Betty's first hospital stay

On 15th January, vet found that Betty has Neck Lesions. She kindly scheduled Betty for tooth extraction in late afternoon. Because Betty's condition was worse than expected, the procedure of extraction of 5 teeth lasted for 1.5 hours. In the end, we decided to let her remain in hospital overnight.

Maybe because its the first experience in her lifetime to be away from home, she urinated, but refused to eat. So we picked her up the next morning.

Upon returning home, her appetite improved satisfactorily. Eating 40% of her normal amount that lunch time, and increasing to 75% in the evening. Back to 100% of normal the next day. 

We gave her soaked dry food on the fifth day and she enjoyed it. By the eighth day, she wanted normal dry food. The amount she ate doubled that of what she ate before the dental treatment and didn't require any toppings to make her eat.

Hope she can regain her weight soon, as over the past 6 months or so, she lost around 0.5kg and vet is starting to get worried. 

Betty is 10 years old today

Betty dear, 

Happy Birthday!

Wishing you Good Health and Happiness Always!

Update on Betty's IBD condition:

Betty revisited vets on 31st December 2023 and her condition was overall stable. Via ultrasound, though there are still some inflammation in a small part of her intestine, her clinical signs were good. So vet declared that IBD is under controlled after 6 months of treatment. 

During the past 6 months, she has steadily gained weight, and is now at 4.57kg, - a new record for this "miniature Ragdoll (as most judges described her). 

For the next 3 months, Betty will slowly switch from I/D diet to normal ones. Let's pray that we can succeed.

Betty, I thank you for your intelligence, patience and understanding as we combat against IBD. Its not an easy path, but luckily, with your co-operation, the road was a lot less rugged. Coincidentally, your kidney condition has also return to normal, for which I would say we are lucky. For this we would like to than Auntie R, Dr Tint, Dr Tasmin, Dr Jacky and Dr Vera for their patience, care, professionalism and love, for without which, you would not be the healthy kid today! Thanks be to God!

Like all parents, let us continue to work hard and greedily aim for another 10 years of good health and joyfulness! 

As an aside, the following interesting photos were taken during the birthday party.

Betty - IBD and pancreatitis

 

Time flies, Kitty will be a 10-year-old angel on 6^th October. Still occasionally thinks of you, as you are our special baby – you are R & J’s wedding present from Tony and you join us when you are 5 years old. You have been a great elder sister to Goldie, moulding her into a wonderful role model which continues till now. Kitty dear, miss you and love you forever! Just continue to enjoy your life!

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This is to document Betty’s IBD footprint

18^th July : Betty had soft poo. I stopped all snacks and gave her steam chicken. The situation seemed to initially improved for a few days and she started to vomit in the morning and with fur. In the past, she would have recovered by day 5. But this time, the progress seemed unstable.

24^th July: First vet visit. Dr V examined her, did blood test and urine test. Gave her Pro-Kolin thinking its just minor gastro issue as she didn’t show any sign of discomfort during examination. Looks a bit tired. The blood test did show relatively low NEU and that the pancreas is abnormal. Her situation seemed to improved for a few days, and then daily vomiting and soft poo resumed.

28^th July: Ultrasound by Dr TT found that the pancreas looks normal in size, but the right side appeared darker than normal (ie infection). The intestine looks normal. She was given Metronidazole and started to take RC gastro diet.  After taking the medication, her situation improved till a few days before the revisit on 17/8 she vomited during early morning hours.

17^th August: Her weight dropped from 4.02kg to 3.83kg. Blood test readings all return to normal. Via ultrasound, Dr TT found that her situation has actually worsened, especially in the small intestine area. Selected areas of her intestine had thickened to 0.45cm (normal 0.3cm), and the very thin black lining in between has thickened considerably, making it look like a “hamburger”. The conclusion was (1) Metronidazole doesn’t work. Need to try another anti-biotics. (2) She has either IBD or Lymphoma. If want to know what is it, need to do open up surgery and take a part of the intestine for lab test. Medical treatment is the same for both sickness. (3) Can start treatment with antibiotics, if doesn’t work, try steroid. If still doesn’t work try Chemo drugs. However, if started with antibiotics, need to bear in mind that culture test would be affected. If go for steroid, then wont go for surgery.

