Claudia and Tessa at the vet

[vilakins]

Both the girls are at the vet. :-(

Claudia had gingivitis a couple of months ago which responded well to antibiotics, but they said she had to have her teeth scaled. T took her in for blood tests last month and she was a little dehydrated so they kept her for a day to test that: she has some kidney problems, fairly treatable with diet, but they wanted her the night before an operation so they could start her on fluids early.

Tessa's had a cough and we took her in last week. The vet could hear a wheeze, but said she really needs chest x-rays to show up what the problem is; it may be lungs or heart (both of which will probably be treatable with drugs). :-( And an x-ray requires anaesthetic too, to immobilise the cat. After all, the techs can't hold them because they'd get too much exposure.

I lost a previous cat under anaesthetic while she was having her teeth done. OK, she had a weak heart no one knew about, they didn't do pre-op blood tests then, and anaesthetics are a lot better now and designed for cats, but I still worry. So we just took both of them in together to cut down on my worry time.

In other cat news, Tessa saw a cat twice her size off the property last weekend in no uncertain terms, and you should have seen the look on Vic's face as he watched from behind the safety of the front door. Vic often chases Tessa himself (more playfully than not, but it upsets her), but he was cowering. Now he's seen that side of her, he might respect her a little more.

Comments

[snowgrouse.livejournal.com]

Waah, poor kitties:(. Hope you get both back soon and in better health!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I know I'm a worrier but I can't stop myself.

[snowgrouse.livejournal.com]

It's only natural, plus you've lost a cat under anaesthetic already which is a horrible thing to experience. It'd be wrong *not* to worry!

*Hugs*

[entropy-house.livejournal.com]

*hugs* and best of good fortune, from me & my fuzzies, especially Tara, who can really sympathize.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks, and I hope Tara's recovering well. Hugs to you all too.

[kerr-avon.livejournal.com]

Tara is doing well, except for hating her 'hoodie'. Next Tuesday she gets the stitches out (if she doesn't manage to do it herself before then.)

[kerravonsen]

{hugs}

[entropy-house.livejournal.com]

Oops, forgot to switch LJs, I'm very sleepy. :^)

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

I'm sure they'll be fine, but have some virtual cuddles for them, and virtual hugs&chocolate for you while you fret.

[trixieleitz]

I'll be fretting and hoping right along with you. *hugs for everyone*

That's a great story about Tessa - it makes me think of Cally :)

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed and that all will be well and they will be back soon.

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

Awww, poor kitties. I hope they both do well...

[labingi.livejournal.com]

I wish the kitties well.

Poor cats

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

I feel with you as I am also a cat-lover. But believe both are in competent hands. Mind you, there is nothing worse than to lose your beloved cat by the hand of your neighbour - because he wanted to hurt you - which he did...
Good luck!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Oh, you poor thing! That's just horrible. I hope he was caught and punished. It's a crime here to deliberately hurt an animal or not to help one you've accidentally hurt.

[hafren.livejournal.com]

Oh poor puds. And what a brave Tessa! My smaller, female, cat sees off dogs - I was quite sorry for the terrified Yorkshire terrier.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

She was almost unrecognisable, she was so angry. She even gave Claudia a swipe on her way back inside which is very unlike her (and they were both fluffed up). Then later, when Vic wanted to get on top of the spare chair in the TV room, he changed his mind when he saw Tessa was already there. :-)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Mmmm, chocolate. Same colour as Tessa.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

A previous cat, Sigi, took her own stitches out, and so neatly I didn't even realise.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

As I said to them this afternoon, I've had them for a huge part of my life and I want them for a few more years yet.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I was quite surprised, because she's such a gentle, cuddly little thing with humans. However I remembered that a few years ago when we were thinking of adopting a stray (one of the seven I've found homes for), she couldn't stand him and did her nut whenever she caught sight of him. One of the reasons we kept Vic, another stray, is that the girls didn't mind him.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll be so relieved when they're back home with us.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Is that a pet of yours?

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

I hope everything works out for your kitties...

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll be thinking about them all day at work tomorrow and jumping every time the phone goes.

You have stuff on that cat!

[jecono.livejournal.com]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that! :( Hope things go alright! Couldn't they anaesthetise them throught inhalation? It's clearly not possible while haveing their teeth done, but for an x-ray?
*fingers crossed*

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping the x-ray will only need a light and short anaesthetic. I'd have thought tranquillising her would be enough, but I'm not a professional. I'm more worried about Claudia because teeth can take about 20-30 minutes and she's not as robust as Tessa.

Thanks!

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

HUGS to you and the kitties.

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

I hope the treatments and the worries are over soon. Are they kept together while they're waiting? I was thinking it might be comforting for them to have each other's company.

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

Poor you - I know it's so worrying. I hope it all goes well, and they're back home quickly. *hugs*

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks, and hug back.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

We took them in the same cage, which they were quite happy with, but they'll be separate. Apparently, as we've been told by the cattery we board them at when we go away, they get annoyed with each other when confined and stressed. Also, Claudia will be on an IV to make sure she's well hydrated, so she had to be by herself. I've been told by the cattery that they're quite calm once we've left, and only cry when they hear our voices again, so I'm sure they're not as worried as I am.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I wouldn't be half so worried if it hadn't been for Sigi dying so unexpectedly, but intellectually I know they should be all right. It's like flying: it's safer than driving, but I'm still nervous of it.

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

Chin rubs for both the cats and hugs for you!
Hope the news is not too bad!

And way to go Tessa hope Vic now shows her proper deference!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I'm at work waiting to hear.

I shall watch Vic to see if he's changed his attitude.

[labingi.livejournal.com]

He's my parents' doggie, Ashley: the closest I have to a pet right now. When I get a job though, I want to get a dog. I'm really itching to have a furry friend around the house--and missing Ashley!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

But having a dog isn't a good idea if you work. They're pack animals and pine or bark when left on their own. You could do what my brother's done and get two or three though so they have some company.

[labingi.livejournal.com]

Good point. On the other hand, if you're a single person with two dogs, it's hard to walk them.