Day Of Rest

Yesterday's temperatures were cool, and it rained all day.

Each Eastside Cat chose to pack it in, and laze around for the duration.

I enjoyed capturing their cuteness with my phone.

Manny, again on top of the refrigerator, with dramatic lighting.

Chili Bruce, crawled under the futon blanket.

Henry made a circle.

💤 💤 💤

An update on Da Boyz' trip to the vet early last week:

Both had gained about 1/2 lb. of weight since their last visit, however the veterinarian thought they could stand to gain a bit more.

Color me surprised!

Manny:

-Has a higher PH in his urine than he should, and some crystals were evident.

Vet said NO MORE FISH cat food; the minerals in seafood can cause the crystals to form.

Chili Bruce:

-Discovered that his microchip couldn't be found, so they gave him a new one.

-Also, his teeth are getting icky again.

It's a genetic disposition, and he's already had several teeth extracted.

Henry is doing well:

-His finicky eating goes up and down; I put out two bowls for him, one with the 'good for him' food, and the other has the loose-stool-making food.

He samples both, so he's getting plenty to eat.

-Next chemo treatment #9 of 10 is September 29, and he has a vet visit that same day.

❤️ 😸 ❤️

Bossy

It's Formerly Feral Friday.

Henryville has been hopping!

Sultry.

Henry, in charge.

"Hey, I'm sleeping here!"

Although we don't yet have the blood and urine test results yet as of this post, the Monday vet visit was inciteful.

We discussed each of his meds, his food, and his habits, including loose stools.

The vet gave me prescriptions for specialty foods, for cats with intestinal woes.

Before traveling that path, we decided to see if he'd enjoy the canned food that Manny and Chili Bruce eat, and what Henry used to lick up before he didn't.

I opened a can, and Henry ate it down.

And he ate the next bowl, and the next.

Guess what I found deposited in the litter box Thursday morning?

Tootsie rolls, if that's not too graphic.

Of course, Thursday afternoon, he's avoiding that food.

What a sassy, bossy cat!

He's doing this his way, and his humans and veterinarian need to get used to it.

Will accept this cattitude; perhaps it means he's feeling better.

Wild Times in Henryville

 It's high time we had a Formerly Feral Friday, starring Henry The Ninth.

Yes, that's ME he's draped across!

What can I say; I'm squishy enough to be a terrific human cat bed.

Again, he's sitting on my torso, but I cropped myself out.

Foo foo in the air, like he just don't care!

His belly fur has grown in nicely.

Henry has been doing well, until I mentioned to the vet that he's still got loose poop.

Dr. Vani suggested a liver support med, since his last tests showed he needed help there.

The trick is that this new med made him NOT EAT!

Henry not eating is what got us here, so we stopped that med.

Will walk through everything when we attend Monday's vet appointment.

AND...

The food that Henry was eating up nicely is now NO LONGER AVAILABLE where I've been purchasing it.

We picked up what I thought was a good replacement, and have mixed a bit into the last packages of his 'old' food, but he doesn't seem to like it.

Damn and drat!

It's possible to purchase the food online, in a different package size, and for twice the cost, and we may have to go this route.

Despite all of this song-and-dance, Henry is being cute, snuggly, and has chomped through another catnip ball.

If I felt that anything we've done severely lowers Henry's quality of life, I'd modify or stop it.

While he doesn't enjoy getting his pills twice a day, he's used to it now, and I get it done quickly, with copious amount of smooches.

List of Henry's medicines:

Proviable Fiber Supplement: 1/8 teaspoon twice a day.

Proviable Forte capsule: one a day

Amoxicillin antibiotic: twice a day

Metronidazole antibiotic: twice a day

Denamarin Advanced Liver support capsule: one a day (on hold)

Mirtazapine appetite stimulant: one a day

Cerenia anti-nausea: one a day

Prednisolone steroid: one a day

Cobalequin B12 capsule: one a day

Chemo: every two weeks, five capsules remain

The two antibiotics for his liver run out tomorrow: "use until gone".

