How Not To Start The Weekend...

Me, right before I blew all of my fur all over the room!

As the orange menace reported yesterday, I was stuffed into the PTU on Friday morning and brought to Dr. Joe's for my annual wellness exam. I was OK with it, I love Dr. Joe, he's very gentle and he really likes kitties. But when he weighed me he said "Hmmmm...". Now Mommy never likes it when he says "Hmmmm...". Seems as though I had lost some weight. After many questions about how I have been eating, acting, how I am in the litter box department - you know the drill...I had to get my bloods stolen AND he took some of my ::pee::!  Turns out I am running a low-grade infection again. So I had to get a shot and I have to go back in three weeks and do it all over again. Dr. Joe said that I just might be prone to these things and told my Mommy not to worry. But she's Mommy and she has been worrying. Dr. Joe said that Mommy has to remember that I am getting older (!) and that I'm not a kitten any more. I resemble that remark - I'm going to be 10 years old very soon. I don't think that makes me a geezer cat - I'm the baby of our little cat family!

So if you can, think good thoughts that I'll check out A-OK when I go back and see Dr. Joe. Thanks kitties, smoochies to all of you!



She's A (Healthy) Beauty!

I am happy to report that Puff (and Powder) had excellent reports from their geezer check-ups this week. Dr. Joe said that they are doing great! Puff celebrated by posing for the 'rents in the sun. Powder has been celebrating for a few days by eyeing the 'rents suspiciously from under the bed. (She's getting over it now...)

Thirteen Years or Thirteen Months?

Puff plays like a kitten, inhales nip, loves stinky goodness, along with a good lap to sit on and a brush through her floof. Will still deliver a wicked smack-down to her siblings and purrs like there is no tomorrow. She's the epitomy of a cat, gorgeous, mysterious, aloof and loving all at the same time. She and her sister Powder head to the vet on Monday for their geezer check-ups. Mommy still has a hard time believing that they are over 13 years old. Daddy thinks that it's her good Southwest Kansas genes.

Diamond Has A Boo Boo

Mommy, can we please get out of here?

Last Thursday Diamond was caught doing a lot of licking on his left front leg. So much, in fact, that he had licked some fur right off of his leg. He was also favoring the leg. This bought him a trip to the Vet on Friday. Diamond does not go to the same Vet that we do, he sees Dr. Babbit. Diamond does not mind going to the Vet until he remembers that's where he gets his claws clipped. Lemme' tell you kitties, Diamond does not like to get his claws clipped. Ever. At all. He gets pretty stressed and wants to climb on Mommy's lap. Good times kitties, good times...
Anyway, Diamond was examined and they checked his bones - nothing wrong there. Then Dr. Babbit did a skin culture and found out that Diamond has an infection in his Boo Boo. She thinks that's what is causing Diamond to lick and favor his leg. She thinks a bug might have bit him. So now Diamond is on antibiotics and has to have goop spread on his Boo Boo. Dr. Babbit says it may take a few weeks or more before we see progress. Diamond does not mind taking his pills, but is not fond of the goop. Three times a day Daddy has to put it on his leg. Daddy is not fond of doing this because Diamond does not like it.
But you know what the worst part was? He still had to get his nails clipped! Talk about insult to injury!

The Rudy Report

Just waiting on dinner...hurry up!

Sanibonani kitties! It's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! What a week it was here! Puff and Powder are now officially teenagers and we had a great weekend celebrating their birthday. The actual day of their birthday was on Friday and we want to thank all of you who came over to help them celebrate. On that particular day, I did not feel as though I had a lot to celebrate. It started with the PTU making an appearance and from there things just went downhill for moi. Mommy stuffed me in the PTU and we headed down the road to visit Dr. Joe and Dr. Wendy. Now don't get me wrong, I love them both but I have seen enough of them to last a long, long time. I was overdue for my Rabies shot and my FeLV shot. I could not get them when they were due because I was still recovering from that awful, horrid, no good Hemobart. So into the room I went and I was treated like a rock star. Lots of the staff peeked their heads in to see me and they all remarked on how handsome and wonderful I looked. Both Dr. Joe and Dr. Wendy came in to check me out. You see, Dr. Joe is the guy who does the day-to-day Vet stuff and Dr. Wendy is the gal who does the surgery and critical care Vet stuff. Dr. Wendy wanted to see for herself how I had progressed. Let's check my weight first, shall we?

