Just a wee pre-emptive prayer for Doc - nothing wrong!!

[Tina B and crew]

Just asking for good vibes!

I'm taking him in to my regular vet for blood work, possibly xrays, and a physical exam. He is about 6 months out from his final chemo treatment in which he was declared free and clear of any visible cancer. The oncologist and cardiologist at VT wanted me to have him rechecked (re-checked = bloodwork, xrays, ultrasound) every 2-3 months for a year, but my budget was wiped out and I just couldn't afford it. I feel bad but I just couldn't. This has eaten away at me for months but the money just was not there. I should be bringing in a paycheck in a little over a month, until then we are tightening the belt, unfortunately.

At any rate, if my vet feels it necessary to do ultrasounds then I will see what I can do to make up the funds but I do not have them right now. I am just hoping that for now blood work and a good look over will suffice. Besides, if the cancer did come back there isn't much I could do. I don't think I would put him through chemo again. Needless to say I'm a bit nervous about tomorrow even though he seems fine.

Send Doc some good vibes tomorrow if you don't mind. As I said, I've come to really love that silly ol' cat more than you might imagine.

[Traci]

Of course we're sending prayers, good vibes and lots of hugs for Doc that he has an all-clear!!!

Can you at least do an xray this time, short of the ultrasound?

[Tina B and crew]

Yes, xrays are doable, I think (see my original post *wink*). Doc has gained a bit more weight than I'd wanted him to gain after his ordeal. He's really plumped out in the mid region. Much of it seems to have come on in the last month or two. That, plus I have noticed some "scootching" on the nether regions on the floor/furniture here lately too. I checked his anal region and found nothing amiss to my eyes but I'm wondering if he's having issues with his anal glands. I'll be sure to mention it to the vet.

He does seem to be sleeping a bit more than usual today but so are the other two. It's kind of chilly and I think they are realizing winter is not far away. They miss the open windows.

My vet is also more amenable to working with me on costs than VT would ever be.

[Traci]

I'm so glad your vet is willing to work with you on the costs, I know this helps a lot!!

Yes, please have her check his anal glands. Might be nothing, this is part of the exam anyway.

Has he been eating more lately with all the weather changes? I know when cold weather is here, they tend to sleep more AND eat more when they are awake. (I think much of it is simply boredom, although I do still keep windows and screen doors open in weather that doesn't include snow.)

Give Doc lots of hugs and kisses for us and tell him all his friends are counting on his exam etc to pass with flying colors! Please update us when you know more.

[Tina B and crew]

X-rays were perfect! Physical exam was unremarkable! He's gained a bit too much weight so I have to figure out how to get that under control. Anal glands full, but expressed easily (I knew this since he'd been scootching). Waiting on the blood work. Vet said she saw no reason for an ultrasound right away.

[Tina B and crew]

Blood work was good. Only a few slightly out of range items:
CHOL was elevated. (he had just eaten and he does have a bit of excess fat she wasn't worried about it at this point. We are going to work on his weight - slowly - and I'll take him back in a few months for a recheck.

HCT was a slightly below normal (27.0% [30-45]]) and MCH was a slightly above normal (21.5pg [12-20]). She said that his color looked good though so she's not overly concerned about this right now either.

Everything else was within normal range.

[Traci]

YAY, DOC!!!!!

[Tina B and crew]

I know, I'm thrilled! Hoping he can continue to be another one of my "miracle cats"!

Poor guy though, I felt bad for him when we got home. Chunk and Lucy were both hissing at him. They have never done that before so I wonder if the anal gland expressing had anything to do with it? At any rate I told Chunk not to be so haughty, because he goes in for a check up tomorrow.

[Traci]

I doubt the anal gland expressing had anything to do with it, since this is a scent they've most likely been familiar with before.

Surgical scrub or other cleaning agent used after the procedure, possibly. Cats can smell anything from the clinic, and I mean anything, including the air!

Give Doc and Chunk hugs for us, let us know how Chunk's appt goes, k?

[Tina B and crew]

It was likely just the odor of the clinic. I didn't think it could have been the anal glands, but wondered since they had never done this before. At any rate they are over it now. It didn't last too long. But poor Doc looked so dejected!