Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday: The Whole Package

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! We have the whole package going on today, in more ways than one. First of all, since we're nearing the birthday of none other than Dr. Seuss, I wanted to make sure I participated in Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

As always, our poetic host shared a photo prompt to get us inspired. This week's prompt is this slightly frightening one here:

My poem is admittedly a short one this time around, but here it is nonetheless, followed by a little illustration to go along with it.

You won't find me rafting on those white waves.

No you will not, nope, there is positively no way.

Though there is one thing you'll find me doing today,

And that is dashing through the snow on a no-horse sleigh.

Actually, no, that's not the truth, nay.

I think I'll just watch someone else zip down a hill with a distant "Hooray!"

***

Now, of course, Thimble is ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful that she herself can enjoy the whole package. What does that mean? Well, it means that Thimble herself is of course the whole package, what with her adorable face and its gorgeous eyes and it's cute little nose and her great big adorable ears and her majestic whiskers, and you get the idea. Not to mention, on this particular day, Thimble also got to enjoy sunshine and a fleece blanket. Everything was just right, and Thimble is so very thankful for that.

Thimble hopes you all get to enjoy lots of wonderful things yourself today!

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Now, we're also here to share the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. This week is a bit different, though, because it's a special event in honor of Dr. Seuss, whose birthday is on March 2.

So, are you ready for this week's bookish fill-ins? My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two..

1. My favorite place to read is _________.

2. My favorite genre to read is _________.

3. _________ is a book I could read over and over again.

4. The book _________ inspired me to _________.


We'll see you tomorrow, when we fill in these bookish fill-ins, friends!

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Tip of the Day

Today is the last day of National Cat Health Month. For our final tip, we're closing out our discussion on medication administration with subcutaneous injections. This topic might sound scary, but with some practice, and perhaps a cooperative kitty, you can become a pro at it.

First and foremost, ensure that you and your kitty are as comfortable and ready as possible for injection time. This may indeed take trial and error. It may also take time for your kitty to become accustomed to injections. One option is to have your cat sit on your lap. You can place a towel or blanket on your lap, as an added protection against claws. Placing your kitty on a table, counter, or even the back of a sturdy chair or couch are other potential options. If you have a helper, they can try to hold your kitty, with said kitty wrapped in a blanket or towel if needed, while you give the injection.

That being said, before getting too far ahead of yourself, make sure that you properly prepare the syringe and needle. If you have any questions regarding the use of a syringe and needle, of course ask your veterinarian, or even request a demonstration. Once you get used to it, it's really not as scary as it seems. With the needle and syringe ready, depending on the medication being injected, be sure to shake, roll, and invert the bottle as needed. Then, of course, using the needle and syringe, draw up the prescribed dosage.

Giving a cat a subcutaneous injection is often best done in the skin near their shoulders. Sometimes, if needed, it can also be given in the skin of the legs, near the hipbones. Before giving the injection, you will need to "tent" your kitty's skin. In other words, pick up the skin between your thumb and index finger. If you are right-handed, you can do this with your left hand, so that you can give the injection with your right hand. While preparing to inject, try to keep the needle more or less parallel to the cat's back, as going in at too much of an angle could lead to issues such as going through the skin on the side or hitting muscle.

Now, with the needle parallel to the back, you will want to give the injection in the "tent" of skin that you've formed by pulling up the skin. Push the needle into the skin firmly enough to slide the needle through, but not so hard that the needle ends up going through the skin on other side, or that the syringe slams against your cat's tented skin. Again, this all might sound scary, but the more times you do this, the more you you will get the feel of it.

At this point, obviously, you will inject the medication. Push the syringe's plunger, making sure that you don't wiggle the syringe and needle too much while you do this. Depending on how you feel most comfortable holding the syringe, you will typically be pressing the plunger with either your index finger or thumb. Once you have given the injection, slide the needle back out, place the safety cap on it, and safely dispose of it. Check to make sure that there is no moisture on your cat's back, which might indicate that the needle either went through to the other side, or that it did not go in at all.