Crappy phone shot courtesy of Mommy

Holy Cod! 12.2 pounds! When I was sick, I was down to 7 pounds. My normal weight was about 11 pounds. So, I guess I showed that Hemobart where to go! Everyone was very pleased with that number. After the great weigh in, I was poked and prodded and they looked in every opening I had (geez!). My toofies are good, my ears are pretty clean, my ticker is fine and apparently my butt is pretty nice as well. Time for the shots. Dr. Joe first gave me a shot of cortisone behind my head so I would not be as sore. Then in one flank I had the Rabies shot and in the other flank I had my FeLV. Dr. Joe said that since I am an indoor-only kitty that I never have to have another FeLV shot again. Yay! I took my shots like a good mancat and never even flinched. After that I was more than ready to hop back into the PTU and head on home...

Open the door, will ya'?

So kitties, that was that. I hope I don't have to go back to see Dr. Joe and Dr. Wendy for a long, long time. I spent the rest of the weekend in laps and inhaling some 'nip leftover from the Calico's party. Not a bad way to recover from a trip to the Vet's.

Oh, one more thing. Lobster is good. Very, very good. You should try it if you get a chance. Where has it been all of my life?

The Rudy Report

Well Hi there kitties - it's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! What an awesome weekend it was! Mommy went out hunting and came back with a refill for the middle of my our Turbo Track ball chaser. She stuffed it full of the preemo 'Nip and I went to town! So much fun! I really feel good and Mommy says she thinks that I weigh more now than I ever have. I have to go and visit Dr. Wendy next month for my shots that are overdue. Dr. Wendy did not want to give them to me a few months ago because it was too early after that awful Hemobart that I had. I've  made it through my grooming last month, so I guess I can make it through a visit to Dr. Wendy and a few pokes in the butt.
The grill has been working overtime with the nicer weather and we have all had little tastes of real live dead shrimps and steak. Springtime rocks.
Keep those tails high and enjoy the passing of winter. I have to say, this winter was the worst winter I have ever had in all of my 12 + years. I made it though and am happy that I have the chance to welcome Spring to our little corner of O Hi O!

The Rudy Report - Haemobartonellosis

You say it's time for my medicine?...let's roll!

Ia Orana kitties - It's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report a few days early. I thought I would take you to school today and teach you all about Haemobartonellosis. It's a parasitic disease that attacks your bloods and it makes you very tired and it makes you very picky about eating. I know this because I have it. Haemobartonellosis - say that 3 times real quick kitties! Anyhow, we have not been around very much and until I am all better I am afraid we'll be commenting even less. I require a lot of 'rent time now.
The treatment for Haemobartonellosis is 21 days of Doxycycline (liquid) and I am here to tell you that I really, really don't like to take it. I even kinda' sorta' sometimes make Mommy cry a little. I can't help it - it's awful! AND, since my appetite is not so very good, I have to take a little Valium as well. Good times kitties, good times...
No one knows how I got it. We only are outside on the upstairs deck and Diamond swears he did not bring in any fleas. He's on a monthly treatment for them and always has been. Dr. Joe and Dr. Wendy says it only takes one rotten nasty flea and that in our little corner of O Hi O there have been many, many cases of kitties coming down with this terrible disease. Dr. Joe says that it's the worst year ever for it.
The other bummer is that every 2 or 3 days I have to go to see Dr. Joe for Sub Q fluids and a check up. I now call it my home away from home. Mommy drops me off in the morning and I get to spend quality time with Dr. Joe and Dr. Wendy. The only good thing about this is that I get to see their two kids when they come in after school and I play with them! That's right kitties, I have become a rock star at the vet's! All of the vet techs and the receptionists know me by name. They all say I am very sweet and loving. What can I say? I am very sweet and loving - except when it's time for my medicine! I'm not out of the woods yet, but I think I see a light at the end of all of this. We want to thank all of you again for your good thoughts and prayers and support. A special shout out to the Creek Cats who made Mommy feel so much better when they told her that their foster Sweetie had the same thing and she came out of it fine! And - thanks to Zoolatry. You are such a sweet friend!

Rudy Update - Home!

Hi-ya' kitties, I came home last night!

What an ordeal! I had so many pokes and prods - so many tests! I'm really stumping the experts...all of my labs are perfect...until they looked at a stain of my bloods and Dr. Wendy saw an itty-bitty infection in them. She thinks that I may have been bitten by a flea and that I got an infection from it. She says it may have been months ago and that it only takes one little bite for this to happen. My bladder infection is all gone - so that's good news. Now I have to take some more medicine (C-Doxycycline 50 mg) for 21 days!!! Both Mommy and I are so happy that we'll have 21 days of quality medicine-taking time together...

