Thursday, March 5, 2026

Geez, Sez The Gato

Ever since Foster Cat Smokey Joe has been in our house he's visited the vet more than he would like.

At his initial visit last November he was tested for parasites and given a flea treatment.The techs tried to x-ray his suspected leg injury, but he wasn't having it. We had to give him a sedative before taking him back a week later. (They diagnosed the issue as a soft tissue injury, which eventually went away.)

Some time later Smokey Joe developed hairless patches. He visited the vet again, where he was tested for fungus (eventually ruled out, then attributed to mites) and got a long-lasting antibiotic shot. Since then the bare patches have been swabbed with an antibiotic wipe twice a day, and for the past three weeks he's endured a weekly bath.

Today Smokey Joe was back at the animal clinic yet again-this time was because Hubby Tony and I had discovered evidence he had worms. (EWWWW!) The cat got an injection, and the humans got instructions on flea control and enhanced litter box maintenance.

Smokey Joe was thrilled to hear that in three weeks he can stay home when we take a stool sample back to the office.
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30 comments:

  1. Gosh poor Smokey Joe -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com

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    1. The issues seem to bother us more than him.

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  2. Oh boy. Poor little dude. Going through it.

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  3. Tapeworms, I assume. I enjoy killing parasites.

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    1. You're right. Our first experience with them.

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  4. Poor Smokey Joe. I hope this is the last of his medical woes.

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    1. We do too. He can't be listed on the shelter website as adoptable until everything is cleared.

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  5. That's a lot to go through for kitty hopefully he will be in the clear soon

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    1. Believe it or not, his issues are minor compared to some of the cats the shelter takes in.

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    1. Now you've learned your one thing for the day and can slack off until tomorrow :-)

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    2. Gato is French for cake but it is spelled differently.

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  7. Sorry, but rather cruelly I laughed at the image of you collecting a stool sample. Poor Smokey Joe, poor you - I hope his ailments have all been identified and dealt with now. Bathing a cat is not for the faint-hearted and they don't seem to 'get used to it!'

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    1. The stool sample can come from the litter box (thank goodness!)

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  8. Poor Smokey Joe, it's just one thing after another. But with each new issue, I'm more convinced that he's so lucky to have you.

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    1. The shelter we work with specializes in special needs cats; some of the fosters have much more complicated issues than what we're dealing with.

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  9. Poor guy. Hope it all clears up, never to return.

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  10. You guys are very good foster parents. I'm sure he appreciates it in his own funny way. Linda in Kansas

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  11. Poor Smokey Joe! You are very kind.

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  12. What a lucky guy to have you two.

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  13. Awwww....poor little guy! You are lucky to have each other.

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  14. He is so well mannered and even tempered. So many trips are frustrating for humans and the cats, but he seems to take it all in stride!

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    1. Smokey Joe is the most 'chill' cat I've ever encountered.

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