Fluffy

Yup, Fluffy went home over the weekend! :) I have third hand knowledge that it was a lovely family who has had Himalayan cats before and had fallen in love with her.  When I saw her on Saturday of last week I saw she was "on hold" and I asked.  They had business in Boston and were intending on picking her up on Sunday.. (I can't tell you how badly I wanted to go back on Sunday.. )

I sure will miss that girl.  (and I so do hope whoever adopted her stops by and say hello.. cause they'll have free cat sitting services from me when ever they want it)

So, I got this email..

     We have a 13 year old cat that has been with us for a month or so and started drinking all of her water and peeing a lot.  We sent her to {redacted name of vet} and she is diabetic and has a UTI so I need a wonderful foster home for her :-)  Know anyone that may be interested.....?  :-)  She is going to be starting on 1 unit twice a day and as you probably know he recommends feeding her a high protein wet food such as fancy feast classics.  Let me know...

well duh.

So I went and got her after work.

She is interesting.  I introduced myself to her and she started purring.  I asked her if I could pick her up and I got the distinct impression she was against that.  I decided to leave her be while I got up to date in her information and checked on supplies (as well as a few kitties* in particular)  but shortly after I shut the cage door the shelter worker came in and picked her right up and stuffed her in a carrier... and stuffed is the correct term because she was totally unhappy at being held.

Her official name is "Bandit".. yeah, that doesn't work for me, and she doesn't much seem to like it, so I'm calling her Esmay. 

The shelter didn't have enough food nor enough testing supplies so I brought her home and cleaned up the room from Fluffy and left her in her carrier while I did it. When I did open the carrier she SHOT right out and started patrolling the room, walked around with purpose. She then went behind the couch and sat there. My husband had come in and we were having a conversation and I was about to leave and go get supplies at Walmart when she decided to come out and check out the room again. Gave it another quick once around and back behind the couch.

Went to Walmart, picked up a meter, strips and some Fancy Feast Classics as recommended by said vet as the new recommended foods.. I laughed and laughed because I've been using those for diabetics for ten years. I picked up my preferred Turkey and Giblets - even found a coupon on the shelf.

When I got home she was sitting on the couch, and was very happy to see me. She let me love on her, and gave me head butts. She is a very sweet kitty.. I feel so bad for her (more on her story in a minute) I was able to draw a little blood and was able to test her, and low and behold her blood sugar level was 53! I am guessing she was never diabetic and said vet (mentioned in yesterdays post) simply decided she was diabetic and that caused her urinary issues - it is very common. Diabetic cats often spill glucose into the urine and it feeds the bacteria causing a UTI. I got the vet paperwork including a blood panel they did on her, and I didn't see a fructosamine - which gives an average blood sugar level for the past few weeks. I know full well that a cat who is ill can have elevated blood sugar levels (I got very high blood sugar readings off Ollie once when he was feeling miserable) and I don't doubt the stress on her over the past few months (more on that in a bit) along with the species inappropriate food (dry) that often causes feline urine PH to dip too low ( hers was 6.5 instead of the 7.5 - 7.0 range it should be) and become alkaline instead of acidic which caused the urinary issues which caused her more stress, which made her throw more glucose and thus her reading at the vet of blood sugar levels in the 350s.

She was diagnosed at the vet on the 18th. She has been on antibiotics since then as well as a change in diet to a high protein low plant based diet and thus the better blood sugar levels. Might she actually be diabetic and giving her the right food put her into remission - absolutely. But reading over her history, I'm thinking that isn't the case. But I do not presume to assume that I am right in this and I will be watching her very carefully over the next few days.

Poor Esmay was surrendered to the shelter at the beginning of 2013 because her owner is ill. Just like poor Pumpkin, she was separated from her owner due to an illness. She is very fortunate to have ended up in a shelter with a high adoption rate and the willingness to treat a 13 yr old cat for diabetes - a diagnosis that makes all too many people run for the hills. There are soooo many cats out there right now that are diabetic that desperately need homes and finding a person who is willing to take on the challenge of testing and injecting a cat twice a day every day is hard.

