And yesterday was just such a day..
I am a cat owner. I own seven cats that all generally get along. I take a small measurement of pride in that people who come into my house do not automatically think I have a multitude of cats. I also take a small measure of pride in that my cats all seem to get along. Occasionally Jack and Kit get into a snit with one another and squabble to the point where I feel the need intervene, but it is rare. Occasionally Twee won't understand when the other cats tell her no when she wants to play with them and she gets beaten up..
But now that Jack is dealing with what ever it is that is bothering him and he is peeing in the bathrooms (yes, he is under the care of a vet) He did it a couple of days ago, then sometime yesterday so that I noticed it before I went to work, and then again before I got home from work. It breaks my heart to know he is obviously not feeling well. I mean I hate cleaning up cat urine as much as the next person, but I know full well it is not his choice. I know what 'fixes' urinary issues in cats, as we 'fixed' Eli and had Jack 'fixed' for years, but what ever is going on with him is beyond my understanding, and I hate feeling so helpless..
Then, after sitting in the living room with my husband having our 'we got home from work' chat, I see this..
Now you very well may be asking "Connie, what on earth am I looking at".. yeah, sorry about that. Twee was not all that amused at sharing this little mishap. See.. this is her rear end. If it was Jack's rear, I am sure I could have gotten him to lay down and spread 'em and gotten all the kittyporn shots necessary, but Twee is a little difficult. She doesn't like to be put on her back *AT ALL* and she is even less inclined to let me take the camera to her private areas.. So lets edit that photo a wee bit..
Yes, the red arrow is pointing out Twee's anus. So apparently someone bit her on the butt and she over-groomed the entire area and that reddish patch south of her anus by about an inch is a scab. With the help of my husband I was able to examine it pretty well and it didn't feel hot or even overly warm. It wasn't overly sensitive so I am pretty sure we avoided an abscess - but don't think I'm not going to keep a close eye on it. I put a little coconut oil on it to help aid healing so hopefully this is really nothing..
But really, just when you think you get a handle on things, and you start thinking you've got this thing down cats have this way of just knocking you on your tushie and making you feel a bit like..
I share to remind you (and me) that we are all human. Things happen and even if they all happen at once and you feel like... well for me it was a phony, but you might choose a different word... you shouldn't let it all get you down. Pick yourself back up, go up there and get your award continue on..
You're definitely not a phones. Life just gets tough at times. We hope everyone is back to normal soon.
ReplyDeleteOops! We meant to say phony. We know you're not a phone.
DeleteI'm glad I didn't help you come up with a word. You are not a phoney, nor are you any of the words I was thinking of. Like you said, we're human. There will always be challenges. And don't you dare use my own words against me.
ReplyDeleteit happens with cats,they squabble from time to time and pets get health issues to you doing great ,xx Rachel
ReplyDeletePlease don't be hard on yourself. With 7 cats and one of them sick and taking up lots of energy, it is easy to miss things going on with the others. It's just a fact. You can't clone yourself (much as that is a kitty dream! Imagine having MORE humans to serve us). I'm sure you'd catch anything that was seriously bad. And as you said, this was not abscessed.
ReplyDeleteYou aren't a phony. You have more hours in with cat care than most people we know! Like our Ashton's tummy infection, some things are easier to miss than others, especially if it's in a location that the kitty doesn't want to show you on a regular basis. You would have noticed much more quickly had there been a problem like an abscess. Big head bumps to you.
ReplyDeleteNo phony anywhere here. You're a responsible pet owner, and cats don't like to share. Here's the secret, though: I think all parents (of humans and pets) to battle with the "shouldas" ("I shoulda seen that earlier." "I shoulda known"...etc.) and come down with a case of the guilts. But you caught it and you're caring for it and you love your babies. So, no phony. Just love.
ReplyDelete--Purrs (and woofs) from Life with Dogs and Cats.
I'm so sorry. You are a super paw some cat lover/person and I admire your work and knowledge. You are human and doing the very best you can. I'm sorry about Twee and hope she is on the mend soon.
