Hello, dear reader, and concerned friends everywhere!
It's me, the Old Geezer, Nikita, here. ;-D
Monday, and Tuesday, were interesting to say the least.
So many tests! On top of my annual Buzz Cut. ;-D
I always take a couple of days to adjust to it, but I DO love my Buzz Cut! ;-D
After giving one more reassuring head bump to Elvira, I let Daddy toss me in the Carrier, and we headed off to catch the bus for the journey to The Cat Care Clinic in Orange. They have been my Vet since 2006, and have always done right by me, so I trust them. The bus ride is always interesting. Everybody always wants to ooh, and ahh, over me! You would think they had never seen a Cat take a bus ride before, I swear! We take 2 busses, and the trip is over an hour. We arrive, and soon find ourselves in an examination room, where a nice assistant lady comes in , and weighs me, and takes my blood pressure, and temperature, after I make a show of supposedly being reluctant to come out of my carrier, and end up on the floor, under a chair, until Daddy picks me up, and puts me on the exam table. ;-D After a week of hints it's time I come clean.
I weigh 13 lbs! That is 3 lbs less than I usually do.
My Temp, and BP, are both normal.
ME "Normal"? Who knew? ;-D
The Assistant gave me a couple of treats for not making her job difficult, and went to fetch the Doc.
Doc Page came and gave me an exam as Daddy explained my behavior of the weekend.
I like Doc Page, though I DID put on a show of being pissed off with the feel of her cold hands on me, though her hands weren't cold at all, and her touch was assured, and professional.
She told me "You can Call me ANY names you want, Nikita!", and I grinned up at Daddy who laughed, as well, when we realized she understood Felinese quite fluently. ;-D
I walked around, and she observed me, and remarked that you could tell by the positioning of my feet that something was not right.
My left front paw, was bowed, and she said this possibly indicated arthritis. My right front paw was positioned normal, straight up.
They wanted to do x-rays, along with the full Senior Plan of Blood Screen, Cardio Test, Urinalysis, and Ear Exam.
So I stayed the night since Daddy would be unable to come by in time to pick me up that evening.
It was an interesting afternoon, evening, and night, as they tested me, gave me my haircut, and made me comfy for the night.
I had several interesting chats with other Cats who were constantly coming , and going.
If you thought the variety of medical issues Human Clinics, and ER's, dealt with on a daily basis, were a varied lot, you ain't experienced a busy Cat Clinic, trust me. ;-D
Due to Privacy Laws I was sworn to secrecy about who was there, and why, but I CAN say this: No Celebs, either Feline, or Human, put in an appearance, unless you want to count Dr. Wexler-Mitchell, herself, of course, but I was so distracted by all they did with me I'm not even sure SHE put in an appearance, to be honest, and she runs the place, in addition to writing the Cat Column in the OC Register, and writing books, and doing lots of other things. ;-D
Daddy returned on Tuesday to pick me up, pick up my new food, pain meds, and antibiotics, and learn the results of all the tests.
The Front Right Paw showed a good range of motion, as did both shoulders, though there was a little crunchiness in the elbow, indicating some arthritis, and severe Arthritis in the toes, though not as bad as the left.
The Front Left Paw displayed a sore, reddish, paw, and bone, in the 3rd toe (Soft Tissue Swelling), with bones poking out a little in the area of declawing.
I had a mighty fine ( Real Severe) case of Ol' Arthur in that toe especially, but the other toes, and the foot, as well.
I also have moderate Arthritis in both Front Wrists.
My Hips, and both rear legs, showed a good range of motion, with indications of Arthritis in both rear ankles.
The Blood work results were great, with no clinically significant abnormalities.
There was nothing in the results indicative of causing my 3 lbs weight loss since July.
The consensus being that we chalk it up to my eating habits, and to having an energetic, and feisty, young lady, Elvira, in the home. ;-D
I DO show some loss of Muscle Mass, 1 Cavity, and Mild Tarter, and Gingivitis.
The cardio results were normal.
I also will switch to prescription food. In the short term I've been given some meds, and if I show some benefit from them I could be on them long term.
1 1/2 tablets Clindamycin ( It is an Aunty Biotic usually used to treat infections in Humans, Dogs, and Cats) twice a day for 14 days.
To make sure I don't get "The Shits" (What the Humans call Diarrhea) from taking the above Daddy sprinkles a pouch of Fortiflora, by Purina, on a 1/2 can of my prescription wet food each morning for 14 days. ;-D
1/4 tablet Tramadol, twice daily, for pain.
It is a popular arthritis pain reliever.
Wikipedia has lots to say about its use, by Vets, on a variety of critters, but for my purposes this was the important stuff:
"Tramadol for animals is one of the most reliable and useful active principles available to veterinarians for treating animals in pain. It has a dual mode of action: mu agonism and mono-amine reuptake inhibition, which produces mild anti-anxiety results. Tramadol may be utilized for relieving pain in cats and dogs. This is an advantage because the use of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances in these animals may be dangerous."
Oh, did I mention I love Greenies? Even more do I love the Pill Pocket Version! ;-D
Doc Page also told Daddy to try to encourage me of the advisability of not jumping up, and especially down, from high places.
So he moved the bed away from the shelves, forcing me to use the lower table to reach the window.
