Mancat Monday with Another UTI

Poor Evan is having urinary issues again.

I believe Evan has another UTI, and so I've emailed his vet to see if he thinks we can again just start Evan on antibiotics given his symptoms. (Edit: Evan's vet agrees that Evan almost certainly has a UTI and so he'll start on antibiotics today.) This time around Evan has started showing a number of his usual UTI symptoms, as well as blood in his urine, which is also not terribly new for Evan. Given his hind limb paralysis and urinary incontinence, he will always be at a higher risk for UTIs.

Evan also has megacolon and resulting constipation, and so he's on various meds to loosen his stool and help with colon motility. Sometimes that causes something akin to diarrhea, though, and given Evan's back end situation, that causes a mess that can also then lead to UTIs. I wash Evan's back end with an antimicrobial cleaner daily, but it can't work miracles.

I just had to share that last photo, since it shows our housemate Winky checking on Evan and giving him a little kiss. Yeah, we'll pretend that's what she was doing and not that she really wanted the sunny bed he was sleeping in. I gave Winky a different bed to cozy up in, though, so she and Evan both got to take a nap in the sun.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

 

Today's summer safety tip is all about sunburn. Just like us humans, our furbabies can get sunburned. This can happen during time outdoors, or even by sunbathing in windows or doors. And, just as with humans, sunburn can result in skin cancer in our cats and dogs. This is why it is incredibly important to be aware of this and to take precautions.

Keep in mind that cats and dogs with little to no fur are of course more susceptible to sunburn. In addition to this, those with light fur and skin, such as those that are white or orange coats, are also more susceptible. That doesn't mean furbabies of other colors are not at risk, though. In addition, the areas of the body most likely to get sunburn are the ears, nose, and belly, as in most furbabies these areas have less hair coverage. Again, though, this doesn't mean sunburn or skin cancer cannot occur elsewhere on the body.

What are the signs of sunburn in your furbaby? They are very similar to those in humans. A cat or dog with sunburn will typically develop pink or red skin, which is often inflamed as well. The sunburn is often painful, and the affected skin can also become dry and flaky. Hair loss can also occur around the sunburned area. These are all signs to be aware of, but they are also things that you want to try to prevent from happening in the first place.

So, what can you do to protect your furbabies from sunburn and potential resulting skin cancer? You can of course minimize their time in direct sunlight, whether that be while outside or while sunbathing in a window or door. You can opt for outdoor activities when the sun is not at its peak, as well as opting for shade when outdoors. When it comes to indoor furbabies, you can close doors and curtains to help protect against sunburn during the sun's prime time of the day. In addition to this, there are certain window types and window covers that can help block UV light. These could certainly be useful for frequented windows and doors, but this also of course may not guarantee full protection against sunburn or resulting skin cancer.

Finally, another option for sun protection is, of course, sunscreen. This is especially important for furbabies who frequently go outdoors in the summer sun, or even for those who frequently sunbathe indoors. There is pet-safe sunscreen available on the market. Many sunscreens designed for humans can contain ingredients that are potentially toxic to cats and dogs, so it is indeed important that you look for products formulated especially for your kitty or pup. What's more, as we always say, if you have any questions at all regarding sunburn and skin cancer in your kitty or pup, be sure to discuss this with your veterinarian.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Bathroom Buddy Eddy

Hello and happy Friday, 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. You know you are in _________ when _________.

2. I am pleased with _________.

3. I wish I had the superpower of _________ so that I could _________.

4. I still have _________ from my childhood.


My answers are below in bold.

1. You know you are in the Midwest when you're surrounded by cornfields and tornado sirens.
(I live in the Midwest, and we are indeed surrounded by cornfields and tornado sirens.)

2. I am pleased with our vet's new online pharmacy.
(I mentioned this in another recent fill-in, but I really just wanted to say it again. I hesitated to start using the online pharmacy for quite some time, but now that I use it, I really like it. I have Evan's and Astrid's meds on autoship, and they come right to our door, so now I don't have to run to the vet all the time to get refills of their many medications.)

3. I wish I had the superpower of communicating with animals so that I could help them as best as possible.
(Sometimes I think being able to genuinely communicate with animals would be upsetting, at least if speaking to one that had been through certain traumas in life. But, in the end, if it would allow me to help animals to the absolute best of my ability, whether that be medically or otherwise, I would like to be able to fully communicate with them.)

