Welcome home Doc!!

[Tina B and crew]

He's still eating well, but seems to be a bit more lethargic. I'm guessing that is fairly normal considering the long trip home he had and adjusting to sleeping in a new place. His temp is up a little...about 103.2. I can call if I have concerns but since he is eating, soaking up attention, and his incision looks good I'm going to hold off right now.

[Traci]

Tina, see post in FH - also, just barely, and lightly touch his abdomen around the incision area (not directly on it) - does it feel abnormally warm there as opposed to elsewhere on the abdomen? If so, call the vets right away - do you know if they checked his vitals when they released him, and was his temp normal at that time?

[Tina B and crew]

I've got Doc threads all over the place!! But I decided this story was probably best for this one. He met Lucy today! I didn't intend to introduce them yet, but Lucy had been hanging at the door when I was in there with him and they were checking each other out under the door. She's a fairly amiable cat so I thought it was best to intro her to Doc first. I decide to carry Lucy into the bedroom where Doc was and let them meet. Doc was up on the chest at the window (chilling in Lucy's bed!) and I started to play with Lucy to make the experience totally positive for her. She bought it. She played and Doc watched. Every once and a while she'd look at Doc and I knew she was thinking "why are you in MY bed?!" but she never showed any signs of stress or aggression. So I stop playing and Lucy heads into the bathroom. Doc decides he wants to get a closer look so he gets down (I have a plastic bin in front of the chest so he has steps to get down and doesn't have to jump) and stretches, stretches, stretches...meanwhile Lucy starts to come out of the bathroom and Doc heads toward her. She let out a little hiss, mostly because I think she just wasn't sure - it was kind of like "not too close yet, I don't know you!". Her ears stayed up and she didn't posture, no tail fluff or back arches - just hissed. Doc backed away and looked at me like "what did I do? I just want a friend." I decided to distract Lucy by playing and she totally forgot about Doc. He, on the other hand was showing friendly signs of wanting to get to know Lucy - stretching and blinking. She wasn't too interested and just wanted to play. I really think they will get along fine. I did not push it and took Lucy out after that. I'm holding off on letting Chunk in to meet Doc just yet. He's so big I just don't want to chance it. They are checking each other out under the door though, quite often and no hisses!

I will be glad when Doc gets his staples out!

[Traci]

You're doing it exactly how I do introductions with mine, let them in one by one for short periods of time in the newcomer's room. It works for me, I hope it works for you - it sounds like it was a good first attempt!!!

Just remember though, not too much stress for Doc, ok? I know he would probably LOVE to get to know his siblings, but one day at a time...

[Tina B and crew]

Yep, not over doing it. Lucy was in there maybe 10 minutes at the most. I will play each day by ear, depending on what Doc feels like. I just feel bad having to shut my cats out of our bedroom since it is where Lucy really likes to spend a lot of her time, either looking out the window or sleeping on my bed. It's not that I don't want Doc to have space, I just want to make sure Chunk and Lucy don't get left out too much. As it is Chunk has taken to driving Lucy from every spot she finds to sleep and then stealing it. I had this fuzzy baby blanket in my office and Lucy found it. Since my grandbabies are no longer babies I went ahead and put it in a spot on the floor for Lucy, since she seemed to like it, and she loves to make biscuits on it then curl up and sleep. But several times I've seen Chunk come in, start something with her, and when she moves he gets on it. He's also taken over her bed...the bed I bought for HIM 2 years ago and he would NEVER sleep in it. Lately Lucy has taken to sleeping in it so now Chunk has decided it's good enough for him. I swear he is like a selfish little child! Gotta love him though.

[Tina B and crew]

<3





Playing with a string!



Always good for a kitty's heart and soul...

[Tina B and crew]

BTW, Doc goes for his initial eval for chemo next Tuesday. Fingers crossed!!

[Tambrey]

OMG...he is beautiful!! I am so glad things are looking up for Doc...I have been away at a convention so am just catching up on ALOT of things!!!

[Traci]

Tina, he looks great, and like he is starting to FEEL great!! Thanks for the pics, he is always just so adorable!!

Keeping all good thoughts, prayers and fingers and paws crossed for a great health checkup!

[Traci]

Tina, is Doc's staple-removal/followup today? Please let us know how he's doing.