A Birthday Bash and Friendly Fill-Ins on a Fruity Friday

First is an apology for our incredibly late post today. Technological issues abound at our house lately, but we're here now.

That said, we're going to start by wishing a happy birthday to a certain trio of kitties. My own sweet calico Tonks and her siblings, Winky (who owns my sister) and Flitwick (who owns my parents), all turn 5 today.

Want to see these cuties as kittens?

And how about a flash forward to now?

Happy Birthday, Tonks, Winky, and Flitwick! Your entire family loves you so much!

Feel free to grab a piece of cake and a dose of catnip or two, friends. The party goes on all day.

***

Now, shall we move on to to the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge? My co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.

1. I hope the Easter bunny brings me _________.

2. I don't want the Easter bunny to bring me any _________.

3. I can't believe I didn't think to _________ until recently.

4. Mother Nature really needs to _________.

My answers are below in bold. I actually tried to keep my ramblings brief today.

1. I hope the Easter bunny brings me a healthy report card for Evan.

(My orange boy goes to the vet on Monday for a recheck urinalysis. We're hoping we'll find out that his UTI is gone. Evan would especially love to stop having antibiotics forced down his throat.)

2. I don't want the Easter bunny to bring me any heat and humidity.

(We had a day over 80°F recently, and it was wildly muggy as well. I know I have to get used to that in the summer, but it's only early April, so could we just not, Easter Bunny? Please and thank you.)

3. I can't believe I didn't think to make homemade French fries until recently.

(Let's be honest, there is nothing French about the fries I'm making. But, I recently tried my hand at making my own fries with some potatoes I got from the store, and they honestly turned out pretty good. Now I'm obsessed and will probably be made of mostly potato soon enough.)

4. Mother Nature really needs to make up her mind.

(Is it winter? Is it spring? Is it summer? Mother Nature certainly doesn't know.)

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? This little tabby girl would say hello to you all, but she's a little busy enjoying her window whiffies on this true spring day. 

Eddy is wishing lots of window whiffies to all of her friends out there!

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What's next on this buys day? How about todays' doodle for the April A to Z Challenge.

My theme is still of course "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things", and we've reached the letter F. This one isn't terribly exciting, because I decided to make F stand for fruit, since I honestly love fruit and eat it with nearly every single meal. That said, I'm actually not the biggest fan of drawing fruit, so this year I decided that I would use a collection of flashback fruit doodles rather than draw it new. I honestly just wasn't in the mood to draw fruit, so here are some kitties and fruit from the past.

Is that everything for today? Yes? Maybe? Well, have a fantastic Friday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

After yesterday's discussion on tapeworms, we thought we'd briefly discuss a couple of other similar intestinal parasites, these being roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. We won't go into all of the science for each of these worms, but we will touch on the basics of such infestations. So, if you're interested in these wormy parasites, read on.

Depending on the worm, cats and dogs can potentially become infected with the aforementioned worms as kittens or puppies, such as in utero or from their mother's milk. Worms can also find their way to a cat or dog's intestines by the ingestion of a rodent or other carrier of the parasite, or by ingesting the parasite in certain stages of its life cycle elsewhere in the environment. Symptoms of such an infestation can include diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, a potbellied appearance, and sometimes even sight of the worms in your furbaby's feces.

If you think your kitty or pup might have intestinal worms, such as if they are a young puppy or kitty with a potbelly, if you see worms in their feces, or if you see any other potential signs, of course take your furbaby and a stool sample to be examined by a veterinarian. Parasiticides can be used to eradicate these intestinal parasites. Just as with tapeworms, though, it is important to use preventative measures to keep your kitty or pup clear of them from then on. Keep their environment clean in order to prevent growth of the worms in the environment. In addition, if your furbaby goes outdoors, monitor them and try to ensure that they are not ingesting prey that are potential carriers of intestinal parasites, such as rodents. If needed, such as if your cat or dog is largely outdoors, discuss with your veterinarian the potential for keeping your furbaby on regular preventatives that cover intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.

