Cats

[bertine]

Last Thursday two things happened.

1) I started to get sick.

2) I brought the cats to the vet.


I have posted here and on facebook about how sick I have been (very). However, I haven't posted about the vet.

• Harriet is fine and weighs 9 pounds, which is perfect.
  
• Emerson weighs the same has he always has, 13.5 pounds, which means he needs to lose 2 pounds. He is also getting his teeth cleaned on Thursday.
  
• Xerxes has gained 2 pounds in the last year and now weighs 16.6 pounds and needs to lose 4 pounds. This means my cat needs to lose 25% of his body weight. He is obese!
  

Then... in the midst of my sickness we got a call from the vet telling us that our cats tested positive for giardia which means on top of having to put our cats on a diet, we have to deworm them. Saturday morning we went to Target, bought a new litter box, a new litter scoop, new pads for under the litter box and a can of lysol. I tossed everything we had and scrubbed the litter box area. I then sprayed down anything within that room until it was damp with lysol. They get some deworming stuff every night and we have to completely change their litter every night. We also need to give them "butt baths" which I am sure they will be delighted with tonight. (I was too sick to help yesterday and it is a two person job).

I have no idea where they got giardia. I guess they could have had it for years without showing any signs which sucks. I feel like a bad kitty owner for not catching this sooner. :(

Comments

[murun.livejournal.com]

Eww, that link suggests humans can get it too.... you ok?

[bertine.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I always change the catbox with plastic gloves on and wash my hands afterwards so I am fine. The cats shared a box and clean eat other so they have been infecting each other. :(

[phaedie.livejournal.com]

It can live in a dormant cyst type stage inside their tummies for years without effecting them, totally not your fault.
Get well soon kitties, good luck with the bum baths.

[isitthegenes.livejournal.com]

If you need a laugh about the giardia, note line 4 in the initial description:

"...causing giardiasis, commonly known as beiber fever..."

Your cats cannot escape Beiber Fever, either!

Hope you and they feel better soon!