Mr. Fez's Memoirs

Getting to know you tag

I usually don't play too many "Tag" diary games, but I couldn't resist when my good friend Hannah tagged me. So here goes...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the "2009 Get to Know Your Pals" Tag.

1. What color is your collar?
I don't wear a collar.

2. What kind of food do you eat?
Felidae grain free canned.
.
3. What are your favorite treats?
Unfortunately I'm on a diet and don't get treats.

4. Do you have a Valentine or significant other?
Fifi, we don't get to meow too much (our parents get busy), but isn't she gorgeous!

5. Do you get table scraps?
I wish... Unfortunately I'm on a diet.

6. What is your favorite toy?
My favorite toys include wand toys, toy mice, crinkle balls, and a straw ball with feathers. I can't pick just one!

7. When is your birthday?
July 29, 2005 (best guess by my vet). I'm 4 years old.

8. How many times a day do you eat?
I eat twice a day.

9. Do you have a favorite color?
Not really.

10. Do you hope all your pals put this in their diary?
Sure, but if they're too busy I understand.

Now it's your turn! Copy these questions and type your answers - then post it on your diary!!! Please, don't forget to tag 6 of your friends!
~~~~~~~
Here are the friends I am tagging: (in no particular order)

Patrick
Emme
Kyande Kisu
Fifi

Recheck

Mom took me to the vet today to have my urine rechecked since I just finished my course of antibiotics for a UTI. I'm very happy to say they found no crystals and no more bacteria. So, my vet said my UTI was entirely bacterial which is not all that common in cats and usually triggered by stress. My vet asked Mom if she could think of anything that might have stressed me recently. The only thing Mom could think of was she put me (well, all of us actually) on a diet about 7 weeks ago. I was 15.2 pounds and I was NOT happy to see the 24 hour all you can eat buffet replaced by reduced calorie food and scheduled meals with controlled portions! My vet said that was probably what did it. I was stressed out about my diet and got sick! Did I think I was going to starve? Or the reduced calorie food was that bad? I'm a pretty picky eater, which most people find funny since I'm such a big cat. I finally am eating canned food for the extra water for urinary health. I have expensive taste though. I'll only eat Wellness canned food. I don't like other brands and I will NOT touch anything with chunks/flakes in it. I have been making progress with weight loss and was 13.8 pounds today at the vet.

Another update

I am feeling much better now - pretty much back to normal. I'm playing "tag" with Linus and "singing" for my meals again. I finally caved and decided to eat canned food tonight too. Thank you to all the Catsters who responded to my question in the Answers section for tips on increasing my water intake. I still have to finish my course of antibiotics, and then we will see how my repeat urinalysis looks. But right now I am feeling pretty good!

Feeling better

I would like to thank the wonderful kitties who have sent me get well wishes, purrs, and rosettes! It must be working. I finally seem to feel a little better and am starting to eat and drink again (although not as much as Mom would like). Mom never thought she'd see the day I'd turn down a meal! I am tolerating amoxicillin much better than Clavamox and my regular vet put a note on my chart not to give that to me again. Hopefully I'll be all better soon.

Vet update

Mom called the vet and got a different antibiotic for me - amoxicillin. She also brought me with to weigh me - and I'm 13.8 pounds. I lost 0.2 pounds in two days from being sick and the antibiotic upsetting my stomach. Mom's still worried about me, but I did finally eat a little tonight and drank from my new Drinkwell Platinum water fountain. Hopefully I'm finally on the road to recovery.

Still sick

Well, I am NOT tolerating the antibiotic, Clavamox, I was given. I've hardly ate or drank anything since I came home from the vet the end of the day Monday... and I threw up everywhere tonight after only 2 doses. Mom will call the vet tomorrow morning and request a different antibiotic for me. I really don't need an upset tummy and to be throwing up on top of a UTI! Mom did get us a new Drinkwell Platinum water fountain to try to encourage me to drink more... but I'm not very interested in food or water right now. Mom thinks I look like I've lost weight with everything I've been though over the last few days too...

Vet Vist

Well, I gave Mom a scare... This morning I would not stay out of the litter box and I was only going a few drops at a time. Naturally Mom was very concerned and immediately called the vet (and work to let them know she would be in late, if at all). Mom had to drop me off, the only way they could squeeze me in on a Monday morning. Mom didn't hear anything for 5 hours so she called for an update... and was told I was NOT being very cooperative about giving a urine sample! The gave me sub-q fluids... and I wet myself in my cage 3 times before the were finally able to get a urine sample. Well, at least I wasn't blocked! I do have a UTI... they also detected crystal fragments so the vet is concerned I may also have Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). The vet also said my urine was extremely concentrated so I'm not drinking enough water and she suggested a kitty water fountain and canned food diet to increase my water intake. The vet said it's possible the crystals could be from the presence of infection and the concentration of my urine - so no special food right now and the want to recheck my urine in 2 weeks when I'm done with antibiotics and we will go from there.