So a thirteen year old kitty surrendered to the shelter. She was adopted out as a companion for another kitty. The new owner had her about a week before returning her because they did not get along. How sad is that.. a thirteen year old kitty given a week :( She got sick with upper respiratory issues and was on medication before being adopted.. so she lost her home, went to a strange place with lots of other animals, and noises and smells and weird people coming in and out, and she got sick and was medicated, then more people and then put in a carrier and brought to another house where there was another kitty and they didn't get along so another carrier and back to the shelter.. you get the point. Thirteen.. according to the charts that is about 70 years old..

not to mention her poor ear with a hematoma on it..








*Lucy was not at the shelter but had been moved to a satellite adoption center and I was told she is doing very well. Fluffy is still at the shelter and is on the adoption floor. Sadly she is in a cage instead of one of the adoption rooms, but considering her limp I am not surprised. I'm going to do a write up for her in hopes to generate a little more interest in her. I do love her dearly. I was telling my husband about my seeing her and he asked if I wanted to adopt her.. of course I do, but we are so not the right fit for her. We are a two level house with hard wood floors and rambunctious kitties.. I could not give her what she needs

Update: I tested her this morning and her blood sugar level was 59. I was a little concerned that maybe the meter wasn't working properly. I went upstairs to find a bottle of test solution (which gives a standard BG reading) while looking for it I also came across another meter I had so I decided to test that one and the new one with the solution. While they did not give the exact same reading - which is pretty standard - it was close enough that I am no longer concerned about Esmay being diabetic. I was able to trim most of her back claws. I found a wetish discharge in her hematoma ear which was pretty gross. I combed her because her short hair felt a bit matted and she is apparently having grooming issues due to being overweight as she had some dandruff and excess fur which felt a bit like matted fur, but there were no mats. She is REALLY sweet, but very much a tortie (even with her white locket) she does NOT want to be on your lap, she does NOT want you to decide where she is going to be thank you very much. I could do pretty much what ever I wanted to her as long as I didn't hold her down nor move her around. I so do love a kitty with an attitude. :)

This looks to be the last Fluffy update

I wasn't able to see her on Wednesday as the shelter isn't open past the time I get out of work.  I checked in with her Thursday and she seemed to be doing better.  She was eating if someone paid attention to her and her stools had firmed up a bit.  I asked what the plan was for her.  Their intention was to put her up for adoption so I left her there.

I stopped by on Friday to take some more photos and visit with her and Lucy.

Lucy was happy to see me but dismissed me pretty easily.  She is definitely waiting for her family to show up and she'll know 'em when she sees 'em!  Purrs Lucy.. and I hope you get in that home right quick.

I then went and saw Fluffy.  When I walked in she curled her tail around her face and tried to pretend I wasn't there.

You can see some of the food they have been trying to get her to eat.  She'll eat a few bites if you give it to her, then she stops eating after a few bites.  I totally get the need to leave the food near her, but she so won't eat it.. :)

When Fluffy realized I was there to pay some attention to her, her whole demeanor changed.  She was the most active she has been since being at the shelter.

She was very happy to see me.  The shelter learned she likes Temptations so I gave her some and she ate them for me. She asked for belly rubs and let me kiss her.  She wasn't up for adoption on Friday, but she had gained a few ounces, so I was much less fearful for her and I found it a little easier to let her go in my heart.

no.. don't let me go, bring me home, let me curl up on your lap

Hopefully she will make it to the floor soon.  While I was there two women came in to the shelter and before I had left they had taken another Himmy home (more on that later) and a beautiful chocolate seal point boy went home between the time I saw him Thursday and the time I went back in on Friday.

