Toesday Tuesday with Clarissa

Pictures of Me - Clarissa

Mom found some older pictures of me and I wanted to share them with my friends.

 Clarissa - 2003 (above and below)

 Clarissa - 2013 (below)

I'm not as full figured now as I was back in 2003, but my weight is healthy. My tummy isn't fluffy white anymore either. In 2004 I developed an allergy and I started overgrooming my tummy. I have to get a depo injection about every 12-16 weeks. If I don't, I will groom my belly until it is raw.  Mom has gotten rid of both of those old kitchen stools and she hasn't replaced them yet. I still sleep on the beds most of the time.

We wanted to thank everyfur for their prayers for Judith. As of today, $6200 has been raised for her needs. Mom hasn't heard and more news regarding her recovery, but we will post more when she does.

Throwback Thursday AND Thankful Thursday

I decided to combine Throwback Thursday and Thankful Thursday together today. The "throwback" part comes from the "baby" pictures that mom found from my "Gotcha Day." Mom went to an outdoor gathering for the Kentucky Humane Society to look for a dog and she came home with me! I was 8 weeks old and I had a runny eye and I kept sneezing! I was on an antibiotic for a couple of weeks and I was treated for fleas a few weeks later.

The "thankful" part is because I'm so thankful that I ended up with a great forever home with mom and all of my brothers and sisters. But for the first year I was in my home, I was the only cat.

My Gotcha Day anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks. These pictures are from August 27, 2000. Mom said she can hardly believe that I've been with her for 14 years.

 And this is what I look like now! Mom should have saved this picture for Whiskerhump Wednesday!

Friday Photos

Mom has been busy with the flashy box (aka her phone) so we are going to share some pictures today.

 That's me, Clarissa, having a snack. Please excuse the carpet.

Nap pile #1: Lily, Daisy, Fred the Pillow, and the toes of Spunky.

 Ginger and I were sharing a sun puddle on the living room couch.

 That's Johnny on mom's bed. Those are her goggles behind him.

 Cash & Johnny NOT looking at the camera.

 Cash & Johnny looking at the camera.

 Nap pile #2: Cash, Spunky, & Batman (being Long Cat)

 Capt. Puff "Puffypants" McPufferson

Cash Dixon. His eyes match the blanket.

We hope everyone enjoys their long weekend! Mom is going to a Beatles thing tomorrow called "Abbey Road on the River." We are going to be napping!

Purrs,

Clarissa & Co.

Wordless Wednesday: Clarissa Anne - 2007

My Mini Movie

Yesterday I mentioned that mom made a video of me on Monday night. I was laying in her lap and having my nightly self-grooming session. You can see Lily on the foot of the recliner, and then Serendipity (Seren) decided that she needed some screen time. Please forgive mom for filming me washing my lady cat parts. Oh, and mom had the t.v. on so you'll hear Family Guy in the background.

Happy Hump Day!!!

Purrs,
Clarissa

Wordy Wednesday: Chillaxin'

Mom must have been getting ready for a trip when she took this picture. There's a packing list and her camera bag next to me. And mom, seriously, you toenail polish is about to blind me!!! Geez....

Purrs,
Clarissa

Just a short postie....

Things have gotten back to normal at home. Panda's memorial altar is still in place. Mom said she isn't ready to move it yet. But now she can talk about Panda without tears, so she is getting better. And now she is trying to get us caught up on on vaccines and licenses.

The first to go last Saturday was big brother Spunky. Notice I said big brother, not older brother! Spunky weighed in at 18 lbs. He checked out just fine, too. Mom had a senior panel run on him since he is Angel Panda's brother and will be 10 this year. The results came back today and all was good! Spunky received his rabies vaccine on Saturday and also got a claw trim. He is good to go until next May.

And now I am going to embarrass him a little. Spunky would not come out of the carrier at the vet's office. Since it was a front loading carrier, mom had to turn it up on end to get him out. Spunky came out all right, along with a large puddle of cat pee. He's never peed in his carrier before, so I think he just had a really full bladder and couldn't wait!

I also had to make the trip to the vet. I was a bit overdue for my Depo injection. I over-groomed my belly again until the skin was inflamed. I may have to go back a week from this Saturday for a second shot. It depends on how well this one works.

Brother Puff is scheduled to go in this coming Saturday. Mom wants a senior panel run on him too. Another sibling of Angel Panda's, he will also turn 10 this year.

That's it for now!

Purrs,
Clarissa

Wordless Wednesday - Clarissa

Monday, Monday...can't trust that day...

Clarissa here this morning. I've taken over "Mancat Monday" today. We hope those who celebrated Easter had a wonderful day. And for our friends, who celebrate Passover, we hope their holiday is fantastic.

First the mom report. She is sore. Mom spent the weekend "downsizing" the house and cleaning. She's barely made a drop in the bucket. It will be a slow process, but she is determined to clear out things she doesn't use, clothing she never wears, etc. However, mom said her body, especially her knees, are killing her now. She is an official "geezer".

