Monday, December 26, 2011

Inside Annie

Today we'll catch you up on Annie's story since we now have a pic to go along with it - you know I love x-rays... peering into innards is endlessly fascinating.

My little Annie has always been a nervous kitteh - startling easily and darting from one thing to another.  In fact, with her grey coat, this had earned her the nickname, "Squirrelette."  Over the past year, she had taken to being even more timid than usual, hanging out by herself more and more (aka hiding), developed a chronic sneeze, lost weight and, frustratingly, decided the dining room floor was an appropriate place to relieve herself.  (Yes, she's ruined some of the brand new hardwood flooring... *sigh*)

Long story short - Annie has become a "frequent flyer" at the vet.  Poor thing has had tests out the wazoo and we tried a number of things to address her various issues, including putting her on Prozac for the peeing (sadly, ineffective). One trip revealed deterioration in her kidney numbers. So, on meds she went (one for the kidneys plus an appetite stimulant) and things improved somewhat. She's chilled out and seems happier (more snuggling, etc.). She's been in regularly to keep an eye on her weight, let the doc recheck her numbers, and to treat the recurring bouts of sneezing.

Last week she started again with the sneezing and I had a heck of a time getting her to eat (probably because she can't smell when this happens).  The day before Christmas Eve, Annie and I headed to the vet.  Doc has been worried about her chronic respiratory issues, even though we manage to get the episodes under control, so he suggested it was time for an x-ray to look at her lungs.

Well, her lungs are fine!  But something weird showed up on the x-ray. Don't mind saying I was plenty worried we were now looking at a surgery to remove a foreign body.  Doc sent it out to a radiologist for review and he came back with a happy answer - it's a bile stone and it requires no intervention.  He also said that it appears Annie had undiagnosed heart problems in the past which are now healed.  Good to know - Doc will be keeping an eye (or ear, as the case may be) out for any cardiac complications.

So, all together, not a bad day at the vet.  Looks like my little lady is going to be high maintenance for the foreseeable future, though!

11 comments:

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

Aw, poor little kitty! I hate it when they're sick! But at least it seems like she's on the mend.
Merry Christmas!

Old Kitty said...

Awww big hugs to beautiful Annie! Glad that weird thing that showed up in her x-ray was identified too! Phew!

Take care
x

Forever Foster said...

We're glad it was a reasonably good trip to the v-e-t :)

Fui has had eleventy billion x-rays and ultrasounds in the last few months, and it really annoys mum that she doesn't get to look at the pictures too!

Brian said...

My sisters and I are all sending you lots of purrs beautiful Annie.

Jan's Funny Farm said...

Glad Annie will be okay.

Tillie and Georgia said...

While we are happy Annie can be treated, we are sorry she appears to have chronic problems. We send her purrs and some hugs for you!!
Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
Tiger,Treasure and JJ

meowmeowmans said...

We sure hope you had a wonderful Christmas, dear friends!

We are glad that Annie is going to be okay (albiet "high-maintenance")! Sending purrs and prayers for you both.

nichole said...

Poor Annie...glad she's on the mend!

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

Sending huge rumbly get well purrs for Annie. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

I wanted to let you know that I posted an award for you on my blog!

Leslie said...

Oh my! Annie has had quite the medical experience. I hope her health continues to improve. What a relief that the "foreign body" doesn't need surgery.

Hope 2012 brings good things for you and the kitties.

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