Doug N Libby
Member Since 2012
HAPPY FRIDAY to all! This got pretty long, so you might need two cups. (Sorry.) 
It's been a super long time since we posted and much has gone on with us. Hershey's numbers are all over the place since last fall due to life pulling us in all directions and having to skip shots. And - our SS is so far out of date that the meter deleted much of the data.
December 31, 2016 - Hershey has dropped into the 30's many times since starting insulin and always handles it like a champ...Well, New Year's Eve he actually exhibited hypo symptoms and I thought we were going to lose him. It was a scary few hours for us! It was like he had gone blind and was totally disoriented. He'd just sniff around the perimeter of the room...couldn't find his food bowl, even when I put him right in front of it. The dishwasher door was open and he'd get himself into a corner by it, not being able to figure out how to get himself out. It took two of us to test him because he kept trying to wander off. We put karo on his gums several times and I pulled some chicken out, which he ate from my hand. The next day, he was pretty much himself, again. For a few days, though, he didn't really groom which left him with matted hair. We've furminated him, cut some plugs out, and bathed him, but haven't been able to get them all. During this time, I think Oreo smelled a difference and has been trying to assert himself as alpha male. Hershey isn't as assertive as he was about keeping Oreo in line. (Thumbnail enclosed is from New Year's Eve)
March 1st - Hershey had a BIRTHDAY and turned 15!!
March 8 - Hershey and Oreo went to the vet. Our vet has moved into mainly doing surgery, so we have a new vet. She wasn't too hard on us about the bad parenting job we've been doing. She also didn't recommend prescription food, even though we don't expect good kidney labs. She did suggest FF classic pate, but they're higher in phos than I'd like to feed. (He's eating Wellness Turkey. Still waiting on results of BW.) I've seen changes which made me dread the appt, like he's not holding his weight. I mean, we thought 12 pounds was his ideal weight and he's stayed about 11.5, but now he's staying more like 10 pounds. And, he's still getting on the furniture or into my lap, but instead of confidently bounding, he's kind of rocking like he's psyching himself up for it. The vet said his hind leg muscles show some atrophy. She also suggested beard trimmers to remove the rest of the matted hair. (*Anything I can do to help with the atrophy?)
March 10 - My cat allergy has gotten worse. Doug has said when these cats are gone, he's done with pets. That may be an always thing or maybe he just needs a rest; idk. I've read people being harsh to others about rehoming their furbabies, so I hesitate to share that we're letting Jessica take Oreo to live with her. My son has said he doesn't think Hershey will last long without Oreo. My 4-year old grandson said, "I think Hershey will be sad when his friend moves away."
And, this has made me sadder than I expected it to. I keep trying to think of the positives - it was Jessica who initially saw Oreo being mistreated by the neighbor boy and wanted us to take him in (10 years ago) and she has always thought of him as hers. She and her husband love Oreo and will give him way more attention than he's currently getting. And, I thought it unfair to Oreo to keep him until Hershey no longer needed him before allowing him to live with Jessica.
All of that to say - it didn't occur to me until yesterday that, although I have talked to kitties extensively about the move, a separation - whether rehoming or death - may bring a time of grieving. Any ideas of how to make the transition easier?
**Got an email from the vet. She diagnosed Hershey with "stage 2 chronic renal insufficiency." We'll pick up a copy of the labs on Monday.
OT Family Update -
Oct, 2015 - Oct, 2016 - I lost 72 pounds. I had tried to lose weight for 30 years and had pretty much given up. My goal was 38 pounds - wildest dream was 58 pounds.
Sept, 2016 - Joseph (my son) AND Jessica (my daughter) got engaged in the same week!
Dec, 2016 - Jessica got married to a terrific guy who loves my girl and loves Jesus! (Thumbnail enclosed)
Dec, 2016 - We FINALLY sold our house and are down to one house payment!!
Apr, 2017 - Joe is getting married
Thanks for stopping in to say, "HEY!" and for any suggestions or moral support you have to offer.
Libby & Doug (and Hershey, too!)