Monday's blood tests should give us some answers.

Feral to spoiled, and we love The H Man ❤️

Fang You Verra Much

Henry Health Update:

The veterinarian was pleased that Henry had gained a full pound!

She said that means his guts are absorbing nutrients.

We talked through all of his medicines, and are reducing the steroid dose, and adding a second antibiotic as his liver values were off.

ALT and AST are elevated.

These elevations could be the result of the steroid, so less may just be the ticket.

A follow-up visit in a month to make sure these tweaks are keeping him on track.

I can stop his daily appetite stimulant and anti-nausea meds, to use as needed.

He's eating, drinking water, and using the litter box.

Former feral, now lazy Henry!

Henry chewed apart three new catnip toys; this image only shows two, and the resulting piles of catnip.

Henry says, "Fear my teefs!"

The H Man has had three of the prescribed ten chemo treatments.

We are thankful that he's come this far from those 'won't eat, emergency vet' days.

Let's Hop!

7-7-5-5-7

May 12 is National Limerick Day!

Here are a few that I made up using a limerick-creating app, which I've promptly forgotten:

 Henry

There once was a cat named Henry,  
Whose whiskers were long and quite fancy.  
He’d pounce on a mouse,  
Then lounge in the house,  
A feline both bold and so dandy!

Da Boyz

Two black cats, twins sleek and sly,

In moonlight would prowl and then fly.

With eyes gleaming bright,

They vanished from sight—

Mischief kings under night’s velvet sky!

Eastside Cats

There once were some Eastside Cats,

Who lounged on their sunny mats.

With whiskers so bright,

They purred through the night,

And chased all the neighborhood rats.

An additional bit of comedy in the Irish vein:

😹

Henry Update:

Our dear boyo has had diarrhea for too long, so off we went to the vet's office Monday morning.

He's been lethargic too, so we made additions to his med routine:

New antibiotic (on order).

Return to daily steroids.

Fiber supplement.

Weighed in at 10.68 lbs; he was 9.16 lbs on April 20. 👍🏻

He put up a fight getting into that crate, which I always take as a good sign! 👍🏻

Follow-up vet visit in a month. 👍🏻

Henry is a trooper, and although he hid under the dresser when first home again, he reappeared after only a short while, ate everything (including his new fiber supplement), and asked for brushies, which he most certainly received.

Someone managed to wrench her back while loading that carrier, and a nice late afternoon out-of-nowhere nap with The H Man snugged up against was just the ticket!

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Let's Hop!

Revision

 Well now.

Henry had stopped eating again.

And he lay around like a 10-pound slug.

Monday, I took him to see his regular veterinarian.

The doc resumed his appetite stimulant, changed to a different eye med, and added doxycycline (antibiotic) to the rotation.

The top photo below shows how his inner eyelid is acting strange, and that should have improved.

He was given a B12 shot and subcutaneous liquids. 

However, I took to photo to show off his curly eyebrow whisker!

Henry WAS feeling better, hence him watching birds from the bathroom window, which I viewed from the bedroom window.

Yes, the temps were warm enough...for ONE DAY...to open the windows!

Also, I am to find a baby nebulizer to use on Henry, to loosen up any congestion.

As of this moment, he's hiding under the dresser, so we'll just let him simmer down before this new onslaught of meds.

Rest easy, little one.

A good nap and some chow will go a long way to making things feel alright.

Oh wait, that goes for me too!

😹😹😹

Let's Hop!

#GoodAllDay

April 3rd is GoodAllDay, a global movement to honor Jane Goodall’s legacy. 

Jane spent her life proving that every individual makes a difference, and that small acts—especially when multiplied—can change the world.