I do feel better, the Sub Q fluids helped perk me up and the great news is that Dr.Wendy and Dr. Joe said that I can eat whatever I want - I need to bulk up. I have lost over a pound in the last month. So now I have lots of Rx stinky goodness that tastes great! I really hope that this stoopid flea bite was the culprit and that I can put all of this behind me.

Both Mommy and I want to thank all of you for your good thoughts, advice and prayers. We know that they are helping and that we are very blessed and lucky to have all of you as friends.

A Rudy Update

 

This is my worried look...

Hey guys, Parker here. Thought I would let you know that my bro - aka the Orange Menace is hanging out with Dr. Joe. He's been there since yesterday morning. And to be honest with you - I sort of miss him. He's easy to blame for stuff and while he's in the joint I have no patsy to pin things on. So, yes, I am worried and yes, I miss him. There - I said it - now you all have evidence. And, I am sure that I will live to regret ever admitting that...

...Anywho - The Rudster is stumping Dr. Joe and Dr. Wendy. He's got no lumps and bumps, he uses the box, his labs are perfect...so is his temp. I guess there are more diagnostics in his furry little future. If they get everything done by close of business tomorrow, he'll get to return to casa de Perfectly Parker in time to help destroy trim the tree that's going to be coming inside (see why I need him back here?!? A TREE! - INSIDE! I really need a patsy!)

Good thoughts are appreciated. We want to thank everyone who left such sweet comments yesterday. Opinions and ideas are welcomed. Mommy is all over the internets trying to figure out what might be going on and she and Daddy aren't a lot of fun right now. So, my job is to try to get them to relax just a little. I have laps to fill and love eyes to make. Take care kitties, we'll update when and if we learn more.

The Rudy Report

Ya'at'eeh kitties! It's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! The best thing about Thanksgiving was that I finished all of that awful medicine that I had to take. Boy oh boy, am I ever grateful about that! But now it's time to go back and see my old buddy, Dr. Joe. He has to check and make sure my bladder infection is all gone. But he needs to do something else. Here's the deal kitties, I still don't feel great and I am not gaining any weight back. I ate a little turkey on Friday and I threw it back up! I don't care too much about any foods - Mommy went out and bought some baby food to see if I had any interest in that. Nope. My Rx. food? - not so much. Warmed up stinky Rx. food? Nah - not now...I'm just not hungry. And I am tired. I did love up on our guests over the weekend, so that was a little fun. Other than that - all I want to do is nap. As a matter of fact, I think a nap sounds pretty good right now. I'll catch you later kitties...
Mom here - we are worried sick. Dr. Joe will do some more diagnostics this week, we hope whatever this is that has him so lethargic can be found and fixed. He does not seem to have any pain and is still very affectionate, but he just ain't right...please think good thoughts for our little orance menace...

The Rudy Report - A Day Early

To quote my good buddy Max, Doods, I did not feel so good...

Anywho...let me tell you about the last week or so. It sucked - big time. I didn't want to say anything to the 'rents, they worry and when they worry, it means a trip to see Dr. Joe. And as much as Dr. Joe is a very nice guy, he has a bad habit of sticking things into me that I'd prefer he didn't. So, Mommy noticed last week that I wasn't acting my normally spritzy self. You know, not chasing Puff and ambushing Powder, maybe not being as hoover-y with my food and just generally not being my normal adorable orange self. Then she said to Daddy - "doesn't he feel a little light"? Daddy agreed and the next thing you know, Mommy was on the phone with Dr. Joe and had made an appointment for me to go and see him on Saturday (yesterday). But last Thursday night Mommy opened a new bag of Temptations and took us out on the deck. Normally this is my little idea of kitty nirvana. But I had no interest in the treats and while I was out on the deck I just sort of lolled around. That's when Mommy knew that things were not as they should be with her little orange creamsicle and the next thing I knew, the appointment got moved to Friday.

Really Mommy, I'm OK

So, OK, I lied, I wasn't OK. I was hiding a raging bladder infection and I did not see why it was anyones business. Later that evening, I joined in on a fun game of trackball but did not choose to challenge Parker's mad whapping skillz.

I could totally beat her at this game...if I wanted to...

