Milita's Monday

Hi everyone, it's me, Milita today!  Did you all have a good Christmas?  We sure hope so!  I will tell you about ours, but first I want to give you a short update on my asthma situation.

Last week, the Mom took me to see the fill-in vet at our clinic, and they took an x-ray of my lungs.  She said there is no evidence of pneumonia there, which the Mom was quite happy about!  She and the Mom had a talk about my attacks and what they look like and how I had not improved on the Terbutaline.  

The vet told the Mom to stop the Terbutaline since it wasn't helping me.  They decided to raise my Prednisolone dose to 7.5mg a day for a couple of weeks to see if that helps me.  The Mom expressed her concerns about how lethargic and sleepy this dose made me before, and she asked the vet if she could split the dose into three to see if that would be better for me.  The vet said that would be fine, so that is what the Mom has been doing.  

I have been getting very suspicious any time the Mom or her friend come near me, and I often dart under the dresser so they can't give me more medicine, MOL!  Splitting the dose into three parts seems to be working fine for me - I am not really lethargic and sleepy the way I was before on the higher dose given twice a day.  

I had a bad attack on Friday, which really scared the Mom (and me too).  I didn't have any attacks on Saturday or Sunday, though!

We got a few prezzies for Christmas.  The Mom got us a little bug that runs around on the floor when you turn it on.  It has a little light on it and moves in random patterns.  The Mom seems rather amused when Carmine or I follow it around or poke at it.  She is easily entertained.  

One of the books the Mom got for Christmas.  She started reading it last night.

We also got some of our favorite ProPlan treats and some catnip mice.  The Mom also got a cat scratcher house.  She knows Carmine will probably be the only one who uses it, but she is going to try to tempt me into it.  She says it is very cool.  Maybe I'll give it a shot.  It is a pretty house!  The Mom hasn't put it together yet, but when she does, we will share photos of it so all of you can see how pretty it is.  

The Mom got a few books for Christmas and her friend got her a cool little thing called a Roku - whatever that is.  In any case, the Mom seems happy with it.  She also got a couple of kitty ornaments for the tree!

Carmine's favorite part of Christmas was that he got to have ham and then some whipped cream!  Personally, I don't like ham, so the Mom's friend got out some chicken for me instead.  

How was your Christmas?

Milita's Monday

Hi everyone, it's Milita again today.

Last week the Mom took me on a trip to see Dr. Stabby again.  Dr. Stabby told the Mom that she wanted to sedate me (with the surgical gas anesthesia) to get a UA and x-rays of my chest.  The Mom did not have a good feeling about that, but she reluctantly agreed.  But the more she thought about it, the more she said she didn't want me going under anesthesia because I am getting older, and it is risky for any kitty, let alone one who has been struggling with asthma.  She and I don't understand why Dr. Stabby seems so scared of me anyway.  I am a good cat!  Just because I scream doesn't mean they should sedate me.  

In any case, they did not sedate me because the Mom told them I have been having daily asthma attacks and she didn't think it was a good idea.  They did not get an x-ray of me or a UA.  They didn't even try.  

Dr. Stabby decided to add Terbutaline to my Prednisolone twice a day for my asthma, but I am still having asthma attacks every day.

The fill-in vet will be in this week, and the Mom says she will try to get an appointment with her.  The fill-in vet has a much calmer energy and I don't scream with her.  The Mom says she thinks I need to have a chest x-ray done to make sure I am not having pneumonia again because I acted similarly when I had that.  

Carmine came with us to Dr. Stabby's again to get weighed.  He lost an ounce.  The Mom doesn't understand why he is not gaining weight when she is mixing a/d into his noms.  Dr. Stabby told the Mom to put him on Cerenia every other day for three times, then every three days for three times, etc. so we can find the lowest most effective dose of it for him.  He will go back to see Dr. Stabby after the New Year for another check up.  They are hoping to start lowering his Prednisolone dose some at the next visit.  

I keep telling him he should eat more like me, but he just doesn't.  I don't know why.  Food is SO GOOD!!  He is still pretty fussy picky choosy about what he will eat, but he is eating more in general than he was before his diagnosis.