She’s been licking at her belly so much she has pulled off her some of her fur! The Can Opener called the vet, and they said for her to buy a cone to put on her! She has a vet appointment on the 26th – but she just had her checkup a month ago!
We both have a brand new Seresto collar, and there aren’t any fleas- we think maybe since she likes to lay outside on the porch in the evenings that maybe an ant or bee stung her or something- (it didn’t start until the day before yesterday when ash and smoke from the nearby wildfire finally cleared up and we got to go out again). And Mom’s been spraying this stuff on her (Vetericyn Plus Feline Wound and Skin Care (spray)- and already it’s looking better- and she’s pretty much stopped chewing at herself now.
But hey, Sushi- look on the bright side…. that cone could really come in handy at feeding time!!😹
See? You’ll be able to scoop more food faster!
Well, I see you licked off your sense of humor, too-
I guess this is why I have to go to the vet today- I feel fine- and I told Mom so- but for some reason she is insisting I have to go. I’m eating as usual, I’m playing as usual, picking on Sushi (as usual)- and chasing away all the would – be Can Opener stealers that keep showing up around here.
I’ve protested – but she’s not having it. And Sushi seems to be gloating that I’m going now. I’ll deal with her later!
NOOOOOOOOOOO! I’M NOT LEAVING!
I don’t wanna come out!
Well,… I like the tech and the vet- so MAYBE…
Well I’m glad I went now- (but I’m not letting Mom know)- the tech and the vet were so sweet to me and they didn’t poke me with any needles- and even offered me treats!
Best part is they told Mom I’m a very fit, healthy (and beautiful) little girl- and that my teeth look great! So, aside from them clipping my claws and recommending the Can Opener get me microchipped -(since I love to go out)- it wasn’t so bad. And (unlike Sushi)- I still weigh the same I did last year- 9.7 lbs of cuteness!
I just may forgive Mom- especially since she surprised me with a new dangly toy! 😹💚
The Can Opener took Sushi to the vet today in my place…
MOM! I’m okay, really! Take Twilight- she has a headache- I’m sure she does!
Flourescent tears?? HOW!?
The Can Opener took Sushi in to see the vet today, and I’m going on Monday- she did it because Sushi’s eyes were super runny- every time Mom looked at her it looked like she had tears streaming down her face, and even though her eyes looked normal, Sushi kept pawing at them so Mom decided to take her to the vet and let me go in Sushi’s spot on Monday. (Gee, thanks, Mom- but I’ll pass).
I’d better get a ton of treats and some tuna for this, Mom. I know where you sleep!Something doesn’t look right, Mom. What did they DO!?
The Can Opener had been noticing for the last week that Sushi’s eyes were draining- but she already had an appointment to take her to the vet on Monday. But when she saw that the other eye also had started draining a lot, she decided it probably shouldn’t wait til after the weekend and took her in to get checked out.
They did a special kind of eye exam they’d never done on Sushi before to make sure she didn’t have a scratched cornea or something stuck in her eye.
That meant the vet put some kind of drops in her eyes to numb them, and some kind of dye to make any injuries to the eye flourescent green! (Mom should’ve waited til Halloween)!
Poor Sushi was not happy- for the rest of the evening last night, Sushi’s watery eye was raining flourescent green tears!
Okay Mom, I’m glad that’s over and my eyes are okay- that’ll cost you two mackerel, two tunas, and a boatload of treats, please. You may pay up any time now.
We’re all happy to know that she doesn’t seem to have an injury to the eyes or anything in them, so she got to go home with a new and powerful antibiotic eye ointment the human has to hire the National Guard to put in her eyes three times a day now for the next two weeks. It took the vet, the assistant, and Mom to get the first ones in. I sure hope all those workouts the Can Opener did will pay off now- as for me, I’m going to get some popcorn and watch the fight!
Good job, Mom! You finished your classes! NOW LET’S PLAY!
Finally! Now, take a break and play with me!
After weeks of studying and testing and helping your sister, you finally finished your courses and can be human again! Maybe now you can type for Sushi and I and get back to spoiling us like you did before all this stuff started. It’s no wonder you haven’t had much free time- with the classes, counseling, physical therapy, and the Critters- and making time for a grief journal too-
But seriously, Sushi and I are about to take matters into our own paws if you don’t back off from some things and get back to spoiling us! And get us some new toys, too!
