9/25 LUCY PMPS=133;+2=157;+4=157

Good morning,

Yesterday's condo

9/24 AMPS=115; +2=61; +3=76; +9.5=133
9/24 PMPS=121; +2=94; +4=113; +6.5=128

9/25 AMPS=103; +1=70; +2=56; +3=68; +4.5=88
9/25 PMPS=133; +2=157; +4=157

I knew that the apartment was going to re-surface the bathtub of my suite today, and that's why I told the office I may have to work from home all day today to keep an eye on my cats.
Last night, I found out that "there will be a little noise from the big fan and some fumes".
(Apparently since the bathroom doesn't have a window, they will ventilate the fumes through the bedroom window using the fan.)
Fume? Fume? What kind of fume?
When I found out about this yesterday, I called the vet and they said I could bring the cats in for a mini-boarding if needed.
So I can evacuate the cats to the vet, but I really don't want to bring them there since they really hate to be there.
Especially Lucy, she doesn't deal with stress very well, and it takes days for her to recover from stress. :cry:
They will strip the old coating of the bathtub and re-surface it. I think the fume occurs when they strip the old coating.
I don't know how well their ventilation idea with a fan will work.
Does anyone know how dangerous this fume could be?
The workers will be here in 2 hours.
I can get at least +1 and +2 before I have to take them to the vet if I decide to do so.
The vet is only 10 minutes drive from here, so I can test Lucy by myself if her numbers is worrisome.
It's really really really annoying they are doing these "renovations" I never asked for.

Otherwise, Lucy is doing good.
She was happy to see me awake, and happy to eat (finger-feeding).
Her nose sounds a little stuffy (little pug-line noise), but it doesn't seem to be bothering her much.
No poop today yet, but at least she pooped only once yesterday.

I hope everyone's having a nice day.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103 // CHEMICAL FUME?

Do you have a room where you can put them safely and away from the potential fumes? Like another bathroom, bedroom, basement? Don't know how dangerous it could be, but why risk it if you don't have to.

Or can you take them to a friend or neighbor while this is going on?

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103 // CHEMICAL FUME?

Thank you, Hillary,

I have another bedroom where I can close the door.
Maybe locking them in there is better than vet.
But it's not going to be air-tight, so fumes still may get in there.... I don't know.

If I have to evacuate them, I think the vet is the safest place, although not most pleasant for the cats.
Anywhere else, there are things I'll have to worry about.... (another cat, open window, etc. etc.)

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103 // CHEMICAL FUME?

Hoping that the fumes aren't very heavy, and everyone can stay there. Hoping that she'll surf nicely for you today. Try and have a great day.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103 // CHEMICAL FUME?

You could hang a drape over the door and wedge a rolled towel in the door bottom crack.
Painter's tape might be used to tape all the door seams.

Crack or open the window in that bedroom to ensure they have fresh air.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103 // CHEMICAL FUME?

That's a tough decision for you, Mariko, not knowing exactly what you're dealing with.
I'm picturing you locking them in the bedroom with an exhaust fan in the window, but even that is scary, 'cause the fumes would be dragged through the room, to get out the window.
I'm sorry I can't offer any good advice.

Barb

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103 // CHEMICAL FUME?

if you have a bedroom or other room that you can put them in, make sure all windows are closed (of course), look for and cover all the vents (from furnace/AC) and put some rolled newspaper or towels under doors to keep as much out as possible.

Good luck...I know I'd have to leave but I'm super sensitive to any and all kinds of chemicals...even got out of jury duty once because they were painting inside the building on another floor.

Hope all goes well no matter what you decide to do!!!

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+2=70 // CHEMICAL FUME?

Ask if they're using epoxy tub paint...if so, GET OUT! It's BAD BAD BAD and lingers for days. We redid our bathroom over a year ago, wanted a white tub instead of a harvest gold one. Replaced sink/toilet but decided to paint tub in place. We did set up fans as it warned of fumes - we almost killed all of us. I ended up having to move the cats to my shop, open all doors and windows and blow fans heavy for the first day, had to continue for DAYS before we couldn't smell it any more. We all had terrible breathing issues for weeks afterwards. NASTY Stuff! ....and now tub is peeling... :-x

I SO hope they aren't planning to do THAT! BIG HUGS!