We might want to look into finding appropriate steps, or step equivalents, to place there, and next to Daddy's desk so I can more easily reach the computer to surf the net, and blog (Daddy & Elvira, may actually have to do the typing if it's too painful for me.).
She also suggested we look into getting a heating pad to help me with soothing my aching joints, when he is at home, as well as a Joint Supplement such as Dasuquin for Cats, or Glyco-Flex for Cats, for further Joint Support.
Yup, looks like I just might be a Pill Popping Pussy for the rest of my life! ;-D
Food-wise I am being switched over to Hill's Prescription Diet J/D for better Joint Health, and Mobility.
We will watch my weight, and my feet, and how I respond to the meds over the next 2 weeks, and go from there.
We also were told something very cool, and it shows that at least a few people, close to home, are actually reading my blog!
They told us that a new patient's Human said that he had learned about the Clinic by visitng the website of "The Orange County Cat Who Blogs." ;-D
Not counting my haircut Daddy spent $587 on me!
Knowing our current situation makes it difficult for Daddy to spend so much on me ( We have not admitted it until now, except to but a few, but Daddy has been un-employed since the end of August - Company downsized, & he took their Buyout Offer/Severance Package - and on Un-Employment, since mid-Sept., and is now looking into re-training for a new career, and for a cheaper apartment for us to live in, as well. ) I felt a little guilty, but he would have none of that from me, telling me that I am his Best Buddy, and Creative Inspiration, and it was important to him to do the best he could manage to take care of me, and that we would manage to get through this somehow.
At your age, Nikita, it's okay to have a lot of pill-popping going on - it happens for a lot of older humans too!
The important thing is that you are comfortable.
And I know that your human wants the very best for you because he spent a lot of money he couldn't afford to make sure you got the best treatment!
Paws crossed that he finds a new, lucrative career!
Posted by: Sparkle | October 17, 2010 at 03:04 AM
Nikita - your v-e-t sounds very nice, but we're sorry to hear you have lots of arthritis ouchies - you must take care of yourself, and let Elvira do the climbing, and reporting of what she can see so you can keep well informed.
We are sorry to hear your Daddy is now unemployed - there is so much of this now - we are hoping he finds a new job very soon.
Luv to you all from Hannah, Lucy and mum Sue xx xx xx
Posted by: Hannah and Lucy | October 17, 2010 at 06:09 AM
Wow, the vet certinly did a check up on you.
I am sorry to hear about Arthur, the mommie here is gettiing it in her fingers and knows that it can hurt.
At least the other tests had good results so that is good to know.
Your daddie loves you bunches and so great of him to give you the best of care.
Priceless!
Hope soon your daddie finds a new job and all will be well.
I don't understand, though, how they expect a kittie not to jump.
Impossible request.
Take it easy.
Posted by: Gracie | October 17, 2010 at 06:20 AM
You might want to pop over to Brian's blog, Brain's home, and check out the neat steps he got for his sister Gracie to use.
Due to an injury she received as a kitten she has trouble jumping.
Happy to know there isn't anything seriously wrong.
Sending healing purrs, Arthur is no fun.
Hope the heating pad and medicine help you feel better.
Purrs your Daddy finds a job soon.
Posted by: Artemisia, Fenris, Socks & Scylla | October 17, 2010 at 08:24 AM
Ouch!
Your dad really loves you, Nikita.
That was a real effort on his part to get you to the vet and pay your bill.
We hope things will look up for him job-wise and financially soon!
We're sorry Arthur has moved in but glad you are getting some meds to help you.
Posted by: jansfunnyfarm | October 17, 2010 at 10:03 AM
Goodness! You've got a lot going on there little buddy!
Good thing your Dad loves you so much!
We are sorry that your Dad is unemployed.
Same with our Maw.
But she loves us too and takes us to the v-e-t as well.
Luf, Us
Posted by: Forty Paws | October 17, 2010 at 11:46 AM
Poor Nikita, we are very sorry to hear that your arthritis is so nasty, especially in your paws.
We hope those medicines and new diet really help you feel better.
You have been through a lot in the last few months with Elvira arriving, also, because we Cats are so stoic about pain, Arthur may have been around before you showed your Dad that your paw hurt, and there's nothing like a bit of low grade pain to make a Cat lose some poundage.
Being a little lighter really helps with Arthur we heard.
Hope your Dad gets a great job soon!
Whicky Wuudler
Posted by: Everycat | October 19, 2010 at 04:39 AM
We're sorry for not keeping up with reading your bloggie for a while now, but we're back to reading it!
Sounds like you're on the right track with your meds.
Skylar had that bad Arthur guy hanging around for a while, too.
Forti-flora is very yummy, though, and it does its job. ;)
One of the foster kittens a year ago had to take it for a while, and we all enjoyed licking the packet after he got his share (which he tried to eat directly out of the packet instead of letting Mommy put it on his food first)!
There are some heated cat beds you can get, and a thing called a "Snuggle Safe" that you can heat in the microwave and use in your stroller for rides.
For kitty steps up to the bed, we have a well-positioned, blankie-covered Rubbermaid container.
It also makes a great nap spot!
If you have an Ikea near you, or a shelving store, you can get shelving and install it along the wall at low intervals for sleep perches as well.
Posted by: PDX pride | November 13, 2010 at 10:36 PM
A friend tweeted this post to several colleagues and it caught my interest.
Posted by: V. H. | March 16, 2011 at 06:53 PM