Bertie is now cast less and don't expect food to be paid for, whilst a pet is in hospital, by the insurance company

Bertie getting back to normal

Bertie is out of his cast at last although to be truthful it hasn't been that long i.e. 4 1/2 weeks.

All five having treats

All the Selkirks playing in the garden

His cast unfortunately slipped to the point that it looked as though it had turned around, the problem was that this was Easter day. We had to phone the emergency vet hoping that we were not going to have to go and see them. The result was that they allowed us to cut off the cast and keep him on cage rest, the other issue was Easter Monday is of course a bank holiday also!! so no vet for two days!! The problem with the cast slipping wasn't so much it prevented him moving around but that it had caused some red angry sores.

Finally on Tuesday came and we were able to visit the vets and the head vet who had initially seen him. He gave us three options - to put on a new cast having to make a new support and give him another bout of sedation and the issue of it rubbing on the raw sores, to add a supporting bandage as he was quite far along on his repair but this could also rub on the sores or to keep him on cage rest and provide no support hoping that the leg was repaired enough. We went for the last option. So he now has no cast and he is a much happier chap.

Monty just doesn't fit anymore

Trying a different option, a window shelf

Now my minor rant…… we are insured with the biggest company in the UK for pet insurance. So we pay slightly over the odds but know that the vets and public like them as they pay promptly. We paid the vets bill for the first run of costs, costing us around £750. Yesterday the cheque came, so very pleased with the speed of reimbursement. However they would not pay for the food he was given whilst in hospital, the cost was only £9, but it is the principal, the underwriters really need to look at this. It's not going to cost a lot in comparison to the stay in hospital.Uggghhhhhhh.

They WILL pay for food to dissolve stones and liquid food whilst in hospital……. my issue is

• When a human has health insaurance food is covered whilst they have a stay in hospital as it will aid recuperation at least
• He was in hospital because he was NOT EATING and a temperature, do you expect him to be in hospital for not eating and NOT need food!!!! surely that is essential to stop him getting Lipidosis
• Why just liquid food…. he was provided with RECOVERY food which surely indicates he was unwell which was made into a sloppy soup to get him to lap it up if he could or wanted to. Does that count as liquid food? If that does count, what happens when he is still under observation but recovering getting more solid food when does it count or not count.
• He was so ill they kept him in for almost three days…….

A warning - make sure if you have a pet in hospital they state that liquid food is given, not just food!!!, if it has been pureed (does it count, still a query in my mind on that or does it have to be Liquivite).

Also take your own cat food in…...

Treat time

Walking along the canal - Luna and Harvey

Hay Fever seems to be kicking in already, which is strange as I don't normally get it but sore eyes are the name of the game today.

The weather has been lovely the last few days and although Easter is said to be wet the other days should be lovely. I've just taken Harvey out for his walk and finally we are able to walk away from the roads along the paths which have until now been mud entrenched.

Sorry for my voice in the video, but she only wags her tail if you talk to her…….

Harvey having a stroll

Luna has even taken the odd walk as she is getting used to the noises and people. The noise which upsets her most is the canal boats going through the lock but as you can see she is also quite enamoured by them also.

The others show no interest in walking or going outside, Reuben is very content and Monty is happy as long as he has a few birds to chase. Bertie is shy, he would probably follow Luna but not have a need for outside walk.

This morning was so nice that I was able to catch a couple of nice photos. This was Luna managing to get herself up to the top of the cherry tree 

Daughter's 21st Birthday meal : Bertie's 1st Birthday and you wouldn't know he had a broken leg.

Out of the sun after chasing birds with Monty

Today was the day we were having a family celebration for our daughter, as always we always go out for a family meal. This was to be a bit odd as the OH is in Brazil at the moment however the kids made up for it with friends and girlfriends. My daughter had requested for us to go to the Art Kitchen, a great modern Thai restaurant. A gorgeous place with modern meets traditional Thai cuisine. This is a very popular place so I had to book up a few weeks ago and still could only get a 9.00 pm sitting. To make it easy for everyone we went for 6 set meals plus a red and a green Thai curry. Well it was just gorgeous, as is the price, hence we like to go but  only for special celebrations. So this is the start of my daughters special day! week! month! or is that me who celebrates like that? Hope you loved the start of your birthday….sorry you still can't have your present until the day…….

http://www.theartkitchen.com

My daughter is right at the back

 I had that feeling this morning and I just checked Bertie's pedigree and found I was indeed right and it was definitely his birthday.

