posted on July 26, 2001 08:45:57 PM
Hi gang! I thought I'd pop in in the middle of relisting to give a report on baby Pogo. First let me say I've been very nervous all week about her having surgery. Now, I've been a little nervous in the past with other ones, but not like this. She does have a hernia, the vet said it's an umbilical hernia from when she was born. And she has the same thought I did about do both the hernia and the spaying at the same time, less stress and all. Since this is Pogo's first visit to the vet (I'm ashamed to say), I also asked about getting her tested for leukemia and FIV. The reason for the FIV test is because we do have one FIV positive cat in the house and I want to know if it has spread. Both tests came back negative, yay! We also discussed her shots.
The vet went out of the room to have the estimate done up and I remembered something about when Charlie was spayed. They gave me the option with Charlie to have her vitals monitored during the surgery, of course I took it. So I asked if they still did it that way and they do. So I asked for it for Pogo too. Another thing they offer is pre-surgery blood testing to check liver function, etc. It's mandatory in older or ill animals, but not for young and healthy ones. I don't think I've ever taken it. It was $45 and I was wrestling with myself whether to have it done or not. I guess my 6th sense kicked in and i went ahead and took it this time. Lo and behold, the testing showed an infection and that Pogo had ingested something toxic and it was affecting her liver! We have no idea what she ate (no, it wasn't a gecko according to the vet ), but that explains why she's been droopy lately. Now I don't know if she could have died under anesthesia, but I have no doubt at the very least she would have been one sick little girl.
So now I know why I've been so nervous about it and I'm so glad I listened to my 6th sense for a change! So now I have to give her drops and a pill twice a day. Oh what fun! They'll try to do her surgery again in 2 weeks when she's all better.
And how was your day?
Netta, I sure hope you get to feeling better soon. You've been sick too much this winter!
I'm happy to report I have also won 2 of Tigerlady's gorgeous jewelry items this week!
Pharlap my friend, how is the life changing decision making going? Let us know!
Zilvy you sweet thing, how are ya??
My buddy Bob, you are such a dear and I'm looking forward to my new doorknobs! I'll be sure to post a picture of them after they've been installed.
Ok, I have to run for now. I hope I'm able to stay up tonight to say hi to everyone! See ya later...
posted on July 26, 2001 09:23:57 PMMouseslayer As I was reading about your options for Pogo I was getting really worried....I am so glad you thought to ask (like any good mother would) about your options and listening to your sixth sense.
Your Mom must be tickled that she offered to help you have the baby taken care of now! Is Pogo indoor only, or did she just make the big escape? I'm confused on who got out??
With the way you handle her, hold her etc., I'll bet she won't be too hard to give a pill to. I have always had very good luck with my kitties. Duffy the wonderful creature that lived to be 20 years old had to have two pills a day from the time he was about 7 years old. What a good cat and he had a huge mouth which was helpful.
I am so pleased you had GOOD news to tell us.
How is it going at work, and how are you feeling? And how is your Mom and Hubby?
posted on July 26, 2001 11:20:40 PM
Hi Guys', I thought I would have a break from emails and pop back over here for a bit.
Yes I have been to the doctor Zilvy, but it is one of those things that only time will help heal. This year we have a really bad dose of flu floating around and because I do not have an ammune system to protect me I copped a flogging this year. That is life I guess, and I am normally a very healthy person so I can not really complain. It is partly my own fault because I knew that I should have the flu shoot, but I chickened out and told myself I didn't really need it....WRONG!! I might not like being sick, but there isn't much I can do about it so I take it as it comes.
Hi Mouse, I have only had two colds so far this winter and the first one went fairly fast so I can't whinge about it really. The rest is not illness it is just Mother Nature telling me that my body is getting old. LOL Actually I think it is Father Nature telling me, because no woman would put another woman through this hell, so it has to be a man behind it.
Sorry about your kitty and I hope everything turns out great.
posted on July 26, 2001 11:23:50 PM
Hi Zilvy! It was KD that got out. All of our cats are indoor only and Pogo has never gotten out. But 2 of the boys, Tom & Buddy, were former strays. That's why Tom has FIV. Plus we think Tom was hit by a car or something before we adopted him. One of his front ankles is mildly deformed and he's starting to get bad arthritis in his hips, he's only about 9 years old.