Related to this, if you are giving subcutaneous fluids, such as for a kitty with kidney disease, the general procedure will be very much the same, but the fluids will take longer to complete. You will inject the needle in the same manner as mentioned above, but your kitty will need to remain in place for minutes at a time. So, be sure that both you and your kitty are comfortable before beginning subcutaneous fluids administration. Also be sure that you follow other instructions for giving fluids at home, including warming the fluids bag, ensuring the line has been tested, and so forth. Veterinarians will most often give a demonstration on fluid administration before having you do it on your own. Of course, never be afraid to ask your veterinarian any questions that you have regarding any form of medication administration.

Adventures with Astrid: Pawprints in the Snow

We're about to exit February, and though it's been 70°F most of this week so far, we wanted to make sure we shared with you one of pup Astrid's snowy walks from a couple weeks ago.

If you look at the creek in the distance of that photo above, you'll see a heron as well as some ducks in the water. Astrid was very intrigued by the feathered friends.

One of my favorite parts of this walk, though, was getting photos of Astrid's adorable pawprints in the snow.

Do you see anything a bit odd about one of those pawprints?

For anyone who might not know or remember, Astrid's back right foot only has three toes. She lost the outer right one to cancer back in 2017. She's been cancer-free since, and now she just has an extra special and extra cute pawprint.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Doodle of the Day

I scribbled up a special doodle for Astrid on her birthday last week. It includes homages to her love of snow as well as her love of ice cream.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, we gave a lengthy tip on administering oral medications to your kitty. Today, we're here to give a lengthy tip on the ins and outs of transdermal medications. Transdermal medications are those applied to and absorbed through the skin. A number of medications can be given this way, such as methimazole (for the treatment of hyperthyroidism) and even famotidine (Pepcid), just to name a couple. If you will be administering transdermal medication for your kitty, of course read the directions as prescribed by your veterinarian, and discuss with your veterinarian any concerns that you have.

So, transdermal medication has to be applied to, obviously, the skin. It is best applied to skin that is clean, free from as much as hair as possible, and where your kitty cannot easily lick or reach. This makes the pinna (the flap of the ear) an ideal place for applying transdermal medication.

To actually apply the transdermal medication, ensure that you are wearing gloves. As its name suggests, this type of medication does indeed absorb through the skin, and that includes your own skin as well as that of your kitty. If your kitty is on transdermal thyroid medication, for example, using your bare hand to apply it could lead to unwanted effects on your own endocrine system. So, put on disposable gloves, which are sometimes even provided with the prescription. You can also buy latex finger cots, which are essentially gloves for just one finger. You can then use that one covered finger to apply the medication.

When you and your kitty are ready and your hand is gloved, place the medication on your gloved finger. Transdermal medication is typically provided in pre-filled syringes, from which you can eject intended dosages. Sometimes it is suggested that you squirt the medication onto your index finger, but, ultimately, place it on whichever digit works best for you and for effective administration. I, personally, find it easiest to use my thumb.

Now, when you have the medication on your gloved finger, apply it to the upper to middle part of the pinna of the ear and rub it in. Again, this medication is easily absorbed through the skin, and so excess being left behind is not ideal. So, rub it in as thoroughly as possible, which of course will also ensure that your kitty is receiving his or her full dosage.

Once you have rubbed the medication in, you can dispose of your glove. For optimum safety, you can clean it off first, such as with soap and water, and/or you can remove it with the aid of a paper towel. When you dispose of the glove, of course be sure to do so in a receptacle where it cannot be easily removed by any curious paws or hands. Also be sure that you put the syringes of medication away somewhere safe.

All of that being said, of course try to make the medication administration process as comfortable as possible for both your kitty and yourself. You can try to do apply transdermal medications when your kitty is relaxed, as long as you are prepared and are able to safely do so without getting any of the medication on yourself or anywhere else besides your kitty's ear. You can also, of course, use treats as a reward. Just as with oral medication administration, you can use a partner-in-crime if needed, or a blanket or towel to help keep your kitty still and safe. Sometimes it takes trial and error to figure out what works best for you and your kitty, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Tonks Tuesday: The Art and the Artist

Today, Tonks would like to show you all a little masterpiece she created. Her canvas was none other than the window blinds.

Tonks always admires her works of art. They are, after all, things of beauty.

Tonks hopes you all create some art today as well. Happy Tuesday!

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Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle is one I completed around Valentine's Day, but I obviously didn't share it then. It's another weird one to share, given that it involves some snow and yet it's 70°F here in our corner of the world today. Even so, here you go.

