Good bye 2023!

Comparatively speaking, I would say 2023 is a relatively calm year for our family. Being a lone ranger, I no longer have to worry about my parents, though I still miss them both dearly at times! I took up volunteer work for 2 mornings per week, mainly assuming some clerical jobs. Its boring at times, but at least could keep my "brain" (if there's any) functioning and come in touch with more people. 

Overall, the cats are in "decent" conditions:

- Betty, though unfortunately had been diagnosed with IBD and pancreatitis in 7/23. There were some teething problem with medications during the first month but by and large, she was sailing pretty smoothly.  She had already recovered from pancreatitis and just another step before her gastro system could be claimed returning to normal. 

Being a very obedient and understanding child, she compiled with the straight ID diet throughout the day and runs until now. Though at times, she might play "loss of appetite" when comes to eating dry food, just a grain of Bonito would make her open up and start eating. Don't know whether its she who could be easily fooled, or that I'm the one being fooled? Anyway, keeping happy and gaining weight (4.4kg - her record high and 15% higher than when she first fall sick) is good enough.

Just hope that Betty will continue to recover and could return to her low phosphorous meals in 2024!

                                                 

- Felix, though there were some minor hiccups, had at least been staying OUT of hospital for the whole year for a change! Felix eats well, and had gained weight this year. We are now working hard to control his body weight as he had loose interest in exercising since taking Steroid. 

I just pray that Felix would live a happy "normal" life henceforth. 

- Stella, grew up fast. She's very energetic, but when you hold her, she's like a HEAVY caterpillar - soft and wiggly..... haha. She had comfortably master all those trades from her "siblings". These include manoeuvring up and down the cat tree at ease, hunting (sneak behind and jump onto the prey), the golden handshake and "catch and fetch". You might wonder whether she's dog instead of a cat?

She had her maiden cat show and the result far exceeded our expectations. Though she was tense when in the rings, she was pretty relaxed behind the scene - able to eat and sleep. She seemed to enjoy the limelight, especially when having her pictures taken. 

In the coming year, Stella still have a lot to learn and improve discipline wise, for the very least, as I hope she can over time be transformed into a "real lady" rather than be a tomboy?! 

We would like to sincerely wish all our friends and their loved ones, 

Happy Festive Season & Joyous 2024!

Can you spot Felix's broad range of expressions from the above 3 photos? Haha

Stella's maiden cat show

Stella made her debut in the FFF (Feline Fanciers' Federation) Cat Show in Emax on 19th November 2023. Its an eye opening experience for her. As expected, the bright and noisy surrounding made her a bit tense. However, her daring and curious character enabled her to adapt well - not afraid of being put in cages, being examined by strangers, big wandering eyes busily taking note of the surrounding. 

Her efforts paid off handsomely, ending the day with a total of 13 rosettes:

Ring 1: All Breed - 4th Best Premier

             Long Hair Premier - Best Champion

             All Breed Premier - 2nd Best Champion

Ring 2: All Breed - 2nd Best Premier

             Long Hair Premier - Best Champion

             All Breed Premier - Best Champion

Ring 3: All Breed - 3rd Best Premier

             Long Hair Premier - Best Champion

             All Breed Premier - 2nd Best Champion

Ring 4: Long Hair Best Premier

             Long Hair Premier - Best Champion

 Overall - Best Head

              - Highest Scoring Premier

Stella also earned the title of Grand Premier in one show. 

Official results as follows:

Despite the serious competition, behind the scene, Stella seemed pretty at home. She took a few brief nap, ate some dry food and enjoyed a massage later in the day.

Overall, is Stella happy with her achievements?

We were thrilled to meet Ellie, Stella's younger sister (10 months younger, same father and mother).

Ellie staged a remarkable performance, as she was crowned FFF Queen for this event. i.e. she is the highest scoring female cat. She also earned the tile of Grand Kitten in one show as well. 

For 2023 as a whole, despite having only joined one competition, Stella was the 10th Regional Winner.

Goldie, the 2 year old angel

 Goldie, my loving daughter:

Though you are a 2 year old angel today, memories of your final moments are still very clear and fresh in my mind. Though there are no more running tears, the heart still ache and I would occasionally call your name by mistake. 

Unfortunately I have not met you in my dreams, but Auntie R has. She said you came back in a pet stroller. When you reached our door, you just jumped out lightly and took a leisurely tour around the house. When auntie told me that, she had pride and joy in her face!

Also, during a recent animal communication session, Betty was asked about your visit. Betty said you came back and told her to be good and listen to our advise. But naughty Betty was a bit hesitant, as she wants to do it her way and be happy.... haha

Goldie dear, just continue with your current mission and enjoy! Do drop by whenever you feel like it for our door is always open! Miss you and love you now and forever!

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!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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!

 

Happy MId-Autumn Festival

 中秋節快樂🎑

This year, the kids experienced for themselves what is lantern and having their photos taken largely in darkness. They were not afraid and managed to stay put for a while. Thanks to Cat Lam for the rainbow color Rabbit.

As an aside, 2 interesting scenes arise during the photo taking sessions:

Stella performed 「常餓」奔🌕

Typhoon Saola

Typhoon Saola came in strong, but with lots of warning and preparation by the current government, Hong Kong is lucky to suffer limited damages.

Because typhoon signal #8 was hoisted in early Friday (1st Sept), I had the chance to really see for myself how things changed throughout the day. Before arrival of the eye of the storm, the weather was fairly pleasant - light breeze, cloudy, occasional light shower. The change took place in the evening. It turned windy at around 6pm for which the typhoon signal was changed to #9. Raised to #10 at around 8.30pm, when the storm changed its direction. Rain poured, wind was very forceful and bang against the window, ventilators were churning wild. Within 15minutes, the windmill in the balcony was broken and fell to the street. We let the cats go out individually for a walk in the balcony to experience the occasion. By around mid-night, things turned quiet and peaceful again. 

Below are videos for a laugh

Medley

 No special theme for this month.

Sleeping beauties

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