A few days prior to taking ill
You may notice that there's not an Anglophile Friday this week. I've been a little more than occupied with a sick cat. I wanted to update those of you who knew that Lionel had not been feeling well. So, here it is, Lionel's Listlessness.
'This week, our sweet 12 1/2 year old Lionel is not doing
well. He had stopped eating and drinking, and wasn't lying in his usual
spot on the bed; instead, he was lying under a bed in another room, refusing to come out. I
was very worried. Yesterday, because the vet was not in the office, I took Lionel in to see the vet assistant. Even though I
scheduled an appointment for today, when the vet will be in, I was eager
to get some antibiotic in him just in case it is an infection. Lionel
didn't have a fever, but had lost 2 1/2 pounds since his last vet visit,
which I had thought was in the spring, but it turns out that was
Tuppence who'd been there in the spring. Lionel had last been in for his
regular shots in 2010. The vet doesn't think it could be a UT infection
or a kidney stone because Lionel's been on UR (shredded money cat food,
my husband calls it) special food for years.
Don't I look slimmer to you??
Anyway, to make this long story even longer, I was worried that Lionel was getting dehydrated. I had tried chicken broth to entice him to drink. Nothing. Then my daughter suggested opening a can of tuna. I did that and took the can into the other room and slid it under the bed. Lionel started lapping up the water! I've been doing that every few hours and he takes some laps of [tuna]water.
Before going to bed last night, I went in and got him from under the bed, prayed for him (why not? Of course the Creator loves his creatures), and brought him in bed beside me whether he liked it or not. I figured if he were going to die, I wanted to be there next to him (and I wouldn't fit under the bed. :-) I noticed a definite turnaround in his behavior in the middle of the night. He started purring and LICKING MY HAND!!
Lionel seemed a bit improved today, spending his time lying on the bed in our room, rather than hiding away in another room. Even so, I kept the vet appt. for him. The vet did a thorough exam, then a subcutaneous injection of fluids (360 cc!!), then gave him a shot of antibiotic. He's certain that the problem isn't a UT issue, about which I was so relieved. Lionel's temp was normal, but he's still not interested in eating or drinking, yet. The vet said that when cats are dehydrated, illness is a bigger hole to climb out of. I'm hoping that whatever caused this will go away, Lionel's energy will return, that I won't have to give him tuna the rest of his life, and that he will live to be at least twenty years old!
As you have probably guessed, since I've not been to your blogs, I'm very behind in blogging. Hopefully I will be getting caught up next week.
I hope everyone has a good weekend, and thanks so much for your concern for Lionel.
Tuppence & Lionel
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19 comments:
Poor kitty! I hope he's feeling better soon!
Oh my goodness - so the vet thinks he is just dehydrated??? Do you know why he stopped drinking? I said a prayer for him last night too. I hope he is much better tomorrow.
Praying that Lionel will continue to improve. Update us when you have the time.
I hope Lionel is up and about soon.
I hope Lionel will get better soon. So hard when a pet is sick, too bad they can't tell you what is wrong or how they feel.
Praying for your kitty to feel much better very soon.
I hope Lionel continues to get better drinking his tuna water and getting tons of love!! Lots of prayers for his speedy recovery!!
Sad to say that is how Pepper my daughter's cat died. She stopped eating and drinking but I did too, get her to drink some tuna water but she never came out of it.
of course you prayed for him, doesn't everyone? I do. and when you said he started lickng your hand my eyes filled with tears. i do hope he is ok, he is soooo beautiful. i will say a prayer for him to.
Great character study in pictures. Nice to hear of your optimism / faith throughout this post and that he will be soon be up on his feet again ... helpful for you to fulfil the appointment and have the words of the vet ringing in your ears.
Awww poor guy. Hope he's feeling back to himself soon!!
I am so glad that Lionel got fluids. We both know how wonderful our Dr. Al is with our animals and so thorough. I too pray for Lionel to get well soon.
Oh Judy, I'm so sorry I just saw this about Lionel. I was kind of "unplugged" from blogland last week, too. I hope he's better by now. I know how much those little 4 legged angels mean to us!
After Desi died last Spring, Gage wouldn't eat for a week. I finally got him to eat by putting his food on a plate and giving it to him when Greg and I ate. He still wouldn't drink out of the water dish, so I went and bought him a new one in a different color and put it in a different place. He drinks out of it, but is so spoiled about the plate thing, that's still how he eats. Our kids think we're nuts, but who cares? Isn't that my purpose, to embarrass them in life?! Lol!
Dear Lionel, Please get well soon...your owner thinks the world of you and she does not want to be missing you in the middle of the night. (bedtime would not be the same without you...she said so with sadness in her voice)
Your friend,
Debbie
Oh...What precious kitties! I am a cat lover through and through. We have three lovable housecats who spend their days napping, keeping me company and window sitting.
I'm happy to have discovered your uplifting blog.
Blessings,
Carolynn >^^<
I love that photo of Lionel in which he shows off his sleek self - it makes me smile every time I see it. I do hope he's doing better, poor thing, and that you can both get some good rest. Who knew that tuna could be a magical elixir??? Inspired notion from your daughter!
Poor kitty. I am catching up on reading today and see he's been sick. I do hope he's better.
How is Lionel doing today? I do hope well! Praying for him and for you. It is not easy to have anything sick!
I just read about Lionel, I hope he is still improving, poor little thing. I know how hard it is to see your loved animals sick, you did the right thing by taking him to bed with you, I would of done the same. We got home Saturday evening from our trip to Florida. Bonnie and Tom got to Troy late afternoon Saturday, so we met them for breakfast, then gave them a small tour of Troy. I'm so happy to have been able to meet them. They are very lovely people. I know you will have a great visit with them. I'll keep Lionel in my prayers.
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