Thankful Thimble Thursday with Eerie Eccentricity

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

Thimble isn't ashamed to share the same gratitude she's shared many times over the past few weeks. After all, when she gets a sun puddle like this, she's beyond thankful for it.

Now, something a little less than sunny is today's doodle for the April A to Z Challenge.

As I've repeated to you poor friends of our every day this month, my A to Z theme this year is "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things". We've reached the letter E, and I really had to think on this one. I knew I wanted to do something like what you'll see below for one of the letters of the alphabet, because it's a big part of who I am, as weird as it is. Anyway, E really took a hit on this one, because it gets to stand for eccentricity, and all things eerie. 

I've enjoyed eccentric, eerie, and just downright weird stuff since I was a kid. From creepy creatures to sad little teddy bears, I'm all for it and always have been. That was one bit of inspiration behind this doodle. That kitty there was also inspired by my angle Rosie, who was my childhood friend through all of my weird endeavors. If I'm being totally honest, this is also an illustration for one of the many wacky stories I've been writing.

Also, as you might have already guessed, even though not every letter of the alphabet will stand for a feline sort of thing, every doodle this month will nonetheless include a cat in some semblance. Even that weird doodle up there had to have a kitty character. It's simply a must.

***

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. I hope the Easter bunny brings me _________.

2. I don't want the Easter bunny to bring me any _________.

3. I can't believe I didn't think to _________ until recently.

4. Mother Nature really needs to _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

Yesterday we yet again discussed the topic of fleas and the importance of using preventatives. We briefly noted on how a flea infestation can lead to a kitty or pup being infected with tapeworms. Today, we are expanding on the topic of these nasty, wormy invaders.

To begin, as we just stated, a tapeworm infestation can be the result of a flea infestation. This is because fleas can carry tapeworm larvae, and when a cat or dog grooms and thereby ingests a carrier flea, that furbaby can then become infested with tapeworms. Fleas are not the only hosts of tapeworms, though. A cat or dog can also become infected by ingesting a rodent, rabbit, or bird that is carrying them. For this reason, some veterinarians will recommend that outdoor cats and dogs remain on tapeworm preventatives regularly, to prevent infestation in the event that a tapeworm host is ingested during a hunt.

Now that we know how a kitty or pup can end up with tapeworms, let's give a brief summary on the signs. One obvious sign that a furbaby has tapeworms is visually seeing it in their feces, or around their anus, or even in an area where they frequent. What you see in the feces of an infected cat or dog are actually segments that break off of a tapeworm, and these segments are perhaps best described as looking like grains of rice. Other symptoms of tapeworms include a cat or dog scooting their rear end on the floor, to alleviate the itching, irritating sensation of the tapeworm and its segments. In severe cases, such as after a lengthy tapeworm infestation, side effects can include lack of growth or weight loss, or even intestinal blockage as a result of tapeworms.

If you have any concerns that your furbaby might have tapeworms, take your furbaby and a sample of their stool in for your veterinarian to examine. There is the possibility that tapeworms may not shed consistently, and some stool samples may come back as negative even when tapeworms are present in the intestines. This is why it is also important to explain and describe to your veterinarian any signs you have seen, such as tapeworm segments in the feces, scooting, weight loss, and so forth.

These days, treatment for a tapeworm infestation is relatively straightforward and easy, with the use of parasiticides. Thereafter, prevention is of course also key. Flea preventatives are imperative in ensuring that your furbaby does not become infected with tapeworms by way of fleas. If your cat or dog is often outdoors, and especially if they are known to hunt or ingest wildlife, you can also discuss with your veterinarian giving preventatives more heavily geared toward tapeworms. Tapeworms can hinder your furbaby's ability to thrive, so of course be sure that you understand their risks and do your best to prevent these wormy pests.

Adventures with Astrid and the Letter D

Today, Astrid wanted to take you all on one of her walks.

That particular photo was snapped last Thursday, on Take a Walk in the Park Day. Astrid actually got both a morning and evening walk through the park that day, which made her one happy pup.

