Yesterday, I cleaned out "Ziggy's Corner".

I had been putting it off because it felt like I was erasing her. But Ziggy can never be erased, or forgotten.

I moved some of her things, and got into the corner behind the footstool. And in the corner I found at least 20 small batteries. AAs, AAAs, single use, rechargeable.
The little wench had been hoarding them! I laughed through the tears as I cleared out her 'treasure trove'.
Now we know why she was always with her butt in the air, on the edge of the footstool, rummaging around in the corner.
What I didn't realize how much having just that much of her history with us cleared away would hurt today.  Finding her toys, some with her fur and scent still on them.
I miss her... and I miss Keito. But I didn't know I'd miss them this much.  Maybe it's because losing two in a month to the day was a bit to take.

Silver linings aren't always great

Had the MRI on my left knee after an exam by Mr S (osteo surgeon)

My silver lining is this: if it wasn't for the lack of sensitivity/feeling in my left leg because of spinal surgery 9+ years ago and the nerve damage occurring when the disc collapsed, requiring said surgery, I would be in considerable pain.

You see, my left knee is bone on bone, with the small exception of an itty bitty piece of meniscus on the outside left of the knee. The weight bearing inside right of the knee.. it's gone.   I also have nothing but serous fluid behind my knee cap.  Yup, I need another knee replacement.

So, my 'silver lining' is preventing me from feeling pain.  Mr S said I would know when it's time.  Right now, I can get around without much of a problem. And since I am still struggling with the nerve pain, and recovery from the surgery for the compartment syndrome, I'm rather grateful for my dead-ish feeling leg.

On happy/sad news, I got a stainless steel bracelet for "Keito's Heart Pendant".   I also had his fur filled pendant engraved with a small ornate K and Ziggy's fur filled pendant engraved with an equally ornate Z.  I'm still crying about the loss of Ziggy and Keito.  Last week, I got tired of waiting for the mythical "time" to be found to help me, so dug a hole in the back yard, sprinkled some of both Keito and Ziggy's ashes in it, and planted a young rosemary shrub.  I cried my eyes out afterward.  I miss them more than I thought I would, especially Keito. 

It hasn't even been three weeks

And I know I shouldn't expect it any other way, but I miss Ziggy.
She was so much a part of my day, and daily routine.  She would climb up onto the arm of my chair, and from behind, tap me on the should when she wanted something.  I would open the window, and she would hop up on the sill to look outside.  She also had a special set of meows for "Feed me", "I'm bored, let's play", "Hey, this is in my way!" (when she wanted in the closet) and she would dig at her sofa tent when it wasn't arranged to her liking, or if she wanted her wheat bags heated up.

I was cleaning my office, and my eyes kept getting drawn to the spots she would normally be, and it was like a twist in my guts.  I took a toy and put it under the blanket on the sofa, where Ziggy used to sleep. Her 'sofa tent'. It's a mind fake, but at least it stops the hurt for a little while.

I had one rather unfeeling person just say "Get another cat."  (and yes, it was unfeeling, as the person went on to say one cat is pretty much like another).  I was polite, and said "Thank you, but no thanks."

Non-pet owners don't understand. It's not just losing an animal. It's losing a member of your family.  Pardon me while I go cry for a while... again.

Ziggy is gone

At 10:17pm, September 4th, 2019, Ziggy was helped across the rainbow bridge.  She had been rallying but she took a sudden down turn, was laboring to breathe.  Took her to emergency Vet, and ultra sound showed her cancer had progressed to the point that it was only the fresh O2 feed keeping her oxygenated.  Move the O2 and she would start gasping with her mouth open again.
It was time.
We made the heartbreaking choice, while she was purring, alert and calm, to help her cross.  We all spent some time with her, and when she was given a relaxing sedative, her head drooped, and she stopped breathing. She had been breathing from sheer force of her will. When she was given the sleep shot, it took took less than 2 second for her heart to stop. She was ready. 
We gave her g’bye cuddles, whispered in her ear how much we loved her.
Heartbroken now. I see her things, like her basket, empty.  I’m going to have to do something to remove these reminders, or I will be crying every few minutes.

Ziggy had a seizure

Ziggy just had an episode of thrashing around, as if in a panic. Then she was gasping for air, as if she couldn't breathe. I managed to get her untangled from the computer cords, as this happened while she was on the towel covered box on the battery back up.

