Dr. Neel

WE SURVIVED ANOTHER ROUND-UP

The petretary has been teasing you for the last few days with hints of a post about our annual round-up. For those new here, that is the day each year when our vet, Dr. Kathy Neel (Vinton Veterinary Hospital), comes to the house for our annual exams and vaccinations.

We decided to take that report into our newly pawticured paws this year. Before we go into detail, we’ll let you know that we are all basically healthy. Some of us could gain a little weight and some could lose as you can see. Cooper Murphy thought he was going to escape the round-up entirely, but he did get weighed. Dr. Neel had warned the humans that she feared he was going to get B-I-G. She was right! He’s gained about three pounds in two months. Here are our weights from small to L-A-R-G-E.

Lily Olivia = 6 lbs. 14 oz.
Misty May = 7 lbs. 1 oz.
Astrid = 7 lbs. 4.5 oz.
Mauricio = 11 lbs. 8.5 oz.
Giulietta = 12 lbs. 8 oz.
Lisbeth = 13 lbs. 8 oz.
Calista Jo = 15 lbs. 9 oz.
Cooper Murphy = 17 lbs. 4.5 oz

We all eat stinky goodness for breakfast and dinner, but we also have Hill’s prescription Metabolic + Urinary Stress kibble, specifically for Giulietta. It’s pretty impossible to feed those of us who don’t need this food something else, so we all eat it. This is why some of us who didn’t need to have lost weight. Astrid and Lily were pretty excited to hear that they get to have extra portions of stinky goodness as well as extra treats.

Lily has the beginnings of kidney disease (not too surprising based on her age) so the humans are going to have to see if she will eat k/d foods. She’ll eat just about anything, so that probably won’t be a problem. She already gets a nutritional supplement and vitamins. The humans were happy to hear that Lily Olivia’s thyroid values are within normal limits. So many kitties her age have hyperthyroidism and need meds.

Dr. Neel checked Giulietta’s eye freckle, and it remains unchanged.

Best of all, everyone’s teeth passed inspection.

Here are a few photos from the round-up. Most were taken during weigh-ins and pawticures.

Yesterday’s post, which includes a giveaway, has additional photos. Click here to see our review of the Purrfect Pouch, which was highly useful during our exams. If you leave a comment there, you’ll have the opportunity to win one!

If you have several anipals in your family, and they dislike going to the vet’s office as much as we do, we suggest you check with your vet as to whether they would be willing to make “house calls.” We don’t enjoy being poked, prodded and stuck, but it is way better having it done at home in familiar surroundings without the stress of being stuffed into a PTU and taking a road trip.

No humans were significantly harmed during this year’s round-up. A few minor punctures and scratches were inflicted. Dad Tom demanded that we share this photo.

If you’d like to read about or see photos from previous round-ups, here are the links.

Annual Round-Up – 2013

Monday Meowsings: The Round-Up – 2014

Thankful Thursday: Our Yearly Round-Up – 2015

Our Annual Round-Up Does Not Make Us Thankful – 2016

So, that’s it until 2018, unless one of us gets sick. Paws crossed that won’t happen.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo and Cooper Murphy

PURRFECT POUCH REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

Purrfect Pouch is pretty darn near purrfect. I’d been searching for something like this product when Fiona was sick and we were giving her daily meds. When I was contacted and asked if I’d like to review the Purrfect Pouch kitty carrier and grooming sack, I jumped on the opportunity. With Fiona now an angel, we have little reason to go to the vet’s office except to pick up food, and we have SleepyPods for transporting Kitties Blue. But I knew we had a round-up coming up. That’s when Dr. Neel comes to the house for annual exams and vaccinations. I was certain the Purrfect Pouch would be helpful for controlling those squirmy fighters among Kitties Blue. I was right.

Though I will be reporting on the round-up tomorrow, here are a some photos of the Purrfect Pouch in use.

Giulietta getting her pawticure.

Giulietta was so funny. Before I could get her head out, she turned around inside the pouch and tried to come out the unzipped backend. As she was getting her claws trimmed on her back paws, we couldn’t zip her in.

Lily Olivia getting her pawticure.

Can you believe, it took three people to hold down Lily Olivia even when she was in the Purrfect Pouch. For an 18-year-old cat weighing only 6 pounds and 14 ounces, she has plenty of strength when she doesn’t like what’s happening.

Lily Olivia having her blood drawn.

Here’s a photo of Calista Jo in the Purrfect Pouch ready for transport. It has a carry strap to go over the shoulder, but I also needed to put my arm under the pouch to hold C.J. At 15 pounds and 9 ounces, Calista is too heavy to hang from my shoulder.

C.J. was quite content once she was zipped into the Purrfect Pouch.

As you can see the Purrfect Pouch works for both small kitties, like Lily Olivia, and LARGE cats, like C.J. An adjustable neck opening helps make this possible. It is a good idea to adjust the neck band prior to putting your cat inside. If not, little cats like Lily Olivia can escape through the neck opening.

Other features offered by the Purrfect Pouch are hook and loop front closures for paws. It is machine washable and folds for storage or for tucking into a purse or luggage. The Purrfect Pouch also is suitable for transport or grooming of small dogs.

Though the pouch totally unzips at the backend, if your kitty doesn’t want to go inside and starts flailing, it can be difficult to get her and all four legs inside. Regardless, I am quite happy to have this in my arsenal of kitty paraphernalia. My goal is to be able to trim everyone’s claws (without being mutilated) so they don’t need to make a trip to the vet for this.

We received two Purrfect Pouches and are giving one away to a lucky reader. To have an opportunity to win, please leave a comment on this post prior to next Monday, May 1, at 5 p.m. The winner will be selected using Random.org and announced on Tuesday, May 2. If you don’t win, you can order your Purrfect Pouch by clicking here.

