Vet Visit Day

Today was recheck day for Jim and Phoenix with Dr. Laflin at Cardiff Animal Hospital. Jim is losing weight slowly, but is otherwise doing as well as a kitty with lymphoma can be. She was impressed that he's eating well and still very active. He has added a second homeopathic remedy and a gemmotherapy liquid to his daily regime.

Phoenix impressed everyone as she is not only growing her hair back, but is much calmer and seems happier being "just a cat." She has started a new homeopathic remedy called "CalCarb" to continue her healing process. She will also be starting some digestive enzymes to assist in food absorption.

As we had afternoon appointments, the kitties were just happy to know that a trip to the vet didn't cause a delay in dinnertime!

Jim's Cabana for Seniors

It's about time to show you pictures of "Jim's Kitty Cabana for Seniors". It's a 10' by 12' insulated building, with solar powered lights and fans, a small porch and over 1000 square feet of fenced yard with a roof to protect from predators (and prevent escapes).There are also dogloos (or catgloos!) outside for those kitties who enjoy outside life more than sleeping inside. Inside, there are kitty condos and hiding spots, as well as music playing on their own radio! Most of our kitties reside here, while those who need more personal care live in the house, spending time in smaller fenced play yards. It's not a bad way to spend their "golden years!"

Good News & Not So Good News

Good news for Phoenix ~ no more sheet! Everything looks good for her, and she's promised to eat only cat food from now on!
The not so good news ~ Jim's lymphoma has progressed and he now has a mass in his intestine. It explains why he's dropping weight and having good and bad days. His disease is considered drug resistant, but we'll keep working with Eastern medicine to make his remaining time with us as comfortable as possible. He's still enjoying playing in his yard and spends his days patrolling its perimeter and taking dirt baths; we're blessed to have him in our lives and will enjoy all of our remaining time together. Jim is in the picture above enjoying the cabana yard!

Phoenix Gets an X-ray

If there were any lingering doubts about whether a cat would eat cloth, we've got the answer. Yes. Phoenix did in fact eat a large piece of jersey knit sheet, and it's making its way through her intestine now. We've all got our fingers crossed that it passes on its own. It's now too far along to be removed by endoscopy, so Phoenix would have to go to surgery. Since she's feeling good still (I don't know how, because boy do I have a stomach ache) we've opted to wait a couple of days and recheck her. I hope she sticks to my dietary recommendations from now on!

A New Hypoallergenic Diet

Phoenix felt that there should be more to eat than her rabbit & rice diet. She decided to supplement her diet by eating a bed sheet covering one of the cat beds, leaving a hole in it the size of her head ~ don't try this at home! She's not sick yet, but we're expecting a tummy ache soon. She'll be heading to the vet tomorrow for an x-ray to make sure it's moving through. At least, as you can see, her skin is looking better!

Pepper Poses for a Picture

Here, finally posing for the camera, is Pepper and she would like you to notice that her food dish is empty!
She's really enjoying her new accomodations, and is especially fond of sitting in a chair on the front porch of the kitty cabana. Now if that food dish would just stay full!