But why? It isn’t routinely done, so what’s the big deal?  Well, let me say I found out the hard way. And it’s a tough pill to swallow, seeing every day what it cost my precious Mikimoto.

Mikimoto.

My little Mikimoto is a stunning Creampoint Himalayan. I’ve had him since he was 12 weeks old. He’s now 17 years old, a sweet and treasured little old man, but still my baby to me. My heart.

Mikimoto has always been a playful, inquisitive little fellow, rambunctious but gentle, tiny at only 5lbs, a mama’s boy. He loves to run in the grass of our back yard and chase butterflies or a feather on a chain as I run ahead of him. He has not one mean bone in his body. He is the poster kitty for sweetness.

No Warning Signs.

In early January 2017, when Mikimoto was 15 years old, he woke up one morning deaf and blind. It was very sudden, as if a switch were flipped and the lights went off. I snapped my fingers, waved my hands in front of his face, called to him, but nothing. I tried to get him to walk, but he wouldn’t. He just sat there not knowing what had happened or what to do. I called our veterinary eye specialist and got him in right away.

The doctor said he saw some bleeding inside Mikimoto’s eyes and said it appeared he was having retinal detachments. He put Mikimoto on prescription drops and told me to bring him back in a couple of weeks or if any other changes occurred sooner.

It was a long couple of weeks. Mikimoto was completely confused and just pancaked to the floor. He shut down, he didn’t care if he ate, he didn’t try to find the litterbox, he just laid there. I was heartbroken to watch him this way, but I was also confident that the treatments would repair his eyes.

No Improvement.

At our follow-up appointment, the doctor said he saw the most minor of improvement in Mikimoto’s eyes and encouraged me that there was hope to recover his vision. I also took Mikimoto to our regular veterinarian for bloodwork and an exam to ensure something else wasn’t also at play. She gave Mikimoto a clean report.

Another week or so later, we went to the eye specialist for yet another exam. This time he wasn’t as encouraging. The meds weren’t working and he was concerned for permanent damage to Mikimoto’s eyes. I, however, was faithful and knew Mikimoto would see again.

More Follow-Up.

The next few weeks were packed with follow-up exams at both the regular veterinarian and the eye specialist. Meds were adjusted to hopefully gain some headway over any long-term damage to Mikimoto’s vision. Both doctors began preparing me for the sad outcome, but I remained faithful and urgent in my prayers for Mikimoto’s eyes.

After a couple of months of intensive treatment, and still no improvement, my regular veterinarian said “you know what, we should check his blood pressure.” Up to this point, neither of the veterinarians had apparently thought of it. It is not, after all, a routine part of pet exams. So she checked Mikimoto’s blood pressure. It was so high off the charts that the machine wasn’t even able to give an accurate reading. It didn’t go that high. I was shocked, but happy to know the cause finally.

Coordinated Efforts.

Now that we had finally pinpointed the apparent cause of Mikimoto’s sudden blindness, the regular veterinarian and the eye specialist started communicating with each other, and a new treatment began immediately. Several meds to bring down Mikimoto’s blood pressure and hopefully start seeing his vision come back, and we kept checking his blood pressure every week to stay on top of any changes.

I was thrilled at the new hope, until my veterinarian told me the window of opportunity to save Mikimoto’s eyes had passed and she was not at all optimistic for any success. Turns out we had at best only two weeks to reverse the high blood pressure before the damage to his eyes was irreparable. It had now been two months.  At our next visit to the eye specialist, that doctor agreed.

Sad Realization.

So, had either of them thought to check Mikimoto’s blood pressure right off the bat when he first lost his vision, they could have saved his eyes. But, because no one thought to check his blood pressure until two months later, the damage was now done. Both our regular veterinarian and the eye specialist told me this. Mikimoto would be blind forever. I was crushed. Mikimoto would have to live with this. His life was forever changed. Sadly, it could have been prevented.

It’s a year and a half now that Mikimoto has been blind, and still I pray for the gift of his vision to return. In the meantime, it’s my job to help him navigate this new normal.

Mikimoto’s New Normal.

In the beginning when this all first started happening, I scooped Mikimoto up in my arms and held him close to me. I carried him everywhere, I hand-fed him, gave him water through an eye dropper and subq fluids, put pet gates up to contain him in the pet room, removed all the pet stairs and cat trees to prevent his inadvertently climbing up and not knowing how to get back down, or perhaps even falling and getting hurt.

It was almost a year before I realized I was doing Mikimoto more harm than good by being so overprotective. I just woke up one day and realized I needed to teach him how to function in this “new normal” and how to rediscover his joy of life. I had failed him in that regard, and I felt like two cents. It was time to correct that.

