Happy Mid-Summer, FeLV fans! We hope that your days are filled with the joys of summer, and that the weather near you has been sunny and warm. Now, let’s get right to the news.
Sometimes, when you’re an older adult, the energy of young’uns can be a bit much. And this has proved true for Clifford, who was moved to the quietest of our FeLV suites, the one housing Batty and Hoopla Green. He seems much calmer and happier away from the antics of Kitty Purry and Leonardo DiCatrio, his former suitemates.
Clifford has settled into his new quarters nicely and has even been seeing playing there. He’s had a yeast ear infection that we are treating. He did lose a little weight over the past month, but his blood work showed nothing unusual, and his appetite has been good.
Batty had some increased congestion over the past month. This was worrying, so we sedated her for a physical exam and a polyp check. The good news is that Batty’s lungs were clear, and no polyp was found.
But we did find a reason for the congestion. In cats, the choanae are the internal nostrils that connect the nasal passages to the back of the throat, allowing cats to breathe when their mouth is closed. Batty’s choanae are abnormal, up high, and very narrow. This explains the increased respiratory noise and effort; it’s more difficult for air to pass. Since this is congenital, all we can do for the present is monitor her.
Hoopla Green is relishing the warmer weather. She still spends most of her time in the solarium of her suite, and loves to lie on a shelf or in a cat tree there, testing the breeze or just snoozing.
Dewie received his annual vaccinations over the past month, and, as you might expect, he was a little quiet for a day or two afterward. His insulin needs have risen by another unit. Dewie has claimed his suite’s sunny windowsill for himself (see the header photo); other felines are not allowed up there!
Abacus and Luke continue to be ultra-picky about their food. Abacus loves to hang out in the Quinn’s Corner lobby on days when it’s his suite’s turn to have access to it. He always manages to find a bed in the sun or will simply laze on one of the platforms higher up.
Luke does come into the Quinn’s Corner lobby but retreats to the suite the moment a human attempts to enter. Several staff members have been working more with him, and he is happily accepting pets from them. Slow but sure progress. He’s a good boy.
Trifecta developed an ear infection over the past few weeks, and we’re giving him medication for that. Trifecta had a poor appetite on several occasions over the past month, which is concerning, but his blood work and a mouth check were both fine.
Sweet Pea has taken to occupying part of a bench in his solarium. If you enter the solarium, he’ll squeak for attention. If you sit near him, he’ll come over to sniff you and rub on you, and often he’ll put his two front paws on your lap, the perfect opportunity to give him a good “skritch” on one side of his head. I love his affectionate nature! Occasionally, he’ll become overstimulated the way a toddler can, and he might nip, but if he does, I just move away from him for a few minutes, and he settles down quickly.
You’ll see a lovely picture of Pisa as part of this month’s write-up; isn’t she beautiful? She still hides from me (well, from most people), but I’m encouraged by the progress she’s made with the volunteer about whom I told you last month.
Kitty Purry and Leonardo DiCatrio are doing nicely. It’s very sweet to see the two siblings curl up together in one cat bed; they clearly love one another’s company. Kitty Purry still routinely outpaces her brother when a toy is thrown.
And Miss Regina had a couple of days of loose stool, but luckily that resolved without any veterinary intervention. We think it’s likely that she simply got into some food she shouldn’t have.
Did you know that our FeLV+ felines have their own special day? July 15th is Feline Leukemia Day, celebrating all cats with FeLV. This annual event is relatively new, but it’s becoming more popular every year. Feline Leukemia Day helps to raise awareness of this greatly misunderstood disease, as well as teach people how it can be prevented. If you want to do a deeper dive into learning about FeLV, there is an online conference on July 19.
Or you might just want to stop in to visit our very own FeLV crew.
Summer is flying by, but I hope you can take the odd hour or two to laze in the sun as our FeLV crew is so fond of doing.
Thank you so much for choosing to be part of their lives! We couldn’t do this without you!
Your correspondent,
Stephanie