Adventures of Melissa Wood ~~ Pet Sitter, Traveler, Nature & Animal Lover, Photographer

Well today is the day.  A friend of the homeowner’s has a friend that is interested in Riley (the black cat).  She has been set to come over for weeks now, but it seems as though everytime we set it up, something happens. First, the kittens had diarrhea; then ringworm.  Now, since they are all healed up and there is no more ringworm in the house, we set up today for a visit.

They came about 2:00.  Riley and Merlin both ran right up to them.  Originally, they were coming with the intention to just get one kitten.  At first they were interested in Riley; but then I sent pictures and they seemed to like Merlin.  But Riley wouldn’t leave her husband alone!  He curled up in his lap and really bonded with him.  And of course everybody loved Merlin!

So Merlin and Riley have a new home.  Now Merlin is known as “Snickers” and Riley’s new name is “Marvin”. 

Oreo is left behind.  He doesn’t like this and is voicing his displeasure.  I know this is stressful for him; he’s wandering around now looking for his friends.  He seems really traumatized and I’m sure is upset.  So I’m giving him the Bach Rescue Remedy which I know will help him to be calm.

I’m certainly sad to see those two little kittens go, but it never was the intention to keep them.  I’m glad they have found a good home.  Now, I must find a good home for Oreo:

Oreo - Available For Adoption!

Well the one thing I wanted to avoid in all of this ringworm issue with the kittens, was having Amadeus contract it.  And he has.  It’ s not bad; only one spot on his face above his right eye and one spot on his right leg.  I guess with all the walking back and forth over the carpet that the kittens have played on for several weeks, it’s not that much of a stretch that he would get it too.  And then of course I have it and I’m in contact with him numerous times daily.  Even though I try to be conscious of washing my hands and clothing, I’m sure at some point he’s been exposed.  Unfortunately, I probably waited a week too long to sanitize the carpet and I’m sure he picked it up about 10 days ago; it has an incubation period where it doesn’t show up right away.

Since Amadeus is 17 and he just recently went through an illness when his “family” went to Europe, his system is very sensitive.  I called the property owner to let her know what was going on.  She doesn’t want to give him any medicine, but she decides to call the two vets and confer with them on this issue.  They both agree; his system is too fragile and even though he has been without any health incidents for weeks now, it’s just too risky to give him some toxic medicine.  So we decide on purely topical treatments. 

So 3-4 times daily, I am applying Melaleuca (Tea Tree Oil) to his lesions.  In between those applications, I’m using the Tea Tree Relief Spray from Desert Essence too. 

He sure likes it when I apply these to him.  I think it must be soothing for his skin (just like it is for me).  I’m also giving him Bach Flower Remedy Crab Apple and homeopathic Sepia for the skin issues.  Both of these are going in his water and we’ll see how that does in a few days.

Well the property owners came home today from Europe after being gone for 2 weeks.  They had a great time over there, but I think glad to be home anyway.  For the next week, they are packing for their 4 month trip to their summer home in upper Minnesota.

Everything around here is good.  With all the drama surrounding Amadeus and his illness, I have neglected to report on the other animals here.  There are two other cats in the house and the dog Sadie who got walked every day.  We took great walks along the San Antonio River everyday and I enjoyed watching the various bird life down there…there’s quite an assortment of herons and egrets and other birds that are around.   Then there is the 1 cat outside (Mittens) that got daily attention and then the 10 rescue cats (5 of which are visually impaired) in the guest house.  Everyone is healthy and happy and this pleases the property owners. 

Especially with regard to Amadeus.  The “Mrs.” says that he actually is better than he was before they left.  She can see a difference in his focusing; he doesn’t seem so “spacey” like he did originally and he has stopped pacing back and forth around and around the perimeter of the house.  He seems more content now and much more happy.  I have showed her how to administer the meds; still continuing the Nux Vomica and the Bach Flower Wild Rose and Olive. 

Apparently, they had an existing appointment at the vets office for Amadeus to get his teeth cleaned.  The owner has now decided that after all the trauma while they were gone and now that he has fully recovered, taking him to the vet to be put under anesthesia is probably NOT in his best interest.  I offer to help…perhaps there is a homeopathic remedy that I can give him that will help his teeth.

So I examine his teeth.  Gums are red and very swollen and puffy.  He has always had an issue with his teeth and in fact for being 17, is lucky he has any!  I can tell when he eats that it hurts him; his mouth is very tender and sore.  We have a week before his appointment, so I’m going to do some research and figure out what remedy to give him.

Well I think we’re over the worst of Amadeus’ illness.  He’s moving around a bit, drinking (without me forcing it down his throat) and eating a bit.  Giving him chopped up chicken with tuna juice all over it.  And of course, continuing the homeopathics and flowers.  He gets those in water, 4-5 times a day.  The Nux Vomica really has helped…he’s not vomiting anymore…hasn’t in 2 days ever since I switched the remedy.  He must really need this one!  And I’m going to keep giving it to him as obviously, it’s helping.

So after 5 days of emails back and forth to Europe keeping my property owners apprised of his condition, I get to finally write an email that is more encouraging and to let her know that it looks like he’s over the hump!

Well Amadeus survived the night and I’m so unbelievably grateful.  I really thought at one point during the night that the next time I got up to check on him, that he would have died.  But he made it!  I got up almost every 2 hours to check on him and force a little water down his throat (with the homeopathics and Flower Remedies mixed in with the water). 

He seems a little better this morning.  It’s hard for me to explain, but his energy has shifted somehow.  I’m changing the homeopathic remedy that I was giving him.  I’m going to switch from Merc Cor to Nux Vomica 30c.  I only have pellets so I’m dissolving 1 pellet in water. I also have decided to stop the flower remedy Clematis.  So I’m mixing in the Nux Vomica, Olive and Wild Rose in some water.  Then giving him a dropper ful of that, every couple of hours.  We’ll see how that does.

Well the 17 year old cat that is one of the many cats that I am pet sitting for, is not doing well at all.  He has stopped eating and drinking.  He’s extremely lethargic and I know he’s dehydrated. 

I have started forcing water down his throat with a 1 oz. dropper.  I’m probably only getting in 20-30 drops at a time, but I know it is better than nothing.  I am now also giving him Bach Flower Remedies.  I feel that part of his illness is partly due to the emotional stress he is under because his “family” is now in Europe.  So now in his water I am putting, Wild Rose (for giving up and showing no interest in getting better), Olive (for the suffering of this illness that he has endured for days), and Clematis (he seems really “spacey” and out of it).  I am also continuing with the homeopathic I started yesterday.

I’m not sure if he will make it through the night.