4. I still have almost all the books from my childhood.
(I still have a variety of things from my childhood, like some of my favorite toys and stuffed animals and blankets. That said, books are probably what I have the most of from my childhood. I love books and don't like to part with any, so that's that.)

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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I've shared on our blog before how Eddy is my main bathroom buddy. As in, she believes that if I'm in the bathroom, she also needs to be in the bathroom. And if I have the audacity to try and close the door, she displays much disapproval.

You throw privacy out the door when you have a kitty, and I honestly love that Eddy is my little bathroom buddy.

Eddy hopes all you kitties out there have a great day of invading your human's space, like all kitties deserve to do!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

As a followup to yesterday's tip on how to keep your furbaby cool if they are outdoors in the heat, we're here today to specifically talk about those walks you and your furbaby might take this summer. Especially on those days with extreme heat, it is safest to either limit or cut out walks, or to take them only when the day is at its coolest. For example, a very early morning walk or a late evening walk would be far safer than a walk in the middle of the day, when the sun is at its highest and hottest. If a walk or bathroom break outdoors is necessary for your pup or kitty on a hot day, do consider taking a water bottle along to help keep your furbaby hydrated and cool.

It's not just the heat of the air that you have to consider with regard to summer walks, though. Pavement can reach literally burning hot temperatures in the summer sun. While us humans typically wear shoes to protect our feet, paw pads are exposed and can indeed be burned during exposure to hot pavement. If touching the pavement with your own hand leads you to conclude that it's burning hot, then indeed take that into consideration. This is one reason why it is incredibly important to plan walks and outdoor adventures accordingly during the summer months. If your pup or kitty does need to go outdoors in the extreme heat, and especially if the pavement feels hot to you, then try to avoid the pavement and instead head straight for the grass. Or, for those furbabies who will tolerate it, protective booties can be placed on the feet to keep them safe against the hot pavement.

In the summer, just as always, it's always better to be safe than sorry. That might mean skipping a walk on a scorcher or a day, or changing your walking schedule so that your furbaby is outdoors only when it is cooler. Always do what is best for your furbaby's health and safety.

Another Thankful Thimble Thursday in the Sun

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Thimble is of course ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble is yet again grateful for that bright and shiny sun. Unlike her human of a mom, Thimble loves heat and will always seek out the biggest sun puddle possible.

Thimble hopes you're all enjoying some sunshine just like she is! That said, it's going to be something like 90°F here today, and so we also hope you're staying cool.

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And now we of course have 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. You know you are in _________ when _________.

2. I am pleased with _________.

3. I wish I had the superpower of _________ so that I could _________.

4. I still have _________ from my childhood.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I was going through old doodles and found this one starring my angel Rosie from many years ago. We've reached halfway to Halloween, but it's also watermelon season and hot outside. So, this seemed appropriate.

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Tip of the Day

Today's summer safety tip is all about how to keep your furbaby cool if they are outdoors in the heat. To begin, as we mentioned yesterday, sometimes the great outdoors is a very dangerous place to be for a pup or dog in the extreme heat of summer. For this reason, please do try to limit time spent outdoors in the heat.

However, if your pup or kitty has to be outdoors for any reason, be sure that they are provided with everything to help them stay as cool as possible. For example, be sure that a sufficient amount of cool, fresh, clean water is available for them to drink. Also ensure that they have somewhere in the shade to stay. A potentially stifling outdoor enclosure, such as a shed, will often be no cooler than the sun. But, shade from trees or a building can enable a furbaby to get out of the sun and stay as cool as possible. For those furbabies who enjoy and take advantage of water, you can also put out a children's pool, with cool, clean water. This way, a pup or even a kitty who likes water can have another way to cool off.

As we said previously, please do all that you can to keep your pup or kitty out of the heat of summer. If a trip outdoors is necessary for any reason, though, then it is important to know how to keep your furbaby cool and safe, such as by means of water and shade. Summertime is just another example of how you must think and plan ahead for the sake of your furbaby's health and happiness.

Adventures with Astrid...and Her Gammy and Pawpaw

As we've mentioned recently, 12-year-old pup Astrid and her old legs don't take as many long walks as in the past. On weekdays, before and after work, she usually just leads me around our block or another nearby block. On weekends, though, Astrid's beloved Gammy and Pawpaw (my mom and dad) often join us for our walks, and on those occasions, excited pup Astrid leads us all on much longer adventures. I treasure those long walks that Astrid happily chooses on those days, and I take as many photos on them as possible. Such as these floppy-eared and smiling photos from one of our recent long weekend adventures when Astrid's Gammy and Pawpaw were in tow...

