cats will however exact their revenge. If I don't keep the food and water bowls filled I can expect to be awakened by several cats in the middle of the night. (Usually by having several of them sitting on my chest as I try to sleep.) If I don't keep the Litter Box cleaned to their satisfaction then they let me know by sitting in front of the litter boxes and howling loud enough to wake the dead. If I don't give them enough attention I can expect to have at least one of them crawling all over me, usually when it is the least convenient for me. They will let me know what they want.

Cat

You're a good man, Cat.

Pets are so good for kids, of course.

Our children have the entire "taking care of a pet" aspect, but they also have loving companions, fun playmates, snuggly love givers.

I especially appreciate that our kids are now attuned to the subtle inferences that our cats emit. They know when something is wrong, when their special pet is happy, sad, bothered, etc. It's a good life skill to have and can carry over into human interaction.

(With our history of Asperger's, this is indeed an important skill.)

Let me post a pic of "my" cat. He thinks we're married. Four of our cats have claimed me, but Jonesey is mine.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/sweetsubsarahh/MVC-001S_edited.jpg

We found him at a farm when he was 6 just weeks, he imprinted on me while riding in my lap on the way home, and he rarely leaves my side.

 

[EmeraldKitten]

Aww, here's to hoping the kitty feels better soon.
Give her a kiss on the nose. That always helps.
(Or they hate it, in that case, it only serves to piss 'em off further, LOL.)

Good luck!
My kitties are pulling for your precious Taz!

(Oh, and I know about the litter box issue.. we had six cats... 3 of which had potty issues.. (two were medical, one was behavioral) but we had a total of eight litter boxes at one time. That's just ridiculous, lol. )