OK... time to re-think the term, "Koko-proof". That cat found gaps in the cover of the stroller that simply didn't exist. Time for more Velcro and additional inventiveness on my part. Gotta be smarter than the kitten - may not be easy.
She still isn't wild about the stroller and today I took her out along with the two dogs, Slim, an older mix-breed of about 60# and Polar Bear, (PB) a Samoyed mix of about 75#. They were on a double lead leash and it went pretty well - until Koko found the non-existent holes in the cover/netting and kept trying to get out. I finally got the pillow/padding wedged in her latest escape route and eventually she started panting, then grooming, then dozing. Not sure she is getting much out of these outings except frustration. I thought it was a good idea but apparently she doesn't. Will try a couple more times and see.
Her eye socket is still seeping but it doesn't seem to be doing it as much so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Meanwhile, my sibling, who lives in disgustingly sunny Florida, sent me some stuff for my birthday, among them a blanket one of her dogs had used. Slim and PB were VERY interested in that blanket as soon as it came out of the carton! But guess who stole it from them? You got it. Koko feels that is her blankie and she laid claim to it - at least for now. We'll see. Sis sent me a fantastic black hoodie that is fleece lined and gonna be perfect for animal 'strolls' in the fall. Thanks Sis! I also got a book from my sisters roommate which looks interesting, .
While sis and I were talking on the phone, PB, for the third time in as many weeks, started spazzing. He was sitting there looking at me and his whole upper body was vibrating/shaking like he had Cerebral Palsy! Scared me to death. I petted him and it stopped within a minute or two but that is something I am going to have to discuss with the vet cause I don't like it.
Time to feed and medicate the fur-babies so more later after I further Koko-proof the stroller.
Showing posts with label Koko. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Koko. Show all posts
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Koko and her stroller.................
Meanwhile, back at the house of Koko, I went on Craigs List and found a baby stroller. No, I have NOT had a child - of the human species anyway - I wanted a way to take Koko out and about and she does NOT do well on a leash unless I just follow her around. That doesn't accomplish much so decided to try another way....
Found a bike stroller - one of those you can use as a stroller and/or pull behind a bike - sized for two kids. It was was 1 hour away but I was going to Centerville, near Dayton, anyway so decided to call. She only wanted $25 and it is in very good shape so it was mine. Or it was Koko's anyway tho she didn't know it yet. Nice and big so she can stretch out and enjoy herself. It is all screened in, has a rain cover that folds up/down. has a little peek-a-boo screened window in the back, (I KNOW she can't see but I can see in and watch what she is doing!)
Let's just say the first stroll was not a relaxing experience. For Koko anyway. This was NOT a thing she liked. She wanted OUT! Went down a nearby dead-end street to visit friends (I bought them an umbrella stroller for their dog so what the heck) and on the way back she finally gave up and fell asleep.
Today we went out and she did OK for a while but then decided ENUFF ALREADY and became Hodini. So, when I got back I Koko-proofed the stroller. Glued lots of strong velcro around all the edges so she can't push out the screening, took out the seat belts for the two kids and sewed in a loop to attach her leash to. Flattened out the bottom and put in a large dog pillow that covers the whole thing. Tied one of her toys to the handle. Took her out for about a 1 mile walk and she pretty much gave up. Sat at the front screen with her nose working a mile a minute and only ocassionally meowed or scratched at the netting. Doesn't like it when a car goes by tho!
I think she will get used to it. Not sure if she will ever like it but it gives me a reason to go out and walk more so who cares whether she likes it or not right? I am the human after all.....
Meanwhile, her eye socket is still seeping and she has another 4 days of Amoxycillin. Then if it still seeps I will have to take her to another vet and see what they say..... I am worried about her.
