Friday, October 12, 2007

It's a time for preparations.

I'm afraid that we have to be prepared to say goodbye to Merlin this weekend. We became more concerned about his health 2 weeks ago because he was becoming less steady on his feet, - especially his back legs. We had a blood test run, but the results didn't show anything significant beyond that he was probably stressed by the trip there.

He seemed to go downhill even faster immediately after that trip. So much so, that he was hardly moving and not eating or drinking, that I could tell. I took him to the vet yesterday, and he had lost 2 lbs., which was a surprise*. He was dehydrated, and his eyes had recently gotten a lot of gunk in the corners - part of the lack of hydration. The doctor gave him a vitamin B1 shot and something to stimulate his appetite. Doesn't seem like it did any good, though.

Poor Mer was awfully stressed by the time he got home. He pretty much curled up on the couch and didn't move. Like the night or two before, he wasn't sleeping near my head on one of my bed pillows. He's basically withdrawing. He's complaining a little that he doesn't feel good, now. That's heartbreaking.

I feel an obligation at least wait for the tests from yesterday's appointment to come back, just to make sure there just nothing more to be done for him. In the meantime, just about all we can do is make him comfortable - put his favorite fleece blanket under him and put his most prized possession - his "string" - an old sash cord - near him. He hasn't eaten anything. And oddly, he just put a foot in the water bowl - like he couldn't see the surface or something. Maybe his eyesight is going because he's not getting nourishment. That's not good. So, I'm afraid it's only a matter of time, now.

In the meantime, things are coming together for the little black cat outside. I've borrowed a humane trap from someone associated with Alley Cat Allies, and we'll pick up a "Tokyo Cage" my folks have this weekend.** Since our friend and neighbor has agreed to help, we're going to set it up in her house, and try to capture her by Sunday. We'll see how it goes. I'm already investigating low-cost spay options. What could still screw things up, of course, is getting her tested. If she turns out to have some disease, I'm not sure what I'll do. I'm hoping she doesn't, though, given how young she is.

I think Kioko likes her. She likes to watch her eat the food I've left outside our bedroom window. The window goes almost to the floor, so she lays there and purrs and rolls around in front of the window.

If all goes well, I'm going to entice her into the trap with canned food. Sunday looks to be the day to try. She comes pretty regularly to eat - evenings are more hit and miss. Sometimes an Opossum finds it first, the food's still there after sunset.

12:00 pm

Nora just called. - she's got a weather-related headache, and since she has comp time coming at work, she's going home. I'm glad. Someone should be there with Merlin.

(*He'd gained a pound between being tested back in April and the one two weeks ago.)

(** The folks bought it for "Kittikins"when she was still semi-wild and they wanted to be able to have her accessible to the people taking care of their animals when the folks were out of town.)