Learn more at The Jane Goodall Institute here.

~~~

It's Formerly Feral Friday.

We chose to no longer wait to see our regular vet at the scheduled Friday morning, and on Thursday evening went to Advanced Animal Emergency.

I'd been able to scoop up Henry and stuff him into his carrier in a minute (!)

Other than being skittish, Henry allowed being weighed, his heart listened to, and his gums were pink.

Then he was whisked away for a blood draw.

The veterinarian reported:

1. Suspected upper respiratory infection, per blood work

2. Conjunctivitis in right eye

3. Some dental disease

He received a Covenia antibiotic shot, good for 14 days.

Tobramycin opthalmic solution drops in right eye every 8 hours for a week.

Gabapentin anti-anxiety liquid by mouth every 8-12 hours for 10 days.

1/2 of a Cyproheptaine appetite stimulant pill by mouth every 12 hours for 3 days.   

He's wearing a cone, which makes it easier to administer medications for me, but he's not a fan.

Will settle my nerves before I move from blogger mode into my nursing role.

Was also given instructions on syringe-feeding Henry, should we get to that point.

His weight remains just under 10 lbs/4.5 kg.

My first emergency vet visit, and while it took a few hours, the staff was wonderful to Henry and me.

~~~

Pleased

 So many items to be thankful for!

-Our 2025 income taxes are done, with refunds incoming.

-The Cat Car's tail lights/rear lights are in working order now.

-Have completed 103 books and audiobooks so far this year, yet zero household chores done; I'm retired, taking my time with getting busy! 😹

-Attended a yoga class recently, and really enjoyed myself despite not being able to complete all of the moves.

-Managed to wear my inflatable T-Rex costume for the first time in years: what a hoot! My sign read: "Freedom, Honesty, Decency" at the March 28 No Kings Rally.  Received a lot of laughter and car horn beeps from passersby, which was my aim.

Photo from 2021.

-So very, very thankful for all of you and your loving comments for Henry, and encouragement for us has meant a great deal.

His litter box habits remain good; food intake levels remain lower than we'd like.

He sleeps with me at night, and will admit to getting less sleep than normal, as I snuggle with him as much as possible.

Both eyes are weepy, but only the right one seems to want to close.

Will report on what the veterinarian says, after Friday morning's appointment.

Thank you!

Let's Hop!

Who's The Clown?

April 1 is April Fool's Day!

True dat!

Full Moon!

Henry Update:

Vet appointment scheduled for Friday AM.

Henry's eyes are weeping, and he's sorta chewing on the side of his mouth.

Bad tooth, or sinus issue?  Let's let the professional take a look, as he's really not eating anywhere near his normal amount, even though his litter box habits are still strong.