Astrid enjoying the great outdoors is a decent enough segue into today's April A to Z Challenge doodle.

As I've mentioned like the broken record that I am, my theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things". Today's letter is D, and my D is for dogs.

Of course, given that my C stood for cats, I do love me a good doggy who loves cats. Astrid is indeed one of those dogs, and she tries to make friends with all the neighborhood cats. Most of them don't want to be her friend, but that won't stop her from trying to win them over. That said, if a kitty doesn't want Astrid's attention and let's her know with a sharp swipe, Astrid will take the hint and give the kitty some space. She learned that lesson at a very young age.

Astrid and all of us here wish you a happy Wednesday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

We just finished our series of tips on heartworm, in honor of April being Heartworm Awareness Month. Since we're on the topic of pesky parasites, we're going to keep it going. Today, we'll be talking about fleas. This is yet again a repeat series of tips, but it's a significant topic, so we'll go with it.

When it comes to fleas, it's important to realize that essentially any and all animals are susceptible. Even indoor-only cats and dogs can get fleas, such as if the tiny pests come into the home by hitching a ride on humans, or on other animals who go outdoors. What's more, fleas can be present even when you might think they aren't, even in the winter. If fleas have already made their ways indoors, they can thrive in the warmth of a home any time of year. Even outdoors in the winter, though, they can still potentially be present. Especially if there are warmer days here and there, and if you're starting to see some green grass outside, then there is always the chance that fleas can be present and active. So, this is just one reason to keep your furbabies on flea prevention.

To really drive home this tip, though, we're also going to remind you of just some of the side effects that can come with fleas. First, of course, fleas can cause all sorts of itchiness. In some cases, an animal can even have flea allergy dermatitis, which is of course when a cat or dog is allergic to flea bites and can therefore display significant itching, hair loss, lesions, and so forth. Itchy skin is not the only potential result of fleas, though. Fleas can also lead to a tapeworm infestation in your furbaby, something which we will further discuss tomorrow. In addition, anemia and other bloodborne and potentially dangerous diseases can result from fleas and their bites. The health and safety of your furbaby is of course, therefore, an incredibly good reason to be sure that you keep up with that flea prevention year round.

We will also note here that you should discuss with your veterinarian which flea preventative is likely to be both the safest and most effective for your furbaby. Not all preventatives are created equal. Some cheaper, generic, over-the-counter versions have even been found to cause incredibly dangerous or even life-threatening side effects. This is not something for which it's worth risking your furbaby's life, so discuss preventatives with your veterinarian, and select a quality, safe product. Also, in the event that your entire home needs to be treated for fleas, also be sure that you discuss this with your veterinarian, so that you might get tips from them on safe methods for this extensive type of treatment.

Tonks Tuesday: A Cute Nose and the Letter C

Hello and happy Tuesday! Tonks is pretty sure she's shown you her adorable little nose somewhat recently, but she decided to do so again today so that you don't forget just how cute it is.

Need a closer view? Yes? Okay, here you go.

Now, that little calico seems like a pretty good segue into today's doodle for the April A to Z Challenge.

This year, my A to Z theme is something along the lines of "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things", and today we've reached the letter C. As you could probably guess, my C stands for cats. Now, with the doodle below, my C can also stand for the companionship and camaraderie cats offer us, and how they can be our confidantes. It could also stand for calicoes. I love me a calico, and this doodle right here stars my dear angel Rosie, who was my calico companion and confidante from the time I was 4 years old until I was 26 years old.

 

Now, let me be honest and say that the doodle above was not supposed to be the one I shared today. I was looking and looking in my computer's art file for the scanned version of my doodle for this year's letter C. After being unable to find it and glancing in my art notebook, I realized that this weekend I randomly colored in my sketches for letters like E and O, but forgot to color in C's doodle. But, the above doodle has a cat, none other than my Rosie, who is also C for calico, and who was my C for companion, comrade, and confidante. So, it all works out.

