Ungrateful Fur Tube update
Seamus has been checked into the kitty hospital. He's apparently jaundiced and dehydrated. X-rays show no physical obstructions. The vet speculates that it may be an infection blocking bile ducts. They have him on a catheter to rehydrate and to take in antibiotics, though they're unsure if he even has an infection. If he shows no improvement tomorrow they'll do an ultrasound to look for any tumors or other possible obstructions.
The vet did remark that "his eyes are bright and shiny" and that he was at the front of the cage showing interest in his surroundings. I interpret these good signs as hints that whatever has gone awry I got him to the vet soon enough for him to heal.
He had lost a lot of weight -- down to nine pounds! :(
innocentxv, to answer your question, I was topping off his dry food bowl with Purina Cat Chow "Indoor Formula" every morning which would last him the rest of the day. I had gotten a box of "Whiskas" wet food that I was trying that came in wee bags instead of tins. Thinking that might be an infection vector I checked the expiration date on the bags -- August 2006. (Though that doesn't necessarily mean anything given that the USDA is having a hard enough time policing our food no less food destined for pets; urm presuming that the USDA even monitors pet food.)
One other possibility is a circulating filtering water bowl thingy I had recently gotten, courtesy of FreeCycle. I'm worrying that the filter might be good at cleaning up chunks of food that fall into the water when Seamus drinks, but may not be so good at stopping bacteria. Moreover the filter might provide a good collection and breeding point for bacteria even if changed regularly.
Although being among friends would surely be a good tonic just now, I think I'm going to stay in and suckle at the glass teat and drink. I might even try to be productive. (I have writing to do, clothes to wash, and presents to purchase. Egads.)
Down to the last Guinness. I guess it'll be either Bushmills or that bottle of wine I have in the fridge.
The vet did remark that "his eyes are bright and shiny" and that he was at the front of the cage showing interest in his surroundings. I interpret these good signs as hints that whatever has gone awry I got him to the vet soon enough for him to heal.
He had lost a lot of weight -- down to nine pounds! :(
innocentxv, to answer your question, I was topping off his dry food bowl with Purina Cat Chow "Indoor Formula" every morning which would last him the rest of the day. I had gotten a box of "Whiskas" wet food that I was trying that came in wee bags instead of tins. Thinking that might be an infection vector I checked the expiration date on the bags -- August 2006. (Though that doesn't necessarily mean anything given that the USDA is having a hard enough time policing our food no less food destined for pets; urm presuming that the USDA even monitors pet food.)
One other possibility is a circulating filtering water bowl thingy I had recently gotten, courtesy of FreeCycle. I'm worrying that the filter might be good at cleaning up chunks of food that fall into the water when Seamus drinks, but may not be so good at stopping bacteria. Moreover the filter might provide a good collection and breeding point for bacteria even if changed regularly.
Although being among friends would surely be a good tonic just now, I think I'm going to stay in and suckle at the glass teat and drink. I might even try to be productive. (I have writing to do, clothes to wash, and presents to purchase. Egads.)
Down to the last Guinness. I guess it'll be either Bushmills or that bottle of wine I have in the fridge.