General Jackassery

Okay, for those who know and love my animals I have a Medical Update.

Nanook

Diagnosis: Heartworms (Advanced Stage), Intestinal Worms (Hook worms and Whip worms), Mange (Demondectic, non transferable)

Treatment: Nanook underwent multiple tests to determine the working state of all of major organs. He was given a clean bill to begin treatment for the Heartworms. This involves a single shot in the lower back, he also has to take a steriod, antibiotic, and Benedryl. The antibiotic is a 10 day deal, the steriod will last approximately one month on a decreasing dose and the Benedryl (taken to prevent an allergic reaction as the worms die and disintigrate in his blood stream) is to be taken 2-3 times daily for the next month. He was also given the first part of a wormer to kill the hook and whip worms. He’ll take the second part of that wormer in 3 weeks. After a month, Nanook will go back to the vet for a second round of shots. He will spend the night in the Vet clinic and on the first day he’ll be given a second shot of the same thing he was given this past weekend. These shots are designed to kill the adult worms. The second day he is there he will be given another shot on the other side of his body that is designed to kill the larvae. After another month has pasted he will be tested again for hearworms and if he’s clear he will be started on Proheart 6 (an injection that prevents heartworms for 6 months at a time.)

Outlook: Nanook is about to enter the most dangerous part of the treatment. 5-7 days after the injection to kill the adult heartworms, the worms begin to break down and float throught his blood stream. Should they do this too fast or Nanook get too excited at any point in time the pieces of heartworm could clog the path for the blood and create serious complications. That is the worst case scenario and not extremely probable. The greatest likely hood is that Nanook will come through everything and in two months be more healthy than he has all his life. According to the vet, the demondectic mange that Nanook suffers from most often occurs when the body is stressed and the immune system is weakened. There is a good possibility that as Nanook fights through the worms his immune system will strengthen and the problem he’s having with the mange will resolve itself. However, we can’t be sure that will occur and we’ll just have to play it by ear until we know.

Nikita:

Diagnosis: Friggin’ healthy as a horse. The perfect example of what a dog should be like. There was some concern that since Nanook had the intestinal worms he has that Nikita would also have the same problem. Fortunately, this was not so and Nikita was given a 100% clean bill of health.

Stitch:

Diagnosis: Dry Skin, Dandruff, several sores that appear to be scabs, and she’s REALLY FAT!

Treatment: We’re going to put neosporin on the sores and monitor them for healing, we’re also going to start adding vitamin E to her diet to try to help her skin and her coat. In addition she will begin a brushing regimen where I brush her every evening in an effort to help her clean herself and also to possible inspire her to start doing a little more bathing on her own. Finally, she tips the scales at 13.7 pounds. I’ve been feeding her based on the assumption that she weighed in at 15 lbs. Needless to say she’s eating too much and I will reduce her intake. I will have to devise a sceme to prevent Stitch from having access to Tiki’s food, this should be an interesting project.

Outlook: I think I’ll be able to get some of the weight off of her and make her a more healthy cat overall.

Tiki

Diagnosis: Kitten, other than being a Spaz and a Spark Plug there is nothing wrong with her. This makes me happy because I love all of my animals and I have a special place in my heart for that little kitten.

Treatment: She’ll grow out of it!

Outlook: She’s going to be a good Cat.

Final observations: I’ve put all but Stitch on a health plan through the Vet I use and they will all start getting more regular check-ups. This should prevent an major catastrophies in the future and help to keep all of them healthy and happy.

They’re all really sweet and pretty well manored animals, I hope to keep them around for a while.