TUXY TUESDAY WITH DOMINO: AT THE VET

Domino has been feeling quite ill since late last week.  While she has always been a regular regurgitator, this was quite different.  Daddy noticed that she was bringing up pure bile.  By Saturday, Domino was obviously feeling quite punk, and was off of her food and water.  Mommy offered a little butter which Domino licked up, and then some tuna water which seemed to revive her a little.

Mommy was ready to take Domino to the emergency pet hospital on Sunday, but first she decided to mix up some wet food and try to tempt her.  Domino has never eaten wet cat food in her entire life.  By the time Mommy got Domino she was already one year of age and had only eaten dry food.  She refused anything else.

Mommy read something on the internet about "Bilious Vomiting Syndrome" and it said that wet food was more easily digestible and would help 'stomach motility'.  So Mommy blended up some wet food, adding a little water, until it was the consistency of baby food.

Since Domino was not going to co-operate, Mommy decided to do a little force-feeding.  She wrapped up Domino in a large towel to keep claws from interfering in the process.  And with a little spoon, Mommy tapped on Domino's front teeth, which caused her jaws to open.  Then quick as lightening Mommy dumped the contents of the spoon into her mouth.  Miraculously she chewed most of it, with only a little dribbling out the side of her mouth.

Oddly enough, Domino began to enjoy the taste of the food, and by the end of the day was voluntarily licking it out of the spoon.  After the first feeding, Domino perked up visibly.  She had been so weak and had obviously lost weight even in a couple of days.  She is so small that she can't afford to lose any.

By the way, Domino didn't throw up at all after any of her feedings on Sunday.  The wet food was staying down.

When Monday came around, Mommy called the vet right away, because she read there was medication for this bile vomiting thing.

Daddy takes Domino to reception, but there was nobody there to receive her.

 So Domino -- ever curious -- took a good look around.

She wanted to jump down and inspect the rest of the joint. 

Daddy had to keep her on a short leash -- which is a brand new one he bought for her, by the way -- with matching collar.   Mommy noticed, after he brought it home, that it was meant for dogs.  Not that it's important really, because it does the same job.  However, it has the letters "DOG" spelled on it amidst little renderings of bones and paws. 

Mommy decided that "DOG" stands for "Domino On the Go"!

 Finally, we were shown into an examination room and Domino made herself right at home.

 She is very curious and quite relaxed, as you can see.

It took a while for the vet to come, so Domino decided to take a tour around the room and ended up splayed out on the floor.  The floor was nice and cool.

Mommy stopped taking pictures when the vet came in, because this was serious business, and she needed to pay attention and give the vet all the information she needed.

Mommy, Daddy and the vet decided to treat the symptoms, so Domino was prescribed Zantac which is a people drug.  It is supposed to reduce the acid in the stomach.  Daddy will have to cut the pills into eighths because Domino is so tiny.  She is to have one-eighth twice a day before meals.  The vet also prescribed a steriod to reduce the swelling in her belly.

The vet's name was Carmen and she was a very nice lady.  Domino was nuzzling her and seemed to like her very much.  Carmen was quite surprised at how relaxed and friendly Domino was.  She said most cats are very stressed when she sees them.

The exam was over, but Carmen had to go and fill the prescriptions, so Daddy and Domino sat in the waiting room.  Mommy put on Domino's dress because it was actually pretty cold in the office.  The A/C was turned up quite high.

 So Domino, while still curious, did a little posing.  She can't help it -- it just comes naturally.

 How's this one?  Quite edgy, I think.  It really shows off the dress and Domino's pretty face (as well as a little butty).

Domino just couldn't stay still for long.

There was a lady passing through reception with a doggie all wrapped up in her arms.  The lady smiled at Domino as she passed.  The woofie didn't say a word.

Domino is 'busting' out all over!  The neckline on this dress is rather low.

 Finally, the prescriptions are ready and Daddy has to pay the bill.

 Domino is focused on what's going on outside the plate glass windows of the vet's office.

 Ooooooh!  Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting!

Time to go home, Domino.  You've been such a good girl.

So Mommy is happy to report that Domino took her first Zantac later that day, and had another feeding -- this one Domino lapped up on her own from the spoon.  And this morning, Mommy put the dish of wet food in front of her, and Domino gladly licked half of it up on her own.  Look Ma!  No spoon!

Domino has not thrown up any of the wet food at all, and is feeling like her old self.  The vet told Mommy she had done the right thing with the food and to keep it up and that made Mommy feel very good.

Mommy is now thinking that the dry food may have been the problem all along.  I guess only time will tell.  We're looking forward to seeing Domino gain back some weight.  Maybe then her blue dress won't fall off her shoulders anymore.

So, lets all think some happy thoughts for Domino, though you can save your heavy duty purrs for those who are more in need.  Heaven knows there are plenty of them.