It's been a super long time since we posted and much has gone on with us. Hershey's numbers are all over the place since last fall due to life pulling us in all directions and having to skip shots. And - our SS is so far out of date that the meter deleted much of the data.
December 31, 2016 - Hershey has dropped into the 30's many times since starting insulin and always handles it like a champ...Well, New Year's Eve he actually exhibited hypo symptoms and I thought we were going to lose him. It was a scary few hours for us! It was like he had gone blind and was totally disoriented. He'd just sniff around the perimeter of the room...couldn't find his food bowl, even when I put him right in front of it. The dishwasher door was open and he'd get himself into a corner by it, not being able to figure out how to get himself out. It took two of us to test him because he kept trying to wander off. We put karo on his gums several times and I pulled some chicken out, which he ate from my hand. The next day, he was pretty much himself, again. For a few days, though, he didn't really groom which left him with matted hair. We've furminated him, cut some plugs out, and bathed him, but haven't been able to get them all. During this time, I think Oreo smelled a difference and has been trying to assert himself as alpha male. Hershey isn't as assertive as he was about keeping Oreo in line. (Thumbnail enclosed is from New Year's Eve)
March 1st - Hershey had a BIRTHDAY and turned 15!!
March 8 - Hershey and Oreo went to the vet. Our vet has moved into mainly doing surgery, so we have a new vet. She wasn't too hard on us about the bad parenting job we've been doing. She also didn't recommend prescription food, even though we don't expect good kidney labs. She did suggest FF classic pate, but they're higher in phos than I'd like to feed. (He's eating Wellness Turkey. Still waiting on results of BW.) I've seen changes which made me dread the appt, like he's not holding his weight. I mean, we thought 12 pounds was his ideal weight and he's stayed about 11.5, but now he's staying more like 10 pounds. And, he's still getting on the furniture or into my lap, but instead of confidently bounding, he's kind of rocking like he's psyching himself up for it. The vet said his hind leg muscles show some atrophy. She also suggested beard trimmers to remove the rest of the matted hair. (*Anything I can do to help with the atrophy?)
March 10 - My cat allergy has gotten worse. Doug has said when these cats are gone, he's done with pets. That may be an always thing or maybe he just needs a rest; idk. I've read people being harsh to others about rehoming their furbabies, so I hesitate to share that we're letting Jessica take Oreo to live with her. My son has said he doesn't think Hershey will last long without Oreo. My 4-year old grandson said, "I think Hershey will be sad when his friend moves away."
And, this has made me sadder than I expected it to. I keep trying to think of the positives - it was Jessica who initially saw Oreo being mistreated by the neighbor boy and wanted us to take him in (10 years ago) and she has always thought of him as hers. She and her husband love Oreo and will give him way more attention than he's currently getting. And, I thought it unfair to Oreo to keep him until Hershey no longer needed him before allowing him to live with Jessica. All of that to say - it didn't occur to me until yesterday that, although I have talked to kitties extensively about the move, a separation - whether rehoming or death - may bring a time of grieving. Any ideas of how to make the transition easier?
**Got an email from the vet. She diagnosed Hershey with "stage 2 chronic renal insufficiency." We'll pick up a copy of the labs on Monday.
OT Family Update -
Oct, 2015 - Oct, 2016 - I lost 72 pounds. I had tried to lose weight for 30 years and had pretty much given up. My goal was 38 pounds - wildest dream was 58 pounds.
Sept, 2016 - Joseph (my son) AND Jessica (my daughter) got engaged in the same week!
Dec, 2016 - Jessica got married to a terrific guy who loves my girl and loves Jesus! (Thumbnail enclosed)
Dec, 2016 - We FINALLY sold our house and are down to one house payment!!
Apr, 2017 - Joe is getting married
Thanks for stopping in to say, "HEY!" and for any suggestions or moral support you have to offer.
Libby & Doug (and Hershey, too!)
There are some age related changes that can cause mild heart murmurs, but only an echocardiogram will tell you for sure if that's what it is. Level one is a low grade murmur. Neko had a 1-2 level for three years that was age related.