Petside Items: Sick Pets from Guest Blogger jo Singer

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| Print | By | June 11, 2008 4:33 PM

When we bring a pet into our heart and home, we offer not only love and affection, we also commit to their health and well-being. Inevitably a will arise when that pet will become ill.

Recently, our beautiful 8 year-old white Oriental Shorthair, Trouble, suddenly became quite sick. His brother, Hush Puppy, a lilac point Oriental Shorthair, followed suit four days later. Far from the typically finicky cat, our friends often describe Trouble as a feline "vacuum cleaner". This cat has an appetite that rivals contestants in a pie-eating contest.
Generally, Hush Puppy does not display his brother's food seeking behavior, but when he refuses offerings of several varieties, I get worried.

This mysterious illness came to my attention last week when Trouble did not finish his favorite breakfast. In all the years that he has shared our hearts and home, he has consistently gobbled every morsel at the same time begging for more. When he refused his lunch, I became quite concerned. With his sluggish appearance and depressed attitude, I immediately took his temperature and was shocked when I saw the mercury rise close to the top of the thermometer from his highly elevated fever.

undercover.trouble.cat.jpg

After a phone call with my veterinarian, we rushed him to her clinic. I paced the floor while anticipating her call with results. Since she suspected a bacterial infection and since most cats do poorly when hospitalized, she sent him home the following day with a care bag replete with his prescribed medications.

However, just when Trouble began to respond and slowly show interest in his dinner menu, Hush Puppy started to exhibit almost all the identical symptoms. With all the antibiotics and other medications, it feels to me that our house has morphed into an extension of a feline ward at an animal hospital.

trouble.cat.jpg

I have learned, over the many years of cat servitude that one of the most challenging experiences is when one is faced with an ailing feline. Even more anxiety producing is living with one who is exhibiting a puzzling pattern of behavior. At those times, I wish I could communicate directly with them so I could know precisely what is wrong.

Since behavior changes are often the result of illness, or just a minor event occurring in the household, these unusual behaviors can leave me scratching my head in bewilderment. My veterinarian has been doing a stellar job of research and has been consulting with other feline authorities to reach a conclusion. Now that Trouble is on the mend from his bout with a tummy bug, his pacing behavior, spraying and yowling behaviors have returned dramatically. These symptoms can be frightening as they may be indicative of a serious diagnosis. However, for now, we are waiting and watching and praying that his treatment with medications which can alleviate some of these symptoms will be successful thereby negating the need for further tests.

How do you react when one of your pets falls ill? Share with us by leaving a comment.

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J. Block June 11, 2008 5:00 PM

It is very hard when a pet gets sick. We know our pets so well that when something is "off" we know right away. It is such a relief when they recover and are feeling better. Hope that your cats get well really soon.

Mrs Mom June 12, 2008 8:01 AM

Sure hope the boys are back up and running again soon Jo.

My "pets" are a bit bigger, being equine, but when they fall ill, it is chaos here. We worry and fret as if it was one of our sons. Fortunately, the horses AND our boys are quite healthy, so illness is generally not a worry.

Rosi M June 12, 2008 8:40 AM

I'm so sorry that Trouble and Puppy are under the weather (Glows to both).

BarbH June 12, 2008 8:54 AM

In all my years of cat servitude I would never attempt to take one's temperature. I am impressed.

My youngest cat recently showed signs of a urinary tract infection and of course it was a few days before payday. Luckily my vet will either wait for payment or take a post dated check so I was able to take in a urine sample and get her started on an antibiotic.

GLOW for a speedy 100% recovery for both or your fur babies.

Joanne June 12, 2008 10:16 AM

I just hate it when my pets are sick! They are just like kids and we love and care about them so much. I hope everyone is on the road to recovery.

Vicki June 12, 2008 12:45 PM

I am so sorry about Trouble and Puppy. I know all to well what it is to have an ailing pet. My Albino Walking horse is in intensive care as I type this. Three weeks ago he foundered and the vet put him on Bute. The bute has caused severe kidney problems. He is in the hospital with IV's at this moment. His prognosis was 50/50 yesterday. This morning his blood work seems to have improved slightly. So yes, I know all too well what it is like to have sick fur babies.

Anonymous June 12, 2008 1:02 PM

From Min: Considering animals dear members, not only of my personal family, but of that family we call the World, my feelings for them run deep. To behave w/ care, w/ love, I believe has great power to sooth, bring joy.....to transcend. Though we do not speak exactly the same language as our pets, I do believe the language of caring, of loving is mutually felt. Trouble

PamH June 12, 2008 1:13 PM

Jo, I can't imagine what you are going through. I know it's been difficult for you with Trouble's spraying but to have both of your "babies" so sick at the same time is mentally and emotionally exhausting.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Trouble and Hush Puppy.

Bonny June 12, 2008 6:04 PM

I hope Puppy and trouble are getting better. It can be really difficult with multiple cats sick at the same time....Once I had 13 cats sick with an upper respiratory virus. It was quite a chore to pill them all.

pamie June 12, 2008 6:12 PM

AWWWWWWWWW...I hope Trouble and Puppy are better! They are the cutest!

AG June 13, 2008 12:04 AM

Having countless cats over the years, I am well acquainted with vet trips for different ailments. Having a male with urinary tract infection proved fatal in the end after going through a major sex change operation and no improvement. Having a female with a urinary tract infection including stones was very scary. She was placed on two different doses of antibiotics which finally worked. She is now on Purina Urinary Tract infection for two years and has no problems so far.Matter of fact all the cats with the exception of the kittens are on the same formula. As soon as they are old enough they too will be placed on the same formula.

Nancy Kudlock June 13, 2008 5:42 AM

H'mmmmmm.....how do I react? Well, I am really very calm, and do not panic, but I do get right down to business. I immediately phone my vet, and he always takes me right in. So I pack up the cat in a carrier and off we go! I am so used to caring for all of mine now that nothing seems to upset me. Guess you mellow with age.A couple months ago, I was transporting one of my daughter's cats and also one of my son's cats to another city to receive readiation on a daily basis. "Sweet Pea" knew where she was going and would just hunker down in her carrier and would be so scared! Now THAT bothered me! It was pitiful! I posted photos of them on my blog. Both of them are doing remarkably well now, and their cancer is gone!!! That place is super! So I think I react very rationally when anything happens with any of them, which is very seldom.I am glad to hear that your kitties are feeling better now. Enjoyed your article here!