Brothers

Some of you wanted to know how Albert was treating Elvis since returning from the hospital. For the first couple of days he followed Elvis EVERYWHERE. It annoyed Elvis but seemed more protective than mean on Al's part. As I watch them now, I realize that Albert isn't so much pouncing as trying to be close to his brother. They both like to sleep in the same chair and Albert will jump up trying to squish his way next to Elvis. Elvis, instead of putting up with Albert's butt in his face, hops down. That seems to be the extent of their discontent. Don't get me wrong, Albert still acts out now and again, but for the most part, when Elvis needs to rest, Al lets him. It's actually pretty peaceful around here. Fingers, toes and paws crossed, it stays that way.

Hey Everyone!

So, just wanted to give a quick update on Elvis. He's making progress, albeit a little slowly. Vet appointment on Saturday let us know that his blood content(?) was down from 19% to 12% which is not good but that it wasn't 7% which is what we started at. The vet wasn't sure if the bone marrow was generating new cells so she sent off for another test, the results which we got back today. It looks like the bone marrow is regenerating cells(YAY!) but only a small amount. Frankly, I'll take what I can get. If it hadn't shown any improvement...well, let's just say that's the worst that could have happened. This small amount of cell generation lets the vet know that his bone marrow WANTS to work, which is pretty much the highlight of my week. She is going to up his steroid dosage and put him on more antibiotics and give him an iron supplement as well(he's been licking a rock). We will have a return vet visit in 10 days and hopefully see a more pronounced improvement. Though I'm not sure what the future holds, I'm counting today as a victory for Team Elvis. Thank you again for all of the well wishes and prayers.
Cori

Good News..

Elvis is home!!! He has been reacting positively to the blood transfusion and the doctor said he was good to come home. Elvis is one happy cat right now. He is on prednisone and an antibiotic. The doc still isn't sure what the problem is so we are going back next Saturday for more tests. He said the thing we want most is for the bone marrow to start doing it's job so that's what I will pray for. The waiting is hard, but for now, i am just so happy that Elvis is feeling better and eating...and HOME! Thank you all. I can't tell you how much it means to have a whole wide cat community to lean on for support. The boys and I appreciate it so much! More updates as they come.

Big hugs,
cori

P.s. I met Elvis's blood donor, Azure the cat. Elvis is now part Siamese. :)

Elvis

Thank you everyone for the kind words and prayers. The blood transfusion went well, he's up from 7% to 16%(blood count?). The problem is his bone marrow. It's not producing the things it's supposed to so they have him on steroids and will test tomorrow to see if it improves. If it doesn't then the prognosis isn't good but I won't even go there until i have too. I visited with him today and he looks so much better and wanted cuddles and was purring and making biscuits..If it weren't for the neon green bandage on his arm you wouldn't even know he was sick. I think that's the hardest part, he looks and acts like my little Elvis...
Anyways, I saw him and brought him a pillowcase from the bed and he ate a little and purred and i was totaly being a trooper for him until I heard that Sarah Mclaughlin song from the abused pets commercial and I totally lost it and started bawling. I think I scared the vet tech a little and Elvis was just staring at me like i was loco and then i started laughing and crying and that's about how my days been. Good and bad with a touch of the hysterical.
Tomorrows is the retest so i'm going to pray for a responsive bone marrow and a healthy Elvis.
Thank you all again for the shoulder to lean on. Albert, Elvis and I appreciate it.

Cori

It's Elvis

Hey Everyone,

This won't be long and I hope to post updates later, but little Elvis is very sick and in the hospital. I noticed he wasn't acting right last night and made an appointment for Friday morning. I got home today and knew I couldn't wait. According to the doctor Elvis is very anemic and is getting a blood transfusion and oxygen as we speak.  I should know more tomorrow morning and the nurses said I could visit Elvis after work. Please send your love to him and pray for the best. Typing this is making me cry, so I'm going to feed Albert and make sure he's doing ok while his brother is getting better. I'm kinda at a loss for words right now, but I know you guys will understand.

Cori

Napoleon Complex

Albert, originally uploaded by CoriK..

Maybe it's because he is the smaller of the two or maybe he just has the more dominant personality, whatever the reason, Albert is being a huge pain in the butt. Don't get me wrong, with me he is still cuddle puffs and sweetness, but poor Elvis just can't catch a break. Wherever Elvis is, Al is 3 steps behind and probably mid-pounce. If Elvis jumps on the chair to sleep, Albert jumps on top of Elvis. Elvis gets down...Albert sits for two seconds and then he gets down too. THIS HAPPENS ALL DAY LONG. Really. ALL DAY!
Plus, Albert is kinda rough. He bites, scratches and pounces and the result is a scabby chin or bloody ear for El. If Elvis fought back maybe I wouldn't be so concerned, but Elvis isn't a fighter...period.
Which isn't to say they don't sometimes get along. I woke up this morning and Albert was giving Elvis a bath.
So, my question is, do I keep stepping in or do I butt out? I hate that Elvis hides in a cubby on the bookshelf, but I also hate constantly shoo-ing Albert away from his brother.
Why can't they both just get along?! Is this just the way of things? Am I interfering in the natural process of the Animal Kingdom? Do you guys have any guidance or suggestions? I keep hoping this is a phase..what do you think?

We're Ba-ack!

Elvis doing his best "Dramatic Cat" expression!, originally uploaded by CoriK..

Dramatic Chipmunk's got nothing on this cat!
It's been a busy summer, but a fun one. Hope you guys are thriving as well.
The boys are doing ok, the weather's nice, things are rolling along.
The only not so bright spot of the summer is that Albert and Elvis are going through puberty and it's hard to watch sometimes. Albert is definitely winning the "Alpha Male" contest, but more on that tomorrow.
We almost adopted another little kitten, (Ve Ching, anyone), but she was snapped up because we, me, I took too long thinking about it. I'm thinking it worked out for the best, though, because another family now has a wonderful new addition. But like I told Laurie, the seed has been planted. I think a sibling might be good for the boys, plus, can you ever really have too many cats? Don't answer that!
TGIF everyone and have a great weekend!