Willow goes for her annual check up today

[Tina B and crew]

She got rather excited when I brought the carrier out until she saw there were no kittens in it

I'm guessing it is about time she goes to a biannual checkups. She seems to be a pretty healthy cat but I'd rather make sure to keep it that way. I've been a bit concerned about her clinginess lately and will mention that to the vet. She's eating fine, drinking, playing, going to the litter box etc just fine. She is sneezing a bit and seems to have itchy ears, which we have long suspected was allergies since it is seasonal, but I'll also mention that to the vet.

Now for the long drive with Willow MEOWERING the whole way!!

[Traci]

She might be clingy because it's only been a short while since you returned from abroad. She's not likely to ever forget that, and she's watching every move you make, LOL!!

Let us know how her appt goes.

[Tina B and crew]

Actually the clingi-ness has only been bad for about a month or so, but I'm sure Greece is still fresh in her mind, and I was talking about going back this summer, which I'm sure she overheard

Her bloodwork was perfect, she got her vaccinations, she has lost some weight - something I suspected just from picking her up. She is about where she was when Frodo was alive. Once Frodo was gone she gained a good pound at least, but now she's back down to her weight prior to that. Since her bloodwork was good (thyroid and liver were well within normal range) the vet isn't overly concerned but she has her scheduled for a complete work up next week...x-rays, dental the whole 9 yards. She does have some tarter, nothing major except for one one tooth. She said she'd rather look at everything rather than just shrug it off as possible stress. But she agrees it could be the stress I'm going through (school and dealing with my aging parents yo-yo health issues) that could be causing her to eat less. I have noticed she has been picking at her food a bit more in the last month or so. The weight loss wasn't that sudden though. At any rate, vet gave me some samples of SD Hairball formula and I opened it and gave her a few bits and she ate it with some vigor, so maybe just switching her food will help. That said I think a full work up isn't a bad idea...wouldn't you agree?

She's such a good cat...vet turned her over to look at her belly and she just laid there like it was nothing while the vet cooed over her cute little fuzzy belly.

[Traci]

If she hasn't had a full workup in quite awhile, in my opinion yes, it's always a good idea - I'd suggest discussing an ECG if possible or even at least a blood pressure check prior to a dental, but if bloodwork is great and xrays are good, there might not be a need for an ECG etc.

If she's still eating sufficiently, the weight loss might not be concerning, as long as it hasn't been over a pound or so lost too suddenly. Also consider the heat and the heat index (heat + humidity), is she also less active due to the hot weather? That might be why she is eating slightly less maybe?

[Tina B and crew]

If she's still eating sufficiently, the weight loss might not be concerning, as long as it hasn't been over a pound or so lost too suddenly. Also consider the heat and the heat index (heat + humidity), is she also less active due to the hot weather? That might be why she is eating slightly less maybe?

She has 'picked' at her food a little more of late, but the weight loss hasn't been sudden. The vet mentioned the hot weather as well, but her take on that was that last year she had her annual at the same time and her weight was up. Last summer and spring were considerably warmer than this year. She said if the weight this summer was being compared to the weight of last winter then she'd likely chalk it up to the weather. Add to that the fact that our summer has not been too hot or humid (yet)....but, consider this - Willow LOVES hot weather and seems much more happy and active when it is warmer. No kidding! When it is cold (and by cold I mean when the temps fall below 70) she is not happy and spends most of her time curled up on her heated pad. No joke that she would sleep on that thing when it is 85 degrees. She's on it right now and it's 70 in here. She's always preferred summer to winter. She's still pretty playful and alert. She has shown no signs of being lethargic. Her eyes are bright and her coat is soft and shiny.

I think I need to get my anxiety under control....because she can definitely pick up on that. My darn life, why can't it be simple?

[Auntie Debbie]

I'm glad the bloodwork came back okay. I agree with Traci about the heat maybe causing her to eat less....of course that bad tooth may be giving her a problem as well.
I've switched my guys to the indoor formulas dry foods and they've all done very well with it; a couple look like they've puut on a little weight. But those are the two that eat mainly the dry.
I hope her full workup will give you lots of good results and that the dental will go well!

[Traci]

Willow is my kind of girl, summer is my favorite too and I MUST have warmth!