Fluffy is Ectrodactyl.  It is other wise known as Lobster Claw Syndrome.  I am assuming it is genetic, and I am assuming it is the result of over breeding.  She is missing the claws on her intact front paw.  I can only assume that they were removed by a vet at one point, but I can not say it wasn't also genetic.  I would so love to get an x-ray of her paws and see exactly what is going on with her, but it is totally unnecessary and in the end it absolutely will not matter.  What is is what is.   As a result she knows she isn't fully capable of catching prey and will only go after the slowest of 'prey'. It is so cute to watch her play.

Best wishes Fluffy!  May you live in the lap of luxury, in a one floor home with lots and lots of plush carpet.

Darn tootin!

another trip to the shelter

Lucy is doing very well.  I was able to peek in her mouth and her jaw is healing up very nicely.  She let me pat her and love on her, but she clearly gave me the message that I am NOT her people and she's busy waiting for them so thank you for stopping by.. (it was actually kind of cute)  She is currently up for adoption - and is one of only a dozen cats available so I'm sure she will be going home soon. I can't believe they are so empty.  Hurts when I see shelters putting down litters of kittens and I'm sitting up here with a room just waiting for kittens.

Fluffy is still in limbo.  She ate a little for a staff member who gave her some attention.  She ate a little for me when I was giving her attention.  But she has lost some more weight, down to 6lbs 12 oz.  :(   One of the woman is going to check on what is going on with her tomorrow and let me know.  If she needs to be there for one reason or another, I'm fine with that, but if she doesn't need to be there, I'd rather her be at my house while things get figured out.

Fluffy update

I went to the shelter last night to check on Fluffy.  She was laying in her bed.  The blanket should have been on the bed, but she had kicked it off and so I "tucked her in"  She just laid there and didn't really move, which is mostly understandable as there wasn't a whole heck of a lot of room to move.  She was vocal with me and asked for some pats which I gave her.  She still isn't eating much and there was note that her stool is still soft.  Hopefully she will be seeing the vet at some point today.  I feel so bad for her.

Thoughts of Fluffy

Well sadly Fluffy isn't at Casa de Gato at this point.  I sent an email in about what was going on and I got an email back on Friday afternoon asking to bring her in for observation and to be seen.  I am hopeful she will be back by the end of the day, but I have no reason to suspect she will.  Purrs to her that she feels better right quick.

I also saw this on Facebook and love it

Videos of Fluffy

She wasn't thrilled with me taking videos.. she was a little more active and bright eyed when the camera was off

I wanted to put music over that first video, but I was on the wrong computer and didn't have my editing program at hand so I googled for some help.  I found Magisto  They not only put it to music, but edited it as well.  I thought it was really cool, so I wanted to share both the original and what they did

Fluffy vs The Food

well our sweet Fluffy is not eating.  She is down a couple of ounces since showing up.  I don't remember if she was 7lbs 8 oz or 5 oz.. but now she is 7lbs 1oz.  Not good.

She gets excited when we offer her new foods.  She ate almost two pellets of Stella and Chewy's freeze dried food, she took a few bites of ham, and she had more dry food than anything, but it is not enough to sustain her.

I attempted to force feed her last night and she reacted as if I put something scalding hot in her mouth, it was really quite an extreme reaction.  I tried putting it on her nose and forcing her to lick it off.  Occasionally she got some on her tongue and she seemed OK with it, but most of it just fell off her nose when she licked it.

I think something else is going on beside being depressed, especially since she seems so interested in the first few bites of food.. that and she is so interactive with us - well once I remind her that I'm a good thing by patting her.  She still shies away from me when I walk in the room until I pat her a few times, and then it is like "Oh yeah, you are OK"   *shrug*

Hopefully what ever is going on can be addressed right quick.. She so totally needs to be in a home where she is queen.

