Arcturus' journal: life with a FIV+ cat

cat nap · May 16, 2016

Excellent updates. So nice to see Arcturus eating, normally, after the dental.

And really good that they let you have the 'tooth'. I'm guessing that it's a 'canine fang'...but won't know, until you see him open his mouth, naturally, while yawning.

(Taking a photo of a yawning cat is so difficult. You almost have to time it, beforehand,...with a camera always on you.)

I'm surprised that your vets want to see him back so soon. You must have better vets, over there. (Here they keep them over night, and want to see them in a week or two.)

I doubt he'll get the 'pirate sneer' ....but you never know. We'll have to wait for photos, after he's all healed up.

zed xyzed · May 16, 2016

I am so happy that he is home safe and sound.

reversedpolarit · May 16, 2016

cat nap said:
Excellent updates. So nice to see Arcturus eating, normally, after the dental.

And really good that they let you have the 'tooth'. I'm guessing that it's a 'canine fang'...but won't know, until you see him open his mouth, naturally, while yawning.
(Taking a photo of a yawning cat is so difficult. You almost have to time it, beforehand,...with a camera always on you.)

I'm surprised that your vets want to see him back so soon. You must have better vets, over there. (Here they keep them over night, and want to see them in a week or two.)
I doubt he'll get the 'pirate sneer' ....but you never know. We'll have to wait for photos, after he's all healed up.

I think it is a fang, it's certainly long. Next time he yawns I'll try see.

I guess it's instead of being kept in overnight, cheaper anyway and it was so good to have him home today.

reversedpolarit · May 16, 2016

Zed Xyzed said:
I am so happy that he is home safe and sound.

Thank you! I'm so pleased he's doing so well.

reversedpolarit · May 16, 2016

I got up to check on him, and bribe him with food... :lol3: I now have the happiest, snuggleist, cat who is at last rubbing his head on everything to mark it as his. He looks high, but oh so happy. He's not stopped purring and rolling over for me to rub his belly. He had both front legs and under his chin shaved, so he looks like a lion from the right angle.

LOTS of pictures because he's a purring bundle of love.

cat nap · May 16, 2016

reversedpolarit said:
image.jpeg

reversedpolarit

May 16, 2016

image.jpeg

reversedpolarit

May 16, 2016

I love all the photos, but the above 3 are my favourite.

He does look so happy to be home.

And with the 'shaved fur' parts, ...he looks a little 'dangerous and ever so tough'. Like you would not want to mess with this cat, if you saw him in the wild.

Actually, he does really still look so soft, and his fur looks amazing.

Now, that he will be able to eat without pain, he may not wake you so much.

Though, he may have other things to talk about, besides tooth pain, and 'sufficient time allotments' for patting.

Have you ever thought about getting him empty cardboard boxes, and see how he does with them?

Maybe not such a good idea right now, since he may end up 'chewing the box' to bits.

Norachan · May 16, 2016

LOL. I still have all of Happy's teeth in a little plastic bag. Glad to hear he's a happy boy again.

reversedpolarit · May 16, 2016

I'll do proper replies later, I couldn't sleep for checking on him.

He's taking the first dose of Synulox fine. I crushed it up and mixed it into stinky food. It's an awful lurid pink.

I thought I imagined it a few days ago, but his front legs shake. The only time I can get a feel of them is when he's rolling about purring. He came and slept on the bed for a bit and wrapped his front paws around my hand and they were definitely shaking (He was purring a lot). I'll mention it to the vet tomorrow. He moves fine, is steady and can jump pretty high. Perhaps he's even older than we thought, I hope it's not anything awful. I just got a feel whilst he was sat purring only a little and they don't seem to shake at the moment. Perhaps it's only when he gets excitable. I can't touch his back legs long enough to check those and his back doesn't shake.

He seems to be drinking even more. I haven't checked the litter box but I think he peed three times overnight.

Anyway, he's still a very happy cat which is the main thing! I just hope there's nothing else that needs fixing. I love him dearly and would gladly do everything I can for him, but in two weeks he'll have been to the vet three times the poor guy. He wanted to play after his breakfast so he can't be feeling too bad. He'll get more Metacam around lunchtime so I'm not doubling up on meds in one meal.

He's back on his favourite perch of my antique desk, although the curtains are closed so there's not much of a view.

stewball · May 17, 2016

reversedpolarit said:
He's home and not too pleased with me! I don't blame him really. He's still out of it but is happily sat under the sofa sort of snoring, and he's eaten a small packet of really good food. He'll have another in a few more hours which I'll put the Metacam in.