I had to go to the vet on Saturday morning. Not a good way to start any day in my book. I've mentioned before that I will groom my tummy until it is raw. I've done that again and my upper lip has been swollen for a couple of weeks. It hasn't been bothering me, but it hasn't gotten any better. Turns out I have a rodent ulcer on my lip. And it is probably tied into the whole over-grooming thing. The vet says it is an allergy issue. Since I can't have any more steroid injections (the last one caused a cyst to form) I am now on Predisone. I have to take it twice a day for 7 days, the once a day for 7 days, then every other day for 7 days. Since we don't know what I'm allergic to, mom may try some different foods.

Mom here: Rissa started chewing at her belly until it was raw back in 2004, shortly before my dad died. She was four years old. I thought it was stress related due to him being ill. However, it continued until our vet finally tried the Depo injects. Those worked just fine for about 12-16 weeks, then it would start over again. The last injection she received was in August 2011. That one resulted in the cyst forming on her side. I had the cyst removed - it was benign - but then her incision got infected. No more injections for Rissa.

I tried the venison and green peas prescription food (I don't remember the brand) and she refused to eat it. Currently, the cats are eating Nine Lives Plus. Fred is on a prescription food due to his kidney issues.

Rissa Update

Mom again....Rissa is doing quite well. Dr. Green flushed the abscess out and gave Rissa an antibiotic injection and an anti-inflammatory injection. She came home late Friday afternoon. She is much too clever to wear the "cone of shame" and managed to get it off. It also stressed her out so much that it was decided that she was better without it.

She was taken back to see Dr. Green on Monday morning. Dr. Green was pleased with the way the wound was looking. She did flush it again, and said she would like to see Rissa on Saturday morning for another follow-up. If all is well, she will remove the remaining two stitches (since Rissa removed the others herself!).

All of the kitties say "hello" and I will be returning the blog back to them.

Rissa is at the vet's office.....

Mom here. Miss Rissa Roo has pulled out a couple of stitches in her incision and the incision is swollen and infected. She was in my lap last night and I noticed a bead of pus (sorry to be so icky) at the top of the incision.

Since the infection was draining, I figured she could wait until this morning to go in. Rissa was fine during the night, and she was a very cooperative girl and went right into the carrier this morning. I dropped her off at the vet's office on the way to work this morning.

I know she will be fine and she is in good hands. I'm sure I'll be able to pick her up this afternoon. But, unfortunately for her, she will be wearing the "cone of shame" until the incision has healed and the stitches can be removed without her assistance.

Lab Report Is Back!!!

Good news!!!! The lump was nothing more than a benign cyst!!! Isn't that great news?!!!! Dr. R. suspects it was caused by my last Depomederol (spelling?) injection. We are all so happy at my house!!!

Thank you, my friends, for the purrs and prayers!

I'm singing for joy at my good news!!!!

Off to the V-E-T Today...

Clarissa here with our vet updates. I'll start with myself. Other than the lump, I am doing just fine. Weight is good. Heart/lungs sound great! Eyes/ears/mouth are A-OK. I got my rabies vaccine and I was good to go. As for the lump, my surgery has been scheduled for Friday, October 21. It everything goes as it should (and it will!), I should be able to come home Friday night.

Brother Sable also went in for his annual exam this morning. He's another big boy at 14 lbs. And he was so good! I growled and hissed at Dr. Green and Sable didn't make a sound. He had to get his rabies and distemper vaccines. And he got a clear bill of health too. Mom told Dr. Green about Sable's sneezing and she said it sounds like allergies. Since he isn't acting like he feels bad, his appetite is normal, and he is active, we are just going to watch him for now.

Serendipity has conjunctivitis in her right eye. Mom got home from work last night and noticed that Seren's eye was red and a little puffy. So it was off to the vet with her instead of Fiona. Seren will have to get that gooey ointment put in her eye twice daily for a week to ten days. Dr. Green did check Seren's eye for any abrasion or scratch and it was clear.

Mom called early this morning and asked if she could bring Fred in for a weight check. He is holding his own at 7 lbs. 2 oz. Dr. Green looked at Fred's teeth and gums. She pressed around on his teeth and gums and Fred didn't flinch or cry or growl or bite. She said at this time, she didn't think an extraction of teeth would be a good thing for him. She thinks it would be too stressful on his kidneys. She gave me some samples of different kidney diet foods to try with him. He hated the K/D (canned) and wouldn't eat it. Dr. Green also found FLEA DIRT on Fred! *sigh* She put a dose of Revolution on him in the office, and mom had to dose the remaining 14 of us when she got home.

Fiona got a reprieve this morning and her appointment has been rescheduled to October 29, along with Bandit.

We spent the rest of the day sleeping in sun puddles and doing a little window whiffing! It is suppose to reach 80 tomorrow, but then take a turn to much cooler weather.

The Rissa Report: Mom's talk with my v-e-t

Mom spoke with my regular v-e-t yesterday. He read the report that the substitute v-e-t left regarding the lump on my side. There really isn't any more news about it. He told mom she had three choices.

1. She can monitor the lump and watch for any changes in size.
2. V-e-t can remove the lump and not have it biopsied.
3. V-e-t can remove the lump and have it biopsied.