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Tip of the Day

We have three days left of National Cat Heath Month. For these last couple of days, we'll be discussing some methods for administering medication to that kitty of yours. We'll be starting today with oral medications. This is going to be a long one, so kudos to anyone who makes it to the end.

To begin, if your kitty is prescribed a medication in the form of a pill, tablet, or capsule, there are a number of methods for attempting administration. If possible, and if your kitty is open to the idea, you can use pill pockets or another form of treat in which to hide the medication, and then your kitty might simply eat it up that way. Sometimes pills, tablets, or capsules can also be hidden in a bowl of moist food. If it is small enough, the entire pill can be left intact and hidden whole in the food. Or, some pills can be crushed and then stirred in and masked by the moist food. That being said, some pills, tablets, and capsules are not as effective or sometimes not truly safe to crush and expose in this way, so always ask your veterinarian first regarding this method. 

If a kitty will not voluntarily ingest a pill in the above ways, though, then you may very well have to manually pill your cat. First and foremost, be gentle with this method, and make sure your kitty is as comfortable as possible, and of course not harmed. It's also important to ensure that you are not bitten. One of the best methods for pilling a cat involves placing your hand over the cat's head and more or less using their cheekbones as a handle. This way, you can gently tilt your kitty's head back, and they will often then open their mouth on their own. As long as you do it safely, you can also place the tip of a finger on the incisors (not the canines!) of the lower jaw in order to help open the mouth. When your kitty's mouth is open, you can carefully place the pill inside, trying to get it as far back on the tongue as is possible and safe. You can try doing this with the pill plain, or put it in a small treat to better mask it. When the pill is inside the mouth, close your kitty's mouth and gently hold it shut. Sometimes, if needed, blowing on their nose or gently rubbing their throat will prompt them to swallow the pill.

There are also pilling devices on the market. I personally do not prefer to use these, but for kitties who need it, you can perhaps try this method. When using a pilling device, you can use the same methods as indicated above for opening your kitty's mouth, and then use the device to place the pill as far back on the tongue as possible.

For kitties who simply do not tolerate being pilled, there is also the chance that the pill can be suspended in a liquid form. Do discuss this with your veterinarian, though, as this method is not effective with all medications. If the medication at hand is able to be given in liquid form, though, sometimes you can do this yourself, simply by crushing the pill and dissolving it in water or a safe broth or gravy. Other times, pharmacies can prepare a liquid solution for you. For tips on the administration of liquid medications, see below.

Next up, we have liquid oral medications. With these, you use the appropriate syringe or dropper to pull up the prescribed dosage. If your kitty does not sense it and refuse to eat it, you can sometimes mix liquid medication in moist food. If your kitty will not eat food laced with medication, though, then squirting it directly into their mouth is your likeliest option. It is typically recommended that liquid medications be injected into the pocket of space that is between the cheek and the teeth. As needed, you can use the methods indicated above for opening your kitty's mouth for easier administration of the liquid medication. However, do not tilt your kitty's head back when administering liquid medications, as aspiration is possible.

What's more, keep in mind that larger quantities of liquid medications, such as over 0.5 or 1.0 mL of medication, may need to be injected into the mouth in multiple rounds. This is because squirting larger quantities of liquid into your kitty's mouth could be dangerous, such as by potentially leading to aspiration. So, depending on the dosage prescribed, it might be safest to squirt in half or so of the liquid, allowing your kitty to swallow that, and then squirting the rest into the mouth.

Other tips include having a partner-in-crime to help you administer your kitty's medication. One person can hold the kitty, for example, while the other gives the medication. Whether you are by yourself or have help, you can also use the help of a towel or blanket. You can wrap the kitty in this, to keep them and their legs still during the process.

If you have trouble giving your kitty oral medications, even when using methods such as those discussed above, of course discuss this with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian might be able to suggest other options for medication administration. We will be discussing transdermal medications and subcutaneous injections over the next two days, so if either of those are a solution your veterinarian proposes, we'll be offering tips on those as well.

Mancat Monday: Playtime with Floppy-Eared Evan

This weekend, Evan played. He played with some toys. That was the first time he's done this since he developed an upper respiratory infection and then an aural (ear) hematoma back in January.

I cannot even express how much relief and happiness I felt when Evan started playing.