Since the lowest risk option is the medical route but it might take longer due to trial and error along the way, Dr TT changed the medication to Tylosin and Betty has to be straightly on I/D diet. So the treatment started on 17/8.

31^st August: Blood test readings and GI panel should pancreas has return to normal and her body weight improved marginally to 3.87kg. Betty is a very good kid. She took her medicine on time and tolerate with the sole I/D meals.

30^th September: ultrasound by Dr TT showed that the black intestinal lining has reduced in size and the intestine looks more normal. Parts of the small intestine has shrunk as well. Vet’s conclusion is that she got IBD and not lymphoma. Tylosin was reduced from 3x daily to 2x daily and revisit in a month. However, must still adhere with the straight I/D diet. Her body weight further improved to 4.14kg. During this period, her poo looks normal and in good shape. Her lifestyle has gradually return to normal.

To be updated.......

Betty is a very understanding child and a tough fighter. Keep on fighting and Wish you Speedy Full Recovery!

 Oh! Those bitter medicine

Feeling better lately!

 

Betty is 8 years old!

Happy Birthday, dear Betty!

Wish you good health, good luck, great joy and happiness in the years to come!

New "Fur-style"

We have no intention of shaving their fur in preparation of the coming hot summer. But had to do so as a last ditch effort to end their part time job of being ringworm carrier. 

The whole incident started in September 2020, when Felix had been in and out of hospital for a considerable period of time. He first got ringworm on the right foot. After it healed, got it in his left shoulder. Both spots had healed, but when combing his body for culture, it turned out positive pretty quickly for a few times.

Betty being a medium fur cat, was also found to be a carrier.

After a number of medicated bath, there were no improvement in the culture results. So we waited till early May when the weather starts to get hot to have both of them shaved. Hope that after a few more medicated baths, both would be ringworm free!

Really lucky that Goldie is ringworm free. I suspect its because she wears clothes. 

Betty is 7 years old

 Time flies! Betty is 7 years old ! Hope there will be more happy and healthy moments to come, dear!

And.... her present  is.....

Betty's month

Betty celebrated her 5 year old birthday on 8th January. Its was just a very simple family event.

We wish you Good Health and Great Happiness as you further blossom in life

 

 

 

 

 

Betty took the challenge to participate in the NEFA first cat show in Hong Kong on 12th January 2019. It was a long day, running from 10am to 6.30pm, with 8 competing rings. Being held in a shopping mall, and with a lot or noises. visitors and blasting broadcasts, Betty was indeed very tense and frightened. Nevertheless, she managed to put on a brave face, facing the visitors while in the competition booths. Her performance was decent in the morning, but weakened considerably in the afternoon. Luckily some of the judges were easy on her, and this enabled her to finish most of the competition.

 

 

 

 

Though not with flying colors, we were happy with the result, as Betty had tried and accomplished her goal.

 

 

After this exercise, we are sure that Betty is not born for the ring. She would be happier at home, entertaining occasional visitors as she desire.

 

Betty, my dear, we thank you for your great effort and promise that NO MORE CAT SHOW FOR YOU IN THE FUTURE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Betty is 4 years old today

Betty, my dear:

During the past four years, you have grown up a lot. You started as a "Hong Kong Primary Chick" who went wild easily. You don't like to be groomed, to be touched, needless to say, to be carried.

I do remember your resentment when Felix first came - you not only pissed Felix, but you hid yourself and refused to eat. It was a complete contrast to Goldie's easy going attitude. Frankly speaking, during those first few days, I deeply regretted having you. However, with my seeing and talking to you eye to eye, my firm instructions to you all to love and respect each other, and commitment that I will continue to love you all, that I regained your trust in us and the dust started to settle.

