I guess I had every right to be suspicious. The last few times I was at Tabby’s Place, Colleen didn’t quite seem like herself. She was a bit more tired, more lethargic. She was sleeping a lot. On a few occasions, I didn’t even want to disturb her. Once she was sleeping peacefully in the sun. Another time, she was cuddled on a chair underneath the large table in the Community Room. I should have known. Usually Colleen is a lot more energetic than that.
The mystery is now solved.
Our poor, dear, sweet girl is again besieged by medical issues. Everything started when the nosebleeds Colleen was having — about one a month — began to increase to two and three a week. The vet team immediately suspected that Colleen had a nasal tumor. But, they were reluctant to follow up with any heavy-duty diagnostic procedures and treatment, which would further aggravate Colleen’s
heart disease, kidney disease and other medical issues.
Instead, the plan for the time being is to monitor Colleen very closely. If her nosebleeds taper off, then all will proceed as usual. If they don’t, then the vet will put Colleen on a steroid to reduce inflammation. A steroid can induce diabetes, but if that happens, the good folks at Tabby’s Place can treat the disease. Of course, we will keep you posted at every turn.
If that wasn’t enough, one of the medications that Colleen was taking to treat her facial pawing has the side effect of causing weakness and lethargy. Since the medication wasn’t as effective as hoped, Colleen is being weaned off of it. I’m hoping she’ll once more be the lively, happy kid she was.
Colleen and I thank you, as always, for your continued generosity. You are helping to make it possible for us to give her the best possible care every day.