So Friday morning I got stuffed into the PTU and off to Dr. Joe I went. Honestly, I didn't even care, I felt like last Monday's poop. I just wanted to sleep. I didn't want to eat, I didn't want to do anything. I got on the scale and all I heard were the gasps - "He weighs 9.7 pounds!" (I usually weigh about 12 pounds).  So I had lost a few pounds, what's the big deal?  Dr. Joe poked me, prodded me, stole my bloods, and stuck a tube somewhere that I don't even want to tell you about  - and then he told Mommy and Daddy to go away and call him in a hour. THEY LEFT ME THERE KITTIES!  Mommy and Daddy went home and I went to a suite in the back of Dr. Joe's hotel. I had a  lot of nice people waiting on me hand and paw. Needles here, thermometers there, it was really a lot of fuss over my poor bladder. Back at the ranch, Mommy and Daddy were beside themselves - they didn't know what Dr. Joe was going to tell them. When they called to see if they could come and get me Dr. Joe said no! He wanted to keep me overnight and said that I had one of the worst bladder infections that he had ever seen. I had to stay the night and get IV aunty-biotics and fluids. Crappity-crap-crap crap...

Sooooooo...I stayed at the kitty Hotel California on Friday night. Luckily I was much better on Saturday morning and got sprung from the joint to enjoy the weekend at home.

Now I'm on a new diet and the 'rents are hovering over me - frankly it's a little annoying. I love them and all, but a guy needs his alone time. I feel better, but I have a ways to go 'till I'm back to my old menacing self. I leave you with a little picture of what I went through - kitties, I hope this never happens to you. As much as Dr. Joe and his staff are awesome, home and healthy is the only place you want to be.

Yeah, it's a lot of dough, but the 'rents say I am totally worth it.

The Rudy Report

Salvete kitties, it's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! What a nice weekend we had here at Casa De Parker. Out on the deck with a little vitamin D3, a little 'nip and some leaves to bat around. It was all good! After having no tastes of chili last weekend, we got lucky because the 'rents made some turkey thighs in the hotbox - we all had a taste and I am here to tell you that it was gobble-gobble good!
Mommy has noticed that I am a little more mellow than normal. She also noticed that I feel a little lighter when she picks me up to cuddle. So I guess Karma has come to bite me in the 'tocks and I've got to go and see Dr. Joe. At least that isn't until next weekend. I think I am just fine, I'm 11 and a half, it's time that I relax more and spat less. I show no other troubling symptoms, I still play and scratch the big scratching tree with gusto, but Mommy wants to make certain there isn't something wrong that I'm not telling her about. 'Rents - they worry too much!
Our fireplace is waiting for a new part, so Puff is pining away for it. Our computer is still one breath away from going to the great computer heaven in the sky, and our computer guy still says "wait for this great sale that's coming"! So we can still only post and comment a little bit...
AND as you can see by the photo, Parker is trying to hog in on my time. Some things never change!

The Rudy Report

Greetings kitties! It's me -  RUDY! With your Rudy Report! I think this photo sums up our weekend. Right up to the part where the fireplace's thermowhozywhammits part went out. Now we have no fireplace and Puff is very bummed out. Brian the fireplace guy is very busy and it might be DAYS 'till we get our fireplace back. It's a travesty I tell ya! Speaking of travesties - what 'rent in their right mind makes chili to eat? Kitties don't like chili! Chili is no fun. But here's what was fun...

"Why are you touching me there?!?"

Miss Parker Pie had her check up and hiney shots from Dr. Joe on Saturday. You know what kitties? She flirted with him! Don't let this photo fool you. Mommy said she came out of the PTU and strolled right over to him and let him poke and prod her and did not put up a fuss. She even gave him some nose-taps! what a little suck-up. I am embarrassed to be related to her. He said she was "perfect". Mommy told him that she knew that already. Good grief...

The Rudy Report

Hello there kitties! It's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! Still having to post just a little because we do not have our new laptop yet. The computer guy says that there is a big sale coming up and we should wait for it. So we are...sigh...
I stay busy by keeping fit on the scratching post, it's better than using the furniture and it seems to keep the 'rents happy. Speaking of happy, I am counting the sleeps until Saturday morning when I get to watch Miss Parker Pie get stuffed into the PTU for her annual shots in the hiney! HaHaHaHaHa!
Daddy was cooking HAMburgers on the grill this weekend, but he did not share with us. Something about them being too spicy - I just think he was being a HAMburger hog. Being the world class beggar that she is, Parker was relentless - so to make us all feel better, we all had some Temptations just to shut her up! Way to go Parker!
Have as good a Monday as you can, I'm going to leave you with a little adorable! Me!

Pretty wonderful, eh?

