Kittens 'n Things

The surgery is over, and so far so good!

Jonny and his spleen were parted yesterday/Thursday. The vet told me Jonny’s spleen was 10 times larger than the normal-size spleen in a kitty! (He had a mastocytosis that, as far as they could tell, was contained in the spleen.)

When they removed the spleen, they also took a biopsy of Jonny’s liver, and a lymph node. We hope to have the results of those sometime next week.

Jonny did well in the surgery, although his blood pressure went a little bit low. All in all, though, he’s recovering well and is expected to get to come home today. I’ll be calling the vet later this morning to see when I can get him.

Last night was the first night Jonny had ever spent away from home in all of his 14 years, so I imagine it might have been a bit traumatic for him…I just hope there weren’t any barking woofies there to disturb him. As that would be a new sound to Jonny.

Thank you all for your purrs and prayers and well wishes for Jonny.

Yours in Jonny coming home today,

and “The Boys”

Did you hear the story about Willow, the Calico cat that had been missing for 5 years!

She originally lived in Boulder, Colorado, five years ago and somehow went missing.

Her family looked high and low for her, putting out flyers, and even ads on sites like Craigslist.

And still, they saw hide nor hair of her.

Then just this week, an animal shelter in New York City (NEW YORK CITY, kitties!) called to say they had the family’s cat and she was well!

Thanks to a microchip in Willow’s ear, the shelter was able to identify her and where she came from.

The story goes that not only was Willow a prime country wanderer, she was also an escape artist” as she left home in 2006 when a plumber had left the door open!

Willow made it across country, to New York City, some 1,800 miles from her home.

I can see a whole lot of “fortunatelys” (or kitty guardian angels) here for Willow:

**Fortunately, a man found her wandering the streets and took her to the shelter.
**Fortunately, someone must have cared for her along the way as she seems to be in good health (although it seems no one took her to a Vet, where the microchip would have been seen.)
**Fortunately, she had some good meals along the way, as her girlish figure is a bit hefty.
**Fortunately, no cars or animals got her…and
The fortunatelys go on.

The family theory is: “Someone took her in and took care of her and didn’t take her to the vet to get scanned, which would have brought her home a lot faster, and moved to New York,” says Chris (Squire, owner). “And once again, she went wandering.”

Thanking Cod for microchips and for kitties that find their homes,

and “The Boys”

P.S. A Vet can easily insert a microchip in a cat or dog. If you haven’t already done so, it’s something to consider.

Video source: KDVR-TV – Fox-31 Denver (Colorado)

Photo source:MailOnline

It may be a bit late in the summer to be posting about “cats in the sun”….what with the hot sun somewhat winding down now; at least in the U.S. However, knowing we have different seasons around the world, this information may still be rather timely somewhere. Or, you’ll just have it early for next year!

Years ago when Snowflake was part of our “first cat family”, in cat fashion, she loved to sit in the south window (in particular) – or to lie down there, and “sun bathe”.

We used to say she could get sunburned; and sometimes it looked like the tips of her little ears got a bit pink.

According to a tip I read this week by Kelly Pully in “The Daily Cat Tip”, cats indeed can get sun burned, even skin cancer. Since, as we know, many of them spend a good part of their day doing their thing in the sun.

So if you are “babysitting” your kitty, it would be perfect if you cankeep her in the shade. But you know as well as I do that getting a kitty to change its direction once he or she gets a notion is near impossible.

There are some sunscreen products on the market that are safe for cats for when your kitty does go out, so be sure you have put the cream or lotion on its ears, its nose and any other place where your kitty does not have fur. Paw pads, too. And if your kitty doesn’t have much (or any) fur on its tummy, add some lotion there, as well.

Of course, since your kitty is really good about taking its bath, you may have to apply the lotion more than once, and for best results, you’ll want to rub it in.

To coincide with your kitty spending his time outside, you will also want to check for lumps and/or unusual redness on its skin–that may be caused by the sun.

Yours with a cat in the sun

and “The Boys”

P.S. Or, you might look for a stroller with a top like this Fifth Avenue SUV Pet Stroller, Blue (See all Pet Strollers) your kitty can spend some time in!

When I was younger, at intermission time at the movie theater a short video of different kinds of snacks, and a jingle, “Let’s all go to the lobby, let’s all go to the lobby…to get ourselves a treat!” would run on the screen for “x” amount of time to give the audience a chance to get up and go to the lobby before the main movie would start.

(I haven’t been to the movie theater for a while so I don’t know if they still run that video–or if they show something similar.)

So, that’s how it goes around here when either Chuck or I go to the kitchen. Doesn’t matter why we go there…whether I go to bake a cake or to start the evening meal. Or even to get a glass of water.

It seems like at least one or the other of “The Boys” will make it a point to join me–as he (or they) looks for handouts!

And if they’re not all around when I first go to the kitchen, they magically appear once they start smelling the food cooking or baking or grilling! I’m convinced they recognize the smell of specific foods!

Yours in having an audience while you cook

and “The Boys”

P.S. Mews Nooz is ready and will be in your Inbox tomorrow morning early, unless you’re not yet a subscriber. Get your very own copy by leaving your name and email address over there >>> in the box to the right.

Photo: Snowflake – who managed to “fix her own meals”, it seems.

As I was putting together Saturday’s upcoming issue of my ezine, “Mews Nooz”, I began my lead article by referring to a story I had seen in the national news–and then on the Internet–about a “cat burglar”!

And all of the loot “the little guy” was known to have made off with!