About Pogo's medications: She has drops and 1/4 of a pill, twice a day. I gave her the first doses this evening. I did the drops first, she wasn't too keen on those. The pill was a bit harder. I'm actually not quite sure if I got it down the second time. A quarter of a pill is awfully small and they're not white, so that makes it hard to find them.
Work so far is ok. The big lay-off hasn't happened yet. Everyone is on pins & needles about it. The funny part is they asked for overtime volunteers for this weekend. Go figure! Did I tell everyone that hubby's job is letting him go next week? The plan has been for him to leave at the end of August to start up the business. His employer has decided they need his salary budget for something else. So now I'm worried all over again. I swear everytime it looks like things are going to get better, something else happens. I'm turning into a nervous wreck!
Mom is doing a bit better. I had to take her to the emergency room a couple of nights ago for her leg. She had a blood clot and the doctor had told her if it moved, to go to the hospital. Well, the er doctor said when they're in a surface vein, they stay there, they don't go into the deep veins. So that was a load off all of our minds!
I'm sorry if I've repeated stuff I've already talked about. I've been so tired from trying to get used to work again, I'm never sure what I've shared or not!
posted on July 26, 2001 11:29:18 PM
I forgot to say to you Zilvy, I could never be that outright nasty to my post office guy because he is one of the good one's. If he can save me a buck or two he will and I actually like having a joke with him, he has a very dry sense of humor, and if I have to choose who is going to serve me at the PO I will wait for this guy. He was having a dig at me yesterday about my voice because when I go in with parcels I can usually tell him how much it is going to cost for each one. He always tells me to get to the end of the line and that I am a smart arse. (Am I allowed to say that, or will it get zapped. Only time will tell. ) He always says it with a smile. Anyway I will have to just wait and watch until I can give him payback in full. LOL
posted on July 26, 2001 11:33:39 PM
Now I forgot to say to Mouse that I hope everything is alright with your mother. A blood clot is not to be toyed with, and I know that for a fact.
Did the doctor tell her to wear firm support hose, these are supposed to help stop clotting after an operation, so maybe they do the same all the time. Maybe you or your mum should check it out with the doctor.
Nettak - that cold's been hanging around for a long time... tell it to pi$$ off and leave you alone!
Mouse - glad you listened to that little voice! Hope kitty is all better soon. I feel for you - I love my cat so much and would just die if anything happened to her...
And as for the 'life changing decision' - I've been talking to a couple of friends that are currently doing Psychology and have decided that this may be the way to go. I cannot apply until August/September and will probably find out if I'm accepted in about November. Going back to school will be a big change for me but I have to do it or I'll be 30 before I know it and saying 'if only...' I've been saying for years that if I could do it all over I would have studied Psychology. I figure that once I go back I'll just work part time and do Ebay and I'll be fine. Wish me luck!
posted on July 27, 2001 03:23:56 AM
Hiya Pharlap! I know what you mean about your kitty, that's how i feel about Pogo. She's my little princess. I too would die if something happened to her. Don't get me wrong, I love all my babies! But she's a special one that little girl. Oh, and she weighed in at a whopping 5 pounds. I usually grow big cats, so she's tiny in comparison. Buddy for instance, weighs in at 20 pounds! He's the biggest, Pogo's the smallest.
Hey, I'm living that 30's if only I had..., so go for it! I so much want to go back to school. But hubby has to get this business off the ground first. The bad thing is, they are having a lot of problems I think with their host. Hubby told me today that they may have to take 6 steps back. Now I'm definitely worried!
posted on July 27, 2001 03:38:59 AM
Mouse - Don't worry, I'll be the trailblazer and tell you if it's a good idea or not. Then it can be your turn! What would you like to study if you went back?
I'm most nervous about the 'mature aged student' tag. YUK!!! When I think about it though all the people I've ever known that have done that course have been 'mature' ...well sort of!
posted on July 27, 2001 03:48:43 AM
To be honest I'm not sure which passion I want to go after, photography or computers. I'm thinking more along the photography route with some computer graphic type classes for manipulating pictures if I so desire.
I was a little nervous the last time I was in college about the 'mature student' tag too. But there were plenty who were more mature than I!