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+2=70 // CHEMICAL FUME?

Thank you all for your advice.
I'm getting even more nervous about it now. :lol:

The 1st bedroom has the window which I think they will use to vent the fumes.
The 2nd bedroom window is located on the same side as the venting window, and kind of right next to each other.
So if I lock them in the 2nd bedroom, which is the only other room I can close the door, I can't open the window.
And I don't know how well I can keep the fumes away even with all the suggestions you have given me.
Smells always travel through the radiator, and I guess fumes can too.
And with an old building like mine, you don't know where there may be some cracks for the fumes to travel through....

I think here is what I am going to do.
Unless the workers says it's completely safe, which is unlikely, I will take them to the vet.
I will go there every hour to check Lucy's BG until safe.
The work is scheduled to be done at around 1pm, so after they leave, I will leave all windows wide open in order to ventilate any residue fumes.
And around 5pm, I will pick the cats up.
Lucy and Ginger will be so upset and scared.
Ginger will be OK once she gets home, but I'm extremely worried about Lucy keeping there almost all day.
She will not drink or pee while she is there, but I guess it's better than inhaling toxic fumes......
What's OK for human may not be OK for cats.
Damage from stress will at least be temporary.....
(Just trying to reason myself......)

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+2=70 // CHEMICAL FUME?

I've had my bathtub refinished... bad, bad fumes. It smells like car paint. Lots of bad VOCs and such. However, they used a big hose and went out the window and the smell in the rest of the house wasn't so bad.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56 // CHEMICAL FUME?

Oh shoot, +2 is 56.
Today is not a good day for this, Lucy.....

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56 // CHEMICAL FUME?

I would get a doctor's order (for yourself) saying that you cannot tolerate the fumes and requesting that your apartment be exempt from this repair order. If it is absolutely necessary that the repair be done, perhaps request thetype of fixture replacement where they put a whole unit over what is already there. We have one of these over what was the original tub/shower and it is beautiful.

Goodluck, Mariko. Stall if you have to. Report in sick to work so that you will have a legitimate excuse.

Ella & Rusty

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56 // CHEMICAL FUME?

Thank you, Ella.
I didn't know it was going to be toxic fumes involved, and the workers are supposed to be here in any minute, and I have no time to get a doctor's order now.
Plus I need to stay in good terms with the landloard/caretaker since I am not reeeaaally supposed to have cats in this apartment.
(BUT to my defense, Lucy was already living here when I moved in!!! - was my ex's cat.)

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56 // CHEMICAL FUME?

I'd take them to the vet, stress is better than fumes. And the vet is a good place for Lucy if she is going low. Maybe the stress will bring her numbers up too, at least the can keep an eye on her BG.

Depending on what its smells like it might be a good idea for you to go to a hotel w/ them for a couple of days. Those fumes aren't good for you either and cats cn be sensitive to even a trace.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56;+3=68 // CHEMICAL FUME?

Phew she is coming up.

Ann, OOOOHHHHH NNNOOOOO, really that bad!? :sad:
But if it comes to that, there happens to be a hotel that accepts pets 2 buildings down the street.

The workers just came.
It seems they are not stripping the old coat using chemical.
It looks like they are sort of sanding the old coat, and then applying new acrylic paint (cheap job!).
And they said it's indoor use and is not too harsh.
They will still use a huge hose and a fan to get the fumes out.

They will be doing this toxic part in 3 hours or so from now, so I'm sure Lucy's number will be safe by then.
I will still evacuate the cats to the vet for a few hours, after they open the paint.

Thank you for the advice.
Ann is right, stress is better than fumes.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56;+3=68;+4.5=88

I just dropped them off at the vet.
To my surprise, Lucy was acting more curious than scared.
I guess she doesn't mind it as much as I though she would as long as she doesn't get examined or poked.
On the other hand, Ginger was super scared, her eyes huge.

