Some Purrs for Ash Please

Hi All,

Little Ash had to be back at the animal hospital on Saturday to find out what is happening with his ears and head. The furless patches that we noticed on the drive home had grown quite large and I was getting worried. Unfortunately Dr. D. who I trust and adore is out of town (and was away last weekend when I took Ash in on Sunday) but yesterday we saw a new partner at the practice who I felt was very thorough.  Ash is a little bit of a mystery because his fungal culture for ringworm is not growing anything, but this vet said that was what he thought it was.  He treated Ash for what he called "the big three" which are infection, parasite (mange) and fungus (ringworm).  He got an antibiotic injection and the poor lamb has to wear a cone because he can't lick the anti-fungal cream which has to be applied twice a day.  I feel terrible for our little man, he is so lovely and affectionate and doesn't understand whats going on.  If it is ringworm it could be weeks that he has to be separated from the other cats!  As it is I was told to wear gloves when I touch him and when I come out of his room I must change my clothes!  It is a tiresome protocol, but I have to protect Casper, Ben and Archie too.

I'll keep everyone posted on his progress.  The vet said hopefully we would see some improvement by Tuesday and to call him and we can discuss the situation then.  In the meantime, please keep Ash in your prayers and purrs.

poor sweetie!

Molly and the Toenail Caper

I have the hardest time cutting Molly’s toenails. The other cats don’t seem to mind it that much, in fact Casper is so mellow that I can hold him on my lap and clip his nails by myself. Ben and Archie are a bit squirmier and require a twosome for the task but Molly on the other hand could probably use a SWAT team. She has an irrational fear about getting her nails clipped and it is a traumatic event for all involved. Robert has to hold her down on the bed making sure that her head can’t move and I have to work fast to get at her toes before she wriggles free and attacks. It is not fun and as a result her toes are quite neglected and we can usually hear her clicking across the hardwood floors.

Molly takes daily tablets for hyperthyroidism which is quite common in senior cats and occasionally her medication needs to be adjusted. At a recent vet visit for a routine blood test they offered to clip her nails, which were embarrassingly long and made me look like an inattentive cat mother. I readily accepted the offer! At this time I felt it only fair to warn them that the featherweight cat who was cowering on the exam table transforms into 5lbs of raw fury when you try to touch her feet. The vet looked at me disbelievingly and whisked Molly away into the back room, I went into the waiting room. All was quiet for about two minutes; I figured they were doing the blood first. Then the yowling began. Through the closed door of the treatment room, I could hear her murderous howl (at volume eleven). The receptionist looked stricken and I’m sure thought some poor cat was in the death throes! I was not moved by the sound, I had heard it all before and sat composed on the bench and waited for them to return my puma to me. A technician emerged with tiny Molly cuddled in her arms, once again innocent looking and docile. I smiled at her and said nonchalantly “how’d it go”? She answered that all had been fine when they took her blood and that she didn’t flinch, but she had become quite agitated when they cut her toenails (understatement). I smiled and replied “that might explain why her nails were so long”.