June Greetings to You, and to All Fenek’s Friends.
It’s National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, and I just happen to know a place that’s loaded with all manner of good cats… 😉
Ah, there’s good news today… it’s been a couple of months since Fenek’s alarming pleural effusion required a rush to the emergency veterinary hospital, and the news today is that his medications are doing the job. There has been no recurrence. Thank you so much for everything you’re doing to make his life better!
In further health news, Fenek’s appetite is fine and he even lost a bit of weight this past month. I’m told that his blood glucose levels were fluctuating, and the vet staff placed a Freestyle monitor on him. The Freestyle monitor allows for continuous monitoring of his blood glucose level to give them a better understanding of his daily rhythms.
The article at the link above mentions that a cat can and will remove the Freestyle, and guess what? Fenek did just that. But the measurements they were able to get allowed them to decide to reduce the amount of insulin he receives. In fact, there are days when a dose is skipped because his levels are regulated without it. So our Distinguished Gentleman cat is sleeker, more svelte, and healthier than he’s been in a couple of months.
The lounge is home to other extra-sweet diabetic cats, and this month there’s a new addition. Rashida is a beautiful long-haired calico lady who is easy on the eyes, but who isn’t always easy on her fellow cats. One report had her cornering Shifty on at least one occasion. Still, they’re in the “getting-to-know-you” phase, so it’s not entirely surprising that the territorial instinct is kicking in. I’ve had no news of conflict between Shifty or Rashida and Fenek, which is more good news.
I did witness one bit of interesting behavior during a recent visit. Baby was on one of the cushioned chairs, and while he takes up a good deal of space, I felt there was room to sit down next to him. As I did, not surprisingly Fenek made his way toward me and my lap. However, as Fenek climbed up, Baby must have felt three was a crowd, because he got up, climbed down, and walked away. Fenek appeared to treat it as due deference, without the slightest swat at Baby as he took his place on my lap, and for many minutes afterward, we shared some good quality time. When I think of how ill he was just a few weeks ago, that time is more special than ever.
Before I go, I just want to remind you that the big debut of Quinn’s Corner is only a short time away now. It’s going to give a lifeline to FeLV cats (cats diagnosed with Feline Leukemia Virus) like Oram, whose opportunities were so limited before. I’d also like to remind you to make the most of your own opportunities, like this cat who snatched an expensive piece of fish during a cooking livestream while her human’s back was turned.
Wishing you all good things!
Your correspondent,
John