Fluffy's Day

I got a new web cam for Christmas.. I love that I can zoom and that it takes far clearer photos than the last one!  I'm going to see if I can get it on UStream, but for now I'm the only one with access to it.  I've been checking in on Fluffy.  She sleeps on the couch, in the spot she is currently sitting above, for a good portion of the day.  She wakes up about 3 PM, takes a bath, stretches her legs, and then goes back to sleep until I show up in the evening for some cuddle time.

I love that she is a lap kitty.  She has yet to climb on by herself, but once I put her there she purrs and hangs out with me.  Last night she was quite demanding of pats, and talked to me the whole time I did it.  She has a meow that reminds me a bit of the bleat of a sheep.

I also found out she likes nip, and likes to play.  Now of course her version of play is you dangle something in front of her and she bats at it.  She is not a mighty hunter, but royalty.

"Playing" with the nip toy that was on the couch

an attempt to get her "limp" but she turns it into a stretch and then drinks water off camera

Hey look, she eats.  Yes, it is dry food.. sigh.. but it is better than not eating!!

Another attempt to get a video of her limping

I realized that she had a strong aversion to metal bowls, so I put her food in ceramic. Although watching her eat in the video above she seems to prefer to eat off the floor (not very royal of you Fluffy!)   Seriously, I don't care what you eat or how, as long as you are eating!!  (OK fine, I do care.. but I can keep my preferences to myself and feed you dry if you want it)

Sunday at the Shelter..

I went to the shelter to check on Freddie and Lucy.  Freddie was adopted, Lucy was still in recovery.  She was happy to see me, purred and let me kiss her, but when I asked her if she wanted to come to me she went and hid in her cave, so I figured she is where she needs to be.

When I went to check on Freddie, I saw this beautiful cat.  I'm guessing by the tipped ears there is some coon in the genetic code somewhere, also expressed by the size of the kitty.  Being brand new to the floor the kitty was a little skittish but I did get a few good shots.

While I was already planning on stopping by the shelter, I did get an email yesterday morning:

Hi would you be interested in taking an 11 year old cat? Her name is Fluffy she came in because her owners were "allergic" to her. She seemed healthy and fine when she first came in. She got adopted about two weeks ago, then her new owners surrendered her to the ACO a week ago because she had a limp, and they didn't want to deal with any vet bills. Turns out she has a deformed paw.  Since being returned she has not eaten. She also has been getting fluids every day but she seems sad and depressed. Any interest?

well you know me - or maybe you don't yet, but trust me.. saying no was not going to be an easy thing.  I went to go see her, and when I walked into the back room to find her I could instantly tell they had a full grown large intact male in the room.  I've you have never smelled it, it smells a bit like what you would imagine a really bad male locker room might smell like.  This new intake had no problem with shyness..

He was completely zonked out so no photos of his handsome face.. I'm sure he thinks this is his better side anyway.  (I'm also quite sure he's gonna be so much happier once those are gone)

So finally, meet "Fluffy"

Apparently she was a hot mess at one point, as they felt the need to shave her down and yet still she showed up with several large mats and a chin/chest full of what I am hoping is flea dirt (it isn't acne).  When I walk into the room she hides, but a few pats will get her purring and she LOVES sitting on my lap being patted.  She didn't mind too horribly when I combed her, it was just hard on her since there were a few mats.

So "Fluffy" is at Casa de Gato for a while.. Hopefully she'll start eating up a storm right quick.  Her deformity is really very interesting.  It is like she has ectrodactyly syndrome, also known as lobster claw syndrome.    Her paw pad is about the size of a cat's normal toe pad, and it seems attached to the carpal pad (the one on the 'wrist') she has one toe pad that is very small and two very deformed non growing claws.  Her "good foot" does not have claws on it.  I do not know if they were removed by humans or if she just didn't have any... I suppose both options are fully possible.  I'm leaning towards she was declawed though as she has the exact same reaction to my touching her foot that every other declawed cat I've ever touched has, and she doesn't react that way on the other foot.  Not that it really matters one way or another at this stage of life.

As I was leaving, one of the kitties in the feral enclosure was looking at me.