 

~~~

Let's Hop!

Uneasy in Easyville

It's Formerly Feral Friday, and Henryville has been a snoozefest.

Henry spends a tiny bit of time playing with toys, then he climbs on the bed to enjoy his dreams in softness and warmth.

However, this human has been concerned as Henry stopped eating his meals, preferring to only lick churu sticks, like those pictured below.

There have been no changes to his food, same bowls as always, and no differences noticed in his litter box depositing.

This began on Tuesday, so by the time this post appears, he's either over whatever it was, or I've scheduled a vet appointment.

Oh, H Man, please eat your dinner!

~UPDATE~

Called the vet's office Thursday afternoon, and was told that if I could bring him in right away, they'd have time to see him.

Whelp...Henry removed 'formerly' from his FERAL!

He hissed, he jumped, he pooped, he growled, and he ran like the wind, and hid like a ninja!

Gotta admire his stamina.

The pic above is Henry perched on the railing overlooking the stairs below, and that's when I called a halt to persuading him into the carrier.

He did NOT go to the vet.

We'll be keeping an eye on him, and hope he'll return to his usual eating manner, and doesn't try to kill me in my sleep in retribution.

❤️

There Was Chaos

 Henry had a dental appointment on Monday.

I'd coaxed Henry into the carrier with treats for days, rehearsing for this vet visit.

Of course, on the morning to the appointment, he wasn't having ANY OF IT.

There was swearing from both the humans and the cat.

There was blood, when Henry bit my left thumb HARD!

There was poop; you figure out who did that.

Finally, cornered under the writing desk, Henry was persuaded into the carrier...which is when he chomped on my gloved hand.

Am so very thankful that:

-He only lost two...count 'em!...two teeth.

-His bloodwork came back clean as a whistle, except for his positive FIV.

-Henry's age is 3-4 years.

-The vet tech petted Henry!

 ❤️ Henry ❤️

P.S. We all know that cat bites can be seriously dangerous.

As I was able to tend to the two holes in my thumb in a timely manner, I'm fine as of Wednesday evening, and will never hesitate to get medical care.

Some Halloween decorations in the 'hood are cute:

Let's Hop!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Eastside Cats is thankful for miraculously winning two prizes in a row!

The Cat On My Head: Toe Bean Abstract Art

We guessed Kizmet's toe beans, and were correct. 

15AndMeowing: Awwww.....Monday

We threw our paw in the air for a red-white-and-blue shirt, and we won!

Cheeto at Cats Veterinary, Clinton Township Michigan

We received a HUGE boxful of stuff from The Cat On My Head; see the top pic.

Another package arrived from 15AndMeowing, and Manny was pressed into service; see 2nd pic.

The third pic is Cheeto, a resident cat at Cats Veterinary, where Chili Bruce and Manny were being treated in an unmannerly way (according to them) yesterday morning.

That why Manny was easy to dress, as all of his fight was gone.

Those bald patches on Manny's head, plus scabs or sores on his chinny-chin-chin made The Hubby nervous, and he decided it was time for an expert opinion.

CB went along too, just in case they share some skin issue.

While Da Boyz were having a blood draw, a pawdicure, and other indignities, Cheeto wandered into the room to help me destress by allowing me to love on his amble ginger torso.

We are additionally thankful that we have a great veterinary staff, as they found really nothing wrong with Manny (unless the chin area doesn't clear up in a reasonable timeframe) but CB lost a bit of weight and has some bad toofs.

Dental for CB is scheduled for July 21.

Could be that CB was overgrooming is brofur due to his ouchie mouth, thereby causing the bald patches.

Thank you, The Cat On My Head and 15AndMeowing, and Cheeto too.

Let's Hop!

On Her Way to Chubby

Post vet visit nap, in the Sweetie Spa

Very thankful today, that Sweetie gained a wee bit of weight since her last vet visit:

May: 7.00 lbs

August: 6.88 lbs

Early September: 6.72 lbs

Late September: 7.60 lbs

October: 7.75 lbs

November: 7.88 lbs

December: 7.92 lbs!

⭐🌟⭐

So very pleased, after her weight drop off earlier this year, that she's doing well.

The vet said that the most important thing is for her to eat; taking her meds is secondary.

We've tried this and tried that over time, never with 100% success.

I found small portioned cat food, and break open one of these multiple times a day.

Fresh food seems to attract her, and am tweaking the amounts so we have as little waste as possible.

And, conversely, we don't want her swelling up like a balloon either!

😹

Cheeto

It's Caturday!

Today's model: Vet office cat, Cheeto.

As this visit occurred on Ginger Cat Appreciation Day, there seemed to be a certain synergy.

Prisma app, using the Squirrel filter.

Click on the image to enjoy a jigsaw puzzle.

Manny and Chili Bruce only had nail trims.

Sweetie received her monthly Solensia shot.

🎶Three cats singing the song of their people, in one car, with one human.🎶

Let's Hop!

Click on the badge to visit Athena Cat Goddess.

Speckled

It's Sweetnesday!

Our Miss Growly Pants may be a housepanther, yet she's speckled with fine white hairs all over.

Her paws and legs.

Her chest (that's dusty fuzz on her face!)

Her whiskers really shine in the sun.

Sweetie received her sixth Solensia injection last week, along with a six-month check-up.

She'd lost some weight, and mention of her usual morning bomit sessions caused the veterinarian to take blood and urine samples (no results yet), and prescribed an appetite stimulant.  

Afraid of over-stimulating to the point of being kept up all night while Sweetie begs for food, we crushed up 1/4 of one wee pill, and I dust in only a few grains into her food.

It works; she eats up her meals lickety-split!

Here's hoping her next weigh-in will read over 7 lbs.

💕😻💕