Evan's upper respiratory infection resolved weeks ago, but the still healing hematoma in his right ear has left him simply not acting like his usual self. He's slowly been regaining his old ways every day, but this weekend I really saw the light at the end of this hematoma tunnel.

You can't really see it in these photos, but Evan's hematoma is still present, though much smaller than before. The healing process is leaving his ear still floppy and wrinkled, but it's getting better and Evan is way less bothered by it these days. I cannot wait until it's fully healed. I don't care what his ear looks like after all this is said and done, as long as it doesn't bother him. I just want him feeling all better and fully like himself again.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Doodle of the Day

This weekend, I finally scanned a hefty handful of doodles I've scribbled up recently. They're all wintry in nature, and it's going to feel strange sharing them over the next week. After all, we're expecting multiple 70°F days this week, and yet these doodles star lots of snow. But it's technically still winter, so it is what it is.

Today's doodle is yet another one I scribbled up when Evan's ear hematoma was at its worst. Drawing these for some reason helped me cope with my poor boy's condition. So, here you go.

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Tip of the Day

Since we've been giving a variety of food tips, today we figured we'd give a quick reminder on how to transition your cat to a new food. This is something that might be needed if your cat's usual food is discontinued, if a cat develops a health condition that requires a special diet, or other such reasons. If a kitty is transitioned to a new food too quickly, a variety of gastrointestinal issues could possibly result, vomiting and diarrhea included. For this reason, it's generally recommended that you transition from the old food to the new food over a span of seven days or so.

To transition your cat to a new food, you can start by adding a small amount of the new food to the old food on the first day. Then, of course, you add more and more of the new food each day. On the final day of the transition, your kitty's food bowl will contain only the new food. Of course, when changing foods, keep in mind your particular kitty's overall status. If your cat is a finicky eater, whether by nature or due to age or an ailment, you may have to do a slower transition over a longer period of time, in order for them to accept the new food. In other cases, such as if your kitty is having adverse reactions to their current food, a more rapid or immediate transition might be necessary. This is of course something to discuss with your veterinarian. During any transition, of course keep an eye out for any adverse reactions. Alert your veterinarian of any concerns you have, and stop or slow the food transition as needed or as instructed if issues arise.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Photo Fails

Hello, friends! It's Friday, and we're of course ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. We'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two


1. _________ is a movie I can quote by heart.

2. _________ is a bad habit that I would like to stop doing.

3. I look forward to the return of _________.

4. Amongst my family and friends, I'm known as _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a movie I can quote by heart.
(I had trouble picking a movie for this one. That said, I grew up as a fantasy-loving kid in the heyday of the Harry Potter books and films, and I still to this day make my way through them on a regular basis. So, there's that.)

2. Not putting away clean laundry is a bad habit that I would like to stop doing.

(For some reason, the simple task of putting clean laundry away is one of my least favorite chores. I don't mind loading the washer or dryer, I just don't like having to hang clothes, fold blankets, or just generally put it all where it belongs. I really need to work on that.)

3. I look forward to the return of Wednesday.
(The spooky, kooky show Wednesday is right up my alley, and I can't wait until the second season comes out. I'm also looked forward to the final season of Stranger Things.)

4. Amongst my family and friends, I'm known as the cat lady.

(And I'm more than fine with this.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

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And now it's time for the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop, hosted by none other than Melissa and Mudpie of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.

As always, our blooper queen Eddy is ready for this event with all sorts of blurriness.

Even blurry, Eddy hopes seeing her adorable face helped brighten your day! Happy Friday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

We're making these National Cat Health Care Month tips stretch until the end of February. So, today's (incredibly long) tip is another one related to feeding those kitties of yours. In some cases, you might have multiple cats with differing dietary needs. For example, you may have one cat who needs a low-protein kidney diet in a household that also contains other cats in need of higher levels of protein. Or, you might have one cat on a diet for weight loss in a household also with other cats who should not be on a restrictive diet. Or, perhaps you simply have one kitty who steals the other kitty's food. If any of these are the case in your house, there are some possible ways to succeed in feeding your kitties their separate diets.

First, if your cats are of different sizes or have different physical abilities, there is a chance you can take advantage of these traits to separate their feeding stations. For example, if you have a large cat and a kitten needing separate foods, you could cut a hole in an upside box in which the kitten can fit, but not the larger cat. This way, the kitten could be fed its kitten food in the box without the larger cat feasting on the food. You can also try feeding one cat its food on various elevated surfaces, if its housemate cat on a different diet is unable to reach those elevated feeding spots.