Found a bike stroller - one of those you can use as a stroller and/or pull behind a bike - sized for two kids. It was was 1 hour away but I was going to Centerville, near Dayton, anyway so decided to call. She only wanted $25 and it is in very good shape so it was mine. Or it was Koko's anyway tho she didn't know it yet. Nice and big so she can stretch out and enjoy herself. It is all screened in, has a rain cover that folds up/down. has a little peek-a-boo screened window in the back, (I KNOW she can't see but I can see in and watch what she is doing!)
Let's just say the first stroll was not a relaxing experience. For Koko anyway. This was NOT a thing she liked. She wanted OUT! Went down a nearby dead-end street to visit friends (I bought them an umbrella stroller for their dog so what the heck) and on the way back she finally gave up and fell asleep.
Today we went out and she did OK for a while but then decided ENUFF ALREADY and became Hodini. So, when I got back I Koko-proofed the stroller. Glued lots of strong velcro around all the edges so she can't push out the screening, took out the seat belts for the two kids and sewed in a loop to attach her leash to. Flattened out the bottom and put in a large dog pillow that covers the whole thing. Tied one of her toys to the handle. Took her out for about a 1 mile walk and she pretty much gave up. Sat at the front screen with her nose working a mile a minute and only ocassionally meowed or scratched at the netting. Doesn't like it when a car goes by tho!
I think she will get used to it. Not sure if she will ever like it but it gives me a reason to go out and walk more so who cares whether she likes it or not right? I am the human after all.....
Meanwhile, her eye socket is still seeping and she has another 4 days of Amoxycillin. Then if it still seeps I will have to take her to another vet and see what they say..... I am worried about her.
Koko had her stitches removed and she got bad news......
Koko to vet to get stitches out yesterday, 10/4/11, and we found more seepage/infection in her right eye socket. My vet says she will not go back into either socket again as this was the 3rd time for the right one and 2nd for left. She says keep her on amoxycillin for one more week and if still that socket still shows seepage or if it appears to bother/irritate her to go to another vet for a second opinion as she is out of ideas. The stitches were surprisingly difficult to get out and even tho it should have caused her little or no pain she went ballistic and bit thru my thumb, scratched and clawed and howled and fought like a tiger! Once she got home and settled down she seemed to be feeling OK - altho I am worried about this eye socket and her continued sneezing, snorting and wheezing. I suspect she has feline herpes and it will be a constant issue with her. Need to be careful she isn't on Amoxy so much she develops a resistance to it. As for catnip - she is a mean drunk. She fights the older cats off and demands they leave HER catnip alone. She also instigates a lot of the 'cat fights' in the house and chases the other cats around. Makes them VERY angry. I may be raising a monster! More after she has been on the Amoxy another week and we see if we have to find the money to go to another vet for a second opinion......
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Koko the sightless feline - but don't tell her
Well, never having 'blogged' before, I figure the way to start is with Koko.
A black "Tuxedo" kitty was dumped with her siblings and found in the middle of the road in Adams County, Ohio. Her siblings died, all having massive 'gunkiness' - eyes, noses, even mouths filled with mucus. The person who rescued Koko called me because she is a 'dog person' and didn't have a clue what to do with this malnourished, flea infested, filthy, mucus covered teeny kitty. She gave her a flea bath (dog flea soap!) and tried to clean some of the mucus.
I already had 4 dogs and somewhere around 9 - 10 cats, but reluctantly agreed to meet the rescuer to pick up the nameless kitten.
As soon as I saw the scrawny thing I fell in love - but I didn't know if she would make it. She was probably about 4 weeks old and her whole face was a mass of dried mucus, yet as soon as I cuddled her she started purring. What can you do you know? The obvious: I took her home, boiled some water, let it cool, and used it with paper towels to clean her face. And I found bad news. One eye, her right one, was bulging and obviously causing her discomfort. It was sure to rupture - and soon. It was glazed and obviously sightless. The other eye wasn't swollen but didn't appear to have any sight and was constantly oozing.
