One Winter-Berry Baby Hat Completed

I did manage to finish a knitting project. This is a baby hat from the Ann Norling Fruit Hat pattern for baby Ellis with Rowan Pure Wool DK. I need to go visit the post office and send my package off. Next I will tackle the Magic Loop technique of knitting socks. It is probably the challenge that I need at this time.

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts about our Chloe. If we didn't have little Jupiter to delight us as he explores all that is new to him, the emptiness in our house without Chloe would be unbearable. Jup has been playing with a paper grocery bag for the last hour.

Chloe is Now With Pooh-bah

Chloe's doctor called Wednesday night to tell me her blood test showed abnormally low levels of potassium and sodium. She wanted me to pick up a prescription of potassium tablets immediately that they left for me at the 24-hour emergency clinic. I started to dose her immediately.

Friday night, after I gave Chloe her tube feeding, I held her as I always do to help her keep the food down. She completely emptied her bladder on me. I cleaned her up and changed into clean clothes and continued to hold her, which she seemed to find comfort in. By that time, it was almost 1:30am. I noticed that she was breathing rapid, shallow breaths, and every minute or so her body twitched. I got a flashlight and checked her eyes and saw they were dilated and had small movements side to side.

I woke my husband up and told him what was happening. We held her in bed together, then laid her down at the foot of our bed. A little while later I reached down to check her and she wasn't breathing. I lifted her paw and it was limp. Our sweet Chloe left us Saturday, November 24, one day short of eleven weeks after Pooh-bah left us. They are together, once again; the Dynamic Duo.

Chloe's doctor called the next day to see how she was doing. I told her the news and that I thought it looked like she had sudden kidney failure. She said that she had just discussed Chloe's case with her colleagues. They were all puzzled that nothing was abnormal in her blood work than the potassium and sodium, everything else was normal. We don't know what caused the drop in the level and then her death. Earlier in the day, she seemed to be walking a little better.

I know that my husband and I did everything we could. Her doctor at Veterinary Medical Specialists was wonderful and caring. Pooh-bah and Chloe had a wonderful life. We were so blessed.

Chloe is Doing Better!

We just arrived home from our follow up appointment at Veterinary Medical Specialists. Today Chloe's eyes are clearer and she is more alert, plus she is getting stronger. I was given Hill's Prescription A/D for her tube feedings. The stuff is awful. She smelled like she was rotting away. Yesterday I switched her over to our usual Innova EVO canned food. I dilute it and put it through the tube just as I did with the prescribed food. I feel so much better about feeding it to her; it is the very best available.

Chloe is very weak still and staggers when she walks (ataxia). I made the mistake of thinking she was getting enough fluids from the food and drinking water, although I had asked and the nurse said she didn't need fluids if she was getting enough from her food. When Chloe looked dehydrated yesterday, we decided she needed the subcutaneous fluids everyday until she is back to eating and drinking enough on her own.

Chloe had been stooping over, but is sitting more upright today. The doctor said that usually means low potassium. That makes absolute sense because after her fluids last night, the stooping went away. The doctor said she is making good progress. I am ecstatic!

An Update on Chloe

Just a quick update: Chloe has been in the hospital, Veterinary Medical Specialists, since Wednesday. She has been getting intravenous antibiotics and fluids. It is wonderful place and she is getting excellent care. They have determined through an echocardiogram that her heart is healthy and they may be removing her two infected molars that we all believe is the root cause of the illness. It is an upper respiratory infection but the unhealthy condition of having rotting teeth is responsible for her immune system being compromised. Jupiter is doing very well and misses Chloe.

Chloe Still Has an Upper Respiratory Infection

Otherwise, things are progressing with the two, as you can see in the photo of Jupiter and Chloe snuggled together in their thermal bed.



Chloe is not interested in eating at all, mostly because she has air in her stomach from when it is difficult to breathe, she swallows air. The baby strength simethicone is helping with that by breaking down the foam in her stomach. This afternoon, we are going to give her subcutaneous fluids. She is getting famciclovir and azithromycin, as well as cyproheptadine, an antihistamine that will also improve her appetite. This is all very stressful. I hate to seeing our girl so uncomfortable.

Jupiter is has toys strewn all over the living room. He is a playful little guy and is looking forward to Chloe feeling better so they can play together.

Jupiter is a Little Devil. A Cute Devil.

Chloe has had a bad cat cold. She sat under my Subaru last week in the cold in protest of us bringing home the kitten, Jupiter. We have been careful to give her a lot of love and attention. I took her to the vet on Saturday, which in her book does not constitute love and attention.

Part of Chloe's problem is her top molars in the far back. I knew she needed her teeth cleaned and possible extractions, but her teeth are much worse than I thought and need to be taken out as soon as possible. When we were at this veterinary clinic recently to get checkups for the kitties, the doctor was reluctant about using using anesthesia on a fourteen year old cat with a heart murmur. I was again unimpressed with him this visit last week, although Chloe is getting better.

I have found a holistic vet who does house calls. When we spoke on the phone, Dr. Mathias recommended that I take Chloe to the Veterinary Surgical Associates for dental surgery because they have human quality anesthesia on the premises. Siamese cats are very sensitive to anesthesia, Chloe had to have hers reversed back when she was spayed. I can't tell you what a relief this is to know VSA exists. My goal is to get Chloe healthy again and get her teeth pulled by them. She's our little sweetie.

Jupiter wants badly to play with Chloe. He is getting hissed at, but not as much as he was. Chloe of course is not in much of a mood to play being as sick as she is. She will sit and watch him now as if she is facinated. Jupiter can be quite a pest. I try to get him to leave her alone when she is eating or is in the sandbox. He thinks it is a riot to sneak up on her at these times. I am amazed that she is being as patient as she is. I can't wait until the day I see them curled up together. I know I will cry...

The Kitten is Pretty Happy Here

We have scratched the name "Xerxes" as it did not suit and are going with either Sir Galahad or Jupiter. He has decided to call it home here even though we have 5.6 magnitude earthquakes.