Of course, there are many cases in which the above options simply will not work. If this is the case, the primary option is to stick to scheduled feedings of some sort, and to physically separate the cats during these feeding times. First, determine times of the day when you are home and can oversee feeding time, such as morning, lunch, and evening. Then, at feeding time, each cat can be given their specific diet separately under your observation. This can be done in a number of ways. You can simply separate the cats in the same room, if you are able to closely observe them so that no kitty's food is stolen by another. You can also separate the kitty's in the same room while using something such as baby gates to ensure they remain separated while they eat. Another option is, of course, shutting cats in different rooms to each eat their meal on their own.

One last consideration to make are special bowls that could aid in separate feedings. For example, there are enclosed bowls on the market that can programmed to only open when a cat with a certain microchip approaches it. If this sounds like something that could benefit you and your cats, that is another option you can look into.

That all being said, if your cats are used to being free-fed all day and special microchip bowls are not an option and you find yourself needing to transition to scheduled feedings due to differing dietary needs, then do be patient and give this transition some time. A cat will have to get used to going from having access to food 24/7, to eating on a schedule. If need be, such as if your cats are not yet used to eating their meals at a scheduled time, then start this transition by feeding your cats more often, so that they will have more chances to eat their food throughout the day. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns with regard to feeding your kitties, do speak to your veterinarian.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Adorable Outtakes

It's Thursday, and you better believe Thimble is ready for angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble found out that Eddy will be sharing some bloopers tomorrow, and so she wanted to share some of her own today. After all, Thimble is so very grateful that she's downright adorable even in outtakes.

Thimble knows she's cute, as she should. And her cuteness stays the same, or perhaps increases, when she's all blurry and bloopery.

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Now, how about the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. _________ is a movie I can quote by heart.

2. _________ is a bad habit that I would like to stop doing.

3. I look forward to the return of _________.

4. Amongst my family and friends, I'm known as _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

After our tips on offering your kitty fresh water and food, we're now here today to remind you to keep those water and food bowls nice and clean. When it comes to keeping bowls clean, do your best to steer clear of using plastic bowls, as these can most easily harbor bacteria and other microbes, especially in scratches that might be the result of claws or other use and abuse. Rather than plastic, go for bowls that are stainless steel, or even ceramic or glass. Even so, though, it is still important to clean any and all bowls often. Saliva, oils or grease, and other debris from food or the environment can lead to a dirty bowl, so even if you have stainless steel, ceramic, or glass bowls, do clean them often. Unclean bowls can lead to issues such as feline acne, or, in worst case scenarios, gastrointestinal or other serious conditions caused by dirty, spoiled remnants in a food or water bowl. So, though we're certain you all already know this, do be sure to keep those food and water bowls spick and span.

Adventures with Astrid in the Snow

First of all, Astrid and I would like to thank you for her birthday wishes yesterday! This pup ate lots of her birthday cookies and even had some peanut butter ice cream our pet store was selling. She also enjoyed a couple of nice, long walks. Her birthday walks were actually relatively warm, unlike her walks this past weekend.

These shots were taken during Astrid's walk on Saturday morning.

Astrid loves snow. She loves playing in it, she loves running in it, she loves eating it, she loves sniffing other critters' tracks in it, and so on and so forth.

I don't know that we'll have many more snowfalls this season for Astrid to enjoy, but the temperatures are still the kind of brisk and cool that she loves. This here human agrees. I'm not the biggest fan of walking in frigid temperatures, but I enjoy walking in moderately cool weather far more than I enjoy walking in hot weather.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our cat health series is plain and simple. We're here to remind you to make sure that your cat has easy access to fresh water at all times. Water intake is of course crucial to a kitty's health, as it is important for proper functioning of not only organs such as the kidneys, but all systems of the body. So, make sure that your cat has water readily available. Some considerations to make include ensuring that your kitty has water accessible in areas where they are comfortable drinking, such as somewhere that is not too heavy with foot traffic, yet also somewhere that they frequent often. You can of course also offer water bowls in multiple areas of the house, something that is often especially important in multi-cat households.

