VETERINARY UPDATES

Well, this has been a busy week, vet-wise. We had three vet visits this week for three different cats. On Wednesday Buddy had his regular eye check-up with Dr. Hermann. The pressure in his eyes is pretty stable, though higher than normal in the left one still. Buddy is so good during the exam and Dr. Hermann is just the best! He answers all my questions like I have a few brain cells and explains things well. We go back in four months.

Wednesday afternoon I finally got Max in for his checkup and fructosamine with Dr. Hseih. Was she surprised when Max showed up at 15 lbs! His exam went well and his fructosamine showed his glucose was being maintained well. He's down to 5 units of insulin twice a day. I was so amazed that I was able to catch him Wednesday morning. I didn't even call for an appointment until I had him secured in the bathroom. For a big guy he can sure move fast! Since he's doing so well he doesn't have to go back for 6 months!!!

Thursday Micha had his recheck. They did bloodwork and an exam. I really like Dr. Werner - she handles Micha well and doesn't take any of his guff  personally. His kidney values were actually down a bit more, which is good. However, he is now experiencing some anemia - a result of the decrease in kidney function. If it continues to increase, he may need some bone marrow injections. He goes back next week. Micha does look much better and his appetite appears a bit better. He has gained 3 ounces since last week. He's tolerating his fluids well and I've caught him nibbling at the dry food. As long as I can get at least 1200 cc's of the special canned food in him each day, I don't really care if he eats the dry, too. He's staying hydrated and that's important. I know his days are numbered, so I want to make him as comfortable as possible. He still has lots of strength and his usual vim and vinegar. When that changes I'll know it's time to let him go. In the mean time we will both enjoy our time together.

So it goes. These guys and their housemates do take a lot of my time, but I don't know what I'd do without them.

BUDDY'S CHECKUP

Buddy went in to his eye vet for a 3 month checkup and he got a really good report. The doc said his eye pressure was normal (remember, he has glaucoma) and seemed very happy at that. Buddy will keep taking his pills (well, I'll be giving them to him) and we will continue the eye drops, but we can discontinue the eye ointment since the cloudiness has disappeared. Buddy was very good during the exam as always, but seemed relieved when it was over. We don't have to go back for FOUR MONTHS!!!! That's November!! Wow!!! The only downer is that we need more drops and they were out and will have to mail me some when they come in. I think we can eke out enough for a few more days. Anyway, just wanted to share the good news.

Happy to be home

SPECIAL REQUEST

Someone requested a picture of Buddy so here it is. He's doing very well. He's staying on his current meds and doesn't have to go back to the vet until July. He still has his vision in both eyes and is just as wonderful as ever!!

Got the results on Goldie's blood work and everything is normal so we are going ahead with the radiograph of her jaw on Wednesday. Hope oral surgery isn't required.

Doesn't he have the prettiest eyes?

VET VISIT

We made it to the vet on time today, though it was beginning to look doubtful. We had to wait just a bit, but it was quiet except for a couple of cute dogs so that was ok. Dr. Herman was happy with Buddy's progress - the pressure was down in both eyes. We are to keep with the same regimen of pills and drops twice a day plus the ointment once a day. He said to come back in THREE MONTHS!!! That's good news!! I think Buddy was happy to hear that, too, but with cats it's sometimes hard to tell. I know he was happy to get home. His right eye is still much larger than the left, but he still has vision in both eyes and that's a good thing, to quote Martha.

My neighbor dropped by to look at the fence and we decided to do the part that's on the side of the front yard first, since that's what everyone sees, then do the backyard part later. Fine with me! He's going to Home Depot tomorrow to see what the supplies will cost and get back to me. Unless it's more than a couple hundred, which I doubt, I want to go ahead with it. That broken down old fence is a real eyesore!!

Still working on my green strip quilt and I have done 11 of 20 blocks so I'm more than half-way done. I'm getting some pale green flannel for the back. Too bad I couldn't have had it done for St. Patrick's Day, but . . . . I can't wait to start putting it together.