ReplyDeleteActually, I'm super impressed with your knowledge and the fact that you caught Twee's issue what with having 7 kitties to care for and poor Jack. I hope he gets better or you're able to get to the bottom of his problem very soon. I hope Twee heals up soon too.
ReplyDeleteWe are always in awe of your knowledge and your handling of cats. None of us can do it perfectly, not even medical professionally trained people. They miss things all the time and don't know. Just like right now with Miss Gracie. They don't know why she has had a pleural effusion. The Vet is telling me Clamavox doesn't cause tummy problems, yet so many have told me that it is their cat owning experience that it can! So there you go. You are doing the best you can with a multi cat household. I know I do the same balancing only 5, I am so glad you mentioned about the coconut oil on the butt. Annabelle is always going to have issues with her little anus and that is an excellent thing (which I have on hand) to use when it becomes inflamed. See i learned another great piece of advice from you!
ReplyDeleteThese things happen. Having 7 cats in the same house is difficult. I used to have 4 and they did NOT get along at all. I was at the Vet every other week. But it seems like you really pay attention and listen to what your kitties are telling you. I think they're in good hands. Purrs and hugs to Twee to heal her bottom soon!
ReplyDeleteDon't be so hard on yourself. You are a very conscientious cat mom. I cannot imagine herding 7 cats. I have trouble with only 3. I feel guilt all the time, especially about Skootch, who is not too happy about getting bullied by my youngsters. AND he has tooth problems, which I had to delay doing something about because of my recent rush job.
ReplyDeleteOh, I understand how you feel! I think you are one of the best and well informed kitty moms there is, so much better than I am. Don't beat yourself up. Cats are sentient critters and have a mind of their own, no matter how dilligent we are we can't anticipate everything.
ReplyDeletenope - not a phony. just a human being stumbing on like the rest of us. it happens.... heck here I am often amazed there isn't a little more bloodshed some days but we carry on (hugs)
ReplyDeleteYour knowledge about kitties is pawsome, and mum is amazed on how you manage your work and life with 7 cats ! Cats are very good at hiding when there is something wrong, and it's easy to miss some health problems... We hope that Twee's bottom will get well soon. Purrs
ReplyDeletePhony? You? Never, Miss Connie. You are one of the best cat peeps we know. Stuff like this happens. Us cats hide stuff really good. Even the best cat peep, like you, can miss stuff. Purrs....
ReplyDeleteWe know the feeling. But rest assured you are NOT a phony, and no cats could possibly be better cared for than yours. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteWe have been having some inappropriate peeing behavior from Astrid, which I am sure is stress. The other kitties try to terrorize her. I have ordered more calming collars and will put a new one on her. I do think they help. I also have ordered some special cat attack litter that I rad about on another blog. It came today, but I have not had an opportunity to put it in the boxes yet. Wish I could say all eight of the kitties here get along, but no such luck. Good luck with Jack and Twee. Hugs, Janet
ReplyDeleteThey are cats, not stuffed toys--these things happen even in the best of homes! And even the best of care doesn't cover everything, not with cats, not with dogs or people or any species. What a place to get bitten, though!
ReplyDeletePoor kitty! I know the worry of having a kitty mess outside their litter box. Banjo has been 'dumping' outside his box, downstairs bathroom, bottom of basement stairs, top of landing by the door, for weeks and weeks now. I have tried everything. I don't know what's wrong with him. It's very frustrating.
ReplyDeleteBut - what can you do? If only we could read their minds and know what is troubling them.
Good luck!
xo Catherine
Hoping Twee and Jack feel better soon! You are not a phony, you are a mom...and you take good care of not only your seven but also foster too. Took me a long time to stop beating myself up all the time about fur kid related stuff...my vet was a big help, what a blessing he has a sense of humor and also a multi cat household too so he gets it. It's crazy how quickly and sometimes randomly things will pop up on one of them because they can't talk to us directly. Hang in there!
ReplyDelete