Also make sure that your kitty's water is in a bowl or other drinking vessel that they like. Some cats prefer typical bowls, some cats only want bowls with especially low sides, and some cats might even show a preference for drinking water out of cups or another container with high sides. Also, of course, freshen up that water as often as possible or as needed. Cats can be picky creatures, and some cats might refuse to drink water that is not fresh. In addition, fresh water is also simply healthier overall. To help ensure that water remains as fresh as possible, you could use a water fountain for your kitty. All in all, especially given how important it is for all bodily functions, make sure to give special attention to your kitty's water bowl.

Happy Birthday, Astrid!

Did you see the title of this post? Did you?

Indeed, it's pup Astrid's birthday! This happy, goofy girl turns 11 years old today. I can't even fathom that. She doesn't act her age, and I'm so very glad for that.

Those cookies are from the birthday girl's favorite Etsy shop, that being YUMYUM4DOGS. We're not sponsored, but Astrid is a huge fan.

Astrid got to enjoy a couple of the little cookies this morning to start her birthday. She'll get more of them throughout the day, of course. There are so many of them that Astrid will probably have to finish the cookies out over the next couple of days. Well, Astrid would happily chow them all down today, but this here human is a party pooper.

Happy Birthday, sweet and silly Astrid! All of your humans and kitties love you so very much! You make our lives so much brighter and exciting, and we hope to spend many, many more birthdays with you.

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Tip of the Day

As part of our National Cat Health Care Month series of tips, today we're here to remind you of the importance of ensuring that your kitty is fed fresh food on a regular basis. To begin, as you all certainly know, moist food can spoil if left out for too long. It won't go rancid right away, but if left out for long periods of time, there is a concern for spoilage and resultant gastrointestinal issues if eaten. For this reason, refrigerate any unused portions of moist food (which can be reheated for a short amount of time in the microwave), and do not leave moist food out in your kitty's bowls for too long. While far less likely, it is not impossible for dry food to spoil, not to mention the possibility of it becoming stale, or even ants helping themselves to food that is sitting out. So, try to ensure that uneaten old food is not left at the bottom of a bowl for too long. Also try to make sure that your kitty's dry food is stored in some form of an air-tight container, or at least that the bag is securely sealed.

Continuing on with the importance of fresh food, many cats are indeed picky eaters, which means it is quite possible that some kitties may not eat food that has been sitting out for a certain amount of time. In addition to this, as some cats age, their senses, including smell, start to diminish. Similarly, cats with certain ailments might need food with a fresh, strong odor in order to feel tempted to eat. This is another reason to offer food that is fresh and therefore enticing, so that the kitty will indeed have a desire to eat it.

All of this being said, also keep in mind your individual cat's weight, diet, and overall health. It is of course important to ensure that your kitty has sufficient access to food. Food allowance or scheduling will be different for an underweight cat versus an overweight cat, so all such considerations have to be made. If you have any concerns regarding your cat's food situation, of course discuss this with a veterinarian.

Mancat Monday: Evan and His Ear

Hello, friends! I'm so sorry that I'm still doing terribly at the whole timely posting part of this blogging thing. I'm blessed that currently none of my kitties or pup have any serious ailments. That said, Evan's aural (ear) hematoma is causing him all sorts of trouble, and so he and I have been in and out of the vet lately. The hematoma popped up when he was shaking his head and sneezing a lot due to an upper respiratory infection at the end of January. Antibiotics at that point cleared the URI right up, but the hematoma remained.

I don't think we ever showed you a photo of Evan's ear hematoma at its worst. This was taken on February 3, when his pinna, that being the ear flap, had pretty much fully filled with blood.

The hematoma itself is now finally, slowly getting smaller, which is what we want. But, Evan now has a secondary ear infection that somehow didn't even show up until after the hematoma did. The infection likely developed because when the hematoma was at its largest, his ear was so swollen and flopped over that his ear canal was getting very little air flow and was not easily accessible for cleaning, which was not a great combo. After some email conversations with the vet on Friday evening, I picked up some antibiotics for Evan on Saturday morning. This morning, Evan's vet did a little recheck of his ear, and he's already happy with how the infection is drying up.