Want to know what letter that doodle up there was supposed to be used for? That was O's doodle. It was a loose translation, though, as that doodle was O for Orion. I love astronomy and took some courses on it in college, the homework being something Rosie often kept me company during, which is sort of what this doodle represented overall. That said, in the upper right corner is the constellation Orion, my favorite constellation in the night sky, at least while it's visible from roughly September to March. But, now that doodle represents C for cat, and all the C things cats are to us. I guess it could also still stand for constellation, but I digress. I already know what my new O and its new doodle will be.

Just for kicks, I'll share the pencil outline of the intended C doodle that was somehow forgotten this weekend. Ready for the messiness that can often be found in my art notebook? Yes? Good, because here you go.

Those are the four cats who currently own me (do you see Evan and his special little legs in the bottom right corner?), and the two cats in the frames on the wall are my angels Rosie and Sammy. There are still some upcoming letters for which I haven't yet completed doodles, so there's a chance that pencil outline will be used or reworked a bit to fit another letter. I actually already have an idea on how to use this doodle for a letter I haven't fully committed to yet, so you'll still likely be seeing it this month.

Have I rambled enough yet? Oh, more than enough? Well then, have a terrific Tuesday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

Today, we have the last tip in a repeat series of heartworm tips that we've shared in the past. This is because April is Heartworm Awareness Month. So, the final such tip is below.

Today’s tip is a very long one, and it relates to a fact that especially all cat parents really should know. And this is that there is currently no true treatment for heartworms in cats. There are treatments available for dogs that can kill the adult heartworms, but this does not work the same for cats. One reason for this is that the drug used to treat heartworms in dogs has been found, in some cases, to cause sudden death in cats. This is often due to dead or dying heartworms causing blockages and cardiac failure. Another reason why treatments may not work is because the life cycle of a heartworm is different in a dog versus a cat.

In dogs, the lifespan of a heartworm is longer, around five to seven years. This lifespan includes larvae entering the body after a mosquito bite, traveling to the heart, and then growing into mature, reproducing adults. Dogs are an optimal host for heartworms.

In cats, the heartworm lifespan is far shorter, often two to three years. What’s more, cats are not a prime host for heartworms, and a cat’s body itself often overcomes the heartworms, typically before they can even enter into adulthood. This is why far less adult heartworms are found in cats than are found in dogs. Even immature heartworms, which are typically what would circulate in the blood and be indicative of disease in a canine heartworm test, are often not found in the blood of cats. This is why cats are less commonly diagnosed with heartworm disease. Then again, though, it is not impossible for a cat to have heartworm disease, and in this case, heartworms cannot be killed as they can in dogs.

For cats, one of the only options for a cure is to have the heartworms surgically removed. This, of course, can be tricky and risky. Symptoms of the disease can also perhaps be controlled and the cat made comfortable with various medications and supportive treatments. Given that a cat might be able to outlive the heartworms, it is possible to treat the symptoms while the heartworms go through their cycle and ultimately die. As mentioned earlier, though, heartworms can live for two to three years in a cat, and there is still always the risk of pulmonary or cardiac failure while the heartworms remain.

With such limited treatment options for heartworms in cats, it is incredibly important to again note that the best option is to keep your cats on heartworm prevention. The risk of heartworm disease might seem small, but it is a risk nonetheless. And, just as always, it is better to be safe than sorry.

And, there is one last note for pup parents. Though there is a more successful heartworm treatment for dogs, heartworm disease can cause permanent damage. This can lead to lifelong issues, such as of the heart and lungs, even after the heartworms are eradicated. For this reason, heartworm prevention is of course also recommended for dogs.

The A and B of Mancat Monday

Hello, friends! After Mother Nature and technological difficulties gave us a wild sort of weekend, we are finally back and at it. It's Mancat Monday, but it's also finally time to share not just the first but also the second letter of the alphabet in our April A to Z Challenge.

First, how about your Monday dose of Evan?

You can tell that photo is a couple months old, because it was taken when my poor orange boy still had a hairless spot on his front arm from his IV during hospitalization for his December urethral obstruction. Don't worry, because this boy is feeling a lot better these days. Though, he still takes plenty of naps.

