You just know

You just know you have gotten a malnourished cat past being malnourished when he turns his nose up something he normally would eat (and still does when the mood hits him).

Simba, the now 'fussy at his dinner plate' cat, checking out the Kitteh Holiday Present (small RF controlled helicopter)

It's alive! It's ALIVE!

A few days after Christmas/Yule there was a power outtage. The On/Off/On/Off variety, and then our 3 yr old stove top stopped working. We called where we got it, and got the 'brand of appliance appropriate' electrician out here to check it. Turns out the power surges fried one of the switches, and popped the fuse in the breaker. One of the other switches was making funny fizzing noises, so we got that one replaced as well, rather than have him come back out in a few months time to fix that one.

The pool water was a bit cloudy, more than likely a calcium build up. So, I got my old bath brush, and a siphon hose. I used the water in the pool to clean it with the brush, and then used the siphon hose to pull out the dirt that settled in the botton. I also drained about half the pool water out (10 watering cans I lugged to use it on the garden, potted plants/trees, and the orange tree). I cleaned the water filter, and then refilled the pool. Added bleach to, waited 1 hour, and got it. Blessed relief again. Back pain has vamoosed again. Has been gone for (looks at the clock) six hours and counting.

I think I am going to try to figure out a way to keep the water warm during what passes for winter down here.

Put the "Simba training" into practice for the first time today. He went after Ziggy, he got locked in the bathroom for 5 minutes. You should have heard his yowling! You would have thought he was being tortured!

Post holiday humdrum

Meegan and I went pillaging yesterday. Got two sets of really nice sheets (400 thread count). Also got some new nose studs, as I am rather tired of the dull piercing studs.

Leg and back was singing AVE MARIA in 4 part harmony, so I decided it was time for the pool. A total of 2 hours in it, not only was the leg feeling better, but the chronic ache in my back/hip area disappeared for a goodly amount of time.

Simba has been really going after Ziggy. He doesn't try to hurt her (remember, he is her son, and he remembers her), but she wants nothing to do with him. She starts growling at him, challenging him. And if he gets closer, she screams blue bloody murder. I am sporting 4 parallel scratches on my ribs where Ziggy panic jumped, using me as a launch pad. Well, we have come up with a plan: if Simba (more like when)goes after Ziggy again, he will be put in the bathroom, with the door closed for 3 to 5 minutes. He is a smart cat, and will figure it out. And this will help Ziggy, who is so stressed out right now, because Simba just wants to get acquainted again. Maybe we should get some Feli-away from 'her' room too.

Simba and Lucy visit the vet.

We wanted to make sure that we were doing the right things for foster kitties, so we made an appointment for them to see our vet.

At first, Simba couldn't wait to exit the pet carrier.  Then he wanted to go back in.  I think he knew what was coming.

Heart, lungs check out fine. As did eyes.





"Didn't I just see a thermometer.... EEP!"





Lucy had to be wrestled out of her carrier.





Heart murmur detected, but nothing to worry about for now. Lungs good too.





Allergy eyes all better.





"Where did that thermometer disappear to....EEEP!"





You will be happy to know they are getting healthy, but still have a ways to go. On careful examination, the vet did find that their coats were still shabby (as in thin and brittle fur) in areas, mostly their haunches and back legs.  She examined the bald patch on Simba's shoulder, and said it could be scarring, but to keep an eye on it. Should it get bigger, or similar patches show up elsewhere, bring him in, she will pluck a few hairs and check for ringworm.  Didn't show any ringworm sign under UV lamp, but it's something to keep an eye on. Simba weighs in at 7.5 kilos.  


Onto Lucy.  Lucy does have a heart murmur.  Vet said it's something we need to keep an eye on, and should be checked every 6 months.  It's  not a problem now, but as she gets older, she will need medications and probably a special diet.  We were told to keep watch for labored breathing, lethargy.   We have made an appointment for her in 6 months time for a follow up on that.  Lucy weighs in at 5 kilos.

The grooves from ill fitting collars are still there and could take a long time to fill in.

Both of their eyes have cleared up, no more allergy issues, but should it happen again, we have the ointment to treat it.  

The vet said their weight is perfect now, so two meat servings and biscuits to nibble on during the day is enough, and to not give into their begging for more, or else they will could get obese, which is a common problem with previously malnourished animals.  Just keep doing what we are doing, and they will continue onto a healthy life.

So, overall, they are improving. Vet said she can't understand why someone would treat such beautiful and expensive animals the way that moron did, but she said given more time, they will physically recover. She does agree that mentally... that will take longer.

The full sized images are 3600 x2400, but compressed so they are only about 500k each.

Ziggy and her "Magic Helmet"

She goes absolutely nuts for these things. This is her 2nd one, and she will even walk around with it on her head. She likes she can stick her head through the 'tissue lifter' on the bottom, and see through the top.

Stress...

It sucks.

That is all.

Aftermath of Christmas feast

Went to Meegan and Daggles house for dinner, bearing a perfectly cooked turkey,

one pan of bread stuffing, and one pan of brown rice stuffing, as Meegan is gluten intolerant.

It was a day surrounded by friends, family, good food, good wine and just excellent. Got home after midnight, and was swarmed by quadrupeds with separation anxiety! The meowing was both pitiful and funny. Calmed them down, got things put away and pretty much passed out. Keito and Loki allowed us to sleep until 8am.. well, let me sleep until 8am, and woke us up by having a wrestling match.

Checked on the pool, topped of the air level in both upper and lower rings, added some bleach to the water, cleaned the new water filter. MP3 player all charged, and waterproof pouch is near it. All ready for the upcoming hot days.

Aikidomayland is taking some time off from work. It's going to be nice to have him home for a while. As much as his trips to Zambia are mini "How can I miss you if you don't go away" , it's nice to have him around. *happy sigh*