Disclosure: Kitties Blue received the two Purrfect Pouches free of charge to test and review. We were not financially compensated for this post nor told what to write. The opinions are completely those of Kitties Blue and their human based on our experiences. We do not recommend items we would not personally use.

April 24, 2017 by Janet Blue Product Review Roundup Veterinarian 38

MAURICIO’S BOO-BOOS

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #37

Mauricio has some news to share, so he is doing the Friendly Fill-Ins today. His completions are in teal italics.

1. Cooper Murphy’s energy and enthusiasm make me feel old.

2. My beautiful wife Allie makes me feel young. We always have so much fun together, like we did at the Cat Scouts Sock Hop dance contest.

3. I have two infected boo-boos on my back.

So here’s my news: I had to visit Dr. Neel on Tuesday. Mom was petting me on Monday evening when she felt a lump on my back. She panicked and thought it was a tumor, but then she discovered an open, infected-looking wound. I wouldn’t stop licking it, so Mom thought she should apply a bandage until I could see Dr. Neel.

Mom’s bandaging technique leaves a lot to be desired if you ask me. She claims this was such a mess due to my continued wiggling. Excuses…excuses! She sure is good at those.

When Dr. Neel started looking through my furs, she found a second wound. This is how I look now. Sheesh! Look at all those missing furs. Dr. Neel says it appears as if I was bit by another cat. The holes would be from an upper and lower fang.

We do have neighborhood cats who occasionally invade our yard. Misty May and I always have to let them know they are not welcome. Dr. Neel thinks one of those hooligan cats did not appreciate my urging it to leave and attacked me from behind.

Dr. Neel opened my wounds a bit more to get out as much infection as possible and gave me an antibiotic shot. And now Mom and Dad have to put warm compresses on the wounds twice a day.

All three of us are super happy that I do not have to wear a stupid cone.

4. Going to the vet is no fun, but I was the purrfect patient. At home I am chatty Mau, but I only made two peeps when we first left the house. I sucked it up like a good Cat Scout and didn’t complain at all. I saved that for after I got home!

The Friendly Fill-Ins are hosted by Ellen (15AndMeowing) and Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). Ellen selected the first two statements and Annie the second two. This is a blog hop, and you can enter by visiting Annie’s blog.

Caio and meow, Mau

January 20, 2017 by Janet Blue Allie and Mauricio Cat Scouts Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Kitty Written Blog Veterinarian 23

DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT

Fiona and Giulietta’s Vet Visit

I’d like to apologize to Mom Ellen (15AndMeowing) and Mom Annie (McGuffy’s Reader) for not pawticipating in Friendly Fill-Ins his week. Mom is allowing Giulietta and me to write this post about our visit yesterday to Dr. Neel. That’s right, Giulietta had to come with me. She wasn’t happy, but it was nice to have the company. We were able to serenade the humans with some nice duets on the way there and home.

But enough of this preamble. I know you are all waiting for my report. In a nutshell…it stinks! Mom mentioned in a post a few days ago that she thought I was puny. She was right.

Though not good, my BUN had gone down a bit last month. I was not so fortunate this time. It has jumped up 29 points to 158. That’s the highest since my diagnosis last December when it was 157. Though, I have been eating the K/D kibble and getting my phosphorus binder, my phosphorous jumped way up as well. And I lost a half of a pound. All-in-all, not a good report.

I believe that I am probably on the downhill slide and losing the battle against the CKD. Nonetheless, I am happy (except for having to get subQ fluids five days per week and taking yucky medications), not in any pain and love being doted on by Mom and Dad.

Dr. Neel is quite surprised and pleased that I haven’t gotten my wings yet. She says that most kitties with numbers as high as mine were at diagnosis only survive a few months. Mom is praying that I can make it through the upcoming holidays. I am going to give it my best effort.

Before I turn this post over to Giulietta, here is our photo from the exam room. We were totally chill for the entire hour we were there. I am not too sure why we were ignoring each other.

Anyhoo…I sure could use some purrs, prayers and POTP if you don’t mind.

Thanks, purrs and paw-pats, Fiona

Wow that girl can go on and on. But please do send some good thoughts her way. I love her very much and will be terribly lonely when she leaves us.

So, I had to see Dr. Neel today as I have been having litter box issues again. I’ve also developed hyperesthesia and licked off some of my booty furs. Mom thought both issues were probably stress-related since my sis is sick. She had inspected me for fleas and flea dirt to rule that out as a reason. She couldn’t find any. When I went to the back at the vet to have my pedicure and a bit of lady-scaping in my nether regions, Dr. Neel found a flea. She brought me back to the exam room and turned me over. Mom saw a flea on my tummy. (When Fiona and I got home, we all had Advantage applied.) We’re hoping that will take care of most of my issues.

For me the worst part of the visit was the weigh-in. Like any lady, I refuse to tell my weight. I have, however, gained two pounds since April. I swear I don’t eat too much. It’s just that I eat calming food, and it has a tendency to make us kitties gain weight. I am now being put on a diet. Mom and Dad will be phasing in a new food that is supposed to have calming effects as well as be lower in calories.

I also need to get more exercise. I have never been interested in playing. I’ll pawticipate in a play session for a couple of minutes, but I am more of a spectator. Mom has ordered me a harness, and it looks like I’ll be taking walks once I get accustomed to it. Pffft! I’m not fat, I’m just a bit zoftig and super floofy.

So that’s my tale of woe. Not so bad when I think about my sis.

Thanks for visiting us. Please pray for my sisfur.

Purrs and paw-pats, Giulietta

October 14, 2016 by Janet Blue Health Prayers 46

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.

September 2023
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