He only needed one tooth removed, which is excellent news. I was expecting a lot more than that. We're going back on Wednesday so his stitches can be checked and his test results should be back by then. He's having 1.5 tablets of Synulox twice a day for a week, and Metacam once a day for five days. He had a Synulox injection today, so the tablets will start tomorrow. Hopefully I can hide them in the stinky good food. Apparently he was very well behaved too

Once he's off the Synulox I'm going to start him on the coconut oil, probably about an 1/8 teaspoon every few days to start with. The vet was a bit skeptical, but I'm very much in favour of natural remedies where possible. I couldn't get hold of any pumpkin that I'd want to feed him, so if he gets diarrhea from the Synulox I've nothing to give him to help him. Fingers crossed he doesn't get any side effects though.

Here's the nasty tooth, I was very excited I got to keep it.

13178567_10153755841348983_7429987255775763025_n.j

reversedpolarit

May 16, 2016

Poor baby.

hellomisskitty · May 17, 2016

reversedpolarit said:
I'll do proper replies later, I couldn't sleep for checking on him.

He's taking the first dose of Synulox fine. I crushed it up and mixed it into stinky food. It's an awful lurid pink.

I thought I imagined it a few days ago, but his front legs shake. The only time I can get a feel of them is when he's rolling about purring. He came and slept on the bed for a bit and wrapped his front paws around my hand and they were definitely shaking (He was purring a lot). I'll mention it to the vet tomorrow. He moves fine, is steady and can jump pretty high. Perhaps he's even older than we thought, I hope it's not anything awful. I just got a feel whilst he was sat purring only a little and they don't seem to shake at the moment. Perhaps it's only when he gets excitable. I can't touch his back legs long enough to check those and his back doesn't shake.

He seems to be drinking even more. I haven't checked the litter box but I think he peed three times overnight.

Anyway, he's still a very happy cat which is the main thing! I just hope there's nothing else that needs fixing. I love him dearly and would gladly do everything I can for him, but in two weeks he'll have been to the vet three times the poor guy. He wanted to play after his breakfast so he can't be feeling too bad. He'll get more Metacam around lunchtime so I'm not doubling up on meds in one meal.

He's back on his favourite perch of my antique desk, although the curtains are closed so there's not much of a view.

I hope the leg shaking thing is nothing serious-his ability to get around with ease is a positive sign! I agree that him being a happy cat is the most important thing. I suspect that your love and care are big contributors to his happiness. I'm hoping that after his dental follow ups, both of you will get a break from vet trips so you can continue settling into a long, beautiful life together. He is such a special little guy and to see him blossom in such a short time with you, his human soulmate is truly special...thank you for sharing him with us [emoji]10084[/emoji]️[emoji]10084[/emoji]️

reversedpolarit · May 17, 2016

cat nap said:
I love all the photos, but the above 3 are my favourite. :love:

He does look so happy to be home.
And with the 'shaved fur' parts, ...he looks a little 'dangerous and ever so tough'. Like you would not want to mess with this cat, if you saw him in the wild.

Actually, he does really still look so soft, and his fur looks amazing.
Now, that he will be able to eat without pain, he may not wake you so much.
Though, he may have other things to talk about, besides tooth pain, and 'sufficient time allotments' for patting.

Have you ever thought about getting him empty cardboard boxes, and see how he does with them?
Maybe not such a good idea right now, since he may end up 'chewing the box' to bits.

Haha yes, if he was still stray he'd be ever so tough. :lol3:

Nope, he's more insistent on waking me! I'm convinced he'll scarf and barf with how quick he eats, but so far he hasn't.

I'm planning on keeping one or two for him when I finish moving in to this flat. Still a few more boxes to come.

reversedpolarit · May 17, 2016

HelloMissKitty said:
I hope the leg shaking thing is nothing serious-his ability to get around with ease is a positive sign! I agree that him being a happy cat is the most important thing. I suspect that your love and care are big contributors to his happiness. I'm hoping that after his dental follow ups, both of you will get a break from vet trips so you can continue settling into a long, beautiful life together. He is such a special little guy and to see him blossom in such a short time with you, his human soulmate is truly special...thank you for sharing him with us [emoji]10084[/emoji]️[emoji]10084[/emoji]️

He spends half the day jumping on and off things. :lol3:

Thank you :heart3: Honestly I want to share him with everyone I see...

