and now for something completely different

Cat Scans

Happy Fourth of July.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday.

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Many years ago we got a hand me down table and chairs from a family member.  It is a great set, and I loved that the leaves were built into the table (you pulled them out and up).  I didn't like that the legs were connected with an X at the base so the chairs didn't fit under it well and it was hard to clean under.  A few years after we got it I left a pumpkin on there a bit too long and it rotted and ruined a small part of the top of the table.   I wanted to get it refinished, but there was still a lot wrong with the table so I never did.

We have not actively looked for a new kitchen table, but we were open to finding one.  I recently looked at a furniture store that was closing, and while I found one I kind a liked, the complete lack of customer service made me walk out the door with out even talking to someone about it.

Well Saturday we went out looking for flooring for the kitten room.  The linoleum we bought last year is ripping and it was cheap to begin with (I wanted to see how it would work out) so for something to do while I don't have kittens I went looking at what alternatives were out there.

I saw some nice flooring at the local salvage store, but it was way more then I wanted to spend (over $400)  The nicest piece of linoleum they had was almost $300.  so we left and went to a discount close out store.  They had flooring that would work for $170... still more then I wanted to pay, but I had a feeling this stuff would be a life long replacement and over the life time would be very cost efficient.

While we were there, we saw a table.  They had marked it down pretty dramatically ($99 for the table and $50 a chair) and I thought it was pretty.  DH thought it was nice, and they had the right number of chairs (six) despite there being lesson the floor.  So we bought it. I'm not really sure it fits in the house.  While we have no set theme, I do like things I own in a room have the same "feeling".  This feels a little too country for the slightly modern room we have going on.  We can return it if I decide it doesn't work.

We brought it home yesterday and set it up, and the following photos depict pretty accurately the mood of the house.

We are not getting anywhere near that!!

Well, maybe I'll check it out

No, THIS is how you check it out...

All set up, notice no kitties

another view

I am the first kitty to climb mount table...

Just to add to the fun purchases to the day, we went to the big box stores to look at flooring and fridges.  I want a new fridge, but like the table there is nothing REALLY wrong with it, so I'm waiting to find a really good deal.  There was one fridge that was great but it was the floor model (was almost half price).  I waited too long to decide I wanted it and they sold it.   The other deal of the day was that someone had cut a piece of linoleum and then realized it wouldn't fit so I got it for half the price.  I got a good piece of very thick linoleum for $60, and I'm quite happy about it.  I'm guessing I'll have to replace it in a few years but at least I'll know that the thicker linoleum won't hold up to wild and crazy kittens and I won't feel so hesitant about spending $200 on flooring.

Better to feel silly then feel sorry...

So apparently I was feeling paranoid. We got Fleurp to the vet and put them on the vet scale and her weight was exactly the same as the last visit. (When I got her home my scale said the same thing) so I figured she was fine, but we ran the standard tests to be sure, and sure enough she's fine. Her stool is fine, her check up checked out fine, and her blood work was fine.

So all that fuss for nothing??

 I always feel a little silly when things come out OK in the end, but then I remind myself that I prefer to feel silly then to ignore things and risk feeling sorry in the end.   It was nice to see Dr. B today and we had a nice talk about life and work.  I also asked him about his new vets.  Apparently he is so busy now that he has been able to add new vets to his practice (I remember him saying he didn't want to do that when he first started a few years ago)   He also invested quite a bit (well he's leasing it anyway) in medical equipment and is able to do a lot more diagnostic tests in house.  It means faster results and cheaper for the clients, which is great.