The lump hasn't changed in size since mom found it on September 29. I have an appointment scheduled for this coming Saturday for my annuals. Mom said the v-e-t will take a look at my lump then and mom will make the decision on what to do. She is still leaning toward choice #3.

Mom is also still concerned over brother Fred. Fred isn't gaining weight like she hoped he would. He doesn't appear to have lost any weight either. He should weigh around 10 or 11 lbs. When she picks him up he feels like he weighs next to nothing.

Mom asked our v-e-t yesterday if Fred's chronic gingivitis issue could be effecting his kidneys. He said yes, it is possible. However, removing Fred's teeth, which would take care of the chronic gingivitis, might not correct the kidney issue. So now mom doesn't know what she should do. It is agreed that the dental extraction is extreme and it is also expensive. And if Fred would go through that process, our vet would not do it. He said he would have Fred go to a specialist.

Mom adopted Fred when he was 2 years old and he is 5 now. He has had this chronic gingivitis problem since he has been with us. He has always had terrible stinky breath. Mom has also noticed that he tends to turn his head to the right and chews on that side, leading her to believe that the left side of his mouth is tender.

Any words of advice you can give us would be greatly appreciated.

More Lump News....

Rissa here again. Mom heard from the v-e-t again yesterday. She took a closer look at the slide with the lump sample on it. Upon further inspection she said she noticed some "round cells". She said it could be something or it could be nothing. And she apologized for not being able to give mom a definitive answer. But she also gave mom some good advice to save a few toonas.

The v-e-t said she could send the sample to an outside lab for another look. She said if she did that, more than likely the outside lab would send back a report telling us the same thing that she told me. And they would then request a biopsy. Instead of spending another $80-$100 on this, she said mom should save the toonas and use it toward the biopsy, assuming that is what my regular v-e-t wants to do. This v-e-t said she would make sure that Drs. Riney and Green see my chart and her notes.

Although mom hates to put me through a minor surgery, she thinks the lump should be removed and biopsied.

Mom and I will know more next week after my regular v-e-t-s are back in their office.

Purrs,
Clarissa
(aka Rissa Roo)

The Rissa Report: My Vet Visit

Hi kitties and woofies! I told you last week that mom found a small, pea-sized lump on my side last Thursday. Mom took me to see the v-e-t yesterday afternoon to have it checked out.

First of all, I saw a different doctor. Both of my regular doctors were out of the office. Mom and I both liked this doctor and she took good care of me. She shaved my fur off the small area so she could get a better look at the lump and a better feel. Then she decided to take a sample from it and look at what she got under the microscope. The good news: nothing out of the ordinary showed up in the sample. It appears to be nothing more than a fatty cyst. The vet said she was going to take the slide to the emergency office where she works to look at it under a better microscope just to be sure. She said she would let mom know today.

We got a little more window whiffin' time in once I was home from the v-e-t. My side was a little sore and I have a bruise from the needle stick, so I found a comfy spot and slept. Sable took a nap in the recliner with mom.

It's another beautiful day here and the temp is going into the mid-70s. We just know mom will open the windows again when she gets home from work!

Purrs,
Clarissa

Fall Is In The Air!

Kitties! It feels like fall here! It is a great relief after have temps between 100 and 102 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday! A cold front came through on Sunday night and yesterday the high was in the upper 60s. It's suppose to be in the 60s and 70s for the remainder of this week. We will still have some days in the 80s before fall really sets in, but for now this is perfect weather.

Jazzpurr had her annual exam and got her vaccines on Saturday. She has a short, stocky build and weighed in at 12 lbs. Mom told the vet that Jazz was the perfect size for Thanksgiving dinner! Hee hee! She would never have Jazz for dinner though. Mom loves her too much!

Fred gained another half ounce, and me (Clarissa) had to get my depo shot because I started chewing on my belly again.

Mom opened some windows yesterday so there was a lot of whiffin' going on at our house. We really liked that a lot!

We hope everyone had a great weekend and a great Labor Day holiday if you live in the USA!

Wordless Wednesday: Baby Clarissa/September 2000

Vet visits for Clarissa & Panda today!

Me (Clarissa) and Panda went to the v*t this morning. Mom is behind on some of our vaccines. Panda had to get her rabies vaccine and that other one that covers a bunch of stuff. It's a good thing she went today too! The vet noticed that Panda's right eye was inflamed. Looks like she may have conjunctivitis now. Mom has to put a drop of medicine in her eye 3x daily. The v*t did the first dose. Mom just did the 2nd one a little while ago...and now Panda is hiding. She is afraid this may be an issue. Please purr that it isn't. Panda weighs 16 lbs and is very very strong. Please purr that she will cooperate!

I had to have my ears cleaned. They were so DIRTY!!!! I get that yeasty build-up that has something to do with allergies. I also got my Depomedrol injection so I'll stop chewing on my belly and making it raw.

We both got claw trims too! Panda was so good and didn't complain one bit - except on the ride to and from the office while she was in the carrier. I was quiet in the carrier but I complained loudly at the office! I growled and hissed at the vet a lot!

Purrs,
Clarissa & Panda