First, I removed all the pet gates. This was Mikimoto’s home for 15 years before he lost his vision. He can learn his way around again. I knew that I already had at least two specific tools to help me — Mikimoto’s memory, and his whiskers.

Use The Tools That You Have.

I began teaching Mikimoto how to get around the house by using his whiskers to feel his way along the walls. And I put feeding stations and pee pads in every room of the house, positioned so that no matter where he ended up, if he followed the walls, he would always find food and water. I changed out the traditional litterbox for a Rubbermaid storage container that was 2-3 times more spacious and had lower sides so that he could easily step in without having to climb or jump.

Then I taught Mikimoto touch signals. His preference now is to just curl up and sleep most the time, and I have to encourage him to move around and stay active. So I walk along behind him and, if I touch his right shoulder, it signals him to turn left. When I touch his left shoulder, he knows to turn right. When I touch his lower back, he knows to go straight ahead.  And when I kiss him on top of his head or rub his tummy, he knows he’s arrived at his desired destinatIon.

Guarding Over Mikimoto.

I always give Mikimoto a reference point that he’s familiar with, a starting point for the day sort of. When I have to leave for work, I make sure he has eaten, had a big drink, and pottied. Then I lead him to his bed, and he hops right in and curls up. He knows at that point he’s on his own for awhile now. He also knows his litterbox is about 10-12 steps to the left of his bed, and the food and water dishes are only two or three steps to his right. At night, he still sleeps on my pillow with me, as he has done all of his sweet life. He also knows to stay put. I have big cushy pillows on both sides of the bed, just in case.

I bought Verizon’s Canary for my cell phone, so I’m able to watch him all throughout the day while i’m at work. Only a couple of times has he gotten confused moving about on his own and ended up out in the hallway circling, but eventually he gets back to his bed again.

Mikimoto’s Progress Report.

Had Mikimoto been born blind, or lost his vision at a much younger age, no doubt he would have been able to adjust more easily to this new lifestyle without vision. But having lived a lifetime with vision, the adjustment to living life without its benefit has been a tremendous challenge for him, and I don’t blame him for not catching on easily. He may always be unsure of himself now, time will tell. And that’s okay. Whatever Mikimoto needs, I will give him. He is that important to me.

We’re working on toys now. Mikimoto is slow to engage in play anymore. I suspect because he’s afraid the other cats will join in and that frightens him. He’s become quite the loner. So I close the other cats out of my room while Mikimoto and I flop on my bed and I offer him his favorite toys. I’m hopeful at some point he’ll start showing interest and begin swiping at them. In his own time, no pushing, no frustration, just encouragement. This is his life now, and I’m here to support him however and whatever he needs.

Mikimoto’s Message To You.

If your pet wakes up one day blind for no obvious reason, like Mikimoto, get him to the vet ASAP and REQUEST A BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK! Don’t hesitate for a minute, and don’t take no for an answer. Remember: you have only a two-week window to get control of the high blood pressure and save your pet’s eyes. High blood pressure may not be the cause in your case, but then again, what if it is. Don’t rule it out without checking for sure. Don’t take chances with your furbaby’s wellbeing. Be his advocate, don’t waste time.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Check Your Pet’s Blood Pressure! appeared first on BareFootPets.

“Properly” is the key word. The ideal age to ween a puppy or kitten is still 12 weeks. Any younger than that, and you put its development at risk–no matter how careful you are. Newborns need Mama’s milk and her presence for those full 12 weeks to ensure their complete development. Mama’s milk builds the newborn’s immune system. Her presence makes him feel safe and secure, and she teaches him how to be a well-adjusted puppy or kitten, without any neuroses.

Before 12 weeks, the newborn is still too young to vaccinate. Without vaccinations yet, the newborn is dangerously susceptible to all manner of health hazards. The reasons to keep the baby with its Mama far outweigh any reason to separate him from her too early. (Obviously, in a rescue situation where Mama may no longer be in the picture, this discussion about weening doesn’t apply.)

Is It Okay To Take My Infant Pet Out In Public?

No No No!! If the little one is less than 12 weeks and hasn’t had its shots yet, you would be putting his tender life in danger by exposing to him to God-knows-what out there without the protection of even his first round of vaccinations. Catching a simple cold or intestinal parasite at his delicate age could literally put his life in danger. Even diarrhea can easily be fatal to a newborn pup or kitten.

For veterinary appointments during this period, KEEP BABY SEPARATED from other pets in the waiting room. They could be there for treatment of respiratory, intestinal, or any manner of infirmity that would be hazardous to your newborn.