Wait- WHAT? WHAT VET?
Wait- Who said anything about the VET? We’re not sick!
TWO APPOINTMENTS? THEY’RE BOTH FOR HER, RIGHT?
That’s it- I’m outta here!That’s it. I’m taking my toy and hiding!Photo by Sam Lion on Pexels.com
Oh, no you don’t! If you leave, she’ll take ME!Whatever- I already saw the vet- wake me up after your appointments.
I’m really getting tired of this- every time I so much as sneeze the Can Opener takes me to the vet. Just because I’m older. I protest, but she does it anyway. I’m not sick, but again the other day she took me in for a shot. She said I was “due for a distemper booster” – and in spite of all my objections, she whisked me away anyhow- and on top of that she had them trim my beloved claws!
I don’t know what a “distempter” booster is, but it must have worked- because it definitely boosted my TEMPER! And this morning I’m still sore from that shot and yet the Can Opener still insists on picking me up to groom me. I smacked her a zillion times with my tail this morning, but that didn’t stop her from grooming me anyway. And now I’m exhausted and need a nap.
Actually, I do feel better since she groomed me, but I’ll never let her know it!
Leave me alone Mom. Wake me up when you buy sardines.
Did you know that the largest hairball ever removed from a cat was 1.9 inches bigger than a Major League Baseball? Neither did I- But I can tell you I wouldn’t have wanted to see that baseball after they used it to measure the size of that hairball!
Quit scaring me, Twilight!
It sounds awful, but it’s true – (my guess was it was a mountain lion or something)- but still…
All cats get hairballs, and few people realize that rabbits and cattle can actually get them too! They are not only miserable, but they can cause serious problems for your cats.
Hairballs form because when cats groom themselves (which is all the time)- tiny little barbs on their tongues catch loose hair which they then swallow, and it winds up in their stomachs causing a lot of discomfort. (A cat’s tongue isn’t like those self-cleaning cat brushes, you know).
Now, certain cats are more susceptible- like Persians and Maine Coons- and usually the hair passes out safely without issue. But long-haired cats like these have them more often because their coats are longer and denser. Also, did you know cats are more prone to hairballs in the spring and summer? This is because cats are working hard to regulate their body temperature.
If your cat gets a hairball they can’t pass, it can result in a blockage that can threaten your cat’s life.
Signs to watch out for:
Coughing and hacking
Swallowing and licking their lips
Refusing to eat or take treats
Refusing to drink water
Refusing to groom
Prevention:
Spend time with your cats and pay attention to their normal habits – be alert to any changes in their appetite or grooming patterns. If you see anything that makes you suspect something isn’t right, don’t hesitate to call your vet. Keep your cat as comfortable as you can until you can get it help and keep noise and activity to a minimum as much as possible.
Brushing your cat is the best way to prevent hairballs- this is not only soothing to your cat, but increases circulation, relieves any itchiness, and at the same time removes loose hair before it reaches their tummy.
Stress can also be a cause of hairballs at times, since chewing and over grooming are things cats do when they feel stress- sort of like humans biting their nails. To help prevent hairballs because of stress over-grooming, set aside a little time each day to involve your cat in an activity they love.
There are also hairball preventing paw gels, supplements, and hairball formula cat foods for a little extra insurance. Here are a few examples we like:
Check these out to prevent the problem before it starts! And keep your eyes on your fur-babies’ normal habits so you’ll know right away if something is off.
Mom- I don’t like it here! What is that black thing the size of a horse with its tongue hanging out? IT’S STARING AT ME!
Hey, Mom- I assure you you don’t have enough treats to buy your way out of this one!
I knew Sushi wasn’t going to appreciate the trip to the vet – But she appreciated it a lot less when we walked in and found that every Human being in the waiting room had a dog with them – (or two). The dogs ranged in size from a cucumber to a mini horse, and then there was the little walking mop with bleeding paws. He had his hair pulled up in a scrunchie with a pink bow on top of his head and couldn’t seem to keep his tongue in his mouth (the rest of them couldn’t, either for some reason) – and he was on a long leash and seemed quite enamored with the gray thing in the pink box with the big green eyes. He wouldn’t have been so enamored if he’d seen her claws.