She ok, or as ok as she can be right now, but we needed to have her seen by the vet.

Vet said it was an idiopathic seizure. And since it's not happening all the time, and that she is bright and alert (even though with all our feeding her she's still losing weight) and eating, drinking, walking around, using her litter box, she will be with us for a while longer.
When we got home, I warmed a plate, cut up some beef on the warm plate so it wouldn't cook, and carried it into the room where she was. She poked her head out of the top of the basket and YOWLED to be fed. Ate everything, and tube treat! Yeah, she will be here for a while longer. Just weeks, but it will have to be enough.

When  she can't get around on her own, or starts soiling herself, and refusing to eat anything.... then it will be 'that time'.

Keito, two plus weeks post op

He's definitely put some weight back on. He no longer has bony face/cheeks.  Also, his back doesn't feel like a stegosaurus, meaning weight gain. Called South Street Vet to postpone Keito's fructosamine test, as he was at the vet overnight a few times the past month, and his BGLs were fine.  Since we are concentrating on his having Chemo, the fructosamine test can wait.

Ziggy still has her cough, but it's not as severe.  The Bisolvon works to break up the mucus, but turns her into a very sleepy cat.  And when that happens Wing wrings his hands in worry.  Today, Ziggy has only had one coughing episode, and it was over in less than a minute.  If she has another, we will dose her with the Bisolvon, and she will end up sleeping the night through.  As long as she isn't in any discomfort, is eating, drinking, and doing other cat things, she will stay with us.  We know time is limited, but we will love her as long as she is with us.

Vet report on Keito

Vet report on Keito - the vet was very pleased at Keito's recovery. Not only has the surgical site healed perfectly, our moggie has put on some weight. He should be seeing how much he's been catching up on missed meals.

Regarding the diagnosis of lymphoma: There are three treatments.

We could just treat the symptoms, which would suppress them a while, and it will come raging back in 3 to 6 months.

Another option: there is a treatment for small cell lymphoma. It does work, but it's toxic. Keito doesn't have small cell lymphoma. So gave that one the flick.

Third option: It's the most used one. It has a 25% chance of cure (wishful thinking) and a 75% chance of a 1 to 3 (or longer)  year remission. The protocol is given by weight, so his low weight isn't an issue. AND because the lymphoma was caught early, gives him a damned good chance of remission. We have chosen option three. The vet said I have reasonable expectations. Sure, a cure would be great, but that is a slim chance. He said remission is very likely.

Also discussed Ziggy and her coughing. We were given the name of an OTC cough remedy that would work to break up the mucus. It's not a cure, but it will help her breathing. As long as she eats, does other cat things, and her gums are pink and her ears are pink and warm, she will stay with us.

Ziggy Update (and other sundries)

Ziggy seems to be holding her own.  Instead of feeding her twice a day, been giving her small meals throughout the day.  Still pinning hopes on the CBD oil arriving soon enough to be of use to her. I gave her a catnip leaf, and she enjoyed it. Got her to eat a bit more, and she's resting comfortably now on two heated wheat bags.

Keito:  he's had his course of antibiotics.  His eating is still hit and miss, meaning sometimes we have to follow him and put the dish of food in front of him to make him eat.  Have scheduled an appointment for him to have a glucose curve test, 7am tomorrow morning.

I know pets are ephemeral, and live faster than we humans, but having two ill, one with a terminal illness, at the same time, is breaking my heart.   I feel so helpless.

I've been getting intermittent shooting pains down the back of my thigh. Seeing as I had a spinal fusion, it's not sciatica.  Could be that I missed a few doses of my dystonia meds, and stress has been on the high side the past few weeks.  *sigh* 

Ziggy is back home from the vet, and the news isn't good.

She has lung cancer, more than likely already seeded from when she had mammary cancer. There is a silver lining to it because of the type it is. She isn't in any pain or distress, still eating and "Catting". She just won't have the breath to do a lot of running around, or other aerobic activities.

It will get worse, but there's no real time scale, as it took a year for it to even become noticeable. Vet said months. He said she could prove him a liar and last out another year.

EDIT: He did say this is probably the worst time of year for this, too because of the cold and damp. Well, we will make sure she stays warm and cozy.

