So bad news first, in order of vet visit…
Star’s creatinine and other kidney related values tested higher than normal. I was crushed to discover this, even though the vet stressed 1) they’re only slightly elevated, so we’ll retest in 3-4 weeks, 2) the test might turn out to be a fluke, 3) there is a diet for that if it gets worse, 4) adding additional water to her current brand of canned food might be all she needs. So, fine, panic is premature. Still, late that night as I sat watching a Kdrama with Star on my lap, sadness reigned and it was a struggle to hold in the tears. I don’t want to imagine a world without her, much less experience it. Loss is the price we pay for all the joy our pets give throughout their lives, and while I maintain it’s worth the cost, I wasn’t expecting to be reminded so soon that there is one. I expected her labs to come out perfectly fine. Maybe they will, next time. If there’s a next time. Star is friendly and easygoing usually, but she does have some hills to die on, and not being held when she doesn’t want to be is one of them. They somehow managed to draw blood last week, though judging by the furious and rather terrifying sounds coming from the back of the office, she drew at least as much. Knowing her, she analyzed her adversaries’ tactics and reactions and is prepared for next time. So, we shall see.
Arctic… still needs to lose weight, but only five more pounds. He’s not very happy about that. If only he understood he has an appointment the end of this month to have his teeth cleaned, he’d revolt! Fortunately he does not know. The vet scheduled his procedure first thing and told the staff I’ll stay with Arctic until he’s sedated, and be there when he wakes up. I appreciate how accommodating our vet is. Arctic will do much better if I’m there, and not just because he won’t cooperate with anyone else.
Emily was concerned about Pandy because she’s almost thirteen, and routinely began having nightmares a few weeks ago. Not dreams, nightmares. She woke up momentarily confused after, and scratched Emily a few times. Pandy also began to stare fixedly at the hall outside Emily’s bedroom, after which she would bolt suddenly. She doesn’t care for Arctic, especially when he tries to herd her, and we wondered if all of it was stress related. The gate at the foot of the stairs makes the second floor an Arctic-free zone, but we could think of nothing else that might be upsetting her. Fortunately the problem was alleviated when Em moved to a different room and a bigger bed and added a cat box to the second floor, moved Pandy’s water and meals upstairs, and utilized the calming collar prescribed by the vet. Pandy responded favorably to each of these things, and all of the concerning symptoms vanished. She spends as much time downstairs as she ever did, which was a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, however… Pandy did not get her blood drawn, and that’s not because she went into hiding shortly before her visit. After successfully arriving for the second appointment, the vet tech said Pandy was so anxious they didn’t want to stress her any further. I have no idea how she expressed her feelings, it certainly wasn’t audibly. Whatever the case, no labs for Pandy. She drinks a ton and checked out otherwise, so they’ll try for next year.
Everyone and everything else checked out fine and Star is tolerating the addition of water to her food, so there’s much to be thankful for.
“Reclamation” is coming along. I’m currently in the middle of reading over what’s been written to ensure no loose ends are left behind. I can’t predict when it will be completed, but it’s more than halfway there. And now I better get back to reading, so I can get back to writing the rest!