I'm happy to report that all the kitties are doing well. James and Splinter are still on antibiotics, but they seem to be back to their old selves again!!! Splinter took a bit longer to bounce back then James did, but that was mostly because she's so small and didn't have the vaccines to help fight off the infection. We still don't know what caused all this, but as long as it's gone I don't really care!!!
Thank you all for your happy thoughts, I know it helped:)
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Good Thoughts Requested
We're having a bit of an epidemic in the house right now, with a very high fever making its way around the cats.
On Wednesday James began showing signs of sickness, mostly by becoming the world's most lethargic cat (which was a very big deal considering he's normally the most hyper active of the bunch). By Thursday morning he had hit a new low, so we immediately took him to see Dr. Lista. His fever was at 105.3, a very dangerous number, and we needed to do anything and everything we could to get it back down. At 106 cats bodies can no longer handle the heat, and their bodies start shutting down. They also go into hypothermia, which James was already showing signs of by shaking uncontrollably. He spent the day at the vet's office on fluids and strong antibiotics, and by 4pm his fever was at 104... a much, much better number!!! We brought him home and continued to monitor his temperature, and got him to eat and drink, which was the next major hurdle. He's also on antibiotics, and seems to be getting stronger and better by the hour. This morning his temperature seemed normal again, and while he's not back to 100% he is getting pretty close.
The bad part is that while James was much better this morning, Splinter was much worse. We tested her at home and she hit 105, so off to Dr. Lista's office we went. She's still there, getting the same treatment James did, so hopefully she'll pull out of it soon too!! The scary thing is that she's much younger, smaller and hasn't had any of her vaccinations yet (she's only 8-9 weeks, and this is when she would start her first round of vaccines).
So please send all of your good thoughts to Splinter and the rest of the group, and if anyone has disinfecting advice I'm all ears!!! We have no idea what is causing the fevers (it was diagnosed as "fever of unknown origins" - but at least the tests for the horrible diseases all came back negative), so it's hard to know how to stop it from spreading. We're in the process of bleaching everything in the house, which I may or may not be taking to crazy extreme levels.
More updates to come as I get them... fingers and toes all crossed that Splinter is the tough little lady I think she is!!!!!
On Wednesday James began showing signs of sickness, mostly by becoming the world's most lethargic cat (which was a very big deal considering he's normally the most hyper active of the bunch). By Thursday morning he had hit a new low, so we immediately took him to see Dr. Lista. His fever was at 105.3, a very dangerous number, and we needed to do anything and everything we could to get it back down. At 106 cats bodies can no longer handle the heat, and their bodies start shutting down. They also go into hypothermia, which James was already showing signs of by shaking uncontrollably. He spent the day at the vet's office on fluids and strong antibiotics, and by 4pm his fever was at 104... a much, much better number!!! We brought him home and continued to monitor his temperature, and got him to eat and drink, which was the next major hurdle. He's also on antibiotics, and seems to be getting stronger and better by the hour. This morning his temperature seemed normal again, and while he's not back to 100% he is getting pretty close.
The bad part is that while James was much better this morning, Splinter was much worse. We tested her at home and she hit 105, so off to Dr. Lista's office we went. She's still there, getting the same treatment James did, so hopefully she'll pull out of it soon too!! The scary thing is that she's much younger, smaller and hasn't had any of her vaccinations yet (she's only 8-9 weeks, and this is when she would start her first round of vaccines).
So please send all of your good thoughts to Splinter and the rest of the group, and if anyone has disinfecting advice I'm all ears!!! We have no idea what is causing the fevers (it was diagnosed as "fever of unknown origins" - but at least the tests for the horrible diseases all came back negative), so it's hard to know how to stop it from spreading. We're in the process of bleaching everything in the house, which I may or may not be taking to crazy extreme levels.
More updates to come as I get them... fingers and toes all crossed that Splinter is the tough little lady I think she is!!!!!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Rain rain go away....
While the weather in Miami is usually pretty stellar, the summer months tend to be a bit on the wet side. To call it a rainy season is an understatement. Especially when you throw in a few tropical storms that bring unrelenting storms (no hurricanes so far this year!).