Be the responsible and caring parent–Resist Resist Resist the urge to show the little one off until he’s physically ready. You can Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or text all the photos you want, but DON’T take him out in public until he’s old enough–12 weeks.

Can I Invite People To My Home To Meet The Newborn?

If you do invite folks to your home during baby’s first 12 weeks, be sure they don’t bring their own pets along, and limit people handling him. If you decide to allow someone to handle the newborn, ask them to wash their hands first, and definitely keep it brief. Over-handling the newborn can exhaust him and run his delicate immune system down, making it very easy for him to get sick.

Ideally, no introductions to anyone but family for those first 12 weeks. Sounds like overkill, but much better safe than sorry. You need to put the newborn’s development and his wellbeing first to give him the best start for his little life. Don’t put him at risk just because you’re antsy to show him off. That happy time will come soon enough.  🙂

What To Do If The Infant Starts To Fail.

If you’ve just brought an infant pet into your family, or are preparing for its arrival, here are some important supplies to stock up on: unflavored Pedialyte, Hills Prescription A/D canned food, eye dropper, sub-q fluids, and Vaseline. The A/D is a prescription food–you’ll need to request it from your veterinarian. Same for the sub-q fluids. And your veterinarian can show you how to administer sub-q fluids if you’ve not done it before. The Vaseline is for baby’s little bottom–to prevent chafing if he does get diarrhea.

Watch your newborn very very closely, 24/7, just as you would a human newborn. Stay alert for any signs he might not be feeling well. At the FIRST sign of loose stools or diarrhea, start giving him the unflavored Pedialyte through an eye dropper. This will ensure he stays hydrated, which is critical. If he feels poorly enough that he’s not eating, mix some of the A/D with Pedialyte to make it a bit runny, and hand-feed it to the little one using the eye dropper. This will keep him nourished as he works through the ailment. BE VERY GENTLE feeding him with the eye dropper so that you don’t force food or liquid down his throat wrong.

To ensure baby feels safe and secure and stays comfortably warm, tuck him inside your shirt where he can draw from your body heat, and feel your heartbeat, which will make him feel he’s in his Mama’s protective arms.

Call your veterinarian sooner than later to report the symptoms and get his or her guidance.

Enjoy Your New Infant Pet In Happiness and Good Health!

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Weening Newborns. appeared first on BareFootPets.

How can you help her feel better again? If you’re paying attention, you usually can spot something wrong before it becomes too big a threat to your pet’s health. Or you can spot an oncoming emergency in time to get her to the veterinarian and minimize any damage to her health. As soon as you notice that she’s just not herself, certainly first we need to figure out why she’s feeling off. Is it really just an “off” day, or is it something serious? Here’s a checklist to help you get to the root of the problem quickly. Does she have diarrhea, is she sneezing, is she dehydrated, are her eyes watering, does she have a rash on her feet and tummy, is she throwing up, is she lethargic, does she feel fevered, is her breathing fast and shallow, does she cry if you try to pick her up, etc.?

Interpreting The Symptoms.

Once you assess all the symptoms, you can begin to figure out the ailment.  If she’s throwing up, you need to know–did she chew on a toxic plant, ingest a household poison, swallow a foreign object, overeat at dinnertime? Look back over the previous 24-48 hours. Did you introduce a new diet or treat? Did you give her people food that she’s not used to? If so, then she may have a simple tummy ache. Watch her closely for awhile to see if it resolves on its own. If not, take her in to your veterinarian.

If she has diarrhea, perhaps it’s because of a new diet, food allergy, overeating, intestinal parasite, or even a thyroid imbalance. If your pet has diarrhea, then she’s also dehydrated. Diarrhea not treated for an extended period of time can take your pet’s life–this goes for infant pets as well as seniors. Never underestimate the importance of hydration. See paragraphs below for treatment. If you did in fact feed her people food or introduce a new diet too quickly, then probably no reason to panic. The upset tummy and diarrhea should resolve itself and she’ll feel better within 12-24 hours. Keep her hydrated in the meantime, and get her back to her routine diet. You know your pet–if your instincts tell you something more is going on, always err on the side of caution and get her in to your veterinarian right away.

If you’ve not made any changes in her diet, then it could be an intestinal parasite. Gather a stool sample and take it to your veterinarian for analysis. Intestinal parasites are treated with antibiotics and she should be good as new in a week or so. While this may not seem like an emergency, intestinal parasites left untreated can cause acute anemia in your pet. Also keep in mind that diarrhea can be fatal to your pet. Intestinal parasites are also contagious to any other pets in the home.