Now, though he's a tired yet also busy boy, Evan would like to help me belatedly, finally kick off our April A to Z Challenge. 

The first day was supposed to be Saturday, that obviously being April 1. Sundays are always the weekly alphabetical hiatus, so today is just the second day of the challenge. That means today we'll be sharing the letters A and B with you.

Now, this year my theme is something along the lines of "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things". As always, my alphabetical contributions will be shared in the form of doodles. So, let's kick this off.

What does A stand for, in terms of some of my favorite things? It stands for none other than art.

I am a fan of art in many forms. In that there doodle, I try to express my fondness for art in the forms of drawing, writing, and music. I could go on and on about art, as it is a huge part of my life, but I'll leave at that for now.

And that leads us to the letter B. And what do I enjoy that starts with B? Baked goods, of course!

I enjoy making baked goods, eating baked goods, and even just smelling baked goods. Truth be told, that there doodle was actually initially scribbled up for Pi(e) Day back in March. I decided to save it for this A to Z Challenge day, though, as one of my greatest baking feats was at least sort of mastering baking apple pie.

I have to admit I very nearly chose books for B, but they'll be represented in at least two other upcoming letters in this challenge. But I digress.

Can you guess what I'll be sharing tomorrow for the letter C? My hint is that it's an obvious one. 

Happy Monday!

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Tip of the Day

As we said yesterday, April is Heartworm Awareness Month. For this reason, we are repeating a series of heartworm tips that we've posted in the past. Our second tip relating to heartworms is to know the potential symptoms. Since heartworms can affect the heart and lungs, early symptoms can often resemble those of asthma. Coughing and a lack of desire or an inability to exercise are commonly seen. Other potential signs of heartworm disease include decreased appetite, weight loss, and vomiting. The more severe the heartworm infection, and the longer it is present, the more pronounced the symptoms may be. Severe cases may also involve fluid buildup in the abdomen, as well as acute symptoms of pulmonary or cardiac failure, often due to heartworms causing a blockage. If you have any concerns that your cat or dog might have heartworms, seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

A Powerless Post

Hello, friends! I'm popping in on my phone to let you all know that we're still having some power and internet issues, which should be resolved today. That means tomorrow is when you'll finally be getting the official start of our April A to Z Challenge, with a double dose of it. As soon as our power and internet are all sorted out today, I will be prepping as many of our upcoming posts as I can so that the rest of the month runs far more smoothly, especially since we're expecting more storms as early as this Tuesday. 'Tis the season.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends! Stay safe!

A Caturday Art Delay

Last night was when I planned on putting the final touches on our first post for this year's April A to Z Challenge. However, since we live smack dab in the Midwest, we instead spent our night storm tracking and preparing to go into hiding with the kitties and pup should a tornado appear in our area. Our evening was filled with severe thunderstorms, excessive wind gusts, and power glitches. That said, we are incredibly blessed to be in one of the areas that did not experience any major damage or casualties. My thoughts and prayers are with our neighboring cities and states that cannot say the same.

We will be back tomorrow with our first post for this year's April A to Z Challenge, which will luckily time out fine since Sundays are the usual weekly A to Z hiatus.

Stay safe, friends!

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Tip of the Day

April is Heartworm Awareness Month. For the next couple of days, therefore, we're going to repeat some heartworm tips that we gave in the past. So, these tips may sound familiar, but we've decided to share them again for this significant month.

We'll start simple and remind you all that heartworms come from mosquitoes, and a dog or cat can become infected if they are bit by a mosquito carrying larvae. This can occur in indoor or outdoor furbabies. For indoor animals, you can try to keep all windows and doors closed, in hopes to prevent mosquito entry into the house. However, they can enter through cracks, or simply when you open the door to enter or exit. What's more, it is possible for mosquitoes to be out and about year round, even in the winter. For this reason, our first, very significant tip is to simply ensure that you keep your dogs and cats on preventatives that include heartworm coverage, and that you do this year round.