No New Friend for Mace

So this wonderful cat that we found is not able to come home with us.  There was some issue with our local humane society, so as of Saturday, it was unsure if he was going to be ours or not.  So I got a call today that said that we can have him.  YAY!  Happiness  for about an hour.  They tested him for feline leukemia and FIV, which was positive for FIV.  Given that he has a large wound on his face, and has now spiked a fever, and developed signs of a strong upper respiratory infection, the vet feels that his immune system is too compromised.  Plus FIV is contagious to Mace, and there is not a vaccine for it to give to Mace.  Obviously, the guy was not meant to be with us, and another cat will come along at some point.

Crying away

My vet has the most amazingly affectionate cat at the clinic that the humane society brought in.  He has a large facial wound, and is slated for adoption when he heals.  Though he is a rough looking boy, his personality is gorgeous.  We went to meet him today and took Dock in to weigh her.  Dock's weight has gone up nicely since  we switched her food over.  But a ride in the carrier is always an ordeal for her.  Getting home, she wanders for a few minutes, crying.  So the hubby and I retreat to the computer room to eat our breakfast with the door closed in peace.  She continues to cry and stands near the door, almost like she's sad that we are not there.  This goes along with the lost feeling and wanting to follow us all over.  Once the door was open though, she was fine.

On another note.  We will likely be bringing home a new cat in a few weeks.  The clinic has the most amazingly affectionate male stray that has such a gorgeous personality.  He did have a rather large facial abscess which destroyed a lot of the skin on his face.  That will heal well, but will take time.  The local humane society is willing to adopt him out once he is healed, but I could not resist his charm.  Hubby and I went to see him today, and decided that once he is healed, neutered, declawed, dewormed, defleaed and vaccinated, then he can come home.  I'm sure that it'll still be about 3 weeks, and I'm not sure if Dock will still be around then.  I'm hoping not to stress her out too much by bringing in another rambunctious cat.  Mace will have a ball with this new guy.  I will post a picture and name when I can.

My poor balding Dock

My vet was away for 2 weeks, so I chatted with her yesterday to bring her up to speed and see if she recommends I increase Docks medication.  I told her about the thinning hair, the balding patches, how Dock follows me all over, the obsession about the dishes, how she just sits and stares into space sometimes.  I also mentioned that she has peed in the room I feed her in.  The vet believes she has a type of self induced Cushings disease due to the high dose of prednisone she is on.  She is apprehensive about increasing her meds at this time, as the behaviours she is exhibiting are quite manageable, and increasing her meds will cause further issues if there is a Cushings disease going on.  We will hold off on increasing the meds until the behaviour dictates we do, or until she starts having more tremors or seizures.

Maybe it's fate.

So I found someone today that has 3 kittens that are about a week old.  They are all boys, and one is a cute orange tabby.  Of course I won't do anything with Dock still around.  The less I stress her out the better.  But I know Mace would not do well without a playmate.  So depending on the timing, there is a possibility for a kitten in about 6 weeks.  But of course, Dock will be the judge of when that plan goes ahead.

Livin life in the slow lane!

Nothing much has changed here.  Dock is still just wandering the house.  Occasionally looking lost.  Rubbing her face on just about anything.  Wanting lots and lots of attention.  Still keeping the same dose of meds.  I know now it's just going to be a matter of time.  But she's comfy, and content.

What's with all the lickin?

Dock's been up and down. Nothing as extreme as she had when initially diagnosed, or when she missed her one day of medication.  But she is still in La-La-Land.  She must be on the counter licking dishes awaiting to be cleaned.  Last night, she had 2 paws in the sink, and was licking the handle of a knife that was sitting upright in a glass.  There was a multitude of other items, both in and out of the sink that she could have enjoyed, and had an easier time getting to.  But nope, she wanted to lick that handle.  As dinner was finished, we were dishing it out, and then I saw her licking the side of a stool we have under the island overhang.  "Really?!  Seriously?!  Pish, whatever!"
I am not quite prepared to up her medication yet as we can only do so for 5-7 days before we have to reduce it back down, and I'm afraid that we will not be able to reduce it for long, so I'm holding out for a bit longer.
I am also torn between looking for another cat at this time.  I don't want to upset Dock anymore by bringing in a strange cat, and I want to concentrate on her, instead of trying to integrate and train another cat.  But Mace will be better with one.  I think if one falls in my lap that is a good fit, then I have a plan in place for housing him/her for a bit off site until we have said our goodbyes to my girl.  Not ready to admit to myself that it is not too far off yet.