poor animals

[cat_needs_coffee]

I took Pearl and Willie to the vet this afternoon as Willie was behind on his shots, and Pearl needed flea treatment anyway. Poor Pearl really freaked out when they went to draw her blood and it took about 4 tries, I felt awful for her and almost refused any further tries when the tech finally got it. I was glad he did, because she tested positive for Ehrlichia and now has to be on antibiotics twice a day for at least a month, maybe 2. He said its hard to tell when she was infected, but as she hasn't been sick since I've had her and it has up to a 5 year "incubation" period before chronic symptoms occur, its likely it was before I got her. I've been reading that its 98% treatable unless a dog is actively showing symptoms, which she's not. It is a parasite that is transmitted through tick bites, and our vet said it is being found more and more in GA. I feel so bad for sweet Pearl. Fortunately she doesn't mind the pills so much with a little bit of turkey to wrap them up in!

And Willie Nelson has to go on a diet, he was 18.5 lbs today.

I've taken all the food up, and there's a whole lot of bitchin going on.

Comments

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

I hope the turkey trick keeps working, it's a good thing you found it early(ish)!

We put our boys on an all wet diet and they love it. I went for Petguard (at Whole Foods) because it has no meat byproducts and no wheat products; I wanted to cut way back on their carb intake. There was some fussing at first, and the half hour up to dinner time can get a little noisy, but they've adjusted very well and lost some unneeded weight. Also - smaller poop!

[allthingsshiny.livejournal.com]

That is a huge cat.

Erlichia does respond well to treatment, though it can take a while. Doxycycline? I used to see it on the greyhounds that came up from Mexico.

[dandelion5.livejournal.com]

Holy smokes, Willie! That's even bigger than my 13 pounders. :)

[olliekitty.livejournal.com]

lol that's a whole lot o willie goin on

I can't even imagine an 18.5lb cat.... I'll bet he isn't a happy camper you big meanie.