My article then morphed into some of the perilous things that can jeopardize an outdoor cat’s well-being.

Coincidentally then, in today’s paper, I read an article about some of the dangers for inside cats, as well. (more…)

I wanted to give a quick follow-up on Billy–that goes along with his trip to the vet on Thursday.

First, though, I’m thrilled to say Billy seems to be almost back to his kitty magnetism…or is it mine?

Anyway, he’s back to sitting on my lap.

Although this morning he would still periodically jerk his head, like he was doing on Wednesday! Like a spasm or something.

I also wanted to add a bit of a public service announcement. When we were at the vet on Thursday and relaying to him that Billy had not eaten that we knew of since Tuesday (he could have sneaked some crunchies or something, though), the vet said that once he examined Billy he would force-feed him. This was because once a cat hasn’t eaten for 48 hours it can become problematic to kitty’s health.

In particular, it could be detrimental to the liver.

So, we wanted to pass this along–particularly since we hadn’t heard it before. We just knew it wasn’t good if kitties don’t eat; we didn’t know to what extent.

Also, “The Boys” and I wanted to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers for Billy getting back to wellness and my lap!

Yours in kitties on laps,

and “The Boys”

Photo: Mikey on the left in the front; Billy in the back on the right!

I subscribe to “The Daily Cat Tip” produced daily by Catster.

One of the tips I received a few weeks ago was a short article on “How Your Cat Can Save A Life,” by Kelly Modzelewski, Dog and Cat Writer.

Who would have thought that cats can donate blood. Kelly suggested this could be in instances where a cat has “Feline Leukemia” or for a cat that’s lost a good amount of blood because of an accident, and I’ve added–or even a “‘cat fight”–you know how those can go!

I also think a kitty might lose blood from internal injuries of some kind, or maybe even because of gastro-intestinal problems.

In Kelly’s tips, I learned that (just as with humans) there are animal blood mobile banks that go around the country collecting a cat’s donated blood.

If you’re interested in this and in getting more information, you can contact your local vet to find out how to get your cat involved in this life-saving measure.

Your vet will also be able to tell you if there are any restrictions on which cats can and cannot give blood. I know for us humans, we have to meet a minimum weight requirement in order to give blood.

The good news is your kitty will not have to be sedated for the blood draw. But, when you and kitty get home, you may find you have a bit of a discussion with her about the blood draw procedure. Hint: Have treats ready, just in case!

Yours in helping to save a kitty’s life with blood,

and “The Boys”

P.S. We’re so proud of any kitties that are able to give blood to help their furriends. And if your kitty’s health or age do not make it possible for her to give, she is still special in our eyes!

Photo source: Lolcats – I Can Has Cheezburger

I went to the pet store Saturday to get some cat food for “The Boys.”

After I was in the door, I walked by the cages where they have kittens and cats for sale. Actually, the local animal shelter provides them for the store…the pet store, in turn, helps the animal shelter find homes for the kitties. Win win!

This week, they had a new little black and white kitty. His name is Jiffy and he’s about 10 weeks old. And boy is he loud!

When I went to the cages area, he immediately came to his cage door; in common fashion, I stuck my finger in the caged door to talk to him. I then saw a sign that asked people to not put fingers and hands in their “space” because the kitties are little and it disrupts them.

Oh man. I felt so bad…I immediately left the cage area and went on to buy cat food.

As I left, I could hear Jiffy “crying” and “crying” and that made my guilt even worse!

In fact, I could hear Jiffy all over the store!

Poor little guy.

Yours in not trying to make kitties cry,

and “The Boys”

Photo source: N. IA Humane Society; “Harley.” They didn’t have a photo of Jiffy.

You’re having a pawty!

And sometimes the frequent “in” and “out” the door as your friends or family come and go can be good or not for your cat.

Sometimes, this might be a bit traumatic for your kitty.

Particularly, if she is a bit shy or not used to being around anyone other than your family.

While “The Boys” here love to run to the door at the sound of a knock and even stick their heads out the door once it’s opened, they still manage to then run and hide when the person enters the room.

So, if you’re having a get-together, the knocks, and strange people seemingly taking over your house or your kitty’s favorite spot, the sometimes extra loudness and other sounds like music or the TV, just might disrupt your kitty’s normal routine.

Which may cause your kitty to be a little stressed.

At pawty times, you might want to find a “private room” for you kitty, away from all the commotion. Give her her favorite toys, food, water and her “business box,” and close the door so she has some privacy.

And do check on her from time to time during the pawty to keep her company for a bit, and to assure her she’s still in your thoughts.

Yours at pawty time,

P.S. Your kitty will love a toy like this to keep her company during your “pawty” time!

I’m sure Petco loves it when I come in the door because I’m thinking we have single-handedly supported every employee there so they can send their kids to college and take vacations to the Bahamas!

Okay, I suppose that’s a bit of an exaggeration!

But, we have purchased an awful lot of cat food at the local store over the years.

With four hungry mouths to feed, though, that’s probably not too surprising. However, we could probably make a few changes in their eating habits, too.

For instance, changing them from “dry” food to “wet food;” currently, they eat both. One does in particular, more than the others.

Bowie loves, absolutely loves, his “crunchies!”

The others do, too, although not to the degree Bowie does.

Actually, we also use the dry food to help us “find” the Boys if they come up missing!

So, how about you? What does your kitty like better? Dry or wet cat food?

Yours at mealtime,

P.S. So turn your kitty loose and let her find something of interest at our Itty Bitty Shoppe.