Tuesday, November 6, 2018

dreary weather and zippo


Here in northern Illinois, it has been dreary and rainy for days now. A lot of the trees are already bare. I took this shot out my front door this afternoon. No editing. It's really that dark and gray. And then with the time change, it's now dark at 4:30. I hate it. The evenings are sooo long. My body takes at least a week to get used to each time change. In this case, I'm still going to bed at the same time - between 11:00 - 11:30, but I've been waking up much earlier than I normally do.


I crave light and sunshine. I want to be working in the yard and hanging out on the patio. Guess I'll just have to live vicariously through those of you who live in the warm, sunny parts of the world.


 This past weekend, we went to a shop that had its Christmas Open House. I don't decorate for Christmas until after December 1st, but I was more interested in some of the antiques in this shop. Unfortunately, there weren't many. It was mostly cheaply made decorative items from China. No thanks. Brian did find an antique map of the Chicago railway system. It's already in a mat, so we just need to find a frame.


I'm very worried about Zippo. He's 19-1/2 now, so I know his days are numbered. He has hyperthyroidism and slight kidney disease, both of which are very common in older cats. He also has glaucoma and a cataract, but those conditions are actually doing really well under the care of a wonderful eye vet. However, a couple of weeks ago the eye vet discovered he now has high blood pressure, so he's on medication for that. Why he developed it, we don't know. It could be from the kidney disease. At the same time, I also noticed Zippo was drooling a lot from the right side of his mouth. The eye vet tried to look at his teeth and gums on that side of his mouth, but she couldn't really see anything. That's not her area of expertise, so she told us to take Zippo to his regular vet.

(Zippo in better days ~ March 2017 ~ my loyal companion after my knee surgery)

We had an appointment to see the regular vet (Dr. C) later this week, but in the meantime, Zippo is now sneezing a lot and is very congested in his head. Even worse, yesterday his left nostril started bleeding. I talked to Dr. C's office this morning and unfortunately, he wasn't in. They said it was up to me whether to take him to the emergency vet or wait to see Dr. C on Thursday. His nose bleeding was worse today, so I took him in to the emergency vet.

(Zippo snuggled up with Clementine a few nights ago.)

The emergency vet thinks it's an upper respiratory infection but is not 100% sure without putting him through tests - a scope and/or CT of his sinuses to see if he has a tumor. For now, they put Zippo on an antibiotic and I'm following up with Dr. C tomorrow. (I was able to get Zippo's appointment bumped up.) The emergency vet said his thinking is that if the antibiotic doesn't help, it's probably something else. And at his age, we'd have to think do we really want to put him through tests to find out what would most likely be bad news. (Of course not - especially since nothing could be done.) So then we'd have a very hard decision to make. This emergency vet did say it didn't appear like Zippo was in pain, so that made me feel a little better. He's also eating, drinking and using the cat box, so those are the other good things.

(Me and Zippo - 2017)

I'll know a little bit more tomorrow morning. I have a lot going on - including Tim moving out into his own apartment this weekend - but I hope to do a blog update on Friday. 💗



12 comments:

  1. Melanie, I'm so sorry that your beautiful Zippo isn't doing well. I know how hard it is for you to see him declining in any way but it does seem like he's holding his own if he's still eating and isn't in much pain. I'm sure you are treasuring these days with him. I'm also sorry that the time change is such a difficult adjustment for you. I wish I could share a little of my own love of long evenings with you. Isn't it strange how people are so differently affected by it? Just take care of yourself during this time.

    I I bet that new map will be beautiful when you get it framed!

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  2. Oh Melanie! When our sweet fur babies get sick it's so hard. Zippo is such a sweetie and has loved you well. Please keep us updated and you are in my prayers. Sounds like other changes also with Tim moving into his own place. Sending hugs!

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  3. I hope so much your sweet Zippo perks up and has more time with you wonderful guys. Our kitty Tiny (who was huge!) was with us for 21 years but then it was time for her to go as quality of life had faded and we didn't want her to be in pain.
    Your weather does look a bit bleak already Mel - sending you some NC sunshine and blue skies - but it's going to cool off here by the weekend and we may get our first below freezing night on Sat.

    Hugs to you and Zippo - Mary

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  4. I’m sorry about Zippo. It’s truly just hard when the end is near.
    You’ve had Zippo as long as I’ve known you and it seems like I remember he had a serious health situation back in the early days of CHL and he got over that. Who knows, he may recover and have a few more years, as long as he’s not suffering.

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  5. Melanie I am so sorry to hear about Zippo . . . that photo of you and him is adorable, you should frame it :) Keep us informed of his well being.
    God bless.
    Connie :)

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  6. I'm just now getting this because I subscribe to your emails. I'm so sorry. He's a beautiful cat. When Abi was dying, she stopping drinking and eating, so I don't think Zippo is dying. They know when they are, I think, and shut down before their body does. I will keep you in my thoughts. I'm always here for you.
    Brenda

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  7. Dear Melanie ~ praying for you and Zippo at this time. He's a handsome dude.

    Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  8. Poor Zippo. I hope he will begin to feel better on the antibiotic. I am right with you on this gloomy weather.
    We are suppose to get snow tonight that actually might stick. Ugh!!!! I am not ready for this. I too need the sunshine.
    Have a good evening. Keep us posted on Zippo.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  9. Zippo is adorable. The photo of you holding him is lovely. Frame-worthy.
    He does sound like he is holding his own in spite of his age and health issues.
    Sending him, and you, good thoughts.

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  10. Poor little Zippo!!! It's so hard when our little angels get old and sick...I made the same decision with my Lily after her recent vet's appointment - they wanted to run further tests, but I'm not putting her through that at 16+. She has tumors all over, she's had them for about 6 years...at that time they had told us she might get about a year and a half, and we have been blessed to have 6 more years with her. I'll let her live out her life in peace now. Prayers for Zippo!

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  11. I hate this darkness, Melanie. I miss summer...and I hope Zippo is feeling better. I'm off to read your update!

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