Adam has had a really fun month; he’s really perked up since our last update. He especially enjoyed having the camp kids visit. One of the campers decided that she really liked Adam and spent quite a bit of time playing with him. He had wand toys to swat for at least fifteen minutes every afternoon. He was in heaven! I will have to try and remember to play with him whenever I can.
The hardest part of playing with Adam is avoiding all of the poop bombs that inhabit his room. Even with the most careful cleaning every day, Suite A tends to be pretty poopy by late afternoon.
But for all that poop, it turns out that the most explosive tabby at Tabby’s Place does not have a diarrhea issue. Adam’s main issue is actually constipation. Our boy had his internal medicine consult this month, and the doctor confirmed that Adam’s primary problem is a large amount of stool in his colon. Yes, there’s a lot of liquid moving around it (hence the diarrhea-y evidence), but constipation is the real culprit. As a result, we’ll be treating Adam with a new prescription diet, as well as a Metamucil-like fiber supplement.
Perhaps because he’s feeling better, Adam does have a new-found zest for life these days. I was so worried about him for the past few months, but he really seems to have turned a corner. I don’t know if the new food and medicine is making him feel better, if the campers helped renew his spirit, or if he is just Adam and will always be a mystery.
The last few times I have visited him, he has been very affectionate. He wants to be petted and loved, and he is not nipping and swatting at all. He still tries to climb on me (and everyone else), but all it takes is a gentle “no” and moving his feet off of my knees, and he is right back to rubbing and wanting some attention (appropriately).
Adam has always been hard to figure out. For a time, it was as though he had no affect to his face. I know that sounds strange for a cat, but he didn’t really ever change expressions. He was always in “stalk mode,” and had a haunted look in his eyes. Now he is bright and cheerful. His expressions are changing, and he is very upbeat. I hope this renewed Adam is here to stay. It is so much easier to socialize a cat who is willing to engage with his person. Yeah, Adam! You go, boy! I can’t wait to see what the next month will bring.
Adam says to thank you for all of your kindness and generosity. He sends his love and (finally!) some appropriate kitty kisses to you!