What a lot he has fitted into his first year. He is one of our most cuddliest cats when HE feels like it…..he approaches a cuddle with a lot of fuss, he squarks as he comes in the room looking for you, he then approaches and jumps onto your lap but then goes off again, only to jump on again and fuss, working away around your lap up and down, finally he kneads your chest or lap, then gets off again, to then come on your lap again until he finally settles.

Bertie also has this most unbecoming coat at the moment….. he is out of condition with his leg and having had such a self imposed restricted diet for a while his coat is not thick nor curly. It is tufty however. He also had, which the breeders have said, he first major moult related to his becoming a Tom cat and then neutered. Resulting in matts in his coat the like I have never seen which had to be cut our. One breeder suggests a cut  to even the coat out and then all the coat will come through as the same type and length….I'm thinking about this as the summer months are coming and it would be a good time.

What cast? Chasing Lun

Bertie then of coarse broke this leg which by all accounts is repairing quickly and could be ok for the cast removing next week, only four weeks along if the callous which the bone is building is suitable.

How high can I go with a cast?

As you can see he no longer sees the cast as a major hinderance. This cast just seems a little shorter so he can lean on it. He can keep up with the others when running and no tree is safe, nor are the birds….don't worry no birds have EVER been caught by our cats.

What fantastic weather we had yesterday and today, it has really brought Bertie out of his doldrums and perked him up so much. It has also helped Luna to stop finally hissing at him and see him as a fun companion again which she can chase.

I wonder what his reaction to losing the cast will be???? The vet did mention physiotherapy if they do remember the pain of the break and not  wish to return to putting weight upon the mend. However I hope that once Luna teases him enough to chase her it will be forgotten and all will be well. Hoping that he won't do toooooooo much climbing in the next few weeks to put too much pressure on the mend.

Playing pat a cake together 

Will she see me?

Mothering Sunday and a warm weekend

                                        OR An excuse for taking loads of photos : )

Bertie under the blossom

Casual chat

Luna in search of butterflies

Perfect set of teeth

After a dismal wet cold week it was lovely to behold a wonderful blue sky that promised and gave a warm sunny day on Saturday. Doors were flung open and fresh balmy air filled the house. The cats chased around and around the circuit of the back door and into the conservatory. The first proper early morning cup of tea outside on a warm morning.

My eldest had asked me what I wanted to do for Mother's Day, so it was decided that 'Venison Wellington' would be done as my treat. As a result we both headed off to 'Hiller's Farm Shop.' This is a great large farm shop having produce primarily from a ten mile radius. The meat is lovely coming from 'Ragley Hall' estate however we have recently not visited as they are rather too proud of their meat, if that is possible, and whereas I can chat requesting trim and offal from other farm shops they expected me to pay lean mince prices!!!

Bertie not quite fitting in his leg into 

Monty staring me down

The camera came out and the cats were very photogenic especially in the low morning and evening light.

 What it did highlight was the need for the garden to be dug over, fences sprayed and the drive pressure washed.

On Sunday we had the In-laws over, the FIL is going to be having Chemotherapy from Wednesday as some palliative care for his cancer, so they wanted to come over, hopefully to see me but I know it was to see the cats. They say they don't have favourites but between you and me Harvey just loves FIL and that is reciprocated and MIL adores Bertie who comes and squeaks at her in the morning when they look after the cats. It was a snack lunch of Scotch Eggs, Pork pie, ham and other bits and pieces with salad but I have to say we stuffed ourselves. So much so that the Mothering Sunday treat of Venison Wellington was put on hold for another time.

 When the In-laws went my eldest instead made a beautiful Tart Tatin using bananas and mango, yummy yumm and a really nice present. I also had a lovely card and an orchid as well, thank you : ))

Accidents will happen

Well the weekend started well enough I even had a chance of a morning bath……. maybe I shouldn't have?

