Lola Update

We've just got home from the vet, me and Lola and my handy neighbour who carries the carrier. Andrew, the vet, was pleased to hear that Lola has been eating a little bit since I made the appointment and has even put on a bit of weight. 

We discussed the hayfever season and her headaches, then the constant scratching with all the resulting scabs and hairless patches. The other vets I've seen put that down to allergies of which her hayfever is one, but Andrew said this is a result of stress. He has a very long name for the condition, but I can't remember what he called it. Something beginning with E. So, what stress? No one knows. Any little thing at all can trigger stress in an animal, and of course they can't tell us what's worrying them. 

So Lola had an antibiotic to help with the healing of the sores and a cortisone shot for the stress and has to go back in two weeks for another one. 

Then we talked about next season. My hayfever usually kicks off around late August or early September, so Andrew suggested watching Lola around that time and if her stress kicks in with the usual scratching and head shaking pattern, he will give her a three shot cortisone whammy over six weeks. That's one shot a fortnight. He thinks that should be enough to see her through the spring and summer. 

Of course now I'm worrying about what could possibly have triggered her stress. Any little change could do it, says Andrew.  Even seeing another cat that she doesn't like through the window could do it. But there aren't any roaming cats up my end of the driveway now that new laws have come into effect stating all cats must be indoors. 
The only thing I can think of is I now have the outside awning pulled down against the heat, so when Lola is on the windowsill, she can't see the garden. I may have to raise the awning a little and just keep the curtains closed against any glare. 

And give her more cuddles whenever she wants them, not just when I'm ready. 

Comments

  1. Replies
    1. Elephant's Child; thank you. She seems a bit better, ate well, then slept on the windowsill before moving to my lap when the TV went on. She was by the open front door as I ate breakfast, but when I got home from the shop she was back under the bed. And is still there fast asleep. I'm calling that her comfort zone, where she goes whenever I have to leave the house, which has been quite a lot lately and that will continue next week, but I hope to be home more after that.

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  2. Complex problems. I hope it sorts itself out, well with the treatments.

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    1. Andrew; I hope so too, currently she is back under the bed, fast asleep, it's where she goes whenever I leave the house. Her comfort spot. There are unavoidable things happening next week which mean I will have to be away from home several days in a row, but then I hope to be able to stay home much more to reassure Lola.

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  3. You might be onto something about the awning. Any little change. Lola probably gets relaxation from looking out. Unless...she might see another cat! Hope you can get this sorted out.

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    1. Val; I raised the awning a teensy bit so Lola could see some garden and she sat on the windowsill happily enough, eating a bit of my ice cream. Today she is under the bed, which is her "safe" spot I think whenever I have to go out and I'm beginning to realise I have been away from home rather a lot lately. Perhaps she is feeling abandoned.

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  4. Replies
    1. only slightly confused; it should help and she'll have another in two weeks. Already her appetite is better and the scratching is a little less.

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  5. Like how this vet seems to be taking a more active approach. Sure hope it works. That awning may have been the trigger.

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    1. Arkansas Patti; I thought so too, about the awning, but with paying closer attention, I think it may just be that I'm away from home far too much lately. The clue is Lola being under the bed when I got home from the shop this morning. I was gone less than an hour and usually she'll see the shopping trolley and wait on the windowsill until I get back.

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  6. That they can't tell us what's wrong is so frustrating. Tho I think if you live with an animal long enough you get some insight into their inner lives. You and Lola haven't been together that long - as time goes by you might be able to sort out her cues. In the mean time - trust the vet.

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    1. Grace; that's true, we've only been together 18 months and I don't know anything about her previous 8 years. I do trust this vet, he's very nice and Lola purrs when she is on the table, after she's had the shots of course, not before, but I cuddle her there and the purring starts, but only with this vet. I'm paying more attention and think she may be feeling abandoned with me going out so much.

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  7. That's tough, the secret life of animals doesn't disclose the fears and stressors.

    I hope she finds peace and good health.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman; I hope so too, her health is quite good, her eyes are clear and her coat is shiny. I hope to be able to spend much more time at home after next week's business is taken care of, we'll see how that helps her.

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  8. All the fireworks and shotgun blasts around here for the New Year and hunting keep my dogs and cats stressed out. Hope Lola will be okay.

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    1. Granny Annie; shotgun blasts? Yikes! None of that around here thank goodness, and any fireworks were quite far away, the sound was minimal. The stress has been going on longer than that and we thought it was part of her hayfever allergies. I'll be giving her lots of extra cuddles whenever she comes out from under the bed.

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  9. Check out Feliway spray, River.

    It is very good to settle cats, too, if they're stressing over something.

    Just a gentle spray...not on the cat (and not on you)...but where Lola likes to sleep etc. You don't have to use a lot...just a small burst once or twice a day...maybe just once.

    I always have a bottle (spray bottle) on hand. It's does work.

    https://www.vetshopaustralia.com.au/Feliway-Spray-60ml-Pump-Action-P1086C284.aspx?gclid=Cj0KCQiA37HhBRC8ARIsAPWoO0wffUDgVB6bammCGqToavdVDd-iQ-GYDdniwfbsAkP2LSygz20qrEYaApXeEALw_wcB

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    Replies
    1. Lee; thank you. I'll see if the vet carries it or maybe one of the bigger pet supply stores.

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  10. Hope the awning is the answer. Poor Lola!

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    1. Susan Kane; I hoped the awning was the answer, but I can't raise it too much as the window faces north and gets direct sun and heat from north and west as there is no shade from either direction. and it is heading into the 40C's here now.

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  11. Poor Lola, do hope she's soon improved. They are family our animals.❤

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel; her basic health is good so I'm not too worried about that, unless she doesn't eat for more than a day. But not knowing what's going on in her thoughts is hard.

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  12. It's hard to know what to do for them sometimes, i hope what you are trying will work.

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    1. messymimi; I hope that me being home a lot more in the near future will help her a lot. I think she may be feeling a bit abandoned.

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  13. I see from your replies to the comments that you may have figured out a possible stressor, and I would agree. When I am away for very many hours (say 6 or more) both my cats get stressed. One (the one who looks like your Lola) won't eat much until I am home again. In fact, on those days, she won't eat unless I stand beside her bowl. Cats are more sensitive than many people give them credit for!

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    1. jenny_o; Lola generally doesn't eat much during the day either, she has breakfast at 5am, then dinner around 5pm and there is dry food available all day, but she rarely touches it until about 10pm. She is much, much better now that I have been petting her more and the weather is cooler so I can leave the front door open and she sits on the mat looking out through the screen door all day.

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  14. All you have to do it to let her sit on your lap while you pet her 24 hours a day!! How hard can that be?

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    1. fishducky; 24/7??? Heck no! She is a lot happier now that I have the front door open almost every day while we have a cooler spell of weather, she sits/lies on the mat and gazes through the screen door until well after dark.

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  15. Yikes, River! Here's to both you and Lola feeling better and having a kickbutt good 2019!

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  16. The Happy Whisk; better days ahead for sure, until the next heat wave anyway.

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