Here's a very cute picture BF got this morning of me and Arc.

image.jpeg

reversedpolarit
May 17, 2016

cat nap · May 17, 2016

@HelloMissKitty ...said it best.

Ahh, that photo is fantastic. If you didn't tell us how sweet, fluffy, and gentle Arc is...then I'd just put a sign on the photo saying,... 'guard cat on duty, stay away from my human while resting'.

Very, very, cute photo. That part of the sofa must be his favourite, now.

reversedpolarit · May 18, 2016

cat nap said:
I would not be too worried, right now, because Arcturus is still taking medications, and some of those symptoms perhaps can be from 'side-effects' to painkillers, clearing out the anesthesia, or even antibiotics. Painkillers, especially, have some weird symptoms. And antibiotics, seem to clear out all bad and good bacteria, too.

Hopefully, once he is medication-free...then you'll be able to better observe what his usual resting state is...or like you mentioned...just excitable, and purring.

You may have to 'wrap Arc in a towel' and gently stuff him in his carrier...if he gets too wise to the 'have to go for a recheck' vet time.

(the 'cat in a towel-wrapped like a taco' trick, is the only thing that worked for me, since my guy would go all 'spread-eagle' with any paws available, holding on to the outsides of said carrier, for dear life.)

@HelloMissKitty ...said it best.

Ahh, that photo is fantastic. If you didn't tell us how sweet, fluffy, and gentle Arc is...then I'd just put a sign on the photo saying,... 'guard cat on duty, stay away from my human while resting'.

Very, very, cute photo. That part of the sofa must be his favourite, now.

The vet checked his legs over and there's no abnormalities in how they move, and they were fine whilst we were there. So maybe it is just that he purrs with his whole body.

He actually went in absolutely fine! As long as I don't touch his back legs he doesn't really mind being picked up and I was able to carry him from the living room to his box in the bedroom and he went in fine. What a good kitty. So I carry him with an arm behind his front legs and in front of his back legs and he just sits there going '\what on earth is she doing'.

I honestly he think he thinks he's guarding me when we go to bed, he only likes to sleep on the side nearest the door with his back pressed against my side or with his paws around my hand.

Vet is very happy with how Arc is doing, he's still taking all his meds very well, he's eating well and his poop is solid (yay!). Stitches looked fine and there's no sign of infection. We'll go back in ten days or so for a final check over. His test results still aren't back, but should be by Friday. Fingers crossed.

cat nap · May 18, 2016

Excellent news, from the vets.

(Now, I'll have to see if my cats have this particular 'Arcturus trait' of whole body purring.

)

Very glad that Arc is eating, pooping, sleeping, resting, playing as his usual self. Best wishes for friday's test results, too.

stewball · May 18, 2016

cat nap said:
Excellent news, from the vets.
(Now, I'll have to see if my cats have this particular 'Arcturus trait' of whole body purring. :lovegrin2 ) :happy3:
Very glad that Arc is eating, pooping, sleeping, resting, playing as his usual self. Best wishes for friday's test results, too.

And guarding.

rhondalee · May 18, 2016

Yay! So glad he's doing great. My cat, Chirp, shakes when we pet him. It's so cute, as though he's so excited and happy he control himself. He also drools when we pet him. Lol

reversedpolarit · May 18, 2016

Rhondalee said:
Yay! So glad he's doing great. My cat, Chirp, shakes when we pet him. It's so cute, as though he's so excited and happy he control himself. He also drools when we pet him. Lol

My first cat was a drooler :lol3:You had to have a tea towel handy when he sat on your lap, bless him.

reversedpolarit · May 18, 2016

Stewball said:
And guarding.

His name is even more fitting given that part of the etymology is guardian.

reversedpolarit · May 18, 2016

cat nap said:
Excellent news, from the vets.
(Now, I'll have to see if my cats have this particular 'Arcturus trait' of whole body purring. :lovegrin2 ) :happy3:
Very glad that Arc is eating, pooping, sleeping, resting, playing as his usual self. Best wishes for friday's test results, too.

His new favourite game is 'find the treats', he's especially confused by my hand being closed over treats, bless him. I was getting him used to his igloo but got distracted by how happy he was to 'hunt'.

Arcturus' journal: life with a FIV+ cat

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