MARLEY: I went to the Vet a few days ago. TBT forgot the camera, so the whole thing is just whatever I say it is. But here is a picture from a past visit. It doesn't look different from this previous time.
I got the temperature probe, 2 hip stabbies, and they stole more of my blood for testing. They say it is so they can see my health. I think they sell it.
But whatever, TBT got a complete report about how things have changed for me this past year.
You mat remember that I have developed some kidney issues. Not serious, but I get sub-Q injections and am on a special diet. Both seem to be helping me.
So here is what the Vet sent TBT and since I have no idea what it means, I'll let TBT explain that:
BUN Crea Phos Alb
2/8/24 43.5 2.7 2.7 3.1
9/27/23 46.7 2.8 3.0 3.7
8/30/23 63.7 2.4 3.2 3.6
4/26/23 65.7 2.5 3.3 3.4
TBT: First, Marley has gone from 16.5 pounds to 14.0 in a year. That was a goal set by the vet. But they don't want him to lose more (he is a naturally big cat), so 14-14.5 pounds is the weight I wil try to keep him at.
The BUN numbers are encouraging. He started getting the Hills and Royal Canin kidney diet food in 8-23 and his numbers dropped well. The vet wasn't worried about the Crea numbers. The lower Phos and Alb numbers pleased the vet.
I don't actually know much about what those mean, but if it pleases the vet, it pleases me as well. It all basically means that Marley has responded well to the kidney diet food and the sub-Q injections.
The sub-Q injections better be helping, because it is a real pain to do it! Stabbing Marley 2x a week is somewhat upsetting to both of us. He is pretty good about it. He stays calm in the carrier while I do it, and the vet says many cats fight and squirm. So I'm lucky. He trusts me to do only good things.
At this most recent vet visit, the vet and the assistant spent some time admiring Marley. They just love his calm nature. The vet even groomed him just to hear him purr for it. For a DSH, he has a very thick coat and she admired that.
So when I pointed out his small patch of black fur on his neck, she realized he was unusual. That makes him a male calico cat. The chances of this happening are only about 1 in 3,000. He isn't XY, he is XXY.
I seem to have luck finding unusual cats. Skeeter was a spotted orange guy (not really tabby). Iza had a Siamese pedigree certificate, but was actually a Tonkie. Lori came from a championship breeder who closed down right after I got her. Ayla was the runt of the litter and the breeder couldn't wait to get rid of her, yet she lit up my life all her many years.
It isn't always good to have "special". Laz was a problem. I thought I got him "mentally regular" but he went nuts eventually. The newbies from the Shelter (Loki and Binq) came with problems. Loki had a head infection causing eye goops and he had abdominal muscle spasms. Fortunately, those went away.
Binq had real pants clawey and hand-grabby habits. Those are much reduced now, though I still wear heavy jeans these days. She is also getting better at spending time on my lap or near me.
Things gradually get better...
