Djamila
Very Active Member
It's been a very long time since I've posted a thread of my own. Since I'm home sick today (just a little cold, nothing serious), I thought I'd take a minute and give a little update.
Sam is about a week into another pancreatitis flare. It's been a few months since his last serious one, and we've all been thankful for the respite. He's still eating, although it's taking some encouragement and bribery to keep him going. He's not eating his usual calories, but he's also much less active when he's sick so his weight is holding so far, and he's staying hydrated.
Even when he's not in a pancreatitis flare, his insulin needs seem to be climbing steadily, with far fewer dips into healthy numbers. Although most clinical signs are overall quite good still, his coat is betraying his health issues as it is losing it's smooth shine and beginning to look more like an old man kitty - a bit more ragged and dull.
When he's feeling better, he still loves to go out for walks on his leash, and has become quite famous here in our new neighborhood. The mail carrier in particular likes to stop by when he's out and marvels at a leash-walking cat. Sam also runs and plays in the house like a kitty who still has health and vigor. He delights in running up and down the stairs to the attic rooms and zooming the full length of the house. And he grows more affectionate and snuggly all the time. He's gone from being my ferocious feral kitty to the sweetest little thing ever. Once in awhile he'll even lay down for his BG test instead of wiggling all over impatiently.
I confess to giving him too many treats these days. Especially when he's sick like this, I probably give him too many pieces of freeze dried chicken and salmon under the guise of keeping him eating.
Atticus is watchful and purrs over Sam, making sure to groom him regularly when he's not feeling well. Atty himself is doing better than ever. He's lost weight since we moved to the new house, and has healed from his sprained leg so he can jump up on everything again, and more and more is asking to play with the wand toys so he can leap and hunt.
Atty does not want to go outside. He was born an indoor cat and is perfectly content to chatter at birds out the window and sleep curled up under the heated blanket. He accidentally wandered out one time when Sam and I were leaving. When he noticed sky overhead instead of ceiling, he immediately turned and bolted back into the safety of the house. Honestly I'm glad because I can't imagine how it would work to walk two cats at the same time!
I think that's about it for my kitties. I continue to be so thankful for this community, in particular for the growing number of you who are able and willing to help out in responding to questions and worries as new folks join and old folks check-in. Being able to work together to help and support each other in caring for our sugar cats is a tremendous gift!
Sam is about a week into another pancreatitis flare. It's been a few months since his last serious one, and we've all been thankful for the respite. He's still eating, although it's taking some encouragement and bribery to keep him going. He's not eating his usual calories, but he's also much less active when he's sick so his weight is holding so far, and he's staying hydrated.
Even when he's not in a pancreatitis flare, his insulin needs seem to be climbing steadily, with far fewer dips into healthy numbers. Although most clinical signs are overall quite good still, his coat is betraying his health issues as it is losing it's smooth shine and beginning to look more like an old man kitty - a bit more ragged and dull.
When he's feeling better, he still loves to go out for walks on his leash, and has become quite famous here in our new neighborhood. The mail carrier in particular likes to stop by when he's out and marvels at a leash-walking cat. Sam also runs and plays in the house like a kitty who still has health and vigor. He delights in running up and down the stairs to the attic rooms and zooming the full length of the house. And he grows more affectionate and snuggly all the time. He's gone from being my ferocious feral kitty to the sweetest little thing ever. Once in awhile he'll even lay down for his BG test instead of wiggling all over impatiently.
I confess to giving him too many treats these days. Especially when he's sick like this, I probably give him too many pieces of freeze dried chicken and salmon under the guise of keeping him eating.
Atticus is watchful and purrs over Sam, making sure to groom him regularly when he's not feeling well. Atty himself is doing better than ever. He's lost weight since we moved to the new house, and has healed from his sprained leg so he can jump up on everything again, and more and more is asking to play with the wand toys so he can leap and hunt.
Atty does not want to go outside. He was born an indoor cat and is perfectly content to chatter at birds out the window and sleep curled up under the heated blanket. He accidentally wandered out one time when Sam and I were leaving. When he noticed sky overhead instead of ceiling, he immediately turned and bolted back into the safety of the house. Honestly I'm glad because I can't imagine how it would work to walk two cats at the same time!
I think that's about it for my kitties. I continue to be so thankful for this community, in particular for the growing number of you who are able and willing to help out in responding to questions and worries as new folks join and old folks check-in. Being able to work together to help and support each other in caring for our sugar cats is a tremendous gift!
that honestly I think good quality catnip is one of the best treatments for him when he's like this. Or at least it seems to be the thing he wants the most. Yeowww could start using that in its marketing 