Astrid has never enjoyed warm weather, and her heat tolerance has always been subpar at best. She much prefers winter over summer, and this has only become more of a fact the older she's gotten. Poor Astrid isn't even spending much time in her beloved back yard these days. She'll go out there, realize it's hot, and then come right back inside.

I'm sure as it gets even hotter this summer, Astrid's long weekend walks will become shorter. We'll try to walk her early in the morning, before the day hits us with the brunt of its heat, but I'll only ever take Astrid as far as she requests, and only as far as is safe for her. If she wants short walks in the summer, even in the cooler mornings, then she'll get short walks. The old gal is in charge.

Astrid hopes you're all enjoying much cooler weather than we are!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We have yet another weird and wacky flashback doodle for today. This is yet another one inspired by my newest favorite book series, which are chaotic fantasy tales with all sorts of fun nonsense, including a giant two-headed puppy that shows up in one of the books. And so, I of course drew my old girl Astrid as this puppy.

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Tip of the Day

 

Given the sweltering weather we've been having theses days, we're doing a series of tips all about summer safety for our furbabies. Yesterday, we discussed how to recognize the signs of overheating in cats and dogs. Today, we're here to remind you that, to avoid potentially fatal heat stroke in your furbaby, never leave them alone in a car. In the heat of summer, the inside of a car can reach temperatures well above 100°F within a matter of minutes. Even with the windows open, the inside of a car can still become not only stifling, but also incredibly dangerous.

Also keep in mind that the car is not the only location that can pose the risk of overheating. Garages, sheds, and of course even the great outdoors can be dangerous places on hot summer days. In short, as you all certainly know, never leave your furbaby in a car or anywhere that can easily overheat on summer days. Just like us, kitties and pups can indeed suffer from heat stroke if left in overheated conditions, and this can be fatal.

Tongue Out on Tonks Tuesday

Tonks has always been a kitty who will just randomly stick out her tongue. It's downright adorable. Ever since she had three of her canine teeth removed last year, her tongue makes even more appearances. Today's tongue cameo is a bit vague, as it's from the side, but it's still there nonetheless.

Given that Tonks was enjoying quite the sunray in that photo, she hopes you all have a bright and shiny day!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I recently shared a flashback doodle of Thimble that I was inspired to scribble up last year after reading my newest favorite series of books. At that time, I drew each of my furry babies in a doodle relating to that wild book series, and Tonks got to pose with the dinosaur that joins the main character and his talking cat. I'm sure that makes less than zero sense, so long story short, here's Tonks and a dinosaur.

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Tip of the Day

 

Not too long ago, we shared a series of tips all about pet safety in the season of spring. We were going to wait a while before we got into the details of summer safety. However, given the summer-like days we've been having, we thought we'd go ahead and offer some of these important tips now.

In many areas, summer can mean extreme heat. For this reason, it is important to know the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke in your cat or dog. Signs of overheating in our furbabies can include excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate and respiration rate, excessive drooling, weakness, or even vomiting and diarrhea. If your furbaby begins to show any of these signs, especially if they have been in the heat, do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance. Tomorrow, we'll start diving a little deeper into how to keep your kitties and pups safe from overheating and other summer concerns.

Happy Belated Mother's Day!

I failed to get a Mother's Day post up yesterday, so I want to wish all the moms out there a belated Happy Mother's Day! Whether your children are of the humanoid sort, furry, feathered, or anything and everything in between, you make this world go round.

As for me, this weekend my orange boy bestowed me with lots of his adorable and expert cuddles. I always look forward to when I can sit down and relax on the couch, because if I'm on the couch, Evan is always right there with me.

Evan will often start by snoozing beside me, like you see above. But, more often than not, I end up serving as that adorable little guy's pillow. That's what happening in these photos here...

I love my couch and bed cuddle sessions with my sweet boy. Of course, I love my cuddle sessions with all of my furry babies, but Evan is the most likely of them all to cuddle me at every chance he gets. And I'm so grateful for that.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Doodle of the Day

Since this is our belated Mother's Day post, I figured I'd share the doodle I scribbled up as my mom's Mother's Day card. I made some mistakes while drawing this and it's full of all sorts of imperfections, but what's new. And as a little explanation, one of my parents' kitties is a humongous yet also incredibly sweet and cuddly orange tabby boy named Foggy.

This doodle might slightly caricaturize Foggy's size, perhaps just a tad bit.

