Orange Cat Fun

He unzipped the front and let himself out - after trying to bite the vet tech.

As you previously read, Mr. Roughy had two vet appointments back to back just about this month, all for a lingering kitty cold/infection. Yes, you read that right—two appointments for a kitty cold. Why? Because Roughy is blessed to be an orange cat, one that has all the spice that orange cats are known for. If you've met him and spent more than a minute with him, you know that spice comes out with no notice.

His spice is noted at the vet's office as minimal kitty minutes. Those minimal minutes are after he's been dosed up with gabapentin 2 days before, leading up to the morning of his appointment. How helpful is it? Depends on how spicy he truly is feeling. The first of the two visits, he had ALL the spice. After being all cute hanging in the exam room window, they took him back to get x-rays—and hopefully draw some blood. He had other thoughts—yelling, scratching, and trying to bite the techs. A very unsuccessful appointment, I wasn't even embarrassed because they know, I know, and Roughy knows this is the chance we take with him.

Just an average cat, enjoying the view before he gets fiesty.

So, we scheduled a second visit for him to spend most of the day at the "Spa." What did that entail? Gabapentin for the days leading up to the appointment, followed by sedation so they could get X-rays, bloodwork, do a full exam, and update his rabies shot. I know—it seems a bit ridiculous—but knowing what a menace he is makes it not ridiculous. When we showed up for that appointment, Roughy had the forethought to bring coffee and munchkins as a little smoothing over from the last visit.

In no way is that a bribe to the vet's office; it's truly the "I'm sorry my cat is such an ass and we have one of the first appointments of the day" present. Always much appreciated by everyone. At any rate, he's all chill in his carrier - thanks, Gabapentin! Check-in goes smoothly, where I once again apologize for his behavior. Dr. B would be doing his exam and reviewing all the x-rays. This would be the same doctor he had the nerve to hit at the end of one of his appointments - the most embarrassing moment of my life.

So pick-up time comes - nothing of significance on the X-rays, blood work is headed to the lab. But the doctor did notice that he has lots of green mucus lingering around - and that would be the culprit of him being so congested. So he's on meds for a few weeks, which means he's on a diet too - this is when free feeding fails us. This ensures he will get all the meds he needs as it gets mixed into his wet food.

Maxed out on Gabapentin & Sedation - enjoying some deep sleep.

Sedation & Roughy - a great combo! When I got to the vet's office, they said - he's still sleeping, how dare the man with all the spice be such a lightweight! Needless to say, he slept the entire 8-minute ride home. At home - he's back in his kingdom - the master bathroom, where he has all the things he could need. Now, to keep an eye on him as he's

still overly tired. Naturally, he wanted to walk around - climb his tower, all the things he really couldn't do. We had a good laugh over how he was walking like a drunk: one step wobbly, two steps wobbly, three fall over. He tried to pull himself along the floor route too - but that was even more effort. Once he found a spot - he was out for a while. I will say it was nice - being able to actually hold him like the other cats for once. I may have taken advantage of that to snag a few extra cuddles.

Go ahead - guess how much this lovely visit cost us? Not including the donuts and coffee.

Till our tails cross again,

Mel

#lovecatsandeverything #Roughy #orangecat #spicy #vetbill #vetfun