Guess what! I just gave Pogo her second round of meds and she actually likes her pills! She just chewed it up. Of course part of that may be because I had just opened the "treat" cupboard too. But if it tasted really bad, she wouldn't have eaten it at all. She still doesn't care for getting the drops squirted into her mouth though...
posted on July 27, 2001 03:55:40 AM
Oops, I forgot to explain that I was going to try and hide the pill in a treat, which is why the cupboard was opened. I had set the pill down to get out the treats and she just ate it, LOL!
posted on July 27, 2001 03:56:36 AM
You're very lucky! Last year my 'baby' was on medication because she was having kidney troubles. I had to wrap her up tight in a towel so she wouldn't escape and force her mouth open and actually pelt them down her throat! Then I'd have to hold her mouth shut until she had swallowed it. Poor old duck!
posted on July 27, 2001 04:06:42 AM
We used to have a cat with asthma and he literally ran and hid from me for years because I was the designated pill pusher for him. Dad actually tasted one of the pills once and said, "No wonder he hates them, they taste awful!" LOL I'm just glad she will eat them on her own because one, I hate forcing pills down a cat's throat, and second, these are so small that they're easily lost and I would have no idea if I was successful!
posted on July 27, 2001 04:13:11 AM
I know what you mean. Sometimes I could have sworn that she had swallowed it and let her go. Then you would hear a little cough and turn around and see a little mushy pill on the floor Then the process would start all over...
Thank God she's healthy now as I think we may have ended up hating each other
posted on July 27, 2001 04:22:48 AM
LOL! I know exactly what you mean! Ah, the trials and tribulations of being a pet owner. But they make it all worth it, don't you think? Poor Gunther has had a hard time adjusting to me going back to work. He's been spoiled for the past year having Mommy home all the time. I swear he gets depressed in the morning when I'm getting ready for work, he knows we're both leaving (hubby & I leave together these days).
I wonder where the rest of the gang is? I don't expect to see Netta, I know she's still nursing that cold. But where's our buddy Bob??
posted on July 28, 2001 01:27:41 AM
*popping in 'cause it seems like a good time to post this*
How to give your cat a pill
1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.
3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding front and rear paws lightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of 10.
5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.
6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, holding front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cat's head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.
7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foilwrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines from hearth and set to one side for glueing later.
8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with its head just visible from below spouse's armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.
9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
10. Retrieve cat from neighbour's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.
11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
12. Ring the fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologise to neighbour who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat.
13. Take last pill from foil wrap, Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Force cat's mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour ½ pint of water down throat to wash pill down.
14. Get spouse to drive to you to emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes remnants from right eye. Stop by furniture shop on way home to order new table.
posted on July 28, 2001 02:58:12 AM
Hi tigerlady, I can't leave a lady all by her self!
It might be a bit early for some of the locals. Besides, it's Saturday night here and I for one will be out soon to paint the town red!
Bob, Downunder but never down.
posted on July 28, 2001 03:32:11 AM
Hi pharlap, that was a dog of a site! I don't think anybody ever sold a thing there.
Bob, Downunder but never down.
You know how they say hindsight is 20/20? Well, now that Pogo is perking up and definitely feeling better, I can look back and see how she's been droopy and not feeling well for awhile. She was getting really droopy the past week or so before her vet visit, but I think it really started a few weeks ago. But the happy news is she's starting to return to her usual loving, bouncy (get it, Pogo, bouncy? ) self! I still would like to know what it is she got into though...My one thought is that she got a hold of one of Mom or Dad's pills. Mom is nortorious for dropping them and not seeing them and Dad was pretty shaky toward the end. We found and ibuprofen pill on the kitchen floor a few days ago (unscathed it looked like) and we have no idea where it came from or how long it had been there. I know it wasn't one of mine though, and I always know when I drop one! If it was a pill, I think we should consider ourselves lucky that it didn't kill her.
So guess what, hubby and I actually went out on a date tonight! Ok, so it was only dinner & a movie, but it's been awhile since we've done that. It was nice for a change, except for the half hour it took to find a parking place!
posted on July 28, 2001 03:56:25 AM
Hi guys' how are you both tonight? My cold is still hanging in there, but I will survive.
I have just been watching the swimming and I tell you I am just amazed at the amount of controversy and the amount of teams that have been disqualified. Tonight the Americans and the team from the Netherlands were tossed out, and I find that so hard because the Americans came in second to our boys'. Then the other day the Australian womens 4x4 team were disqualified for what seems to be really petty reasons.
