More than just a UTI

Topaz and Indigo returned Friday for their check up -- and still have a lot of blood in their urine.  Which means that we are not dealing with just a Urinary Tract Infection after all.  There must be something much worse going on for these wonderful kitties -- but whatever that something is it is it makes them not adoptable.

This is a very sad outcome for two very friendly wonderful cats, yet it is a reality that cannot be escaped not only at the Humane Society but in many pet owners lives.  Our pets can get very sick at times -- with illnesses that we may not be able to rescue them from no matter how much we love them, how much money we have, how much time we can give them, or how friendly, loving and wonderful they are.  It happens at the Humane Society also -- and because of the volume of animals they care for it happens there more often. 

I have a tremendous amount of respect for the people who put themselves out so much for these animals.  I have so many people tell me they could never foster because they would just get too attached to the animals.  And I have to respect that.  But these people at the Humane Society care too much about the animals to protect their own emotions and not care for them as much as they are able.  They know that they are going to be hurt and experience loss and pain over and over again -- but that is not a good enough reason to not try to help some.  I have to respect that kind of deep caring as well.  They are unique and wonderful humans.

Topaz is sick again - -

Topaz has started puking again. There had been no puking since I had brought him in to see the folks at the Humane Society until four days ago. He puked during the night and I noticed the next morning that someone drank A LOT of water that night. So I hoped he had just drank too much and made himself ill. This was one of the possibilities that the staff at CCHS has suggested.  But he has puked the next two nights as well, and yesterday he puked three times on my bed while we were gone and again during the night. During the night it was VERY WEIRD because he made an extremely unusual sound before puking. He sounded like a mechanical baby doll crying. Both my husband and I sat right straight up in bed saying "What in the world was THAT?!"  I leaned around to peer in the crate and Topaz was up and began puking at about that moment -- conveniently aimed into the litter box.

Poor Topaz!  I feel so bad for him.

Topaz and Indigo are doing well

Topaz has not thrown up now in at least a week!  Hooray, for Topaz!  Not since we had the long conversation at the Humane Society about what could possibly be the problem.  They are taking the medicine very well, eating and drinking a good amount and just as affectionate and playful as ever.

They spend their days roaming our room, and their nights in the crate which enables us to sleep through the night without frolicing kitties.  During the time we thought Topaz was puking because of stress from the crate, we did leave them out all night long, and they learned not to play on top of us quite easily, but they still like to chase each other about which can get noisy.  Since we decided the crate was not the issue, we have returned to crating them at night.

Hoping for the best on their next check up.  These kitties just need to be healthy to find their forever homes.  They are so affectionate and lovable we are sure they will be perfect match for someone.

Some concern

I took Topaz and Indigo in for their recheck today -- and recieved some worrisome news.  It seems that the Urinary Tract Infection is VERY stubborn and we have brought them back home for THIRD round of Clavimax.  Wow!  These poor kitties.

We had a long conversation about Topaz's problems vomiting, and came to the conclusion to just keep monitoring him.  He continues to gain weight -- I am wondering if they are getting enough exercize closed just in my one room.  But they do seem to dash about it quite well at night.

Another problem is that I was not able to get a urine sample from Indigo this morning.  We assumed that he will need to continue the meds as well as Topaz -- but when I brought him home I thought that I would go ahead and leave him in the crate alone and get a sample from him to verify.  But it is now 11:30 at night and still no urine.  This cannot be good.  He seems healthy in every way though.  He is active, coat shiny, eyes bright, gaining weight (and he doesn't need to) and plenty affectionate.

So come on kitties -- we're doing all we can for you, and now you are really worrying me!  What is the deal here?

Topaz has had some trouble

Topaz has had some trouble since he has been here, and we haven't been able to quite figure it out.  He threw up his first night, and I thought it was probably just stress from the change.  But then he threw up a couple of nights later, and three times the night after that.  We decided that was due to change in food.  But after returning to his regular food, he threw up again.  The episodes had always occured in the crate -- so we decided it was due to stress from being crated at night and we tried leaving him out.  Unfortunately he still threw up.  It doesn't happen every night.  But it still happens.  I've taken him in to the Humane Society once for a check up and he has actually gained weight.  He continues to eat, drink, play and use the litter box normally, we still have these vomiting episodes.  I will be taking him in again, and hopefully we can figure out a cause.

I've posted a picture of Indigo playing his favorite game of 'attack the carrier'.  The cat carrier sits a top the crate, which means it shakes and rattles when Indigo jumps up on top of it.  Indigo is convinced this is done just to play with him.  He  rolls on the carrier to make it rattle, and then jumps up and pounces on it in response.  Perhaps he thinks something is inside of it.

Topaz and Indigo still with us

I took a urine sample in the other day, and UTI still remains -- low grade but still there.  So we have began another round of antibiotics.  These kitties are so affectionate they consider having a pill shoved down their throats just another cuddle though.  Topaz didn't even quit purring this morning, and it was obvious he knew what the drill was as soon as I picked him up and didn't mind a bit.

They continue to use the litter box well, and love playing games.  We have to crate them at night so that we can sleep, but we try to spend some time cuddling and playing during the day.  Judah enjoys doing his homework in the foster room (Randy and I's bedroom).

Our cat, Mike, seems to know these two have stayed a bit longer than usual.  He lays at the door staring at it,  and watches to catch a glimpse of the interlopers when we go through.  They have made eye contact, but nobody ever reacts.   Topaz and Indigo know Mike is out here, and he knows they are in there.  And that seems to be enough for everybody.  Our other cats never pay any attention to the fosters.

Indigo and Topaz doing well

Sorry, that I have not posted recently.  Things  have been a bit hectic around here with lots of flu, my husband recently diagnosed with diabetes, and my uncontrolled glaucoma sending us on trips to St. Louis. 
However, the animals are all doing very well!  Indigo and Topaz have tolerated the pills very well.  They have grown more affectionate every day.  Topaz always mews a greeting as we walk in the room and comes to great us, placing paws on our chest and touching noses.  Indigo is a bit more laid back, but also very sweet. 
They have proven themselves to me, and I trust them enough to give them the run of my bedroom all day -- there has never been a mess out of the litter box, so I think the problem must have totally been medical.  At night we do put them in the crate.  Having them romp and play all over the top of us while we are trying to sleep is just a bit disconcerting.
These kitties are probably nearing the end of their stay with us.