Are You Too Concerned About Your Cat’s Health? Worrying About Olga

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Cats are survivors, and some almost seem invulnerable. Although they’re solitary hunters, like their ancestors, they can form small, feral colonies to survive life on the streets. The older adult males usually leave after mating, but the females and offspring stick together. It’s not unusual for a feral female to care for a mother’s kittens when she’s away.

Feline Health Concerns

Even though they have nine lives, pet cats, whether indoor or outdoor, are vulnerable to several diseases and infections. Some felines are more susceptible to severe health conditions, and it’s depressing when your cat is on the list of the “breeds most at risk.” I’m glad it’s much easier to find accurate information about my cat’s health, but I’m guilty of expecting the worst and obsessing over the details.

I had a more carefree attitude until my Siamese cat, who never had a problem until he was 17, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. He passed away two months before his 20th birthday, and several months later, I adopted Olga. After about a week, the rescue center called me and asked if Olga was feeling okay.

Disturbing News

They said her sister had died after suffering from a gastrointestinal infection and wondered if she had diarrhea or was vomiting. Luckily, she was fine, but I didn’t sleep for a while, and I annoyed Olga by hovering over her; she wasn’t as friendly as a kitten and needed more alone time. She was treated for ear mites before I adopted her and has never had problems with them again, but she has had several ear infections.

Besides that, she was treated for a bad case of diarrhea and, more recently, idiopathic vomiting. A few weeks ago, Olga kept throwing up shortly after eating her food, but she didn’t display other worrying signs and seemed normal. The veterinarian examined her and ran several tests, including a comprehensive blood test, urinalysis, and radiograph to check for obstructions.

Relief and Worry

I was relieved they said she was healthy, and all her results looked good, but the “idiopathic” part of the diagnosis doesn’t ease a worried mind. My memory of the phone call about her sister came flooding back, and I had trouble keeping kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, cancer, and hyperthyroidism out of my mind.

Even with my veterinarian's assurance and good blood test results, it took me a few days to become more optimistic about Olga’s health. She was back to normal, running around the house like a maniac, but I was anxious. In previous articles, I’ve criticized her odd behavior and violent ways, but I can’t ignore how much she has improved my life.

Whether she’s shredding the back of my legs or playing soccer with my contacts case, it’s hard for me to get upset. She cracks me up even when she attacks me, but when she’s sick, my brain is a useless mass. Eliminating or blocking the bad thoughts in my mind is difficult, but watching a few hours of Monty Python’s Flying Circus usually helps.