I think it is time some of these officals have there glasses checked or something. These young kids' train for years to get into the top rankings in the world and it breaks my heart for them when they win a medal only to have it snatched away from them and then they have to watch someone else get the medal. I can understand it if they are drug cheats but these kids' are not cheats they are our sporting best from all our countries around the world and I think they deserve to be treated with respect. A couple of days ago our mens' 4x4 relay team had to wait for 3 hours before they were told if there disqualification was to be over turned or not because the timing equipment was not working properly. For the country hosting this meet I feel it has not been a very professional job on there part.
Sorry but it sucks big time for these young swimmers, and I felt so sorry for the two teams that were tossed aside tonight.
Now see what they made me do, I was so ticked off I made a spelling mistake. Professional only has one 'f'.
posted on July 28, 2001 04:05:25 AM
Hi Mouse & Nettak!
I'm supposed to go to a party tonight but I couldn't be stuffed. I've been feeling really anti-social lately but I put that down to just needing a break from everything. I've been very sleepy lately as well and have been napping in the afternoons. Guess I'll just have to pump some more caffiene (read - chocolate ) into me!
posted on July 28, 2001 04:14:08 AM
Netta, why are all of the teams getting tossed out?? And what event is this happening in and where? About the only thing I really pay attention to is the Olympics.
Pharlap, sometimes that's what you need, a break from everything. Naps are a wonderful thing aren't they? LOL I sure miss them!
posted on July 28, 2001 04:15:08 AM
I have been pretty anti social lately as well, but I am certain it is for different reasons.
I have to go for now because we have visitors and they will think it rude of me it I do not go and talk to them. Not that I can really talk much, but I can grunt every so often. LOL
I will pop back later if they are not over for too long.
posted on July 28, 2001 04:20:20 AM
Mouse it is at the World Championships in Japan at a place that I would not even try and say, it starts with Fu..... and the name could stand for anything. LOL
They are being tossed out for all sorts of things mainly to do with supposedly not touching before the next swimmer goes into the water, and in our girls disqualification the other day it was because when they had won the race they all jumped into the water to celebrate thinking everyone else was finished but one team had not touched yet and our girls lost there gold medals. Tonight when the American mens' team was booted it was for not touching properly before the next swimmer hit the water. There seems to be a lot of trouble with the timing equipment and stuff but the officials are saying that everything is okay, but apparently it isn't alright.
posted on July 28, 2001 04:25:44 AM
Well I have not been around a bit. Looks like my Ford job washed out. I wreaked the better of the two cars we have yesterday so the 2 pointer on my license would kill that job now if they did call. I think the '94 Honda is a wash - they will total it. I turned square in front of a full size Cadillac that was going like a bat out of hell - so it was not pretty. The funny thing is the Caddy was busted as bad. It deployed it's air bags and busted out the windshield and the driver was taken to the hospital. We went to our personal doctor's office - My wife has a bruise where the seat belt went across her sternum and I have a bump on the head from the side window. The EMS people from the fire department were a little taken aback because my bloodpressure was normal/low. I told them - "It's just a car and nobody is hurt bad so what's to get all upset about?" You can lose more money than that when the stock market hicups a few points and you don't get all bent. I suppose someone does actually but they should get a life.
My fault because I was entering the road - but I know he had to be way over the speed limit as he was one of 3 cars about 100 yards away when I looked left - then I looked right and started my turn and he was right on us in only about 2 and a half or 3 seconds. He was also real chummy and polite reassuring us he would not sue - just delighted not to have a ticket himself and eager to close the book on the affair before anyone wanted to ask any questions.
), but that explains why she's been droopy lately. Now I don't know if she could have died under anesthesia, but I have no doubt at the very least she would have been one sick little girl. 
They'll try to do her surgery again in 2 weeks when she's all better.
Hippy wannabe 
~^~
Actually I think it is Father Nature telling me, because no woman would put another woman through this hell, so it has to be a man behind it. 
Everyone is on pins & needles about it. The funny part is they asked for overtime volunteers for this weekend. Go figure! Did I tell everyone that hubby's job is letting him go next week? The plan has been for him to leave at the end of August to start up the business. His employer has decided they need his salary budget for something else. 