Hematomas can and usually will heal on their own over time. Evan's veterinarian deemed that the best option for him, so as to hopefully avoid surgery for a variety of reasons. Evan is already a complicated case with various health issues, and the vet would like to avoid surgery if the hematoma will ultimately heal on its own without putting Evan through the procedure and recovery process. That said, given some of the complications Evan has now had, the vet wants to see how Evan's ear is doing by the middle of next week. If at that point the hematoma is still the same size as it is now, he would then likely recommend the surgery. I'm hoping we can avoid that, in no small part because even a minor surgery is a worrisome thing, but we'll see how the next week and a half goes.

I think what's making me the most upset throughout this whole process is that Evan has, at times, started avoiding me and hiding. When the hematoma first showed up and was at its worst, the discomfort might have played a part in that, though he was and still is on pain and anti-inflammatory meds that help reduce any discomfort. Honestly, I think Evan is giving me distance at times because some days I'm medicating him up to 7 times. Though he lets me medicate him, he absolutely does not enjoy it. So, between all of his meds for his urinary and bowel issues, extra medication dosages to reduce discomfort from the hematoma, and now the new antibiotics, Evan is just sick and tired of me. He's still my little momma's boy, but I can't wait until we've gotten past all of this so that he stops being suspicious of me and running under the bed when he thinks I'm about to pounce him with a syringe or pill.

I know the photos above look sad, and that what I said about him running and hiding from me is just as sad or sadder, but Evan is still overall a happy boy. When it's time to settle in on the couch for the night, he's right by my side. He still cuddles this here momma of his and purrs for me, and he of course still loves his treats. Still, though, I cannot wait until this hematoma has fully regressed and he's back to only getting his couple of medications a day, because I feel like such a bad cop to this poor boy right now.

Happy Monday to all of you!

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Doodle of the Day

I'm sure I've mentioned here before how drawing is often a coping mechanism for me. When something upsets me, sometimes if I turn it into art, I feel a bit better. So, I drew Evan with his little floppy ear. I did this in no small part so that, when Evan's aural hematoma is all healed up and gone, I can look back on the above photos and this doodle and remember them as the past. Anyway, here you go.

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Tip of the Day

Today's National Cat Health Care Month tip is all about those litter boxes. Especially if you have multiple cats, make sure that you have enough litter boxes with regard to the number of kitties in the home. It is often recommended that you have as many litter as you have cats, plus one. If there are not enough litter boxes, it is possible that cats might quickly find the litter boxes too filled or dirty, or that there might even be some bullying or battles over use of litter boxes. This could lead some cats to have to hold onto their urine or stool, which in turn could lead to issues such as UTIs or constipation. Or, some cats might simply begin looking for other areas in the house to urinate or defecate outside of the box.

Other litter box issues that might lead to health concerns or unwanted behaviors include litter boxes that are not cleaned enough, litter boxes that are in an area that is too high traffic for some cats' preference, litter boxes that are hidden too far away for certain cats' liking, or litter boxes that contain a type of litter that certain cats simply do not prefer. Obviously, issues such as holding urine or stool, resulting UTIs and constipation, and out-of-box urination and defecation are not ideal. For these reasons, do be sure that the litter box situation is suitable for all cats in the house, so that all the kitties involved can stay as happy and healthy as possible.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Snow Day

Hello, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. The 2020 pandemic taught me _________.

2. A game I enjoy playing is _________.

3. My perfect _________ would include _________.

4. If I could only listen to one song for the rest of my life, I would choose _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. The 2020 pandemic taught me that I truly don't get out much.
(When the world shut down during the pandemic, not much changed for me. I work at an essential company, and so I still went to work every day. Other than that, even in good times, I don't go many places. I did start using grocery delivery services during the pandemic, but that was mainly because when I would go to the store in the evening after work, a lot of the food and other necessities would be out of stock, so I just started doing early day grocery deliveries to my mom at her house while I was at work. Other than that, though, things just kind of stayed the same for me.)

2. A game I enjoy playing is Wordle.
(Every day, I play the online word game Wordle. I also always play Quordle, Squordle, Octordle, and Connections. I unfortunately don't play a whole lot of games these days, but I do look forward to those every day.)

3. My perfect home would include a playroom for my cats.
(Like most people, I have a lot of big dreams that would be included in a dream home. One of the biggest is an extra fun room for my cats. I'd also love a catio for them, and perhaps those two could be one in the same.)