The Rudy Report

ZZZzzZZzZzzzz...Oh HAI kitties! It's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! Sunbathing is very tiring work, but I am up to the challenge. We are so sorry that out blogging has been so spotty, but Mommy is computer shopping and our old laptop is really on it's last little computer legs. We thank our facebook pals for the suggestions on what's the best computer to buy. Until we get the new one, we will continue to post, but just a little.
Parker had some groovy news last week that all of us will benefit from. She actually won a great contest and as a result will score us some excellent goodies. Fido Friendly magazine held a contest about introducing a new kitty to a home that already had a woofie-in-residence. Parker sent in her story of how she was introduced to Diamond and she won the grand prize! I'm telling you, she is now impossible to be around, she's all "I won a contest and you didn't you little orange menace". Well, I have news for her - she can be all high and mighty, but guess who has to go see Dr. Joe for some shots in her hiney on October the 16th?
I'll give you a hint - it's a kitty with two different colored eyes...and her name rhymes with barker...

The Rudy Report

Hello there kitties! It's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! Life is good when it's Autumn and there is a lot of access to the deck. It's also good when pork chops get baked and I get a taste. It's heaven when 'nip is introduced to the mix and we get to fly our freak flags with the kitty crazies.
But you know what made my week? When the man in the bloo shorts brought this to the house...

In case you couldn't read it...

Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha!

For whom does the bell toll for Parker??? It tolls for thee!

The Rudy Report

Oh, hey kitties! It's me RUDY! with The Rudy Report. All of this time stuck indoors while the hots take up residence in O Hi O means that I have to amuse myself with toys. I've surrounded myself with some of my favorites. It's a great way to pass the time and annoy my sibs because I am not very good at sharing.
Puff and Powder did fine at the Vet's last Friday. They are pretty healthy for a couple of 12 year old gals. But Powder has to get a dental this fall. Her back toofies have some yellow on them and she has lost a few of her teensy-tiny toofies on the bottom in front. Dr. Joe says she will do fine, but since she is so very petite, they will have to be extra careful with the anesthesia. She will have the work done in September. This gives the 'rents plenty of time to stress about it!
Oh, and here's a tip kitties - zucchini's are not delicious, no matter what your 'rents tell you!
This is Rudy signing out, have the bestest Monday that's possible!

Catch Me If You Can!

Mommy thinks that I don't know that today is the day that Puff and I go to see Dr. Joe for our wellness checks. Daddy told her he'd be "discreet" about getting the PTU's out and ready for us. Ha! Of all of the kitties in the house I am by far the fastest and hardest to stuff in a PTU. Mommy still has a scar from when I scratched her arm when she tried to get me in the PTU three years ago during our move to O Hi O.
I may be small, but I am mighty!

My Vet Visit v.2

Have you ever been napping and the next thing you know is your Mommy has picked you up and while she's whispering sweet kitty-nothings in your ear she stuffs you in the PTU? I HATE it when that happens!

I had to go back to see Dr. Joe and find out if my pee problems had gone away. For the record, I am NOT smiling here. I am telling Mommy one of the many reasons I do not feel like coming out of the PTU...

Dr. Joe took some more of my pee and tested it. I still had a teensy-tiny bit if infection and had to get another long-acting shot of antibiotics. But the good news is that I don't have to go back and Dr. Joe said that I was otherwise healthy! After Dr. Joe had tested me, I warmed up to him again. He really is a nice guy, but if I don't have to go and visit him again for a long, long time - well, I'm OK with that!
Thanks for all of the prayers and purrs, I know they helped me get through this!

The Rudy Report

What's the haps kitties? Here I am, Rudy, with The Rudy Report. Today my sister - you may know her, Parker, she has to go back to see Dr. Joe this morning so he can check her pee. As much as I enjoy being a pest and menace to her, I really hope that she's going to get a good report. She seems fine and has been using the litter box with no problems. Keep your paws crossed for her, OK?
We had a little fun at the homestead this weekend, Mommy made pork chops for Daddy and we all got teeny tiny tastes! Very yummy! Diamond did not get any because he went to the VET for a nail trim and he had gained 3 pounds! This is NO GOOD because he's got athritis in his rear knees and extra weight makes them hurt more. So...Diamond is on a diet!
And me? I hear rumors that it's my turn to go and see Dr. Joe for my annual visit AND I am going to get groomed. We'll just see about that - they have to catch me first! I HATE getting groomed. Just 'cause I have a few matts doesn't mean I need groomed - right???
Have a nice Monday kitties - give your 'rents a few purrs, they love that stuff!
Ta-Ta for now!