Whatever time our girl Ziggy has, we will make it quality of life.

No stiff upper lip here.

Our girl Ziggy is at the vet, where she will get xrays first thing in the morning.  The vet is concerned that the cancer she had last year, has metastasized.  It was something we were told could happen.

Regardless of the results tomorrow, we will do what is best for Ziggy. We gave her an extra year by treating the cancer last year. I'm a blubbering mess right now.

Up before the dawn again

Sometimes, I just can't get the right leg comfortable enough to sleep well through the night.  Was up at 4:43 am (checked my watch, so know the time is right).  Let Keito and Loki into the back yard to 'dig holes in the sand'.  Checked on Ziggy, as she and Trance had another dust up yesterday.  Once again, Trance was on the losing end of things.  Ziggy is ok, though.

Fed them all around 5:30.  Keito got his insulin on time.  Ziggy, from having to groom self after the fight with Trance, hurked up her food. Of course ON the sofa. (Preen OxyAction to the rescue)  There was a HUGE clump of fur.  After I cleaned it all up, she demanded to be fed again.  Tossed some things into the washer, and they are currently hanging out on the line.

Knee feels a bit thick and stiff this morning, but there was no sciatic pain.. at first.  But when it showed up, it did so with a vengeance. Immediately did the routine Matt gave me. First five.. gritting teeth. Second set, not so bad. By the time I had finished the 3rd set of five, the pain was manageable. Have taken pain meds, and the anti-inflammatory.

One really doesn't appreciate the absence of pain, until it hammering away at you.

Lovingly indulged, not spoiled

Ziggy had to have two infected teeth removed. Since she is a raw meat eater, Dr Dinesh said that would be better for her, as he gums would be sore.... and asked if it was possible to warm it first. I looked at him and said "We always warm it." (Power level 3, 20 seconds in the microwave)

She's not overly happy with us, as we have to medicate her twice a day (One dose of anti-inflammatory, two doses of antibiotic). Wing does the morning dosages with me (anti inflammatory, one antibiotic) , and Alan helps me with the second antibiotic dose. Best thing is to swaddle her in a huge, thick towel right up to her ears so she can't squirm away. She fights longer than it takes to give her the damned doses!

Just have to remember to feed her warmed raw meat at least twice a day. Don't want her trying to eat kibble.

Ah, life can be funny

Ziggy is at the vet as we are trying to figure out why her left nostril is a 'snot rocket'.  I can use a Nehti pot to flush my sinuses out, but one can't do that do a conscious cat.  Not unless one wants a lot of scratches and other injuries. So, anesthesia, X-Ray, flush sinuses, swab detritis for tests, blood tests to see if there is any underlying viral issue causing the recurring infection.

I get a phone call from the vet, that Ziggy has two infected back teeth and they have to come out (and yes, I think that might be the reason for the sinus infection, but will see later when we talk to the vet.

So, hit with "This will add another $350 on the vet bill for dental extraction."  *sigh* Give the ok because we do have pet insurance, and if we have the vet put that it was an oral infection, not dental scaling for cosmetic reasons, there is a good chance at least part of it might be covered for rebate, but we still have to pay it out first.

What do I find in the mail box today?  A refund check for Ziggy's LAST vet visit for $206.  At least that will mitigate some of the pay out.

If you can't out stubborn a cat, out think her!

Ziggy, like I, have been hammered by allergies due to controlled burn-offs.

Problem is getting her medication into her. She is a small cat, but so so strong, it takes two of us to scruff her, hold her, open her mouth to get 1/4 of a pill into her.

As I don't like doing that way all the time, I hid her antihistamine in her meat..  a bit of a pill, about the size of a sesame seed. She ate all the meat all around it, avoiding it.

*sigh*  LIGHTBULB!

When she wasn't looking I squished the meat juice soaked piece of pill on my fingertip. Made a noise that made her look at me, then pointed at her, and when she went to sniff, I rubbed it on the inside of her gums.

*slurp slurp*  Dirty look.

Mission accomplished!

South Street Veterinarians are really great.

Last year, Trance went into total panic mode when we brought her into for physical and vaccinations.  So, to save her the panic, we scheduled to have the vets come out here for her.  They said "Well, we can do all the cats' exams at the same time."