4. If I could only listen to one song for the rest of my life, I would choose Blue Öyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper".
(It was between this or Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now", but when it comes down to it, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" is possibly my favorite song of all time. Anytime it starts playing in a movie or TV show, I immediately get excited and start singing along, so it seems like a good choice.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

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Are you ready for your Eddy fix? We know you are. After a tiny bit of a heat wave, we're now getting some snow today. Eddy is of course giving it a good watch out the window.

Eddy loves snow days. That white stuff falling from the sky is one of her favorite things to watch.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

We have a couple more tips related to this National Cat Health Care Month. These last ones are some random bits and pieces to help keep your kitty as happy and healthy as possible. Today it's all about those ears. Just as with humans, our kitties' ears can get a bit dirty. Wax can accumulate in a cat's ears, and can even become impacted. Your vet will often check your cat's ears during their regular exams, but in between those times, if needed, you can help keep your kitty's ears clean at home. The safest thing to do is to ask your veterinarian not only if and how often your kitty needs those ears washed, but also what ear cleanser to use. Many veterinary offices will have pet-friendly ear cleaning solutions available. Some of these simply require that you drip some in the cat's ear and then rub the base of the ear. It can often be as simple and easy as that, if that is something your veterinarian thinks is of benefit to your kitty.

Also related to ear health is allergies. Airborne allergies can lead to itchy ears, just as can food allergies. Ear infections can result from such allergies, or from other potential causes. No matter the reason, always be sure to keep an eye on those ears. Does your kitty hold one or both ears down? Does he or she scratch at them? Are there scabs or hair loss around the ears? Are the ears warm to the touch? Do they have a strange odor to them? Ear infections, or other issues of the ear, can of course manifest in a variety of ways. So, if you have any concerns, do discuss the topic with a veterinarian. If there is an infection, antibiotics for the affected ear or ears will be necessary to treat the infection. Infections in the ear can lead to permanent damage if left untreated, so though it may seem like a small concern, that's not necessarily the case.

The ears are just one of the many parts of your kitty that can affect their overall health and happiness. So, keep an eye on those ears.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Where'd You Get Those Peepers?

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! You better believe Thimble is ready to participate in angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble is so very grateful for her gorgeous eyes. Do remember last week when Thimble showed off her giant eyes? In that case, she was staring at a spider on the ceiling. In today's big-eyed photo, Thimble was staring up at sunlight reflecting on the ceiling.

Just look at those peepers!

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Now, let's share the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. The 2020 pandemic taught me _________.

2. A game I enjoy playing is _________.

3. My perfect _________ would include _________.

4. If I could only listen to one song for the rest of my life, I would choose _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Doodle of the Day

I have finally been scanning the many new doodles I have finished over the past couple of weeks. Today's is a simple wintry one, of course starring a cat.

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Tip of the Day

We're still in National Cat Health Care Month, so we're not done with this topic just yet. We've previously mentioned using interactive toys to keep your cat active, as well as to help control their eating habits. These types of toys can also play a large role in another aspect of a cat's life, though, and that is with regard to mental stimulation. Just as with us humans, cats' minds need to be exercised just like their bodies do. Without mental stimulation, a cat can become unhappy and can act out, such as with unwanted or even dangerous behaviors, like aggression. Toys and games are just one way that you can help keep your cat's mind active and healthy.

Another method for giving your cat's mind a workout is to ensure they have a good view out of at least one window, but preferably many windows throughout the house. Watching birds, squirrels, and other wildlife, as well as people and even cars, can give your cat something to watch and something to stimulate their mind. Cats are natural predators, so of course having a view of birds and squirrels, for example, is something that they often greatly enjoy. You can put furniture, a cat tree, or even a box near a window, or even a secure screen door, where your cat can perch and watch out.

Also, don't forget the wonders that a TV, computer, or phone screen can work. Some cats greatly enjoy watching movement on the television, such as if they can see on the screen other animals and wildlife just like they might see out the window. The computer or a phone is also great for this. Some websites even have games or screensavers designed specifically for cats' enjoyment. Of course, do be careful that the TV, computer, or phone and any related parts and pieces are safe for your kitty, and that your kitty is safe for them.

There are many ways you can ensure that your kitty has proper mental stimulation. So, to keep your kitty happy and healthy all around, try to find their favorite means of engaging that mind of theirs.