PetSmart Halloween costume contest

Mom took Linus and I to the local PetSmart Halloween costume contest tonight. I won 3rd place and a $5 gift card! I was a Green Bay Packer. Linus was a Harley rider. We both got nice compliments on our costumes.

TCA Prize Package

Oh boy! Our TCA prize package arrived today! We received: a Cat Charmer toy, Natural Balance cat food, a kitty cat cell phone cover, a Lupine cat collar, more toys, earrings for Mom, and a couple cardboard Feline Pine disposable travel litterboxes (perfect for traveling to shows).

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Al aka Alamo Schmo.

Here are the rules of the game! Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Cats who are tagged, need to post in their Diary the rules & their 7 pawsome facts. Then choose 7 cats to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to purr them a pmail that they have been tagged and to read your Diary or send them a fun Rosette announcing they've been Tagged!


1. I was born at a shelter and Mom had to wait 2 weeks to bring me home. I look nothing like my fur mom.
2. Everyone, including my vet, thought I was going to be a small cat (I was a very sick young kitten and wasn't growing very fast for quite a while) - I fooled everone and am now 13 pounds!
3. I love ham!
4. I like to beg for treats.
6. I can be quite a talker!
7. I am very affectionate, but very shy around people I don't know.

Here's who I have tagged:

I am not tagging any kitties this time.

TCA Photo Show

Mom entered me in the TCA (Traditional Cat Association) annual photo show again this year. I won! Mom is so proud of me!

1st Place - Best of Color (Solid)
1st Place - Best Cat in Premiership Handicapped Shorthair
1st Place - Best Couch Potato
co-1st Place - 2008 Household Pet Alter Champion
co-2nd Place - 2008 Household Pet Alter Champion (different photos)

To see the results click: TCA show

It's my Birthday!

Or at least the best guess for my birthday my vet gave. She said I was younger that the shelter said when I was adopted. Anyway I'm 3 years old now - Mom can hardly believe it! Thanks to the kitties who sent Happy Birthday wishes, messages, and gifts - it is very much appreciated! I'm sure I will have a great birthday and get extra spoiled!

Vet visit update

Good news, my vet visit went well this morning. My pressures were averaging 15 in my left eye and 19 in my right eye (should be 10-20). So my vet is going to update opthalmology at the university again and she is thinking re-checking again in 3 months, if normal then go to 6 month checks. We are so happy, Mom was worried, especially after how I reacted to drops last time. Thanks to every cat who purred for me, it must have helped.

Vet visit

Well, just got back from the vet - not good news. Looks like I have glaucoma now. I have juvenile cataracts and eyes with cataracts are at higher risk for glaucoma and inflammation. My vet got some high readings in my right eye (average 35) and my left eye was a also a tad high (average 22). Normal is 10 - 20. She is going to call the opthalmology department at the University of WI - Madison for recommendations on a prescription (and to update them, since I'm their patient too) and call Mom back.

Mom was so hoping this wouldn't happen. She is also worried about giving me eye drops - I HATED the Flurbifen. They stung and I'd cry and I ended up urinating on myself once. That was why we elected not to have cataract surgery. Mom is really worried I won't accept these drops either. If I don't accept them the glaucoma can't be treated AND getting all worked up about it could trigger a herpes flair up.

Oh, I also gained some weight - I'm up to 13 pounds

UPDATE: Mom heard back from my vet and she said the University actually didn't seem too concerned about the pressure in my eyes. They recommended re-checking my pressures on Monday and going from there. So... I have another vet appointment on Monday morning.

My gerbil :(

Sadly my gerbil, Topaz, passed away today. She was getting pretty old. I sure loved to watch her though and miss her - I keep sniffing and looking at her empty cage. Mom always said she was really my pet gerbil. We are moving the end of the month, but Mom says maybe after we are settled she might get another gerbil (or two) for me.

PetCo Halloween Costume Contest

Mom took me and my brothers to PetCo today for their annual Halloween Costume Contest. I went in my Green Bay Packer outfit... and I won! I beat all the dogs too! Mom is so proud of me and happy! I received a $15 dollar gift card, a blue ribbon, some Feline Greenies, and got my picture taken too.

Video

Wow! My video, WWE Kitty SmackDown Linus vs. Mr. Fez was Yesterday's Top-Rated Video! What an exciting week I'm having!

TCA Cat Show

Wow! Mom entered me in the Traditional Cat Association (TCA) Household Pet photo show a few months ago (just for fun) and we just found out I won! I received co-1st place Best Cat in Premiership, 1st place Best of Color (solid), 1st place Best Cat in Premiership Handicapped Shorthair, and 1st place Household Pet Alter Champion. I am so excited and Mom and Dad are so proud of me! To see the results TCA show

