Left turn to Alberquerque?

I think Hester has made the left turn is on her way to Alberquerque (Bugs Bunny reference :P)

She didn't have a fever this morning and was quite perky. She nibbled on my ear and tugged my earring as this morning's wake up call. Very purry and full of the marking my glasses, cheeks, and nose. I think she did eat but it was 4:30 am and I wasn't in the mood to get out of bed to check. She has her moments of play (slowly) and she is talking. Still doing the sleeping and not eating and drinking. I am forcing a 1/2 tsp of water down her every hour. I have told her job today is to eat, drink and sleep. She is playing dumb on these orders.

Wanna know how much she has grown? February 14th last year

January 2010. Can we say HUGE. She is my tall lanky girl.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, again. I can't wait until she is eating and drinking on her own and is bounding around the house.

a return to the vet

Early this morning Hester's fever returned. I made a trip to the vet. The did x-rays and found nothing. They gave her more medicam (fever reducer) and some more to administer tomorrow. I am to continue with antibiotics and try to entice her to eat. She wants nothing to do with food right now. She also got more fluids injected into her body. Right now I have to wait. They don't know why this is happening.

My poor Hester and poor Enid since she doesn't understand why this is happening.

Improvements

Sorry for my delayed post but I was so tired I took a long nap with the girls. Shortly after noon with my aunt's help I took Hester's temperature. It was 99.9. Yeah! She has eaten a bit of kibble and is interested in playing even if it is for a nanosecond. However she is sleeping most of the day away. If it makes her better then I am all for it. It still distresses me to see such vivacious girl hit so hard by this illness.

The vet called and told me the blood work was BORING! She said this is really good news. The only interesting finding was that her stress levels were up. She said there really is no explanation for this. Young girls have this problem from time to time that doctors cannot explain. She said continue with the antibiotics and tempt her with food. Most people are shocked that that Hester doesn't have a favorite food or treat since I don't give her treats and she loves kibble. However, I purchased some food that people tell me that the most finicky cats love it and some baby food (sans onions). She turned her nose up to both and turn around to nose the kibble. That's my predictable girl.

I have also purchased a syringe to give her water. I don't get much into her but at least it is something. She is snoozing away on my woolie sweater. Enid is happily purring on the warm television. Enid thinks this is the world's greatest gift to kitty-dom. Nice, warm and some times it hums a good tune.

Thanks for the thoughts, prayers and comments. It is all appreciated. Truly.

Back to the hospital this morning

Since I get up early in the morning I promptly took Hester's temperature. It spiked to 105. Yowsie. I call my vet and they said get to the emergency room now. Fast forward to emergency room. Doctor says she can give Hester more fluids since she is dehydrated again, more antibiotics, and a new drug that can reduce a fever. We do all of that. I have to take Hester's temperature again in 4 hours if it hasn't gone down I have to go back to my vet.

I have to give Hester some oral antibiotics, give her a bed where half of it will contain ice packs. Currently she is sleeping on the ice pack after I shoved it under her butt :P She did come home and nibble a bit of food. I tried to tempt her with some "tuna" food but she doesn't really like wet food or tuna type food. I tried. I will try again.

Hopefully I will see some improvement by noon PST. Some of you wondered if Hester ate some of the insulation. She did not since the installers never came into the house. Thanks for your tips on getting Enid re-acclimated to her "smelly" sister. Thanks for the prayers and thoughts for Hester. I will keep you updated.

Hester update

The vet tech took her temperature and it was 104. Fever! The vet really gave her the once over - felt her up everywhere. He suspects she has infection but he is not 100% sure. We did bloodwork, gave her fluids, antibiotics and appetite stimulants.

I got her home and all the fluids, aka camel hump were gone from her body. She went to get a drink of water which was a good sign. She also fussed with a spoon that I had left on the counter. Water dishes are on counters in my house so needless to say I had to lift her to the counter. I have a water dish in my bedroom so the girls can get a drink while in bed so to speak. I am weird that way. Anyhooo, I gave Hester her pill (appetite stimulant). As of 3 am PST she still hasn't eaten. I have to give her another pill in the morning. I also have to take her temperature in the morning. If nothing has changed I run her back to the vet.

Enid was briefly happy to have her sister home. Later in the evening she approached Hester on the bed and started hissing and growling. She won't go near Hester. She growls, spits and hisses all the time. I don't know what that is all about. Enid won't even sleep next to me because Hester is in the bed. This confuses me. I know Hester smells of "vet" but that smell has diminished and Enid didn't do this when Hester got out of the carrier. Anyone know what this means?

Hester is still lackluster at this point but I am hopeful she will eat tomorrow and have a lower temperature. I still have visions of "she ate something to cause the infection", "I brought something from outside" - meaning I need to clean constantly, etc. All my friends are "it's an infection. Cats have infections and get the flu" I told my BFF that "I haven't done infections. Massive strokes and unknown/undeciferable intestinal blockages which both led to death are what I have done. Infections, not so much.

I will update as needed. Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers. We need them.

Humble apologies for no updates

I am very sorry to everyone who likes to see how these girls are growing and all their antics. Work has kept me very busy. VERY busy. I typically go home and crash. It is hard doing 2 full time jobs and a part time job at one work place. Whew.

The latest and greatest is the girls are growing and playing. Although as of Tuesday Hester has some problems that have progressed into me calling the vet for an appointment today (Thursday). I had some insulation installed under the house. The contractors didn't enter the house but the noise really stressed Hester out. As of yesterday and today (Thursday) Hester will not eat, drink, jump, play or walk. She just lays in bed. I tried to get some water down her but she was adamant in her refusal. She didn't mind having her teeth brushed since she likes the toothpaste. When she tried to jump on the kitchen table she couldn't. Poor thing. Enid is fine. She is running around like a maniac and talking the whole time. She doesn't seem to be concern about Hester so I suppose that is good news.

On the other hand I am totally scared about Hester. l lost my first set of cats at 3 years of age. They started having problems when they were one years old. My girls are one and this has me on edge. When the girls reach 4 years old I will breathe easy but until that I will watch them like a hawk. I am thankful my best friend will be coming to the vet with me. I think my Dad might turn up at my house unexpectedly to check on Hester and me. He was devastated for me when I lost Romulus (the last of my first two boys). I miss those boys and I love these girls.

Pssst

Enid, I have an idea! Red is gonna LUV this! Mwhahahahahaha.

Me: What are you two whispering about?

Together: Oh, nuthin' (stifled giggles)