They just left. Vaccinations given, exams given, Keito's blood drawn for testing.  Trance did panic a bit, but  no where near as much as she did at the Vets' office.  She settled down and just voiced her complaint.

Ziggy was her usual. Sat there there until done.  Healthy moggie.

Loki is a bit overweight, but that is because he keeps sneaking up behind the others and finishing what the left in their dishes, the oinker.

Pet insurance is definitely worth it

Just sent Ziggy's filled out claim form to the vet for them to put in the info and forward it to PetPlan.

Many people have said "Why not just set up a savings account for pet expenses?"  Yes, in a perfect world, when just normal things like check ups and vaccinations are the norm, this would be a good solid plan.

HOWEVER, when you have a seriously ill cat (Keito for instance) a small savings account isn't going to help.  Keito was in Murdoch Emergency Vet for 9 days. Average cost was $1000 a day, because he needed 24/7, treatment, supervision, surgery and IVs etc etc. (pet haters, beware, I will delete your comments and block your sorry asses, capice?)  Because we had pet insurance 65% of the bill was covered.

Ziggy's current bill is no where near that much, but getting $120 again back is good.(yes, again, because she has had this allergy problem a few times this year. $180 per visit.)

Each cat is about $300 a year to cover. That is the price of one emergency vet visit, NOT counting treatment, surgery, medications.  $1200.  About 1/8th of what Keito's vet bill added up to be.  So yeah, definitely well worth it and cost effective.

Cat Conversations

They get to live

For now.

I went into my office area, and could hear the steady growling of an pissed off cat. Ziggy. Loki was about 3ft away from her, and she was letting out a steady stream of growling (and for such a tiny cat she sounds very fierce. had deep guttural growl).

Shooed Loki away and spotted Trance's collar on the floor, by the looks of it, torn off of her. In the short space of Wing feeding Ziggy and his ducking it to take a shower, Trance went after Ziggy and Ziggy handed her her ass.. again.

The "they get to live".... I spotted two of my external hds knocked to the floor, the small USB fan I keep going behind the computer to prevent overheating (not that it's really a problem, but why take chances) broken, and cords unplugged.

Took about 2 hours to get everything set up to test. Other than the fan frame needing to be glued together, all seems to be in good working order.

Ziggy finally let me check her out (she was a bit umm smelly as Trance had, shall we say, bladder control issues when she decided to take Ziggy on again.) Ziggy is cleaned and groomed, and I checked her for wounds. Nada.

Now, I have to find Trance and do the same. I'm betting she is sporting some new scratches again.

It's like caring for a child

Ziggy, our older Bengal, has the habit of when she is stressed, she will lick an area on her leg until the fur fall out, and the skin is irritated. Then the vicious circle of her licking it because it itches , which makes it more raw and irritated, which makes it itchier starts. I put a "Cone of Shame on her and we took her to the vet. 

Exam showed no sign of skin infection. Vet and assistant shaved and washed the area, put NeoCort (Combine NeoSporin and Hydrocortisone) ointment on the area, giving it almost immediate relief. Anti-biotic and cortisone injection to last the day.  Came home with medications for her.

Unlike Loki, who just got on with life when he had to wear the CONE OF SHAME, Ziggy sulks.  Right now, she is on the desk extension/armrest look out the window, dozing off. (yeah, I know, I really didn't want that armrest, did I?) 

 

Did I mention how it's thrown my usual schedule into a tailspin?  Get up, crush pill, hide in her food, feed other three, put 1 in bedroom, take CONE OF SHAME off Ziggy, let her 'do her business', put her in front of medicated food (limiting overnight eating ensures she chows down on whatever we give her). 

Drink of water, give her a few minutes to groom face. CONE OF SHAME back on. Wing holds her up on 'show pose', while I put on rubber gloves, and apply NeoCort to her leg and upper thigh.

We get to repeat the ointment again in the evening.  I have an antibiotic past to give her, but the first dose.. well lets just say I had to wash it off her face. Vets need to come up with a tuna flavored version. *sigh*

To those who say "Never try to out-stubborn a cat"

You have never seen me do exactly that. 

Ziggy has habit of licking a spot on a foot until it's lost the fur (stress thing like a human biting fingernails).  She has learned that I will make her stop whether she wants to or not.

Next thing; get her to stop ‘power rubbing’ her chin raw.