12/23 Ivana BG=59 Merry xmas! She's doing ok... we think...

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Wow, my last post was from September. Where has the time gone?! Ivana is doing ok. She's not the best at the moment, but she's ok. Her labwork is ok, and her CKD has not progressed much which is great. We don't need to do fluids yet so that's good.

Ivana had been spending quite a bit of time outdoors, and unfortunately picked up a paralysis tick last month. It was sheer luck that we were actually at the vet when I happened to feel it, and the vet removed it straight away and then proceeded to show all the staff because it was a really big one. She was a very lucky kitty that I happened to find it as it on her arm which I don't normally pat, so she's used up one of her lives I think!

Unfortunately it's also a pretty bad flea season, so she's had a few bouts of fleas which have made her feel pretty awful. She's on Comfortis monthly tablets as well as Capstar daily tabs when she has evidence of fleas, and she's not allowed to go outside anymore (more for the ticks than the fleas - the downside of living on a farm).

Ivana does not cope well with the heat, it really reduces her appetite. We've been leaving the aircon on for her and the other animals while we're out on really hot days, though she crazily chooses to spend her time in the room that the aircon doesn't reach (we can't close it off as her ensuite with her litter tray is in that room). I suppose she wouldn't do it if she didn't want to, silly kitty!

The thing that is kind of worrying us at the moment is that she's spending all her time, I mean *all* her time, sleeping in a corner under my desk. It's very unlike her to shut herself away like that, and we've taken to putting her food and water under the desk so that it's easier for her. She is still alert, purring, talking, eating and drinking, it's just that she doesn't seem to want to do anything at the moment. We think it's a combination of feeling yuck from the heat, fleas, possibly even still the tick as we don't know how much toxin she got from it, and possibly from the arrival of our new feathered family member. We're so watchful for any other symptoms at the moment, so I guess we'll just see how she goes. I suppose being 19.5yrs old gives you the right to not do much if you don't want to!

Ivana's BG today was the lowest it's been all year, I guess because she's not eating as much at the moment. Better than being higher than usual though!

In other news, some of you may remember our chicken Shiraz who was the sole survivor of a fox attack in April, and came to live inside with us. Sadly she passed away early November due to a tumor on her liver. We took her loss pretty hard as we'd become so attached to her and her fabulous personality. Indoor chickens are the best! The really sad part was that we were waiting on delivery on some nappies/diapers for her so hubby could take her into his office, and after a 3mth wait they arrived the day after she died :-( As these things go though, we then met Ellie through the rescue shelter we foster for, and we welcomed her into our home as an indoor chicken. Ellie is a Silkie chicken, about 7mths old, and only has one leg. We're told she lost her other leg in a fox attack when she was just a baby, so she gets around by hopping - and boy can she hop! She has settled into life with us very well, and twice she's been into hubby's office to spend the day with him and the customers love her

Anyway that's enough from me! Hope all kitties and beans are doing well, and hope you all have a most wonderful xmas and a fabulous new year. Let's hope Santa brings all our kitties new pancreases

 

I'm glad Ivana's CKD hasn't progressed much and she is doing okay. Our senior kitties do like to sleep a lot. I hope she gets over the tick and fleas and perks up for you. Sending prayers.
I'm sorry to hear about Shiraz. It's nice you were able to take in Ellie.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.

 

Thanks Carla, same to you and your family too, both furry and non-furry

 

Glad to hear Ivana is doing well. I want to sleep more when it’s hot too!!!
Sorry about Shiraz I lost a chicken to the same thing this year
Would love to see a pic of the new girl. Silkies are sooo cute!

 

Glad to hear that HRH Ivana is doing as well as she is for her age!! A testimony to your outstanding and loving care Tara! So sorry about Shiraz! Congrats on Ellie!! Please give Ivana a stratch under the chin from Shoes and me!!

 

Merry Christmas to you and your family Tara! Happy to hear that Ivana is doing well and, yes, at 19.5 years old she's earned the right to nap for 20 hours a day!

 

Here is our little Ellie! She was the star of the Santa photos at the pet store, apparently it was the first time anyone has brought a chicken

 

Done, Ivana told me to thank you both Well actually she said "meow", and I translated it haha

 

Yeah I know, it's just strange that she won't come out from under the desk except to go to the toilet. She did come out a bit yesterday, which we were so happy about, even sat on the lounge with us for a few minutes. Then disappeared again. Very strange! Merry christmas to you and Boomer

 

I hate when their habits change; it makes me even more of a helicopter mom I hope she is ok Merry Christmas Tara and Ivana!

 

So nice to see you! And it sounds like despite the sleeping all the time, Ivana is doing really well. After all, she is getting up there in age!

Adorable photo of Ellie and Santa!

What is a paralysis tick? Our tick season was horrible this year. Even recently I took one off our civvie cat.

Merry Christmas to you and your gang.

 

Thanks for the update, Tara - so sorry about Shiraz, but excited that you now have Ellie.

Hope Ivana is just enjoying a slow pace of life because of the heat etc, and that she continues to purr and preen and talk and be social with you all.

 

It's an Australian tick that injects neurotoxins into the animal it's attached to, and it causes paralysis of muscles including respiratory system, heart, etc. Apparently most animals who have one for more than a few days will die from it if the symptoms are not noticed early enough. We're just so lucky to have fluked the finding of it on Ivana!

 

Thanks for checking in on us everyone, I know I haven't been that active on the board lately but I was way overdue with an Ivana update! We have just come home after spending all day out at xmas celebrations, and Ivana had eaten her lunch and most of her dinner which is great. Really wish these fleas would disappear though, my legs are looking like polka-dot candy canes at the moment with all the bites

 

I'm glad Ivana ate good for you. Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas Tara...I keep Ivana in our prayers

 

Hi Jayla! Lovely to see you! I just had a peek at your posts and see that Rico is in remission - fabulous news!!! Well done Glad Dre is going well too, hope you all had a great christmas.

 

Hi Tara, great to see your post and hear about life for Ivana et al up north! She sounds like she definitely used up a life with mummy finding the tick. Well done you. Sounds like lots of sleep's in order with the heat and nature trying to feed off her! I'm sorry to hear about Shiraz, I remember you sharing how they would both sit on the couch together... maybe Ivana is noticing the loss too?
Ruby seems to be doing really well to the point where I didn't give her a shot last night and this morning just to see whether she might be able to do this on her own??? All the best.

 

Welcome back, Tara!!! Nice start for Ivana. I’m so sorry she’s had so many issues lately and very, very sorry about Shiraz. That is just heartbreaking. She sounds like she was such a wonderful companion.

I hope all goes well with Ellie. She’s very cute.

Merry Christmas!