I honestly do love the storms in Miami though... they're just so fierce that it's quite an experience to sit inside watching the rain and lighting (we seriously have the best lightning... even if it is kind of dangerous) and hearing the wind roar. The downside, however, is that it makes TNR nearly impossible.
I've got a very long list of feral cats that are on my sterilization to do list, but with all the rain I can't set out traps. The storms also come on pretty fast, so it's not always possible to predict when they're going to hit, and as such I don't want to trap a cat and then have it accidentally get caught in a downpour. The campus cats are all primarily active at night (cats are nocturnal), so I normally leave my traps set for a few hours at a time late at night (or in the very early morning). Perfect time for the rain to hit when I least expect it (or am asleep). I haven't given up hope though, and am patiently waiting for a break in the weather to do a massive trapping!!! The kitties may think they're safe from my traps, but it's only a matter of time:)
I honestly do love the storms in Miami though... they're just so fierce that it's quite an experience to sit inside watching the rain and lighting (we seriously have the best lightning... even if it is kind of dangerous) and hearing the wind roar. The downside, however, is that it makes TNR nearly impossible.
I've got a very long list of feral cats that are on my sterilization to do list, but with all the rain I can't set out traps. The storms also come on pretty fast, so it's not always possible to predict when they're going to hit, and as such I don't want to trap a cat and then have it accidentally get caught in a downpour. The campus cats are all primarily active at night (cats are nocturnal), so I normally leave my traps set for a few hours at a time late at night (or in the very early morning). Perfect time for the rain to hit when I least expect it (or am asleep). I haven't given up hope though, and am patiently waiting for a break in the weather to do a massive trapping!!! The kitties may think they're safe from my traps, but it's only a matter of time:)
Friday, August 5, 2011
a little goes a long way...
Looking for ways to help the animals, but don't know where to start?
Or, do you want to help but can only give a small amount??
Well look no further than Pennies-4-Paws. They are a non-profit animal rescue group that collects donations in small amounts (typically $3-5, but of course they'll accept more) and spreads the funds around to areas where it's needed most. You can also donate to a specific cause, or buy a specific product (eg. 1 bag of cat litter for the Humane Society shelter in WI).
I encourage everyone to visit the site to learn more about this wonderful organization, and donate if you can. Just think, that cup of coffee you bought this morning could feed a shelter dog for a week... (not that I'm discouraging the purchase of coffee... I need my coffee too!! But maybe there's room for both!!)!!!
Pennies-4-Paws
Or, do you want to help but can only give a small amount??
Well look no further than Pennies-4-Paws. They are a non-profit animal rescue group that collects donations in small amounts (typically $3-5, but of course they'll accept more) and spreads the funds around to areas where it's needed most. You can also donate to a specific cause, or buy a specific product (eg. 1 bag of cat litter for the Humane Society shelter in WI).
I encourage everyone to visit the site to learn more about this wonderful organization, and donate if you can. Just think, that cup of coffee you bought this morning could feed a shelter dog for a week... (not that I'm discouraging the purchase of coffee... I need my coffee too!! But maybe there's room for both!!)!!!
Pennies-4-Paws
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Foiled Again
Turns out Splinter isn't a tough little boy at all, but a lively little girl!! It's sometimes a bit hard to tell when they're so tiny, and in the past couple of weeks I just never thought to double check. Until yesterday. And turns out I've been wrong the whole time. Oh well, despite the sex Splinter is still a super cutie, and I'm very thankful that SHE is doing so well!!!!!
Next week will be her big spay day, and then it's time to step up the adoption process:)
Next week will be her big spay day, and then it's time to step up the adoption process:)
Harry at home...
This is Harry, the late comer to the kitty party that is now taking up residence at my friend's house.
Harry has settled right in as he recovers from his neuter yesterday!! He's such an affectionate kitty, and very talkative. I've also realized that the reason he's probably so skinny is because he'll pick pets over food any and every time!!!
He's pretty healthy though, aside from a blistered nose and ring worm which he's currently receiving medicine for. He'll be at 100% in no time, and back to playing with his little boy in a few days... I know he can't wait:)
UPDATE:
Harry went home yesterday, and immediately ran to the back door looking for his people!! Then he ran off after his sisters for some play time. I'll miss him and his snuggles, but I'm happy he and his family have such a great home now:)
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