2018 So Far

2018 has proven itself to be a tough contender so far, which is one of the many reasons I haven't posted at all. Another reason is I've been lazy.

It started great, the first week and a half, fantastic! Michael had dental surgery that ended up being okay in the end but was problematic for him for about two weeks. I went to the doctor for a check up and have ended up needing a plethora of tests. I get my results on Feb 15th.

However the very worst part of 2018 was when Cecil got sick again. Around mid-January he started acting funny. We hoped it was just another bout of pancreatitis so we gave him pain meds, laxative and appetite stimulants like we did in October, as advised by our vet. We hoped and prayed it was not another case of him eating something foreign like he did in September when he required surgery. He wasn't getting any better so I took him in for a check up. His bowel was impacted. Far worse than in September. I had to make the difficult decision to have him euthanized. We talked about doing a second surgery to remove the obstruction from his bowel but the vet said she didn't think it would be successful because of the size of the mass. It took up a significant portion of his bowel. My poor baby. He was only 15 months old. He suffered from an eating disorder called PICA which gave him the unconscious desire to eat non-food items.

Michael, the kids and I miss him so much. He was such a special little guy. Ezra, Ruby, Dozer and Moose miss him too.

Cecil
October 27, 2016 - January 22, 2018

Here's to hoping 2018 gets better.

Cecil's Fundraising

First: I don't know if any of you actually read my blog, I'd like to thank everyone (again) for your support and donations last month with Cecil's vet bill. We successfully raised a little over $600. Cecil is doing wonderfully and we are so happy to have him continue to be a part of our R5 family. 

Second: the financing Michael and I were waiting for (since early August) finally came through for us last week and we are able to breathe again. Breathing is nice. As a result we have decided to, in 2018, match and donate dollar for dollar, the $600+ raised for Cecil to one of our favourite cat rescues. 

We will forever be grateful for your kindness.

Cecil Vs. The Plastic He Ate

Last Friday, after his stay at the vet, two x-rays and two enemas, Cecil was discharged. He was eating small amounts and had not vomited since being admitted. After we got home he pooped! We were so excited and felt relieved we were out of the woods.

Saturday, while I was at work, he vomited a couple times, but was still interacting and interested in food, although not as much as normal. Sunday he was worse. He slept all day, did not eat, and vomited again. Monday I took him into the vet, where I had to decide if I wanted to euthanize an otherwise healthy 10 month old kitten or if I wanted to go ahead with exploratory surgery, which, if you're a pet parent, you know these things come with quite a price tag.

I called my husband and we decided to go ahead with the surgery.

After another two day and night stay at the vet yesterday after work I went to pick him up. He is eating and healthy and recovering well. We, and the team at our vet clinic, are very pleased with how well he is doing.

During the surgery they found that it wasn't the foam he had eaten that was causing the issue, but quite a large (compared to the size of Cecil's innards) piece of plastic. It had perforated a hole in his intestines. Thankfully they were successful in removing the plastic, as well as about an inch of his intestines, and put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

Cecil's home for the next 10 days

The plastic he ate. Toonie for size comparison.

There hasn't been much knitting going on, but I do have to get my butt into gear and get started on some xmas presents soon. 

I'll keep you posted. :)

Feline Fridays

Three kitties in a tree.

The boys

The hoard of cat toys I found under the china cabinet.

Adorable Cecil.

Oops We Did It Again

On Saturday I was skimming facebook and a post by the local SPCA showed two little white kittens up for adoption at a store in town. Michael and I were heading out for errands anyway so I told him I wanted to pop by and have a look, and honestly, that's all I planned to do -- LOOK.

To make a very long story short, we left the store, did our errands and then somehow ended with us back at the store signing the adoption papers for little little gaffer ...

Cecil

He was born on October 27, 2016 and we brought him home on February 25, 2017. He is Michael's early birthday present. He has claimed Michael as his person.

Ruby and Cecil play together nicely. Ezra is okay with him being here, but as usual, needs to show her disgust by hissing and giving him dirty looks before she actually interacts. 

More to come ...