The Vettie Visit

By Etude, hefty, healthy chronicler of mean ol' Grammy

Two days later and we promised you an update about the visit to our vet.  In case you haven't heard, we love our vet and call her Dr. WhiteCoat, but the silly thing is she doesn't wear a white coat.  She wears patterned scrubs... and looks quite professional in them.  Also, she has a soft voice and gentle touch when she gives us a thorough going over.  Rondo and I have been her patients since we were born. She had to help our mummy because we were big babies and mummy was tiny.  Poor mummy.

So, on to our visit.  As you read in the previous blog Grammy tossed us all into our crates and dragged us into the taxi and then reversed the process to bring us home again.  Mean ol' Grammy! 

​We got to the vettie clinic very early. Despite this they were gracious and took us almost immediately.  

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Whiskers explores as she waits her turn.

On arrival in the examination room Grammy let Whiskers out to wander.  The rest of us had settled down to wait patiently and Sweetie curled up and went to sleep in her carrier but Whiskers was fussing to get out.  Well, she explored every nook and cranny while she waited.  We think she was searching for an escape route. 

On being examined there was a little concern that she'd lost a bit of weight.. and she is 10 (yes, we thought she was 2 years older but records show she's estimated to be only a year older than Mousie) and so is not considered a Senior, but Mature. 

We beg to differ on that description, but Dr WhiteCoat clarified she's Mature in age.  She wasn't commenting on her behaviour. *Giggles*  So, she got a thorough going over - heart, kidneys, privates, mammary glands okay, all organs in good working order.  Only concern is that she eats too quickly and throws up.  But it is usually after a long night with no food and an acid buildup in her tummy. NOTHING NEW there! She and Rondo are alike that way.

​Just to be sure and due to her age a Blood Panel for Mature cats was done.  No kidney disease, heart issues, diabetes, thyroid or whatever else was tested for.  She's a healthy mature girl.

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Hey, don't get so personal, doc!

​Mousie as you all know, is very tiny and Grammy was worried she'd lost some weight but she danced for joy when she found out Mousie weighs the same now as she did at the last visit.  Organs, skin condition, ears, eyes, mouth all checked.  Two teeth had calcification on them that doctor removed during the exam with no fuss.  Good girl, Mousie. She has allergies and a heart murmur but is otherwise well...  The murmur hasn't changed in 2 1/2 years.  EXCELLENT News !! 

To be absolutely sure about the heart a special test was done to check the strength of the heart muscle.  The heart muscle is considered healthy but will be monitored and checked again in 2 years.  As for the allergies... she has to have meds during allergy season and that will be a challenge for Grammy... but not insurmountable.   As her nether parts were being check Mousie expressed her anal gland into doctor's gloved hand.  I don't think it was appreciated. *giggles*  YEEEEEEEW! That's so gross. At least it wasn't poopies. 

The rest of us were not so rude and were praised for our super clean butts.  She can thank Whiskers, our consummate groomer for those  pristine butts.  She's meticulous and relentless.  Of course, Grammy objects when she decides to groom her after she's done with us.  We think its funny!

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Rondo's eyes and ears are checked.

Rondo was examined next because he was the one who triggered the appointment.  Gained weight, cheeky boy.  But other than having some calcification removed from a tooth he is in perfect health. Must have been a bit of a bug, poor fellow.

He even cooperated with Dr. WhiteCoat when she trimmed his claws.  Nary a growl nor a snap of the jaw, only a pulling away of his paws, to which doctor told him to behave... AND HE DID! 

Wow!  Grammy thinks she'll have to take him there for claw trims quarterly rather than risk life and limb to do it herself. ​

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Sweetie's teeth and gums are examined.

I was next but being a gentlecat I'll tell you about Sweetie first.  Sweetie is in perfect health everywhere but in her wee mouth.  Weight the same, no issues with anything else.  Like all of us, ears clean, butt clean, etc. but she has gum disease.  Poor wee thing. 

Years ago when she was still a kitten she had to have a bunch of back teeth removed because they were blocking her esophagus and her ability to swallow, causing gum issues.  Grammy had hoped that was the end of it but, no!  She needs major surgery to remove a whole bunch of teeth followed by antibiotics to clear up the infection and pain meds for the pain, of course.   

Grammy was devastated to see the condition  of her mouth and to think she hadn't been monitoring it... but 18 months ago her teeth and gums were fine and she was eating normally so...
 
Poor little Sweetie is booked in for surgery late next week.  She gave the doctor the old stink-eye for that and for manhandling her.  

Once back in her carrier and for the next 20 minutes Sweetie groomed herself from tops of her ears to the very tip of her tail.  She had to get that 'stink' off her.   Even the doctor commented on her fastidious behaviour.  We could tell Sweetie was not amused! Not one bit!

Little did she know she was going to be handled again when she had the bloodwork taken.   That elicited a snort and a repeat of the grooming process. The nerve!  To be manhandled after just finishing her groom.   But then, she is a fussy little princess.​

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Sweetie gives Dr WhiteCoat the ol' stink-eye!

And now we get to me.... the handsome, debonair Etude.  Dr. Whitecoat put me on the scale and said ruefully ... GAINED again!  Well, I am a healthy boy of eighteen pounds.

When asked about our exercise regime Grammy explained how we (Rondo and I) love to chase the red dot for a maximum of 5 minutes before settling down to watch the girls and their futile antics.  And with other toys we play pond duck, tucking in our paws and rubbernecking while Grammy gyrates and dances around the room with feather toys on wands and crinkly balls and mouses to entertain us.  We didn't realize WE were supposed to chase the toys.  Come on!  That's baby stuff.  We boys are sophistocats not girly kittens.

I did have to have two teeth decalcified but that took 2 minutes and other than swallowing some of the debris the procedure went well.  AND I cooperated with the nail trim too.. wiggled a bit but nothing more.  Everything else about me is PERFECT!  Of course, it is.  

​Comments are welcomed.  

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