Bertie just back from the vets

On Saturday morning I woke up early so I quickly fed the cats so they would not demand feeding whilst I was in the bath and left at least two of them playing in the bedroom. Off for a quiet bath. I came out a while later to find Bertie lame.

The vet was phoned and we got in at 8.45 am, so much for a slow start to the day…….. the vet was a little worried as his swelling in his back leg had come up very quickly however he felt little movement. We left him there  to have X-rays.

Four hours later we received a call, he had broken his leg!!!!!! and it was now in a cast.

Off we went…. the vet was great wanting to show off his brand new Xray machine which unfortunately showed and amazingly clear break in the large bone above the ankle of his back leg, unusually however the smaller bone was intact and acting as a splint!! A little confused. His leg was plastered up and down and although as slight as it could be it is a most unwieldy item.

We are confused to say the least. We heard nothing and Bertie was still in the room we had left him in. I surmise that maybe he had tried to jump up to the window cill which he does all the time and accidentally slipped getting his back legs stuck in the radiator under the window. Then he fell twisting the leg, which may explain the main bone break whilst not the other.

Resting, but that cast looks huge!!

So then after being told he was not allowed to jump or put excessive stress on the limb we had to go and get a crate to rest him in away from the other cats whilst we are out. Thus we have a crate big enough for a Great Dane, officially. In it is litter, a favourite cat bed and food and toys.

Litter tray resting! Now got a smaller one.

I am beginning to worry however……….we are giving him Metacam for the pain and he seems to be coping with the leg however huge it is. The vet mentioned keeping an eye out for severe changes of behaviour incase it suggested pain within the cast from swelling etc. However apart from some food yesterday he has eaten nothing. I have managed to hand feed a slither of Applaws wet food and some nutrigel into him with a tiny amount of Webbox lick e liks with some Zyklene added to relax him. Just very aware of issues arising in cats quickly that don't eat for 24 hours.

 I've now bought food syringes and have managed to get 4 syringes of kitten milk into him for hydration and 2 of his pureed food.

I can't believe that we are going to be looking at a month of this……5 days until the cast if first changed, then another 5 days for another change, then 7 days etc. So pleased I've got Petplan the bill is already up to £500, so goodness knows where we'll finish with more sedation, X-rays and casts……

Update - Monday

Still not eating or showing interest so I got him to the vet ASAP. His temperature is fine as is his cast, which will now be changed on Friday as it is ok at the moment. The vet has given him an injection of Metacam, with an antibiotic, an anti nausea, and a strong appetite stimulant. Well I have been back three hours and he has eaten one of his favourite frozen mice!!! and some food off my fingers, yea. On top of that I have syringed another two syringes of kitten milk and one of pureed food as he is a little constipated at the moment and needing to get fluid in him.

I will keep you updated on his progress…..


Ok, things did not go well……Monday Bertie was taken back to the vets as he was still not eating. They ended up giving him Metacam, antibiotics, anti nausea and an appetite stimulant.

We waited for things to work but he still was eating so little I had begun to syringe feed him so by Wednesday he was back at the vets. However this time he had a temperature which confused them as he had been given antibiotics. At this point they took him in to stay over night in the hospital. This ended up being a two day stay unfortunately. Finally he was eating by himself and his temperature was down. Therefore on Friday at 4pm I was able to pick him up to come home. Last night he slept well destroying his bed a little, which must be a good sign and eating up the food I had left in the cage.

So that is the situation up to now.

Got him outside for a change of scene

Photos on a sunny warm day

Bertie and Luna

Luna

Well finally a lovely warm day, no rain and blue sky with a warmth in the sun. Not bad for the middle of February…….. Out comes the camera however I feel immensely clumsy trying to remember all the settings. The garden in not looking it best, spartan is a good word and at the moment it has similarities to a lake with the amount of rain we have had. However the cats were having fun with the tunnels and cardboard boxes which we put out for them and I thought a few photos were in order.

Monty

 My clowder of cats….seem to know when the camera is out and stop doing all the cute things, so these are the ones I could get.  I couldn't get all of them, Reuben tends to keep to the edges of the garden and in the shrubbery and it was still a bit cold for Harvey.

Hope you like them.

Luna

Bertie

Harvey

Bertie

Luna

Monty