My apartment is smelling awful, so I'm glad I took them away.
The re-surfacing is done, and they are still running the ventilating machine.
As soon as they stop the machine, I will open all the windows until tonight.

I plan to pick the cats up around 5:30 pm or so this evening.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56;+3=68;+4.5=88

What a stressful day :shock: I'm glad you ended up taking them to the vets - especially with Lucy's stuffy nose/allergies it seems like the fumes would bother her. It's good her BG cooperated by coming up a bit, but sorry Ginger was so scared. I hope the smell clears out of your apartment quickly and you can all get settled in for a relaxed evening tonight.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56;+3=68;+4.5=88

Trays of baking soda, activated charcoal (used in fish tanks), or the zeolite pads for litterboxes may be helpful in absorbing any residual odor.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56;+3=68;+4.5=88

Ohhh, thank you.
I will put a few bowls of baking soda around the house.
I think I have some litterbox pad somewhere, so I'll put that as well.
And I turned the air-purifier to the max setting.
It's just a simple Honeywell HEPA air purifier, not the fancy ones that can filter odors, but I'll use everything I have.

For now, I am leaving all windows and the door open, so I guess I won't be going to the office today.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56;+3=68;+4.5=88

Glad Lucy came up and it is all working out. Hope the fumes dissipate quickly.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56;+3=68;+4.5=88

I hope the smell clears out of your apartment quickly. I think taking the kitties to the vet was a good idea. Hopefully they won't be too stressed. I'm glad Lucy came up for you before they had to go.

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56;+3=68;+4.5=88

Mariko, I'm glad you decided to take the girls to the vet for the day. You'll feel so much better knowing they're safe.
I hope the smell clears quickly.

Barb

Re: 9/25 LUCY AMPS=103;+1=70;+2=56;+3=68;+4.5=88

What a day...I'm glad you were able to get the girls out of there while they worked. I hope the fumes dissipate quickly!!

Re: 9/25 LUCY PMPS=133

I picked them up about 1.5 hr ago.
They were both sleeping.
When we got home, Lucy immediately headed to the LB.
She peed, then pooped, and then drank a lot of water.
Poor girl.

Lucy's appy is not bad this evening, but she usually shows a delayed response to stress, so I'll be watching her closely in the next day or two.
The good news is that her poo was solid and normal looking.
Yay!!!

After leaving all the windows and the door open for 5 hours before picking them up, the apartment smells almost normal.
Since the cats returned, I've been keeping the bathroom door closed and I will keep it closed until the smell is weaker even if it takes weeks.
Bathroom still smells pretty "chemical" right now.
I'm still leaving all the windows wide open, but I turned the heater on instead so we won't get too cold.

At the moment, I'm probably the most stressed one, but in the end I think it turned out OK. :smile:
The vet clinic was so nice and didn't charge me for the 6 hours boarding.

Re: 9/25 LUCY PMPS=133

Wow!! A day at the vets and you still got a 133 at PMPS!! Way to go Lucy!!

Very nice of your vet to do that for you and not charge anything. Hope the smell dies down quickly for you!

Re: 9/25 LUCY PMPS=133

Wow, that was nice of them to do that for you at the vets no charge! Good to hear everything went ok. I hope the smells go away for you soon

Re: 9/25 LUCY PMPS=133;+2=157

Wow, Mariko, I just got caught up on your day. How crazy and stressful for you! I hope Lucy recovers well from the vet ~ looks good already, hopefully no delayed reaction. I also hope the smell goes away soon. (Vinegar is also a good odor neutralizer.)

Scritches to Lucy and Ginger :YMHUG:

Re: 9/25 LUCY PMPS=133;+2=157

What a day for the three of you! :shock: :shock: I'm glad you got them to the vet, that really sounded like the best solution - even better that there was no charge. That's a great option to have for future emergencies.

It's cool tonight. I hope the apartment doesn't get cold with the window open and hope the smell goes away quickly. Paws crossed Lucy doesn't show any more stress than that +2.