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Tip of the Day

The final tip in our wildlife series involves some additional things you can do to help keep the wildlife safe in their environment. First, as you all surely already know, please refrain from littering. Do not toss trash willy-nilly, but instead place it in a secure trash bin, or a recycling bin if relevant. This includes any and all items, as any variety of things can lead to dangers for wildlife. For example, the handles of plastic or paper bags can get stuck around the necks of wildlife critters, or any variety of items could be swallowed and lead to a choking hazard. And that's just naming two potential examples. To further protect wildlife, please cut the aforementioned handles on plastic and paper bags before tossing them into the trash or recycling. This ensures that wildlife won't get their heads or limbs stuck in the handles. This also goes for milk jug lid rings, plastic or other rings that multipacks of soda come in, and anything else of that sort. Please simply cut such things before tossing them out in order to prevent strangulation or other injuries to wildlife.

In addition, before tossing them in a bin, do your best to rinse out cans and other food or drink containers. For one, this can perhaps help reduce the likelihood of wildlife eating food that is potentially unhealthy for them. Also, rinsing food containers can help reduce the likelihood of wildlife sniffing out leftover debris and therefore breaking into and going through trash and recycling bins, something that we surely all wish to avoid.

We share this land with a great many critters, and it's important that we keep this land safe for all of its inhabitants. So, please refrain from littering or otherwise contributing to situations that can be dangerous to wildlife.

Happy Birthday, Thimble, Toby, Trapper, and Sweet Angel Talon!

Today is a bittersweet day. It's my sweet girl Thimble's 11th birthday. This little tabby girl is one of the sweetest beings I have ever met in my life. I love her so much, and I hope she has the happiest birthday ever.

My parents, my sister, and myself met Thimble and her 3 brothers when they were just 3 weeks old. My grandma discovered that her neighbor had found these kittens on his property, and for some reason he'd put them in a bucket. They ended up with my grandma on that day, and ultimately made their way to us. We bottle fed them, intending to foster them until they were old enough to adopt out. Obviously, we were foster fails.

Thimble's brothers include our chill, fuzzy tuxie housemate Toby, who owns my sister. Since my sister currently lives with me, Thimble (and myself!) gets to spend lots of time with her fuzzy brother.

My parents' boys from the litter are the cool, laidback tabby Trapper and the sweet, social tuxie-ish Talon.

As we mentioned in a recent memorial post, Talon gained his angel wings on April 25th, just 2 weeks ago, from suspected pulmonary carcinoma. My family is very attached to and loves every single one of these sweet kitties beyond words, in no small part because we met these babies and bottle fed them at such an early age. They were our first ever bottle babies. We miss Talon so, so much, but we will never forget him. We love him always and forever, and we hope that he and all of his siblings have the most beautiful birthday.

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I really tried to have Thimble and her brothers' new birthday doodle done for today, but I just didn't manage it. So, here's a flashback from the good ol' days.

Thimble, I am so happy and grateful to be your human mom. I love you so much, sweet girl, and I hope you have the best birthday ever.

Toby and Trapper, you are two handsome, chill fellas whom I'm so grateful to have in my life. Have the best birthday ever, boys.

Sweet, sweet Talon, I love you. We all love you. We miss you, but you will never be forgotten. Not ever. You are and always will be a huge part of us, and I hope you have the best heavenly birthday.

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Tip of the Day

Today's wildlife tip is about those bright-eyed, bushy-tailed rodents we so often seen running about. That is, squirrels. As we've all certainly witnessed, squirrels are not all that particular when it comes to what they'll put in their mouths. They are pretty resilient, but that doesn't mean we should throw any and every food out there for them. For example, bread and starchy foods are not the best diet choice for squirrels, especially when moldy. Even peanuts and corn are not all that ideal for them, again, especially when moldy. Of course, human junk food is also not a great option.

So, if you want to throw some snacks out for the squirrels, such as to enhance that Squirrel TV, try to offer them some foods that are a bit healthier for them. What, then, are some potential foods you can offer squirrels as healthy snacks? Tree nuts are one option, such as walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and hickory nuts. Vegetables can also be just as healthy for squirrels as they are for us, and some good options for squirrels include carrots, broccoli, and zucchini. Another option is fruit, such as apple, strawberries, and grapes. So, while squirrels may not be picky when it comes to food, if you wish to offer them some choices, there are some healthy ones you can try. Then, you and your furbabies can enjoy a healthy episode of Squirrel TV.