h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Herman seems to be a bit under the weather.

For the last few days, he's been in and out of the litter box every half hour or so, with nothing much happening. This morning, K called and made an appointment with the vet for Saturday. They're always thrilled to see him. It's nearly time for his vaccinations and claw trimming anyway.

Tonight, we've noticed a wee bit of blood in his urine and his ears are so warm. Poor little guy must have a urinary tract infection.

Of course, I'm beside myself. I once had a special little guy named Smokey. When I was 14, and he was 8, he went in to the vet to have a catheter inserted to flush out a urinary tract blockage.

My dad brought him home from the vet that day.... in a plastic bag. Apparently, he squirmed a bit and they administered a fair amount of ether. Poor kitty went into cardiac arrest and never woke up again.

Part of me is afraid that I'll come home from work tomorrow or Friday and find poor Herman lying there, dead. And it'll be All My Fault for not getting him to the vet quickly enough. He's behaving quite normally; normal appetite, with much indignant meowing when he's not receiving enough attention. So he hardly seems lethargic, or too uncomfortable. But you all know what a worrier I am.

Needless to say I was a bit distracted yesterday and especially today. I've not followed through on a couple of projects I promised to start on for h2g2 things, and I wasn't as productive at work today as normal.

Wish the poor little kitty luck, huh? He's a special little guy, and a really good buddy.

Awww, hun. It's so scary when our furry friends are sick. Sending lots of luck your way.

Yes P/C! Our family had a Smok(e)y too years ago, runt of the litter - I still miss the little guy. They sure grow on you, don't they?

Poor fella. Best wishes to both of you.

for the
and for you

PC - I hope Herman is ok.

Thanks, everybody.

And thanks for reassuring me.

Hi PC

One of VC's elderly cats quite often has a water infection. She is soon cleared with antibiotics.

Give Herman a from me.


lil xx

Thanks for that, Lil.

Herman's vet appointment has been bumped up to this afternoon. Don't know if the vet will bother with shots and claws or wait till July. But at least we're getting him in ASAP.

I'll be heading out at 2:30 to get him there by 4. I guess I'll post a quick message when we get back to let you all know how it went.

Thanks for the support.

No prob P/C, hope all goes well.

for Herman! He's a cuddly little kitty.

Poor pussy .... I hope he's feeling better already (assuming you've been by the time you get this).

My cat - Jonesy - is about 16 now and she was the runt of the litter - has this terrible snort when she breathes but it was a birth defect and she's sooooo small she still looks like a kitten.

We're back.

He's got a urinary tract blockage indeed. The vet had to put him on an IV and massage some urine out of him. They also gave him an antibiotic and a pain killer. He's been prescribed an oral antibiotic, another pain killer, and a medicine to break up the blockage (which is, funnily enough, the exact same med K is taking for his kidney stones.

And he'll be on a prescription diet for a few months, as the food contains medicine he needs.

Oh, and need I mention that the vet visit cost more than the last time I went to the doctor?

Anyway... we're lucky we went when we did. He's OK now, but the condition would have worsened if we'd waited too much longer.

At least you have got Herman sorted now


I'm sure he will make a full recovery in no time

all round. Cranberry juice is good, though maybe not for kittehs.

Glad to hear the trip to the vet went okay. ~~~sends healing vibes~~~

You're right P/C, the condition would only have worsened if you left it. So thank goodness it was nipped in the bud!

As for Herman & K being on the same meds - they're for essentially the same purpose, aren't they?(To break things up.)

Get well soon Herman!~~~recuperative~~~vibes~~~

Glad he's back and ok!

That's good news PC.

Poor we sojer.

I hope you've got pet insurance. My hopelessy-behind-the-times brother-in-law had never heard of it until one of his two Russian-named cats (Tima and Mischa - he used to live in Russia) got sick and he had to find £5K if he wanted him back alive.