We drove off to the Big City and I was dropped off at my doctor's office. My ride, his children, and my child went off to the used book, cd, cards, & comic store. When I was finished they were waiting for me. Everybody had gotten something. Not surprisingly, my son still had over $8.00 left. See? Mr. McScrooge. I'm telling you. This was a kid who, at the age of 10, saved enough money via Christmas & birthday money to buy a griffon puppet from the Renaissance Faire (over $100). At the age of 12 he took over $200 with him to a medieval reenactment event and bought a bow, arrows, odds & ends as gifts for others, and a pair of medieval period shoes (got a discount as well when they found out that he was using his own money!).
The down. Zaphoid has been very vocal this week. He's wanted a LOT of attention. But he wouldn't let me anywhere near him to check him out. He'd let me brush him. He'd let me give him treats. He'd let me love on him. But nothing else. As the week went on, I noticed that he was having a harder time eating treats. He was swallowing them whole rather than chewing them. ::closes eyes and breathes deep:: He's 12 years old. His mother was a feral cat and we have no idea what kind of nutrition she had while he was developing. I've done my best to feed him & the rest of the Horde Science Diet, the special Lamb diet (when Samantha became allergic to chicken, beef, & seafood), and Iams except for the really lean times when I just couldn't afford it.
Last night Dale and managed to get him between us. We petted and cooed at him and he finally, finally, finally let me look at his mouth. His back teeth are gone. I have two sample cans of gooshy food. Jen gave him a bit as a treat about two hours ago. He's still eating the dry food and drinking water and we're putting out dry with water mixed in it but he really doesn't care. Do you know that attitude that elderly people sometimes get? I remember my grandfather getting it the day he turned his head to the wall. Quigley the day he went into my floor heated bathroom across from the kitty litter and wouldn't come out (he wouldn't eat either even though his teeth were fine) until he came to lay on my chest to cross the Bridge. I don't want to lose Zaphy but my daughter Jen... Zaphy's mom seems to be... not accepting... but almost as if she's not worried. She knows she'll break down and be sad... but it's the circle of life.
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So you are saying that Zaphoid's behaviour has changed, no matter that he's lost teeth, and has given up on life? Sorry for being dense here. Derry, who's just turning 3 next week (approx.) had 9 teeth removed on June 2nd, including all his lower molars and pre-molars. And while I don't give the boys much kibble (because they are at high risk for crystals), both are happier with a bit to munch on. Derry is swallowing the kibble now without problem. So I would guess it's not a tooth problem, per se, with Zaphoid. Whatever it is, I'm certainly sending lots of healing Light and the fur kids are purring hard!
ReplyDeleteP.S. It *could* be an issue, though if Zaphoid has pockets of infection below the gums. That would be a slow and painful death. Nicki, last November, had 8 extractions (also 3 years old at the time) and deep pockets of infection in a couple of spots, needed a month of antibiotics. So if Zaphoid has that that too, yeah, it could be a problem. But treatable!
ReplyDeleteHope Zaphoid feels better.
ReplyDeleteYes, he's gotten really clingy (Jennifer just pointed that out). I don't think it has to do with his teeth. In fact, he just finally let me get a good look at his teeth... surprise! He hasn't lost them! He's just not using them anymore. ::sigh:: So now comes the real quandary. He's acting like other Senior cats I've had who were ready to go rather than cats that were going, "Hey. Hey! Mom! Vet time!" And if he's needing vet time, I'm not sure what hat I'm going to pull the money out from.
ReplyDeleteMy kids have gone to their father's for the weekend. Dale is out watching Toy Story III with his daughter for Father's Day. Zaphy has been hanging out on Dale's pillow all day. Even when I went out swimming. I didn't take the camera so the other Boys all came out and were photogenic. I'm about to turn the computer off because earlier Zaphy was on my lap. I'm going to have dinner and give him some gooshy food and then let him have my lap again.
ReplyDeleteOh, we are purring hard for Zaphy! We hope it's just a tummy bug. 12 is awfully young for a Cat to be looking at the Bridge.
ReplyDeleteWe are purring loudly and praying for Zaphy to make it; at 12, he is such a young, beautiful cat...Good luck Zaphy, we love you gorgeous boy...kisses x3...Calle, Halle, Sukki
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