Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Not so Wordless Wednesday

I'm hiding out in my bed so my Mom can't find me to take me to that vet place again. I HATE that place! They do all kinds of things to me there. There are strange smells, lots of other animals. Euwwwwwww. I want to just stay home and smell my home smells.

Ok, the coast looks clear now so I think I'll take a bath and try to wash off all those other smells.

Rusty's Mom here. Don't let Rusty kid you. He's actually very good at the vet even if he tries to make a quick get-away though the back door. They took x-rays of his chest which all looked normal. The vet who saw him said that his heart had a slight abnormality, but she felt that more than likely that was just a variation that is normal to Rusty. Nothing to be alarmed at or concerned about. His lungs looked very clear, his blood vessels feeding his heart all looked normal and fine. So, it's back to the drawing board. They took some blood to do a workup, but I haven't heard back about that yet. So, I'm back to thinking it's a sinus/allergy issue. The vet did mention that they can get polyps in their sinuses which is a possibility, but they didn't check for anything like that yet. He actually had a very good day yesterday, very mild wheezing at times, nothing like the choking, gasping attacks he's been having. Today he's been good too. I decided to try to clear out scents from the house, I got a new litter called Precious Cat which has no perfumes or deodorizers which is a great improvement over the Tidy Cat I had used for years. A complete cleanup (rug wash, sweeping) of his litter box area and a completely new litter box too. We'll see if that helps. No more scented candles for awhile either. I raised the setting on the house humidifier too, just to see if that makes a difference. But for now, he seems to be doing much better. All this is probably just his age, he is going to be 19 in March which is a very old age for a cat. To be honest, I am very surprised that he's lived this long. He was always my "wild boy" who disappeared all day and did his thing, hunting and roaming along the banks of the river near us. I guess I should be grateful that he's had such a long wonderful life for a cat. I think if he could tell you, he would say that it's been a great life.

Thanks everyone for all the well wishes and the purrs. I'll let everyone know if anything changes.

26 comments:

Amy & the house of cats said...

Hi Rusty - that is a great hiding spot! We always try to hide when we know a vet trip is coming!

That is great news that you are feeling better! Our weather here is improved, so I am guessing yours has a bit too (MI is pretty close behind IL weather-wise), and maybe that is helping you out too - especially if it is allergies. But we are so glad to see you are doing better! As soon as we saw your link pop up we had to race right over and check on you!

We are still sending you lots of purrs and prayers to feel even better!

Parker said...

I am so glad that he is better, I hope the changes you made help him and that he doesn't wheeze and gasp anymore!
(((hugs))) and smoochies!

Milo and Alfie said...

To the mom: Well that is all good noos. We're so glad Rusty is OK, 'cos he's a lovely boy. And 19 is a great age ~ but we hope he gets some more quality years and lots more love.

To Rusty: Stay well Rusters! We love yoo. Smoochies. xx

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Grooming is good...shows he is feeling better! Keep it up, ok!

The Monkeys said...

Great news about Rusty! Hopefully the changes you're making will be beneficial.

I've always been under the impression that ginger male cats lasted longer because of the orange gene. My sister's sweet ginger cat, Beastie, lasted until just shy of his 23rd birthday, so we're definitely sending huge purrs that Rusty is around for even longer :)

CCL Wendy said...

Way to go, Rusty! You're like the Eveready Bunny -- you just keep on going!

Good idea to stay at home and smell the smells. It's the best place for a kitty to be.

Catline Crew said...

We're so happy to hear that Rusty is doing better.

Anonymous said...

We have been stopping by to see if there was any update on Rusty! Glad to hear nothing serious has showed up on his tests.

Maggie May said...

Rusty and mom, we are so happy to hear the lungs are clear and the other test have come back good. We hope the blood workup checks out fine as well. Glad to hear you are having a better day today, Rusty! Sound like your mom is doing everything she can to make you feel more comfortable and breathe better. We will continue to purr and purray until you are feeling 100% better, furiend.
Love,
Maggie May and The Creek Cats

SeaThreePeeO said...

We hope Rusty is feeling much better soon!

Cheyenne -Millie said...

Wow! Soon to be 19! Good job Rusty!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We are glad all your tests were good Rusty, and that you seem to be improving. We will keep purring for you.

Cat with a Garden said...

Oh Rusty, we read with admiration how you used to roam the river bank. That's so cool! And it it good news that the x-ray didn't show something wrong. You are in such good shape for your age. What a mancat! We hope the wheezing will disappear.
Big time purrs to you.
Siena & Chilli

Percy the Cat said...

Glad to hear that so far all is checking out. We'll keep purring for you Rusty :)

Anonymous said...

We really care about you, Rusty! Please continue to keep us posted!

Your Daily Cute said...

Good news that you're feeling better, Rusty! Don't try and hide from the vet too hard -- he's only doing what's best for you. ;)

18 is old for a kitty, but I'm hearing of cats living to be older and older. It's because we take such good care of them I think. My Pimp is 10, and I hope to have him forever!

meowmeowmans said...

Glad to hear the tests are going well so far, Rusty. We hope you are feeling better soon.

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

We are glad he is doing better!

Lisa + current cat said...

We are so, so glad Rusty is feeling better and that his heart and lungs are okay.

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

We're not gonna stop sending lots of healing purrs... Rusty is a special fella, we need him to stay well!!

Everycat said...

Rusty we are really happy to know your lungs look good. We hope it's something that will pass and your Mom sounds like she's doing some great things to help your breathing. We've heard that scented candles can be a bit rough on animals (includinghumans). Nice to see you relaxed and having a groom. You take it easy old fella, resting up and letting your Mom do the work is a good idea ;)

Whicky Wuudler

Brian's Home Blog said...

Keep up the good work Rusty, we're purring for you every single day!!! Hey Mom, also try a air purifier thingy from Lowes or Home Depot, clean air really helped Sister Gracie!

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

lad that the vet trip went ok. Mum says I read her mind when we are going to the vets and run and hide. Keep well friend.. Hugs GJ x

The Florida Furkids said...

VET trips aren't fun, but sometimes they are impawtent. We're glad you're feeling better.

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

Jans Funny Farm said...

Rusty, you have sure had a long, exciting life for a kitty. We hope you will get better soon.

Quill and Greyson said...

Sorry to hear you aren't feeling your best Rusty. Purrs you get well very soon.