Taking a GT Day

Here I am at home today, on a day I should be at work. Actually, I just got home about an hour ago, but never made it to work.

I have been pet-sitting since Friday, and since that day, one of the cats in my charge has not eaten. The owner had indicated that GT, the cat, was having trouble eating dry food, so he was giving her canned food along with dry. I have a feeling that she has only been picking at the canned food, because she has lost a lot of weight since I last saw her. She also has been huddled in as warm a spot as she can find.

Her owner is in Mexico, and I have been unable to reach him. I leave voicemails and emails, but have had no response (except 1 email to let me know the voicemail wasn't working down there).

This morning, I took GT to the vet. The cat is 17 years old, and I was worried that she was experiencing kidney failure (signs: losing weight, disinterest in food, cold body temp - everything that I had observed). Fortunately, the work-up indicated no organ failures. She has anemia and some sort of infection, but it is unknown what from. She was also dehydrated, so they gave her an under-the-skin water flush. She is scheduled for more hydration therapy tomorrow evening and Thursday evening (so I don't have to miss more work). And she is down to 4.5 pounds

We aren't conducting any more tests to pinpoint the cause, because we are unsure of my clients wishes, at 17 years old, how far do you go (it is a personal choice for everyone)? We have started he on antibiotics for the infection, the hydration therapy, and a high calorie/high protein cat food (if she will eat). This is a stop-gap and supportive measure that should get her thru until my client gets back in town.

I have also turned the workout room/computer room into a convelecence room for GT (she normally is a barn cat - severe allergies on the part of the wife). I have placed a childs gate at the door, so she doesn't have to be "closed up", but is protected from our dogs and cats. She has her own private litter box, food/water dishes and nice thick comforter (of which she is snoozing on beside me right this very instant).

So, the vet visit and all the preparations are why I never made it to work. By the time I could have gotten to work it would be just about now (actually, with day-time traffic, I probably wouldn't be there yet). Get in 3 hours of work, and leave so I can take care of the rest of my client's animals - not worth the 2+ hours of drivetime!

Anyway, I'm treating GT as I would want someone else to take care of our animals, should one of them become sick. I know my client appreciates that.

Comments

[buffy]

I wish you lived closer. I wouldn't hesitate to hire you to look after Ed if I had to be away. Speaking of Ed, he went through something similar right after Christmas. He's around 15 we think, and has been an indoor-outdoor cat for the 13 or so years he's been with us. He goes out in the morning no matter what the weather. His visits are shorter in the winter, but he still braves the cold. Well, from shortly after Christmas until February, he spent the entire time indoors. He slept around the clock, and claimed my lap whenever I sat in the evening. He seems just fine now, but I was beginning to think his days were numbered. Maybe GT will be as fortunate, and the steps you have taken will help him through this infection.

[bod]

ditto. i'd love to have you look after our kitties.
here's hoping for a peaceful, uneventful time for gt till owner comes back.