The appointment was at 6:30 and we were still waiting for Sushi to get taken to a room at 8:00. Sushi objected loudly (and was getting hungry)- so she really didn’t like those overgrown hairballs staring at her and getting closer to her carrier.
Can we go now?
I think they already went home, Mom. Let’s get out of here.
Hey- you said I was here for a checkup- I checked myself and I’m okay! Let’s GO!
By 9:00, Sushi had been examined and the vet confirmed my suspicion that she had an ear infection in her left ear. I also finally got the name of the “skin condition” she has had since we adopted her- and she got an antibiotic shot for that, another antibiotic shot for feline acne (I never knew cats could get acne, but apparently they need either stainless steel, ceramic, or glass dishes to avoid getting it).
Then there were her Rabies and Distemper shots, and a tube of antibiotic ointment for her ear. She got so many comments on her pretty coat and big green eyes, but that didn’t smooth things out enough for her because by now, rain was pounding like a jackhammer on the roof making her even more nervous, and she was cold.
As soon as we got home, I put the carrier down and opened it, and she flew out of it and ran right to her food dish (big surprise).
I felt awful for her, because that was stressful for her- and having to be in the carrier so long wasn’t good. But once she saw she was safely at home and fed (and given her pain medicine)- she stayed as close to me as possible and kept giving me love all night as if to say, “thank you.” It turns out her skin condition is hyperplasia- which makes her skin extra sensitive (nerve condition)- and giving her back scratches too long actually turns painful after a few seconds. My poor baby!
But at least now I know why she sometimes hisses when we scratch her back, and it is being treated, and I’m happy I noticed she was having a problem with her ear and was able to get her help. Already, she is much calmer and happier. And I’ve gotten rid of her dishes that weren’t glass, ceramic, or stainless steel.
Today, she even followed me outside and got to enjoy the sunshine!
I feel all better now, Mom.
Hey, Twilight’s been really sweet to me since I got back- what’s wrong with her?
They had a surprise for me today when the Critters left…
It’s all because the Vet said I need to go on a diet.
I’m not sure whether I should be happy or hissed. Because, the surprise was supposed to help me lose weight. I know my humans love me as I am- but the vet said I need to lose weight, so they’re looking for ways to get me moving. Purrsonally, I love sleeping. That’s moving- (I stretch and twitch my whiskers when I dream)!
This is what they came up with. I would’ve preferred a big steak. It’s easier.
What’s making that noise?
It jumped at me!
You woke me up for this?
I found out soon after the first encounter that there’s not one fish, but two.
Oh joy. They expect me to tackle it. But although it looks like a fish, it doesn’t SMELL like a fish. Who do they think they’re fooling? But, since I’m bored out of my mind, and the humans bought it for me to play with, I’ll humor them…. maybe they’ll give me a bucket of treats when I play enough.
For now, That fish wore me out. I need a nap. I earned it.
Hey Mom. I have an idea- I know how to help Sushi get some exercise!
The Vet said Sushi needs a diet. I’m helping.
Well, I can’t help the feeding part, because that’s up to Mom- but I know from watching Mom that losing weight is more than just eating less. It’s about eating well- (foods that are healthy). But one thing Mom says is you have to exercise too. You can’t just be a couch cat (like Sushi) and expect to lose weight.
The Can Opener tries to get her to play to make her get some exercise, but she just isn’t interested in the dangly thing -(unless the human is using it to play with me)- and my Can Opener has been searching all day for ways to help Sushi start moving so she can lose weight. She’s looked for toys that slow down her eating and supplements, and she’s read articles, and Sushi just wants to lay on a nice, warm nap all day and sleep- (Not that that’s a bad idea).
This morning she was all cuddled up on the end of the bed while the Can Opener was waking up with her coffee, having her devotion, and I decided I’d help Mom motivate her to play. But it didn’t have quite the effect I planned. See for yourself!
Well, she sure is grumpy! I think I’ll leave this problem to the Can Opener, and I’ll go look for another playmate. That one’s got no sense of humor at all!
How to Train your Humans 