Friday, January 13, 2017

Rupert vs the sink


I have been threatening to give this boy a bath since he showed up here, and last night was the night. My husband didn't understand why I was so insistent that Rupert need a bath because I hadn't let him get too close. Today he spent some time with him and he got a first-hand sniff of what that boy needed one and he agreed.


Not really sure what his issue is. I believe it is mostly urine and a complete lack of grooming. So far all this boy has done is eat, sleep and a little snuggling. He hasn't played with toys, he has licked his paw a couple of times, but he just doesn't seem to have it in him to do a full groom. That's okay, you save your energy for rebuilding your muscles, We'll take care of the smell.


He did really well. He didn't want to be there and that was pretty obvious, but there was no bloodshed - either mine or his - so I'm going to call it a success.



My husband is getting a little better at taking photos.. or at least keeping me out of them as much as possible ☺  I did soap him up a little on his belly where it was the worst; I tried to get the gunk off his toes too. I was feeling bad that the bath was taking 'so long' (it wasn't, I'm just concerned about him) so I didn't get everything off that I wanted, but at least now he isn't as offensive. After the bath, but before the drying I held him in my hand and he just laid there. The bath must have exhausted him.



I felt so bad. I wanted to just wave a magic wand and make him all better.


I used very little soap, that's 99% him. We went back down to the kitten room and snuggled him while he was drying.


I was getting very concerned about him Wednesday night. When I went to feed him on Thursday morning and he hadn't eaten any of his food, but had consumed most of the water and peed five times throughout the night, I wrote to the shelter to let them know. They were concerned enough to ask me to bring him back in to be observed closer to where the vet is in case they felt another visit was in order. When I checked on him on Thursday afternoon I was surprised to see my husband home (he got home a little early from work) and in the kitten room. Rupert was happy he was there but was confused as to why he was not getting all the love and attention he's used to when people show up. He went back and forth between the food bowls having a bite or two and then to my husband to ask for attention. I was so tickled to see him eating that I had hoped that things were getting better.

When I got home he weighed more than he did when I went to work, so I texted the foster coordinator to report and see if she still wanted him back. She said if I was comfortable keeping him then so was she.  So, he is still with me, thankfully.

Then this happened.


He is still nibbling his food, having just a bite or two and wandering off, but he will go back several times. He's still drinking a little too much water in my opinion and he is peeing far more often than any cat I've seen in a while, but I'm hoping with the more regular consumption of food that abates.


He's such a cheeky little boy.  His whiskers are still ridiculous. I hated, hated, trimming his 'bangs' but I'm glad I did it for his sake. Hopefully, by the time they grow back he'll be eating on a more consistent basis. I also trimmed his claws. He is so underweight that his feet really lack that muscular feeling and have more the consistency of Muffin's arthritic feet. Nothing a good number of calories won't fix I'm sure.

I am not willing to say we are out of the woods. I'm not even sure I'm ready to say we see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm crossing my fingers that we are 'on the path out of the woods' and it gives me hope.

27 comments:

  1. Rupert was SO good with the bath! I'm sending lots of purrs to the little guy to really start thriving.

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  2. It was so sad to see him so exhausted at the end, but obviously it's important to be clean. Pawhugs, Rupert.

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  3. poor boy....buy you gotta do what you gotta do. hopefully he will start eating a little more each time and put on some weight

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  4. Aw, Rupert, we hope you're soon eating better and getting stronger.

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  5. Poor little guy. :( I sure hope he starts putting on some weight. Nice of him to sleep on the scale so you don't have to disturb him. ;)

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  6. Poor little guy. Surviving shouldn't be that hard and he looks like he's a fighter. I love how his one front paw has a black splotch on it and he's got a tiny tuft of white on his tail. I'm glad he enjoys attention and love ... that just might make all the difference.

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  7. Oh, Rupert. I want to snuggle you and love you and make you all better.

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  8. Rupert, am glad that you got your bath! I hope it stimulates both your licking AND nomming reflexes!

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  9. Such a darling, sweet little mancat. We are keeping him in our thoughts and purrs. Thank you both for taking such good care of him.

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  10. I'm certainly glad there's hope. What a precious guy. He's so lucky to have you and your husband's tender loving care. I sure hope he starts beefing up soon!

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  11. Sending lots of purrs and strength to this little bundle! You never know at the beginning, but I hope he's one of the winners.

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  12. Oh, you were so gentle when you were bathing him. If he has a fighting chance it will because of your care.
    Sending lots of prayers.
    (((hugs)))

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  13. Sweet Rupert, we're so happy you are eating a bit (more will be better, we promise!) and extra happy that you are clean now. We bet you smell a lot better and maybe that will help you smell the wonderful food! Sending soft purrs...

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  14. Awwww ... there's nothing more woebegone-looking than a wet kitten. He's lucky to have you in his corner.

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  15. Purrayers and POTP for sweet Rupert - and for his loving caregivers !

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  16. What a good boy he was in that bath! It's good to hear that he's eating more. A little more every day, little guy!

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  17. Anonymous5:19 PM

    Perhaps the title for this entry should be "Rupert vs the sTink"?

    ~~ Cindy sans URL

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  18. poor little guy! His eye looks goopy too. And those whiskers!!!! I hope he pulls through, because I think he will be a beauty.

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  19. Rupert is such a cutie! Oh my goodness! I loved watching you clean his little toesies :D :D Hope he gets to feeling better!!

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  20. Aw, he really did need that bath! We're purring he starts doing better.

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  21. He is such a cutie. I hope he gets stronger soon.

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  22. Rupert is such a sweet kitty and he's lucky to have you & your husband taking care of him. Paws crossed he starts running on that path out of the woods.

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  23. Rupert is such a cutie pie. Loved the video of him getting bath!
    I hope he eats well and get stronger.

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  24. Rupert is so adorable. I'm surprised he wasn't crying during the bath. What a little trooper he is.

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  25. Rupert is a good and brave little dude. He did really well in that bath! Sending purrs and prayers fir him, and thanks to you and your husband. You guys rock!

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  26. Rupert, dood - we're ever so impressed with your bath-taking bravery!

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  27. He is such a little sweet heart - I'm routing for him!

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