A Post from One-Eyed Fiona

Hello everyone. I don't post much, but I'm Clarissa's feisty younger sister. I'm either 14 or 15 years old. I've lived with Clarissa since February 2005. When mom adopted me the shelter said I was either 2 or 3 years old. When I first came to my forever home I was scared and had trust issues. Some of it had to do with only having sight in one eye. I bit mom the first morning I was home because she came up on my blind side! I kinda felt bad about it. It took some time, but I learned to trust and I became quite the lap cat.

But lately I've become grumpy again. I growl and hiss and get angry when any of the other cats get in my space. I sometimes get the same way when mom picks me up. At first mom thought it was because Tovah and Cinnamon joined the family. But they keep to themselves and they don't bother me. Cash has become very bothersome and I think he does it to irritate me. I also think he is vying for a higher position in the cat hierarchy here.

Also, mom recently noticed that my breath stinks. Not like 'cat food breath', but really stinks. I've also started keeping to myself. I have a hiding place under a footstool that is over a floor vent. It's warm and hidden by a long drape so I've been sleeping there a lot. I mean A LOT!
Mom took me to the vet on Monday afternoon for an exam. Those two whippersnappers were going in to get their spay stitches removed. Anymew, I despise going to the vet. I get really ugly when I go to the vet. I growled and hissed, and complained throughout my exam. So here is what mom found out.

(1) I have had a heart murmur for a long time. Mom knew about that. Now I have an irregular heartbeat. The vet said it sounds like a gallop.

(2) My kidneys have shrunk (or shrank) and are failing. That is probably the cause of my bad breath. The same thing happened to Angel Fred. The vet said they go hand in hand (or paw in paw in our case).

(3) I've gone from 8 lbs. to a little over 5 lbs. Now that is over an almost 5 year period. I have been healthy and I stay inside, so mom hasn't taken me to the vet since 2013. Since it upsets me so much, she was okay with this arrangement. I was too.

(4) It's just a matter of time before I will be crossing the Bridge.

The vet recommend against having a blood panel done. I was so upset and I'm so hard to handle, she was afraid I would go into cardiac arrest. And given what she found out with the exam, she said she was sure the results would tell her that my kidney function is very low.

I'm on a prescription diet for now and I'm still showing an interest in food and water. As long as I'm not in pain and I'm getting up and around, mom said she will cherish the time we have. Once my quality of life fades, she will help me cross the Bridge.

Mom is sad, but she accepts the fact that with so many senior cats our time with her is on the short side. I don't know how much time I have left with her. It may be a few weeks or it may be a few months. But I've had such a wonderful, long, and happy life with mom. I'm not ready to say farewell just yet, but I know the time is drawing close.

Purrs,
One-Eyed Fiona

Purrs and Updates

Happy Mew Year!!! Mom got to spend the entire week with us between Christmas and New Year's Day. She had to go back to work yesterday. Mom says having that week off with pay is one of the perks working at the university. And other than mom being sick for a couple of days, it was nice having her home. She didn't go out much while she was off, mainly because it was so cold here.

I wanted to update you on my lab work from my vet visit on December 26. My vet said that for a little old lady cat I am doing pretty well. My kidney and liver functions are still within normal range! I am mildly anemic, so now I'm on an iron supplement, probably for the rest of my days. My white cell count was also slightly elevated, so I'm on a liquid antibiotic. Both mom and I are pleased with the report.

Babies Tovah and Cinnamon are doing well. They still want to run from mom. It's part game and part we're-not-so-sure-about-this. Mom finally got them into the computer room tonight and crated. They girls go in tomorrow morning for their spays. Mom is hoping that Tovah won't start yowling while crated. Cinnamon is fine with it. They can't eat after 8:00pm. It's almost 11:00pm now and mom just crated them. They were confined in the room without food by 8:00pm.

Please keep our little girls in your purrs and prayers for a safe surgery. They will spend the night at the vet's office. Mom can pick them up after 9:00am on Friday. She said she will pick them up when she gets off work at 5:00pm.

Tell your people to stay inside if it is cold where you live!!! We know YOU are smart enough to stay in!

Purrs,

Clarissa