[krampus]

Sending good wishes to all the people and pets on this thread! I have relatively nothing of interest going on - trying to get lots of sleep to ward off a head cold, worrying about the overnight freezing rain turning the Turkey Trot into the Turkey Grievous Face Injury Event, and looking forward to a quiet Thanksgiving at my parents' house.

In cat news, Rusty is less scabby than ever and is cute as ever, and we've found Feliway to be a godsend for Lucy - she's made the transformation from standoffish snob to cuddly calm cat.

[Megan1982]

Emma update: Nothing foreign inside of her. We're back to the "bad" bacterial overgrowth theory. The vet walked her around and looked at what came out, and said it looked "semi-solid so maybe we're on the right track" with her Rx food. Of course she couldn't get Emma to go anymore. I took her home and she went 2x more for me, though she's only gone 4x today, so that is an improvement... but she didn't have breakfast. The vet tried one shot of another antibiotic that might help, and if Emma improves overnight, I can pick up more tomorrow. We'll continue w the Rx dog food. After a terrible night w many outings Friday night, the last 3 nights have only included 1 middle of night outing which could be progress. So........ That's really all I know to do at this point.

I'm talking about my "kid's" poop. I'm definitely a mom.

Krampus, I'm glad Rusty's scabs are going away and Feliway's attitude has improved! Yay for happy and healthy pets.

[alinnell]

I'm talking about my "kid's" poop. I'm definitely a mom.

On my Labrador chat board poop is a constant topic of discussion.

[Mudpie]

Originally Posted by alinnell

On my Labrador chat board poop is a constant topic of discussion.

It's a really cheap readily available way to check your pets' general health and can be the first indicator that something is amiss (before it turns into something major).

My apologies to the non-pet owners. Talk about your children's poop if you like (though admitting you look through it is kinda weird ). My grandmother used to do that with my male cousin - 2 years older than me. He wasn't allowed to flush until Memme had had a look see. I constantly used that as a stick with which to prod him.

Dagmar

[JayEll]

Oh, I wouldn't want to be left out of oversharing. My cat didn't do his usual in the catbox yesterday morning, and from previous experience I knew that could mean his anal glands were backed up. Awhile back he had to be on antibiotics and painkillers because of badly impacted and infected anal glands, and that was no fun. Now he has to have them checked from time to time.

I made an appointment for today, and then I took him out for a walk on a leash, because he enjoys going outside and marking his territory by pissing. (He is neutered, so no spraying.)

Well, he did so, and he really needed to go! Must have pissed for 20 seconds. But then, as we were walking back across the lawn, he heard a call of a different nature and proceeded to sh*t on the grass. He's never done that. This meant that after I took him in, I had to go back out and pick it up!

So, today he had a normal bathroom production, complete with well-formed sh*t. However, I still took him in to the vet. And yes, it turned out his anal glands did need to expressed--very full--but there was no sign of infection.

How's that? Am I fitting in?

[Shannon in ATL]

Good job, Jay! Your post is perfectly timed for me, as it reminded me that I need to take my cat to the vet for that same anal gland expression. She hasn't shown any signs, but I've learned that if I don't do it regularly then I regret it. And while I was taught how to do it, I will never make that a DIY project.

[alinnell]

Jay~when Ringo was having his latest bout of bladder problems, the vet put him on blood pressure medication. When she explained it, I understood 1) why she put him on it and 2) why something happened. 1) it relaxes the sphincter muscles to make it easier for him to pee. 2) That explains why one morning he was in the litter box peeing and he passed stool as well! (Cats and dogs don't generally do both together, but the relaxed sphincter allowed it!)

[BillBlueEyes]

Why, yes, this is helpful.









[I don't think I'll want to want to eat for a week.]

[Shannon in ATL]

LOL Bill

[Mudpie]

Originally Posted by BillBlueEyes

Why, yes, this is helpful.

[I don't think I'll want to want to eat for a week.]

Unfortunately this is all a big part of my day - every day. I wish it would act as an appetite suppressant but there are much, much worse things.

Aren't you all glad I don't share as much as I could?

Dagmar

[saef]

[Backs quietly out of the thread after looking in briefly at the end of a long work day.]

[JayEll]

Shannon, it isn't going to be my DIY project either! One has to draw the line.

[Mudpie]

Originally Posted by JayEll

Shannon, it isn't going to be my DIY project either! One has to draw the line.

Again I will refrain from oversharing, just point out that the anal glands are most animals' major marking organ

Dagmar

[Mudpie]

I'm off to my last petsit of 2013 this evening. This will be the first time I'm away from DH and the cats after our move into this house. I think the cats will be fine. DH? I'm more worried about him. But I can't babysit a 52-year old adult.

Dagmar

[BillBlueEyes]

It's raining hard.

I have a dentist appointment in two hours.

I had planned to walk there - always do.

This early, there will be ample parking right at the door.

I own rain gear and umbrellas.

To wimp or not to wimp; A decision must be made.