Betty, I am truly grateful and thankful of your efforts to change for the good. You are now not only a very understanding child, a potential PR personnel of the family, and a very caring sister. I really admire your respect to Goldie, and your playfulness with Felix.

With my long winded talks, you are now starting to gradually accept grooming. You are very co-operative while bathing, though more patience is required when blow dry. This year, I'm sure you can see for yourself that with constant brushing, you have a very rich scarf for the winter.

Betty, my only wish is that you will continue to enjoy life and be a happy child. Eat well, gain some more weight, grow, mature and let your inner beauty shine and prosper.

May God bless you and looking forward to the countless years ahead!

 

 

 

Betty's 3 years old Birthday Party

Time flies, Betty is 3 years old today!

During the past 3 years, she has developed from a "Hong Kong Girl" into now a bright, understanding and caring sister. Whenever she knows Felix wants a share of her pie, she would quietly move to the sideline. Unfortunately, Felix the Rascal is formed. Betty remains energetic and loves to play catch and wrestling with Felix. However, she has not ignored Goldie. Instead, she would occasionally goes over and give Goldie a gentle kiss!!

Betty, mummy thank you for making the efforts to grow into a better child. May you continue to remain in good health and have lots of joy and happiness with this family. God bless you, dear!

Someone Special?

 

 

 

After serious thoughts, we have decided to take on an additional cat, mainly as playmate for Betty and hopefully would be a relief for Goldie. He is called Felix, a chocolate color British Shorthair. He joined us on 30th July when he was 4 months old.

 

The first few days of his arrival were nightmare to us. Initially,  we deeply regretted taking Felix, as Betty  was extremely depressed. She hid herself, whimpering at all times and was pretty defensive.  Our hearts tanked. We didn't realise she was so deeply hurt. On the other hand, Goldie appeared very relaxed, and accepted the baby brother very quickly.

 

After careful thoughts, we attributed Betty's behavior to her tender age. Being only 2.5 years old, its natural that her confidence in us is not firm/high as that of Goldie's. We reckoned she is worried that Felix might take up a large part of our time and attention. So, we decided to let her experience for herself that life is as normal, despite having one more cat around. We talked to all 3 children, telling them to love and respect each other, and specifically to Felix that he has to listen to advise from both sisters.

 

With the help of Feliway, the above seems to work, as Betty started to make steady daily progress by the latter part of the first week. Now, with Felix having joined us for a month, not only were Betty and Felix playing dash and wrestling together, Betty sometimes would lick Felix as well.

 

We are thankful to the Lord for this arrangement, and firmly believe that Goldie is highly instrumental in making the transition a success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a follow up on our latest charitable drive - the 19kg of Blackhawk dry cat food was being donated to 癌症Kitty 貓狗屋.

 

 

 

 

Just for a change

In late January, Betty entered a competition with the aim to win 2 entrance tickets to the 2016 Pet Accessories Show in the Hong Kong Convention Exhibition Centre. We discovered about this opportunity close to the deadline, and surprisingly, we didn't do too bad either.

We were lucky enough to be able to choose our own prize during the Pet Accessories Show.

 

 

Contrary to our past practices, we decided to let the children keep the balls for their leisure.

 

We also made good use of the opportunity to fill our bags with goodies for the less fortunate children as well.

As an aside, Betty is pretty proficient in taking off her clothes, can she do so with her hat?

Betty's First Birthday Party

Betty celebrates her first birthday today! Unfortunately the video wasn't well taken as Goldie is afraid of fire and Betty doesn't know what is happening!!

Bonus videos

1) Betty first time able to roam freely - taken in April 2014

2) Betty mastering the stairs - taken in June 2014

 

 

 

3) Betty playing with the hanging toys - taken in June 2014

 

4) Betty playing with the Cuckoo toys - taken in November 2014

Betty's new phase in life

Part 1

 

 Part 2

Young and Ignorant

She is......

 

daring  ....... energetic

 

 

 

 

learns fast ......
and thinks...........

sometimes babyish.......

She is only a 5 month old kitten!!!