High as a Kite on Mancat Monday

Evan's had quite a weekend. He went to the vet on Friday with concerns of a UTI as well as a significant bout of constipation.

A UTI was indeed diagnosed, for which Evan was given a Convenia antibiotic injection. He was also given some enemas and a full colon cleanout under sedation since his megacolon decided to ignore all of his intestinal meds and get backed up anyway. Evan was more or less as high as a kite when he came home on Friday night. He was also very cuddly, and I was happy to oblige.

Though Evan seemed very happy and acted much better on Saturday, since then he's started acting restless again and has been urinating multiple times in multiple locations over short periods of time. I've already spoken to the vet about that this morning, and we're switching Evan to another antibiotic, which is actually nothing new for this poor boy. As we wait for those to kick in, he's getting high doses of his gabapentin and other urinary meds to alleviate any pain and anxiety from his UTI. For that reason, Evan is nearly as high as he was when he got home on Friday night. That always makes him extra cuddly, which I don't mind one bit.

I also discussed with the vet how Evan has not defecated since his enemas and colon cleanse on Friday, which is not too concerning since his colon was completely cleared out then. Even so, we're adding psyllium husk powder to Evan's armory of medications, since he has no interest in eating high fiber foods in a more natural way.

I am determined to get this poor boy back to some semblance of regular, in more ways than one. I'll be getting his new antibiotic after work today, and that should start clearing up his stubborn UTI pretty quickly. I can't wait until he starts feeling better again.

Wishing you all a happy Monday!

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Doodle of the Day

Starting tomorrow, in October, I'm going to try to share a new Halloween doodle every day. I already have quite a few of them finished, so I'm hoping to be able to succeed. Finishing the rest of the doodles of course depends on how Evan is doing, as well as how Thimble and Tonks's dentals go this Wednesday, and so on and so forth.

The above said, quite a few of the Halloween doodles you'll be seeing in October will be concept art or illustrations for some of the stories I'm writing. The main story I'm enjoying working on right now takes place in the Halloween season, and it co-stars a kitty who was heavily inspired by Evan. See?

Clearly, the human main character and her kitty live in a home of questionable quality. After all, times are tough these days. Oh, and that lamp meets its demise on page one of the story. Actually, it doesn't even make it past the first paragraph. Why? Because pilling cats is hard to do.

You'll be seeing more of that kitty and some of his friends in October. We'll tell you a little more about him then.

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Tip of the Day

Since September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, we'll be finishing out the month on this topic. Today's tip relates to how our furbabies might let us know they are in pain. This can be a bit difficult sometimes, as cats and even dogs can be very good at hiding pain. This is why we must be very observant of our furbabies on a regular basis, in order to know when they aren't acting themselves.

The symptoms of pain in our furbabies can vary greatly, depending on the source of the pain, as well as the individual animal. You might see decreased activity level, or even a decrease in your cat or dog's appetite. Another potential sign is an altered gait, or an unwillingness or inability to move or jump. A cat in pain might avoid or miss the litter box, and a dog in pain might have accidents inside the house. Aggression and hiding are yet more potential signs that your kitty or pup is in pain. The list of signs and symptoms of pain in animals could go on and on. This is why it's imperative that you know your kitty or pup's norm, and that you make frequent observations of their activities and behavior in order to catch when anything is out of the norm. Altered activity or behavior could mean any number of things, pain being one possibility.

What's more, if your furbaby does indeed have difficulty jumping due to an injury or arthritis, for example, you can put pet stairs or a pet ramp beside chairs, couches, or beds in the home. This can help your kitty or pup better reach elevated areas without having to jump, which could otherwise exacerbate pain associated with an injury or arthritis. For a cat, another way to help them combat pain and discomfort is to give them litter boxes with low sides, so that they can easily walk right in. Or, you can also give them a ramp or stairs leading up to the entrance of the litter box, if needed. If it helps reduce pain associated with certain injuries, arthritis, or other ailments, you can also elevate your kitty or pup's food and water bowls.

Another simple way to help a pained furbaby feel some relief and comfort is by way of their beds and blankets. You can offer extra soft and thick beds, and in easy to reach locations. Some forms of pain are also alleviated by heat, which means that safe, pet-friendly heated blankets or heated beds could also be of use. Of course, you would need to take all necessary safety precautions when using any heated or electric products.

In more extreme cases, your furbaby might be in need of direct assistance with their mobility. If need be, you can use various forms of slings to help your kitty or pup ambulate. You can use a towel or blanket to create a makeshift sling, for example. Another option is to purchase a sling, or a harness with handles, which are indeed available on the market.

It is not easy to see our furbabies in pain. At the same time, it is not easy for them to feel such pain. That's why it is important to do what you can to alleviate your kitty or pup's pain, even if that means a bit of redecorating within your home.