Wednesday, September 21, 2022

He's Now A Happy Cat

Today I learned that September is Happy Cat Month, sponsored by the CATalyst Council to spread awareness about cat health and welfare. The council advocates for regular vet care and positive pet care practices.

The information was timely. You may remember that our house had a recent experience with vet care. Just a couple of weeks ago Jackson the Cat went to the vet and came home with a diagnosis of arthritis.

Hubby Tony and I have been diligent about giving Jackson his prescribed pain medicine on top of his food and injections of a drug to lubricate his joints. I've administered four shots now. The first time I was apprehensive about sticking a needle into his skin, but each time I've gotten more confident. Now I have it down to a system. I wait until Jackson is curled up on the bed or laying in the sun. When I'm confident he's not going anywhere I fill the syringe, grab a small section of his nape, part the hair so the skin is visible, insert the needle so it goes in between the skin and muscle, then push the plunger down. Jackson will give me a look, but then go right back to his nap.

Jackson is still an old guy, and doesn't have the pep he did when he was younger, but since we've started the medicine Tony and I have noticed that he's now spending less time sleeping under the bed and more inclined to wander around the house. Jackson also wants to spend more time with us. Both Tony and I have been the recipients of great head butts. Jackson's also grooming himself more. His fur has lost the dandruff-y look it had, and I don't have to comb out any hair mats.

Five years ago: September Summer

15 comments:

  1. Three cheers for Jackson and his nurse!

    Oh and if I ever have to start taking insulin shots, I know who I'm going to call.

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    1. And I would expect to be paid handsomely for it :-)

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  2. Good for you on getting the meds into him. When I tried to name my nonprofit, most of the names I tried were already taken. I don't know how I settled on Happy Cat Club, because my elderly friend, who died last November, told me it was a silly and stupid name. But I don't mind it and what am trying to do, in fixing as many cats as I can, but create happier healthier cats and community? But it also has a gesture in it. The initials, if I include "The" at the beginning, are the initials of my brothers company and I couldn't have begun the business without his help.

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    1. I hadn't made the connection between the name of the 'month' and your organization. Thank you for the interesting back story of how the name came about.

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  3. Love the head butts! We have 3 senior cats and combing out hair mats has become a regular thing for us now. I'm glad Jackson is doing better! Your a good cat mama!

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  4. Glad Jackson is doing well on the new meds

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  5. Really well done. I suppose I could if I have to, but that needle... :-)

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  6. I'm glad you have succeeded, and Jackson must be happy, too.

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  7. Having a sick fur baby is the worst! Nothing I wouldn't do for mine, either.

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    1. If the vet had recommended expensive diagnostic tests we would have through twice.

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  8. Good old Jackson has loving family. It's amazing what medicine can do these days for our fur babies.

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    1. I agree that medicine for pets (and people) has come a far way.

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