Cleo Update

Cleo's checkup went well - it's too soon to recheck her phenobarbital levels but they were able to check her blood and make sure that her anemia was improving.  It is!  Last week the level was 20% - this week 26%.  30 is considered normal so she's almost there.  Vitamins and adjusting her meds have made such a difference! And today she weighed 11.7 lbs - up from 11.6!  :)

As far as her fleas go, they're going!  The ones she has are lethargic and dying.  Hopefully another dose of Advantage in a couple of weeks and another bath will have them on the run!  Definitely want them on their way out before the puppy arrives.

We're working on her name - we have a couple - and I thought we'd picked one a couple of days ago but then I began second-guessing (of course).  Freyja (Norse goddess) (pronounced Fray ya) was what we'd thought of.  But I also liked Anya and Becka.  Decisions!

New Family Member

Two Weeks . . .

Cleo had a visit with the vet today.  She weighs 11.6 lbs. and is a bit anemic - hopefully because of fleas which we've had trouble getting under control.  There is a pill that would kill all the fleas but one of the side effects is seizures - not good in a cat with seizures!  Anyway, she had another bath, I've been washing her blanket and the towels used in her bath and tomorrow she can have Advantage.  The dr. was concerned that her phenobarb levels might be a bit off as she's still unsteady on her feet.  The blood tests will be in tomorrow (along with a test for thyroid problems).  She's eating, drinking, using the potty and sleeping.  She's also got new vitamins to take twice a day.

I just feel so bad for her - it's not far from what her life was before but to see her struggle with walking is difficult.  I hope we can get this under some kind of control and give her (and me) a good quality of life.  If B wasn't home, there'd be almost no way for me to get away for more than a few hours (now doesn't that sound selfish?).

She's being so sweet about everything . . .

Revelations

Ok, I admit it - I love Cleo for all her not caring all that much for me!  And to prove it, I went to Walmart this evening (7 p.m.) to get her a new litter box.  She needs one shorter - I'm thinking that the deeper one was difficult for her to climb in and out of which is why she was using the floor!  Plus she'd put her front paws in the box and just be too tired or weak to get all of her in there!

Also got some plastic carpet runner - Thank You Kim! - from Home Depot for those times when nothing else works.  It should help the rug (which was great at protecting the floor) and I can easily clean the plastic!

Whew . . .

What a hot weekend!  And a great trip to DC and back with a fantastic musical (Memphis) at the Kennedy Center.  If you get a chance to see this - do. The music is wonderful and the voices were extraordinary!  As we were leaving, a mother told her child that the play was too long - especially the first act - both my friend and I looked at each other in amazement because we certainly didn't agree!  Time flew during the entire performance!

Cleo seems to be improving in small ways each day. She walks fairly well - especially if going for dinner - is eating and drinking well.  She goes and lies in her sunbeam each day (and had to search for it a little today because I'd lowered the shades on the patio door a bit to help with the heat!  Of course I relented and opened it more so she could have a good spot!

I'm off for a few days so I decided to make a list of what I'd like to accomplish!

1. groceries
2. laundry
3. vet (for Cleo)
4. clean kitchen completely including the floor

There's more, of course, but this is a good start and completely doable! (I think!)

Long week . . .

Cleo came home on Monday - she's on phenobarbital which makes it hard for her to walk but she's eating, drinking and using her bathroom so things are better.  She's getting onto a better schedule with her meds so it will be easier to keep her on one every 12 hours!  Quincy has not been happy - he seemed glad to see her but later Monday began hissing at her and acting silly.  I've had to put his food on the bench (Cleo will eat all of hers and then scarf his down too - side effect!) and he's not been happy with that.  Hopefully he'll adjust - after all it's only been a few days.


Monday night I slept downstairs - actually slept for about 2 hours then was up and holding Cleo - unfortunately the position wasn't good and when I stood up the back of my knee was VERY sore!  I eventually gave up and went upstairs at 4 a.m. - got another 2 hours of sleep before going to work!  I've been less worried lately but still haven't caught up on my sleep.  But I keep trying!  


Anyway, I'm hoping this weekend is much calmer than last! 

Uncertainty

Cleo is still in the hospital.  She had 2 seizures there (the last on Saturday afternoon) so it was decided to start her on anticonvulsants.  Because they take some time to build up in the blood and she's home alone for longer periods of time, the vet recommended and I agreed to "phenobarbital loading" where she was given injections of phenobarbital (with IV fluids) to build the levels more quickly.  She'll come home Monday morning (hopefully) and be on pills.   A prescription has been called in so I'll pick that up later this afternoon.

I need to ask the vet about the puppy - I don't want to trigger more anxiety in Cleo but I'm hoping that we can go ahead - and the puppy will be kept away from her much of the time.  SIGH - when things happen they certainly happy with a vengeance!