My Poor Storm: Update 11-03-09 Having Ups & Downs

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks everyone. I've been working very long hours this week and we supposedly aren't even busy. It's mainly due to some problems we've been trying to iron out and now my department has to do things differently which also takes more time. My boss is out of town and he sure won't like this.

Any way, when I got home one of my cats had thrown up some brown liquid like they do when they have a hairball. I didn't see any hairballs though. I don't know if it was Storm or not. He's still sneezing and sniffling and his left eye waters a lot. His right eye just has some dried up eye crusties in it.

As much as I like long weekends, Monday can't come soon enough. He's still eating so I'm glad that he has a good appetite. Yes, my vets will do blood work and then determine which kind of anesthesia to use on him. I'm sure that he'll be sent home with pain meds or antibiotics if needed.

I have to drop him off between 7-8am and he can't have anything to eat after midnight the night before. They'll call me later in the afternoon to let me know how he's doing and when I can pick him up. I'll update you as soon as I can. Thanks again.

[Barbara]

I have been away for some days so I didn't see that up to now. I hope all will be fixed and fine by tomorrow. Sending best wishes to Storm

[Felicia's Mom]

I'm sorry Storm hasn't been feeling well; sending prayers his way.

[Randi]

I'm sending lots of positive vibes to dear Storm for a good vet visit tomorrow. I hope the Gingivitis will be taken care of and he'll feel all better very soon!

Gentle kisses and purrs from,
Fister and me.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks again everyone. Luckily he's still eating. He's been resting a lot. I've also noticed that he seems a bit more needy for his momma lately. This is probably because he doesn't feel well. I just hope that everything will go well tomorrow and that he'll feel a lot better after his teeth cleaning and possible extractions are all over. I probably won't be able to update you until Monday evening because I don't have access to a computer at work.

When I was reading about cats teeth in one of my many cat books, it said that cats living in hard water areas eventually develop tartar stains on their teeth. I've never heard that hard water can cause this. I live in a very hard water area. When I fill up their 3 bowls I do use tap water from my bathroom sink for the water bowl in my bedroom and the other two are filled with tap water from my sink that has been filtered which I also drink.

I also found out that when a cat eats dry food that this encourages chewing which stimulates the flow of saliva. Saliva contains substances which fight off bacteria. Unfortunately Storm has to eat a lot of canned food mixed with water because of his urinary problems. He does get some dry also. I need to find out what would be good to give Storm to chew on that he'll enjoy to help his teeth. I'd also prefer that it be grain free if possible. I know that they sell dental chews. Sorry this post is so long. I'll update you again when I can. Thanks again.

[columbine]

Smudge, Storm's Boston twin, is bonkers over Indigo Moon, a grain-free dry food made by Solid Gold. He absolutely loves it!

Love, Columbine

[krazyaboutkatz]

Smudge, Storm's Boston twin, is bonkers over Indigo Moon, a grain-free dry food made by Solid Gold. He absolutely loves it!

Love, Columbine

I already feed all of my cats Innova Evo which is also grain free. They all seem to love it too. I was referring to some kind of a dental treat that would also be grain free and that would hopefully help his teeth and gums. I used to buy greenies but it's not grain free.

[Killearn Kitties]

Poor Storm. The girls all have their paws crossed that things will go well for his dental treatment today.
Good luck handsome boy!

[Pinot's Mom]

Pinot's got her paws crossed and we're sending prayers for Storm's visit to be quick and effective. Good Luck, sweetie!

[Catty1]

I give my guys water from a Brita style pitcher - there are also generic ones available these days, and they are not as expensive.

I've always done this, and they have always had great dental reports. Maybe one tiny piece of tartar on one tooth that is not worth worrying about.

I've had Oscar about 5 years, and Cole for 3 - and they've been nowhere near having a dental. Maybe it IS something (not) in the water?

Looking forward to a healthier happier Storm.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks everyone. I dropped Storm off and he wasn't happy at all. He cried most of the way and also while I waited for the surgery technician to come and get him. She took him out of his carrier to bring him back to surgery so I have to keep his carrier in the trunk of my car so that I won't forget it later. While I was driving him to the vets, I could really smell his horrible breath. I have a feeling that he'll be having at least one tooth extraction. I sure hope that he'll feel much better after all of this. I'll update you later tonight.

[Catty1]

Poor baby! Storm, you'll feel so much better, sweetheart.

Prayers for a successful surgery.

[katladyd]

Prayers and kisses for Storm! I hope the vet makes you all better real quick!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Hi everyone. Storm is finally home and he's doing well and resting. He was still very grumpy when the vet tech was putting him back in his carrier. She said that he hissed and growled at her. He also hissed in the car and then he hissed a few more times at home.

My vet called me at work around 1pm and said that everything went well. He did have to have his left upper canine removed and the first pre-molar came out too. She sent out a biopsy of Storm's jaw bone because it felt soft and some of the bone came out with the tooth. She wants to make sure that it isn't a pre-cancerous tumor or to just rule out cancer. I'll know the results in a few days. Please send some prayers and positive thoughts his way.

He's on some pain meds for the next 3-4 days and also some antibiotics for the next 10 days. He needs to eat canned food or soft food for the next 3-5 days. He ate a little of his canned food tonight but he wanted some dry so I tried soaking it in some warm water like the post surgery instructions said but he didn't seem to like it. I'll give him some more pain medication before I go to bed. Hopefully he'll heal up quickly and his biopsy will come back with good results. Thanks again for all of the prayer and well wishes for Storm.

[Killearn Kitties]

The girls are keeping their paws crossed for Storm's biopsy.
Daisy is sending some exta-special purrs for her sweetheart Storm.