Milita's Monday and a Gotcha Day

Hi everyone, it's Milita today!

Today is Carmine's Gotcha Day!  Please be sure to wish him a happy day, okay?  

You are probably wondering why I am posting on Carmine's Gotcha Day, right?  Well, to be honest, the Mom forgot today was Carmine's Gotcha Day.  She only realized it when she was looking at her Facebook memories, MOL.  Isn't that awful?!  If I were Carmine, I'd make her feel very guilty about that.

I wanted to give everyone an update about me.  

I have continued to struggle with my asthma.  I have at least one asthma attack a week still (last week, I had two).  The Mom says some of my struggles have to do with the fire we had in the building a couple of weeks ago and from the fire in Canada, but she still doesn't like me struggling so much.  The fire here was two floors above us and on the other side of the building.  Nobody was hurt, but many of our neighbors on the other side of the building got flooded from all the water they had to use to put the fire out.  In fact, there are still very noisy fans in the hallways trying to dry out the floors, and some people even have them in their apartments!  

Milita's Ultrasound Results

Hi everyone, the Mom here with an update on Lita.

First let me say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has given to Milita's fundraiser so far!!  I plan to write everyone individually.  Please just be patient with me.  In the past week, we had a huge scare with Lita and my stepmom passed away, so it's been a bit chaotic.  Just know that I haven't forgotten about you, and I appreciate everyone who has given in any way more than words can ever express.

Yesterday we headed to VRCC for Milita's ultrasound.  To be honest, I was rather nervous when the vet tech told me we were probably going to see a resident!  It turned out to be a great experience, though, and I'm glad that he had the opportunity to learn with Lita.

We discussed the sedation technique for Lita - I made sure they weren't gassing her with her asthma being so bad.  They gave her "kitty valium" in an injection instead.  Does that stuff ever make her a happy cat!

After we discussed Lita's medical history, the resident and the doctor overseeing everything took Lita back for her ultrasound.  It all took about a half an hour before they came back.

Wordy Wednesday: Milita Update

Hi everyone, it's Milita today.  

Last week the Mom noticed I was having symptoms of a UTI so she took me to the new vet place.  She was anxious about how I might react given how stressed I was going to the former vet clinic.  

Carmine came, too.  The Mom made him get out of his carrier first, MOL.  They weighed him, and he gained three ounces!!  The Mom was so happy about that.  Why isn't she that happy when I gain weight?  

Then it was my turn.  My visit wasn't as simple as being weighed, though.  They did weigh me, and I weighed in at 14 pounds, 2 ounces, so I only gained one ounce since my last visit.  The Mom said that was good.  

The vet tech pet me and tried to listen to my heart.  I growled a bit at her, but she didn't seem to mind.  After she was done, she let me explore the room.  The Mom tried to give me a treat, but I wasn't interested in any.  I just wanted to go home.

We saw a different vet this time - Dr. H.  She came in and talked with the Mom a little.  She also pet me (imagine that!) and talked to me for a bit.  The Mom told her that I was traumatized at the former clinic and told her that I might scream when they tried to get blood and urine from me.  The doctor listened and seemed sympathetic.  Then Dr. H tucked my tail into my carrier and took me to the back.

When she brought me back, she told the Mom I did not scream even once (hmmmm.....).  She said I growled a little but that was all.  I have always growled at the vet, so the Mom wasn't too surprised to hear that.  The no screaming did confirm the Mom's suspicions that I was formerly traumatized, though.  

The Mom here - I'm not going to say much about this situation other than this.  Pay attention to your instincts.  If your gut tells you something isn't right, listen to it.  You know your cat better than anyone else.

Dr. H called yesterday with the results of Lita's blood tests and urinalysis.  Unfortunately, she may have diabetes!!  Her blood glucose level was high, and she had glucose in her urine as well.  Dr. H wants me to get a urine sample here at home to test.  She said that sometimes stressed cats' glucose will be elevated.  Lita doesn't have any of the diabetes symptoms - if anything, she is drinking less than she used to, and she's not losing weight.  If she does have diabetes, I wonder if the Prednisolone caused it, and if getting her off the medication would reverse it?  It is a very scary thing to think about, so some purrs and prayers would be appreciated very much.

Lita also had some struvite crystals in her urine, so the vet wants her to eat only urinary tract food.  I am going to pick up antibiotics for her UTI tomorrow.

Dr. H also wants Lita to come in for an x-ray so they can check for stones.  As soon as I can get a sample of her urine, I will be taking her in for that.

I am very relieved that the new vet clinic seems to be a good fit for both Carmine and Milita.  I am impressed with how great all the staff are with the kitties.