I have been debating about what to do about the crew and vaccines.  Since Ollie's passing and having to deal with VAS, and a growing trend eschewing all vaccines because it is believed that A) they have much longer immunity then originally though - possibly life time or B) they aren't effective enough to outweigh the risks.  Since we (Dr. B. and I) believe vaccines originally caused Fleurp's anemia and Ollie's cancer, I'm quite sensitive to the risks.  I want to believe they are effective, and I'm going to continue to believe that all cats should be vaccinated.  I am tending towards believing that they should have their kitten series then a booster a year later. (depending on the cat's risks.  My idea is for indoor kitties with no contact with other cats.. for free roaming cats I might think differently, and I'll continue to read what others are doing and how that works for them and the newest research etc).  I know my vet likes vaccines, and so I was prepared for him to tell me that he believed they should get them regularly.  I was a little surprised when he said "for you, for your kitties, because of your vigilance and how aware you are of things, I'd say you are safe not doing them again"  (OK not an exact quote...) I was a little surprised.  He went on to say that he still believes that annual visits are important, which I also believe.  I know my crew is due to go in for a look see, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the vaccines, so I was holding off.   He then went on to say he's giving a discount of $30 off blood work for cats five years and older during routine visits..  

I like my vet, but I haven't always felt appreciated as a client in the past.  (mostly because he didn't hire me when he opened his clinic.. but c'est la vie) but after today I'm back to liking my vet quite a bit.  Then when I saw the tiny bill I was quite pleased.. especially considering I was the last client before the holiday and how much time he spent talking to me.

So we got home, let Fleurp out and minutes later we saw this.  What is it about carriers that come home from the vet that says *BEST PLACE TO TAKE A BATH* in neon flashing letters?

What?  it's comfy!  (Skippy)

Glad to be home.

24 hours later...

I finally decided to make an appointment for Fleurp.  There are just too many things that are "off" including the weight loss.  So I locked her up yesterday to get a stool sample from her and she held it until this morning.
Several times she cried at the door, but I kept hearding her towards the litter box, but she refused.  I felt bad, but sometimes a furmom has to do what a furmom has to do.

this morning she wouldn't stop chirping (she doesn't meow, she chirps) and so we brought her to the box, and she kept refusing.  I finally asked her to use it, saying it has been a full day.  Well she went pee, but would not give us a stool sample.  A couple hours later and a bit more begging on both of our parts, we have a 'contribution' to bring to the vet with just a few hours to spare.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Speaking of inbreeding (and updates)

I went to the shelter last night to drop off the write ups (see previous three posts) for my three little dumplings and I managed to get a peek at them.  They were just neutered and were still under the effect of the sedation.

When I was done with the video I reached in to pat Lily, and all three started purring even though they were drugged up big time. 

Then I started looking around and saw Weebay and Connie.  Which made me giggle.  Apparently they are being fostered by someone who is going away this weekend because they had a big note on them saying she would be back

I ogled the other kittens and then saw a medical caution on one cage.  It said mom was fine and friendly but there were issues with the kittens.  I did not get photos because it was kind of sad.  Mom is a pretty but standard tuxie and she had four little cute barely week old kittens.  They had a sweet frosted appearance.  Unfortunately one was in a leg splint and another had issues with it's skull not being fused properly.  I went and talked to the staff about them.  Apparently mom came from a home were the cats were left in tact and breeding was rampant and with out any consideration as to who mated with whom.    The little kitten with a bad leg actually has a deformed leg.  They had a sibling who had four bad legs that made it a few days before dying.

As much as I wanted to go with some older kittens for a while and stay away from those troubled kittens who bring me nothing but hair pulling strife, and as much as I wanted to try fostering at a different shelter, I can't turn my back on them.

I have no idea if the two with issues will make it long enough to make it into foster care.  I don't know if they will or won't make it (leg kitten probably will) or if the vet will feel it is better to put it down (apparently they had to put another foster kitten down for skull issues very recently)   But they know I'm willing.  Guess I better scrub the daylights out of the kitten room right quick.

one more update: I asked about Jordan.  She's being fostered by CPV and he is giving her special antiviral drops for her eyes and has her on a hypoallergenic diet.  I am very surprised he took her in and is fostering her himself, but I am glad she is getting the care and attention she needs.  I hope she continues to do well and finds a great home as she is a very loving cat.