Let's have a few more flowers amid the vet talk

Before I post a few more pics from the Halifax Public Gardens, I'll give you a Derry update.

I think he peed overnight (about 5cm round) and then he did make a smaller clump this AM. Nothing when I got home this aft, though he was in and out of the litter box before he finally went and made oh, about a 4 cm x 5 cm clump. Not big, but not super tiny, either. He really prefers quiet and privacy, and at the time he was in and out of the box in the living area just about every dog in the damned complex was barking its fool head off, making a huge ruckus. This has caused me to wonder if all the barking that one of the neighbour's dogs does every single day, off and on all day, is upsetting Derry too.

I think I'll see if PetSmart has any Feliway in stock. Wouldn't you know it, I just threw away the diffuser I'd had for Annie and Nicki (which didn't work for them). But maybe it would work for Derry, at least a bit. I don't want to go with a calming collar because Derry's never worn a collar and I'm concerned it would only stress him further right now.

I spoke to the vet late this morning and asked about other pain med options, because it was such a fight to get anything into him this morning. It's supposed to be squirted into his cheek pouch. I was sitting on him, but it was nasty for us both, and not particularly successful. Oh, I got it into him, but inadvertently down his throat instead of into his cheek pouch. Unfortunately, this med only comes in liquid, so I have to persevere.

However, the vet told me to put Derry on a higher, slippery surface (like a washer or dryer or freezer) and scruff him, and be quick with the syringe. I tried about an hour ago, just on the counter, and I think he was so surprised he didn't fight. But whether he got any or some of the meds is another matter. He made the lip-licking motion that would indicate some of it went into his mouth, but I don't know for sure how much. On the plus side, it was over and done with very quickly, so I'll see if that technique works tomorrow morning.

BTW, yesterday evening the vet told me that Derry had fragments of struvite crystals...I got a copy of the UA today and he does, but there also were whole ones. I have no idea how many or what size. I'm trying not to totally freak out, of course. The tech told me yesterday that if they thought he was in danger of being blocked they would not have released him, but would have had a catheter in him pronto. But I don't know...I really don't trust any of them--wouldn't trust any vet or tech at this stage of the game.

That aside, getting Derry off his 1/4 to 3/8 cups of kibble a day is of paramount importance now. I bought some FortiFlora from the vet today, to try to entice him to eat more canned. Even with some in it, he still didn't eat his entire 1/3 serving (small can of ProPlan chicken and liver). He ate about 1/6 and Nicki gobbled the rest. Apparently this human has to suck it up and out-stubborn the stubborn cat and it can take a few months. (Catinfo.org, which I had visited before, but not for quite some time, has invaluable advice, written by a vet who has spent a lot of time researching cat nutrition, etc. Thanks to Connie for sending it, and to anyone else who posted it for me too--I can't recall now who sent me what, sorry.)

So enough of that. Both boys have tussled wildly in the house today and both are outside right now, snoopervising the back space and bug-watching. I'm nursing a light beer and am hoping for sleep tonight--and please gods/fates, no vet emergencies this weekend.

This is my place to "vent," in effect to journal, but I appreciate the comments that followers and visitors have made and continue to make, not just with this, but with all the absurd ups and downs of life in general. I realize no one really knows who I am -- it's the same for any blogs we read -- and I do realize that cyber-followers or even cyber-friends are not the same as face-to-face friends. But I still appreciate your kindness.

Okay...A few pics now!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.