Fanny Went On Vacation

Hubby and I wanted to go away for a few days and were worried about what to do with Fanny. Unfortunately, the last time we boarded her at a lovely kennel/spa, Fanny was definitely upset while she was there and when she was brought home. So I called our Vet's office and asked if they would board her, and they agreed.

We wanted to feel comfortable leaving her since she had been acting a little listless lately. The staff knows her well, which meant we were still good to go.

So we made our reservations as well as reservations for Fanny. I gathered and packed all her medications, her prescription wet and dry food, and wrote out specific instructions. I'm not quite sure why I wrote out instructions since she was going to her own Vet, and they are the ones that order everything for her. I guess it's the nurse in me that makes me do things like that.

As you can see from the photo above, she turned away from us when we put her in her carrier. She doesn't usually do that when we take her to the Vet for just a little visit. But I think she saw our luggage and decided we were tricking her. Cats are smart that way.

While we were gone, I was confident I would be called if anything went wrong. I have all the confidence in the world in our Vet's staff. And we needed as much of a break as we could get.

But.....I did check in once. I spoke with the boarding tech, and she was so sweet. She updated me on how Fanny was eating and taking her medicine. It sounded like everything was under control.

She mentioned that there were 2 other boarder cats who were both "talkers" and that Fanny had plenty of company. My husband and I thought that could be interesting since she hasn't been around another cat since CC passed, which was over 2 years ago. Well, except for the kennel/spa that one time, and there must have been 15 cats in that place.

We were only gone 4 days. When we got home I filled her water fountain, my husband got her litter box ready and I put some dry food in her dish. 

Now I was ready to retrieve our little fur baby.

At the office, we said our goodbyes and I offered my thanks for taking such good care of her.

At home, I was barely able to get the top off the carrier when she actually jumped out, lame leg and all. She was so alert and chipper.

 First, she sought out her water fountain and drank some water, then used the litter box, and finally, went to her dish and ate. It was like it was very important to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be. Like, make sure the humans didn't screw up.

Here she is....camped out by her fountain. She is in love with that fountain

She was so perky and very vocal. I guess she learned that from the other two boarder cats. She was talking to us, following us around, and seemed in such good spirits. Not like when we boarded her at the kennel/spa.

Here she is yawning, but I think it looks like she's laughing

On the first day home, she had a normal, formed stool, but on the second and third days, she had diarrhea. I know this can be normal after they have been boarded, so not too concerned. I just stopped giving her the Lactulose. 

Also, on day 3 of being home, she started acting listless again and wasn't eating or drinking very well. And she didn't take her Gabapentin at bedtime.

Then today, day 4, she was alert, interacting with us more. She took her Gabapentin in the morning, eating and drinking more. So, I am going to try just giving her the Gabapentin in the mornings and see if only one dose a day will control her pain instead of twice a day. It might be having a sedative effect on her. We'll see. She hasn't required the opiate (Buprenex) for a couple of weeks.

I just wish she wasn't getting old. 

Big stretch

I think she will be fine once her system gets completely used to being home again. Cats get so used to routines, and then the simplest of disruptions send them over the edge.

Well, that's it for now. Will keep everyone posted on how she is doing.

Feel free to leave comments. I'd love to hear about your experiences with your senior cats.

And remember. 

 Hug your fur babies!!!!!

Darlene

PS: Thank you, Western Veterinary Group of Torrance, California

Fanny Had an Oops

This will be a short post but just had to tell you about what happened to Fanny the other day.

*Note: For those of you who aren't aware, Fanny is lame with severe arthritis in her lower back and right leg. This causes her to walk with a pronounced limp and unsteady gait.

She had a 'bad day'.

First, she was going up her steps to get on the bed, but she got too close to the edge and tumbled off the third step. My husband saw it happen and he was freaking out. But she seemed fine, and after she tried not to look embarrassed, she went up the steps like nothing happened.

Then in the evening, my husband picked her up and placed her on the foot of the bed.

She slept there for a couple of hours, then woke up and took a big old stretch.

I bet you can't guess what happened next. Yep, she forgot she was close to the edge of the bed and when she stretched and rolled over, she fell off the bed. I heard the thump.

I ran to her to make sure she was okay. Again, she was just laying there like "Nothing to see here. Move along".

I really tried not to laugh. I wasn't sure if she hurt herself, but it just seemed funny to me.
I am such a mean mommy.

Pic from today when I caught her yawning.

 Anyway, My husband now knows not to place Fanny too close to the edge of the bed. He actually asked me if we should put something like a rail on the sides of the steps. I don't think we have to go that far. 

Since cats mask their pain, I did give her some pain medication....... just in case. I haven't given her any in about a week. But for someone who falls twice in one day, I think they deserve some "good stuff". lol 😁

Well, that is it. Just wanted to give a quick update and tell you about Fanny's falls.

Have a great week and see ya soon.
Hug your pets

Darlene