It hasn't been all sunshine and kittens around here.
Our dearest, Iris, has been going through a very rough patch. As a result, so have we.
In order to appease the rescue group that we adopted Peyton from, we took our dear Iris in for an exam and obligatory vaccinations. Our vet thought that she really didn't need any but that the simple distemper vaccine would protect Iris in case the new family member carried any troublesome bugs - so that is what we decided to do. For her benefit.
Thing is, our girl had a pretty significant reaction to this vaccine. She lost her sweet wee voice, curled up in a ball for a good few weeks, stopped eating normally (& lost almost a pound within a 2 week period) and just wasn't herself. She stopped scampering. She stopped snuggling. She wasn't our girl. It was extremely heartbreaking. Many tears were shed.
Then along came Peyton. The cutest kitten I've met. We thought for sure that Iris would step up for the challenge and step into the momma-cat role. We always thought that was in her nature and that she would love having a wee one to take care of. Nope, not even one bit. She barely ate the coveted chicken baby food and her hind quarters quavered when I fed it to her.
Our doc contacted Pfizer, the maker of the vaccine. They noted some history of similar reactions. They also opened a "case" for us. Our vet gave Iris sub-q fluids and Iris did better for a wee while - but it was short lived. Jzboy compared her personality change to Jack Nicholson's character in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". Yes, it was that significant.
Thankfully, the past 2 days have presented a shift in Iris that gives us hope and allowed us to exhale a bit. Not sure what it is but she is so much more like herself. Her coat looks beautiful, she "talks" a bit with us (tiny wee chirps) and she is eating more than the ol' Gerber's chicken baby food...in fact, she is eating Peyton's baby food. Today when I held Peyton close to her, she gave him a very sweet and thorough face (& ear) bath. That momma-cat energy is coming forth.
I can hardly put words to the sweetness of Iris' recent shift. Losing our two elder cats just a few months ago left us feeling so sad and fragile. The thought of Iris leaving us (and, yes, that was a real fear) was too much to bear. Thankfully she seems to be coming around. Thankfully.
So that is what has really been going on around here. Thankfully we are moving through this...as are our feline family members.
Unfortunately life isn't all sunshine and kittens.
But, then again, sometimes after weathering the storm - you are left with sunshine and kittens.
How cool is that?
27 comments:
So glad the I-girl is on the mend!
oh dear poor thing both you and your precious cat. take care and have a good weekend.
Lea
xo
Yeah, a light at the end of the tunnel! So happy that Iris is on the mend and you have sunshine and kittens!
What a sweet picture at the end. I'm so sorry Iris had a reaction. We use the same brand of vaccine, and I've never heard of a reactions so severe. I'm glad she is on the mend.
Aw, how scary. You must feel worn out with worry. I'm sure your relieved that Iris is starting to get back to her old self.
Mmm. Yes, sometimes the relief after something can be akin to physical pleasure, but that almost never makes the pain of the "something" worth it. I'm very glad to hear the mending is coming, and I'll have my fingers crossed for the whole thing to speed quickly into distant memory.
Oh no! Poor Iris! I'm glad she is starting to be more herself!
Neak had a horrible reaction to Previcoxx, I noticed it within the first couple of doses so I stopped giving it to her, but a vaccine, fluids are usually the best medicine, one of the vets I used to work for always said "the solution to pollution is dilution".
hugs
I'm glad that Iris is doing better!
Poor possum! Glad to hear that all kitties are doing better!
Gave me goosebumps - glad I is on the mend :)
So hard to have sick pets, but I'm glad Iris is feeling better. Peyton looks like a wild child in that photo!! rraaarrr!!
Poor sweet kitty!
I am so glad Iris is doing better... I swear I didn't let my breath out until I got to the end of your post!
sweet thing! I'm so glad all is getting better. Vaccines are so scary sometimes, even for our fur babies.
Oh, jeez, that's scary. I'm glad she's doing better.
Whew, so glad she seems to be coming around. It is just so awful when something is wrong with one of our pets. Such a helpless, sick in the pit of your gut feeling.
So glad all is getting better!
We have several fur babies and I know the worry.....
Found you from Kris' blog.
Enjoyed reading....
Alyson LID 01/27/06
I'm so glad your girl is feeling better.
Ok - here is hoping that the kitty rollercoaster is parked for the season! Sending good thoughts your way.
joelle
Very cute!
I'm sorry Iris reacted to the vaccines. Several of mine do the same, but within 3 minutes of being vaccinated, also start violent vomiting. It's very scary.
There's enough debate about children and vaccines that I don't think many have looked at what they do to our pets, but I sure don't like any of it.
Oh no. Thank goodness there has been a turn. Sending Iris and you strength and love.
Sorry you had another scare. I am afraid of the same reaction to Julie if we add another.
It's so hard to deal with an illness of someone you love... whether they're furry or human. Either way.. it hurts. Glad to hear that she seems to have turned a corner. Wishing you better days ahead.
So sorry you've been going through this. Our kitty is very allergic to distemper shots as well. I really thought we were going to lose her and it's such a horrible feeling. She's doing very well now, stronger than ever.
Glad the kitties are starting to bond and you've weathered yet another storm and found some sunshine.
Uggggggg
that rescue group should get with the program.
I work with one, we don't force our people to over vaccinate
to adopt.......just show the prior pets were properly cared for.
The titer test will suffice.
I am so sorry you've been going through this.
How scary.
I need your email if you wanna come for a visit.
It's me.....S. agent.
I screwed up my own profile helping a friend with an art site connected to mine and don't know how to fix it without her getting all my info on hers.
Sorry been so slack visiting lately
Hope Iris continues to improve
xxxx,
M
OH thank goodness Iris is on the mend! I can't even imagine the devistation her loss would leave, especially so soon on the heels of the other 2.
You're all in my thoughts, and I'm sending good vibes her way.
HUGS
big love to the kitties! my favorite cat ever was a beautiful siamese that looked just like Iris he was a great pet! i'm glad that Iris is feeling better. we just lost our two cats recently and it has been hard on everyone. i can totally relate.
the new baby looks sooooo cute! have fun!
xoxo
jul
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