Blood

Mom checked with the cardiologist about the dark color of my blood. He said it's because of the meds I'm taking, and unless I was having any problems, to just stay the course. That's good I guess.

I still don't want to make a pee donation. Mom's not sure what to do about that. (hee hee)

Birthday thanks and health stuff

Mommy missed most of my birthday, but my friends didn't! I had to wait almost a week, but now that Mommy is home, I got to see all my special birthday greetings. Thanks to all of you who sent them. I will thank you all individually as soon as I can, but I just wanted you to know I got them.

My birthday was okay I guess. Mommy left in the morning. Then I was left to hang out with Benjamin. In the evening, I thought Mommy was returning, but it was the pet sitter. "Oh, no" I thought. When is Mommy coming back? She left me lots of food, but I didn't feel like eating. She chased me down to put medicine on my ear. I made her work for that. After Benjamin went to bed, she brought out my present - a fat, green fish filled with yummy catnip (it's like the banana, but it's a fish instead). I liked that pretty much.

While Mom was gone, she got the report on my bloodwork from the vet. I am so relieved to report that it all looks good. The vet still wants to see about a urine sample to see if I am losing any protein since I've lost weight. I'll think about whether or not I want to donate. I was also told by friends that sitting in an oxygen tent might help with my blood. Mom asked the vet, but she said that was a question for the cardiologist. Mom will call and ask him on Monday.

I guess that's all for now. Thanks to everyone for thinking about me.

Check up

I had my check up this evening with my regular vet. I used to get right in the carrier, but that was before I started to have to go all the time. I hate it. Now, I go often enough that I don't forget what it's before in between visits. Mom still managed to get me in there though. I cried and howled and rolled around in the carrier the whole way there and back.

My check up wasn't that great. I lost weight. I've always been thin to begin with. Mom suspected that was the case. She's really worried now. Food just doesn't excite me. Never has. The only thing I really love are those Friskies Party Mix treats. I do kind of like Benjamin's tuna treat, so maybe I'll be getting some of that. Mom is afraid I'll become a tuna junkie though and will refuse to eat anything else. She's gonna try to find Evo dry food. The pet store stopped carrying it since it's now being made by P&G. Evo is very high in calories, so even eating small amounts would help.

They are doing blood work too to see what that shows. Even looking at it wasn't good. It's very dark. The doctor says it's 'cause there's not enough oxygen in it. Once the report comes back, we'll see if I have to go back to the cardiologist sooner than later. I sure hope it's later. It's a forty minute drive, and I just can't deal with it.

Special Month

So, today was Mommy's day off, but did she spend it with us? Noooo! She went out and did whatever all day while for us, it was like another of her work days (almost). We weren't even able to get on Catster till late. Then I open my mail, and what do I find? I am COTM in the group 'For Meowing Out Loud'! So, I was ready to yell at Mom for making me miss my special day, till I realized I have a whole month to enjoy. :-)

Another small episode

I had another small, scary episode this week. Mommy is sad. It was on her day off. I was lounging next to her in bed in the morning. She didn't have to get up early. But then I felt kind of weird, and I started smacking my lips. I got up and jumped off the bed. Mommy must have thought something wasn't right because she sat up in bed and saw me slinking real low around the foot of the bed. She jumped out of bed and tackled me and wouldn't let me go. I tried to get away, but she held on. She gave me hugs and kisses. I started to purr, and soon after she let me go.

I was fine after that. Mom was hoping it was her imagination maybe, but she called the vet and was told to monitor me. I've been taking my meds like I should, but one had to be made up transdermally. I cringe when Mommy comes after my ear. Sometimes I shake my head and my ears flap, and Mommy is afraid I am shaking all the medicine off. I won't take the pills any more though, so Mom is thankful we have this option.

I don't want to take my medicine anymore.

I don't want to take my medicine anymore. I don't come when I hear Mommy get the treats. I don't like treats with medicine. Just give me the treats. I don't want medicine in my food. Just give me the food.

Mommy went out and bought a bunch of new treats, and I ate them - with my medicine inside.

A good report!

I am back from the cardiologist, and I am so happy to tell you that I had a good report! My condition is stable and has not worsened, so there will be no change in my meds. The doctor said that there is nothing unusual about my episode on Monday given the severity of my condition, but Mommy must monitor me closely for all sorts of things. He didn't see any signs of clotting either, so we are glad to hear that too. Mommy was sure we were going to get some bad news after Monday. Thanks to all my friends who purred for me!

Now, the ride to and from was has bad as ever even with the valium. I had to take it 90 minutes before my trip, but it kicked in fast and was wearing off by the time we got in the car. We might try it again next time, but not as early as prescribed.

Note from Mom: I am quite relieved for the moment, but I am still worried. These 'episodes' can be fatal, and there is nothing I can do at home. I am so afraid I'll come home one day and find him gone.

Emergency Vet Visit

I had another episode today. Mom came home from work a little early. We went out on the deck. It was nice and toasty out there, and I enjoyed sniffing the air and looking out into the woods. It was pretty warm though, so I went back inside and relaxed on the sofa. Mom was at the table flipping through a book. I got up, but I didn't feel right. I went thump onto the floor. Mommy came running. I couldn't walk straight. Mommy grabbed me and put me in the carrier. She just leaves it sitting out these days. I didn't like it and started howling. Mom picked up the carrier and off we went. The emergency vet is way to far away, but it was a lousy holiday so we had no choice. There is a vet nearby, and we could have gone there on a normal day.

Mom was glad I howled all the way because she knew the episode had passed. The emergency vet didn't find anything unusual, but we are upset now because we are afraid my meds are not working, or at least not as well as we had hoped. I have to go for my recheck sooner rather than later.

I don't like this. It's scary, and I am afraid.

I ate the string but not the toy.

I was hanging out with the Meezers on Friday night, and I heard Benjamin upstairs playing. I decided I wanted up. Mom was playing with him with the homemade toy that she tied to a piece of cord. I don't really like the toys as much as I like chewing on the strings, but she won't let me do that. Well, at one point, she left it on the chair and disappeared for a bit. She thought I didn't know it was there, but I did! When she came back, there was the toy but no string. She got really worried. She looked everywhere. No string. She looked at me. I said nothing. She called her friend. He thought it was probably digestible as it was made of hemp. Mom wasn't convinced. It was late. She sat up in bed listening and worrying about me. Nothing happened. She dreamed she pulled string out of my mouth and kept pulling and pulling and it wouldn't get to the end! She hated going to work as she had a super long day. She was so happy to see me when she got home. She has found no evidence of string. I am still not saying anything.

My vet follow up.

I got up early this morning and howled at Mom. She said "ssshhhh, it's early. I'm off today, we're not getting up yet", so I howled some more. She made some noises and got up. "What do you want?" she said and followed me. I ran downstairs. I headed for the litterbox not realizing that she followed me. No privacy I tell you! Then, she says "oh no, not you too!". I had the same problem Hershey's been having - loose stools. Ugh!

My follow up at the vet had already been scheduled for this morning, so off we went. Hershey had to go too, so I had company. I still hated it though and howled all the way. Mom told me I shouldn't stress myself out with my heart condition, and I told her she was the one stressing me out by dragging me to the vet! So there!

One of the things we've been watching for is gastrointestinal upset from my meds, so it's possible that is what is causing my troubles. I had to get bloodwork done again too. We'll have results tomorrow. My vet will contact the cardiologist to see what to do about my meds. I might go back to taking less and building back up over a longer period of time. Otherwise, I am fine and still eating the Pill Pockets.