Wow! I'm Cat of the Week!

Mom and Dad just got back from a vacation and found out I'm Cat of the Week! OMC! I'm meowless! I am so excited! Thank you Catster for this honor! Thank you so much to all the kitties for the concatulations, paw-mails, rosettes, and stars - it is very much appreciated! Mom will help me send thank yous soon...

No surgery...

Well, not the best news to report. Even with getting treats afterwards, I was NOT getting used to my eye drops. If anything I kept getting worse about it, the drops do sting. It took Mom and Dad both to do it, and they had to put me in a klaw kontrol bag to do it. I would meow and cry and last night I got so worked up, I urinated on myself in the bag and had to have a partial bath.

Mom called and talked to one of the Opthalmologists in Madison today. The doctor said to stop the flurbifen eye drops since there was no inflammation in my eyes and getting that stressed could trigger a herpes flair-up (in which case they wouldn't be able to do anything with me anyway). So, right now it looks like I won't be able to have cataract surgery since I am not accepting treatment and care that I would need pre and post-op. The doctor was very nice and said no one failed, we tried our best, but some animals you just can't treat. Mom is feeling a little frustrated and disappointed right now as she had really hoped I could have surgery to improve my vision, but it's not working out. We will still keep our appointment in August and see how my eyes are doing. They were going to do some research too and see if there are any other options for medication for me. The doctor said the only other one she could think of off the top of her head was a steroid which is not an option for me with my history of herpes.

Mom also expressed some concern about potential complications down the road as eyes with cataracts can become inflammed or develop glaucoma - would I accept treatment for that if that happened? There's no way to tell, we'll cross that bridge if we come to it...

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Amelia and Lily!

The rules of the game are:

Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Cats who are tagged need to write on their diary about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven cats to tag and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and read your diary. Also they need to post the rules too.

Seven Random Facts about Me:

1. I love Arby's roast beef!

2. I was born at a shelter. I picked my parents, but they had to wait 2 weeks before I was old enough to come home!

3. I was named after the character "Fez" from "That 70's show". My vet added the "Mr." and it stuck.

4. I am very affectionate, a goo-goo cat at heart, but I am shy at first around people I don't know.

5. I like to talk - I have lots to say.

6. Despite my poor vision (I have cataracts), I caught a mouse once... but dropped it unharmed!

7. I have my very own pet gerbil (Mom takes care of her for me)!

I have tagged:

1) Dash http://www.catster.com/cats/483181
2) Callie http://www.catster.com/cats/459706
3) Smokey http://www.catster.com/cats/393317
4) Alaidh http://www.catster.com/cats/498860
5) Belle http://www.catster.com/cats/496604
6) Toby http://www.catster.com/cats/459251
7) Kirby - Not a Baby Anymore! http://www.catster.com/cats/411206

Busted!

Well, we're busted! My brothers Mickey, Linus, and I have been identified as the Midnight Bandits mystery rosetters. 3 detectives were able to find us: Tess found us first, then PJ (later on the same day), and Vanessa left us a p-mail last night! Congratulations detectives - wear your badges proudly!

We started out as detectives, but couldn't help going to the dark side and becoming perps! We hope those who got rosettes from us enjoyed them and we apologize for our sneaky actions! Samoa, if you want us to turn in our detective badges, we'd understand.

We called ourselves the Midnight Bandits because we like to play late at night, usually while Mom and Dad are trying to sleep!

In pursuit of better sight.

Mom and Dad took me to the University of Wisconsin - Madison Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital today to have my juvenile cataracts evaluated by Ophthalmology and discuss possible cataract surgery. I was examined and evaluated by a student vet (graduating on Friday), a resident vet, and an attending vet. They even took pictures of me and my eyes. Cataracts in cats are very rare, maybe 12 cases a year across the entire USA! I felt like a popular guy and everyone was very nice!

My left eye is worse than my right eye. Since I still have vision in my right eye (the clouding is not as dense/thick) they recommended monitoring my right eye for a while. At this point surgery is justified on my left eye, but not my right. We want to make sure the potential benefits out weigh the potential risks/complications and they explained everything very well to Mom and Dad. If my right eye progresses and gets worse, we plan to proceed with cataract surgery on both eyes. If not, we might just have my left eye done.

Hopefully I am on the road to better vision. Linus has an advantage right now in our wrestling matches...