Keeping Pets

The story of Black Nose n Sprite makes me sad... *sniff* I've never really experienced the parting of a house-pet. Other than the one from MauI. He left last Christmas when I was not ard in Singapore. I know I wouldn't feel as much as how papa/mama-in-law, n jon would have felt. They are the ones who have seen,fed, n sayang him from a kitten to a big fat cat, for like, 10++ years. He's like a body guard to my papa-in-law, the King to all the rest of the cats in the family.

This year, the house's next fat cat,Kiwi, starts falling sick. Everyday he's looking in a daze, no energy, n losing weight eventually. At first, everyone thought that it's a sign of old age, but looking at the rest of the 5 cats who are still so active, my parents-in-law suspected it might not be that simple. Truly, Kiwi is diagnosed diabetic. He did the blood test n was there for almost a day for the pet hospital to monitor his "body pattern" like his blood sugar etc.

According to the vet n nurses, the symptoms of a diabetic cat include:

• excessive eating (needs energy)
• excessive drinking (dehydration)
• sleeps a lot too
• yet it's still tired

They added that statistic shows diabetes occurs more on male cats. I dunno Y exactly. It may be genetic of caused by old age when ur body is not functioning so strong any more. Just like in humans.

Now Kiwi is under insulin medication. 2 jabs a day after meal. He has to go back to the clinic occasionally to do review n monitoring. His amt of insulin per jab has increased a little as compared to the beginning prescription. He used to be afraid of the jabbing, but he's getting used to it.

He's now more alert n starting to gain a little bit more weight. His diet has been changed to a special one, which costs $3+ per small can. He drinks a lot n he can hog a bowl of water in front of him. But the vet found out he's dehydrated n has to go on "water therapy", whereby he's tubed with some kinda waterbag for a whole day at the clinic.

He back legs are weaker now n he has to take bone supplement to strengthen the bones. His litterbox is changed to a lower one as he can no longer jumped into the old one which is higher. He walks short distances to get to places. But one cool thing is that he will still walk all the way to u when u're having his favourite FISHBALLs noodles. LOL

It's like in human, we get sick when we're old. We have to see docs, take medication. Feeling ur body is no longer as fit as the past. Ur lifestyle changes cuz there are things u can/cannot do in the past is now vice verse, e.g following a stricter diet, no more vigorous activities... etc etc

With the tender loving care n the right medication to treat, I believe Kiwi can grow old... happy. ^_^