Gray:
Vet appointment today at 3:30 p.m.
Gray is a semi-outside, former stray cat. The vets want him 100% inside because he was diagnosed with FIV. But, his habit is to stay on our property - and, after his diagnosis I watch him while he is outside. We don't have a large house - and our Original Three are now sharing the house with 5 other cats. Long story, won't go into it.
So, him being outside -some of the time- is helpful for the whole family.
With our high heat he voluntarily stays inside with the A/C. In the late of the day when it begins to cool off, he goes out - and I go with him. When it become too dark for me to see where he is in the yard, I bring him inside for the evening.
Monday night, he escaped over the wall before I could get to him. I think he knew I was coming for him, so he hurried a little more than usual.
He didn't come inside until 11:30 p.m. - After he came in he was exhausted, and very hot with temps still around 100 degrees. To check him out, I ran my hands all over him to make sure there wasn't any signs of him being in battle - he didn't have a problem with me touching him.
Gray usually doesn't like to be touched too much towards his hind quarters (back) or tail. It's difficult to get him brushed. His britches are usually a mess. He loves getting his chin, cheeks, and neck brushed, and if I'm careful I get to rub his tummy and chest - other than that - I get complaints, and occasionally he will hiss to show me his disapproval, and, I have been warned enough.
Tuesday, I secured him inside earlier than normal so I wouldn't have a repeat of the previous night. I noticed he was touchier than usual - but these extra touchiness usually passes. He did allow some brushing on his chin, neck and cheeks - but seemed like he wasn't all that pleased. I took a mental note of this crabbyness.
Wednesday, again secured him inside (he really wasn't out very long that day - as usual). But, did notice that he was really intolerant of even the slightest of brushing.
Thursday, today - 9/30/10 - he was really crabby!! to the point of hissing at any of the other cats that tried to greet him. He slapped them away from him. I knew I had a problem.
He had been slow to arrive in the kitchen this morning - another mental note - very unusual. He went outside then came back in - that's when I put him back into the enclosed area - on top of the washer - his usual bed for the night.
He looked pathetic! I called the vet. As usual, can't get the vet he's seen before - she's out for the day and in surgery all day tomorrow - so, we're seeing a new vet to the office - ugh. I made sure they were informed about his disposition, and that the new vet should expect a very unhappy cat.
Now, I wonder how I'm going to be able to get him into the carrier to go to the vet - he usually just walks in - I'll think positive thoughts - but, just now when I tried to even barely touch his head (between his ears) he complained.
I'm thinking bee sting because his chin looks swollen - there haven't been any other symptoms other than he doesn't want touched - but, I'm not willing to wait for something worse to happen.
Any other thoughts as to what Gray's problem might be?
Vet appointment today at 3:30 p.m.
Gray is a semi-outside, former stray cat. The vets want him 100% inside because he was diagnosed with FIV. But, his habit is to stay on our property - and, after his diagnosis I watch him while he is outside. We don't have a large house - and our Original Three are now sharing the house with 5 other cats. Long story, won't go into it.
With our high heat he voluntarily stays inside with the A/C. In the late of the day when it begins to cool off, he goes out - and I go with him. When it become too dark for me to see where he is in the yard, I bring him inside for the evening.
Monday night, he escaped over the wall before I could get to him. I think he knew I was coming for him, so he hurried a little more than usual.
He didn't come inside until 11:30 p.m. - After he came in he was exhausted, and very hot with temps still around 100 degrees. To check him out, I ran my hands all over him to make sure there wasn't any signs of him being in battle - he didn't have a problem with me touching him.
Gray usually doesn't like to be touched too much towards his hind quarters (back) or tail. It's difficult to get him brushed. His britches are usually a mess. He loves getting his chin, cheeks, and neck brushed, and if I'm careful I get to rub his tummy and chest - other than that - I get complaints, and occasionally he will hiss to show me his disapproval, and, I have been warned enough.
Tuesday, I secured him inside earlier than normal so I wouldn't have a repeat of the previous night. I noticed he was touchier than usual - but these extra touchiness usually passes. He did allow some brushing on his chin, neck and cheeks - but seemed like he wasn't all that pleased. I took a mental note of this crabbyness.
Wednesday, again secured him inside (he really wasn't out very long that day - as usual). But, did notice that he was really intolerant of even the slightest of brushing.
Thursday, today - 9/30/10 - he was really crabby!! to the point of hissing at any of the other cats that tried to greet him. He slapped them away from him. I knew I had a problem.
He had been slow to arrive in the kitchen this morning - another mental note - very unusual. He went outside then came back in - that's when I put him back into the enclosed area - on top of the washer - his usual bed for the night.
He looked pathetic! I called the vet. As usual, can't get the vet he's seen before - she's out for the day and in surgery all day tomorrow - so, we're seeing a new vet to the office - ugh. I made sure they were informed about his disposition, and that the new vet should expect a very unhappy cat.
Now, I wonder how I'm going to be able to get him into the carrier to go to the vet - he usually just walks in - I'll think positive thoughts - but, just now when I tried to even barely touch his head (between his ears) he complained.
I'm thinking bee sting because his chin looks swollen - there haven't been any other symptoms other than he doesn't want touched - but, I'm not willing to wait for something worse to happen.
Any other thoughts as to what Gray's problem might be?