If the test for intestinal parasites comes back negative, however, then you should request your veterinarian draw a blood sample to look for other possibilities, for example a thyroid imbalance. Diarrhea can be a distinct signal of thyroid issues. If the blood test results confirm this, the problem is very easily treated with ear drops or a daily pill. See my video in the side panel “How To Pill A Cat.” Dogs, of course, are even easier to “pill.” Just wrap the pill in bacon or peanut butter or whatever–he doesn’t care.   🙂

Pet Poison Helpline publishes a list showing the many indoor and outdoor poisons to be aware of: http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poisons/. Examine all your houseplants–outdoor plants too, if she goes outside. Do any of the leaves appear to be chewed? Look through your house for any possible household poisons within the pet’s reach. Examine her toys–do any of them appear damaged and maybe the stuffing is coming out or pieces are missing? Are any of your socks or scrunchies missing? If you can answer yes to any of these, then feel her abdomen. Does she cry out or flinch? If so, then get her to the veterinarian ASAP. She may have swallowed a foreign object or be in toxic shock from a poisonous plant, and EVERY MOMENT COUNTS. Don’t waste any time — GO.

If she’s sneezing and her eyes are watering, maybe she has a respiratory bug, or simple allergies? If the nasal discharge is clear, then hopefully it’s just seasonal allergies. If it’s green and getting thick, then it’s more likely a respiratory virus. Either way, your veterinarian can advise you the proper treatment. Make an appointment to take your pet in. Doubtful it’s an emergency, but still not to be ignored. Plus, respiratory ailments are contagious to other pets in the home, so the sooner you get her treated, the better.

What about a rash? If your pet has a rash on her feet pads or tummy, it could be a couple of things. Outside: did you just fertilize your yard or spray weedkiller? As soon as she walks on it, or sits or lays, it could be irritating her skin. Keep her indoors for several days after these applications. Be sure the patio and sidewalks are hosed down to get rid of residue. Inside: what do you clean your floors with? If you use bleach or a harsh cleaner, that may be irritating her delicate skin and feet. Be sure you rinse the floor thoroughly after cleaning–twice to be safe.

What Do I Do?

First, be certain she’s kept hydrated. A great item to always keep on hand is unflavored Pedialyte. You can find it in the baby department of any grocery store or pharmacy. Or you can get it online from Amazon. See the icon below for purchase. Add Pedialyte to your pet’s water dish. If your pet is feeling poorly enough that she’s avoiding the water dish, then give it to her full strength from an eye dropper and start her on sub-q fluids. Continue this until you can get her in to your veterinarian. Once you get fluids in her, you’ll see her begin to perk up pretty quickly. If your pet is feeling rotten enough that she’s not even getting out of bed or sitting up, then definitely get her to the veterinarian sooner than later.

You can determine if a pet is dehydrated by pinching and lifting the skin between her shoulder blades or hips. When you let go, does the skin spring back to her body, or does it stay pinched and standing? If it doesn’t bounce back, then you have a dehydration problem. Be very mindful that dehydration can ultimately be fatal for any pet. You must act quickly to treat it. You can get the sub-q fluids and supplies from your vet, and they can also show you how to administer the fluids.

Whatever else you do, ALWAYS keep your pet hydrated. I have brought MANY of our rescue pets back from the brink of death with Pedialyte and sub-q fluids–seniors and infant pets as well. Too often, kittens and puppies are taken from their mothers much too soon (12 weeks is ideal, anything younger puts them at risk). An infant kitten or puppy can die very quickly of simple diarrhea and dehydration. If your pet has diarrhea, then she’s also dehydrated. Diarrhea not treated for an extended period of time can also take your pet’s life. Never underestimate the importance of hydration.

Second–don’t panic. Pets can have “off” days and feel generally poopie just like us. It may not be serious, BUT–on the off chance something is seriously wrong, DON’T ignore the symptoms. Keep very close watch and be prepared to act quickly if needed.

How Can I Know If It’s Something Serious?

Does she seem to be in acute distress? Is she crying, whining, breathing heavily, or breathing fast and shallow, is she shaking, is her abdomen tender to the touch, is she unable to stand, does she cry if you try to pick her up? These are signs of something very serious–get her to your veterinarian ASAP. It’s much better to rush her to the vet and find out it’s nothing serious, than to have ignored the signs and end up losing your pet for lack of timely treatment.

REMEMBER: the best thing you can do for your pet’s health is to PAY ATTENTION. If you catch something quickly, you can minimize the negative impact it might otherwise have on your pet.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post When Your Pet Doesn’t Feel Well. appeared first on BareFootPets.