I had picked her up on a Friday or Saturday and it was a holiday weekend. The 4th of July was that Monday. I fed her canned kitten food, kitten milk and 1.5 cc Amoxicillin 2x day and left a message for my veterinarian. The kitten had a good appetite, a great attitude and no fear. I kept her in the master bathroom on her own not knowing if she might have FeLV (Feline Leukemia), FIV, FIP or any of the other nasty, contagious things cats can have. She sure had bad upper respiratory problems which might mean Feline Herpes! (She has since tested negative for all and has had her full series of shots.)
First thing Tuesday morning, July 5, 2011, my vet (Dr. Beery,) called me back and I made arrangements to take her in immediately. Dr. Beery concurred the right eye was about ready to go and there was no sight in the left eye. Best bet was to surgically remove both immediately as it was doubtful she had ever had a chance to know what it was like to see and she would likely die otherwise. So it was done.
Meanwhile, I went home and searched my mind (rather short process) and then searched the internet (rather long process on dial-up) looking for names for the new kitty.
Koko was it. It is the American Indian (Blackfoot) word for 'night'; it is the name of the first gorilla to learn American Sign Language for the blind, and; Koko the gorilla, signed to her keepers - repeatedly - that she wanted a kitten - a REAL LIVE kitten - for Christmas. She got the kitten, adopted it and loved it and all the following kittens she had. Had to be the name for my new kitten however long she was with me.
Since then, Koko has memorized the house, made friends with all the other cats (well, except for a couple who aren't even friends with themselves let alone me, other cats or dogs!) and dogs, gets groomed by the 75# Samoyed, jumps onto and off of everything with no fear, and goes outside on a leash to chase leaves.
Her right eye kept seeping so back to the vet to have it opened, cleaned and re-sutured about 3 weeks after the initial surgery.
Then, last Saturday, 9/24/11, I took her to the Pet Health Day in Adams County cause she had problems with her ears and I didn't know if it was mites, (too gooey) a yeast infection or possibly a bacterial infection, each requiring a different treatment. (Kudos to Dr. Dan and crew at All Creatures Animal Hospital in Amelia, Ohio for this great thing they do!) I found she had a bacterial ear infection and her eye was seeping again! Medicine for her ears (she HATES IT!) was in order and another visit to my vet.
Back to my vet 9/27, where both eye sockets were opened again and further tissue removed, sockets irrigated and both re-sutured. She was still out of it when she came home that afternoon but by the next day was ready for action again.
So, Koko the wonder kitty, who doesn't know she should have had the chance to see, runs around the house that she owns, demands goodies from the human she owns and is absolutely amazing. I am going to take her to Tractor Supply (TSC) for my friends there to meet next week and let her choose some goodies as they all want to buy her something and play with her.
Stay tuned to hear how she handles catnip.......
A black "Tuxedo" kitty was dumped with her siblings and found in the middle of the road in Adams County, Ohio. Her siblings died, all having massive 'gunkiness' - eyes, noses, even mouths filled with mucus. The person who rescued Koko called me because she is a 'dog person' and didn't have a clue what to do with this malnourished, flea infested, filthy, mucus covered teeny kitty. She gave her a flea bath (dog flea soap!) and tried to clean some of the mucus.
I already had 4 dogs and somewhere around 9 - 10 cats, but reluctantly agreed to meet the rescuer to pick up the nameless kitten.
As soon as I saw the scrawny thing I fell in love - but I didn't know if she would make it. She was probably about 4 weeks old and her whole face was a mass of dried mucus, yet as soon as I cuddled her she started purring. What can you do you know? The obvious: I took her home, boiled some water, let it cool, and used it with paper towels to clean her face. And I found bad news. One eye, her right one, was bulging and obviously causing her discomfort. It was sure to rupture - and soon. It was glazed and obviously sightless. The other eye wasn't swollen but didn't appear to have any sight and was constantly oozing.
I had picked her up on a Friday or Saturday and it was a holiday weekend. The 4th of July was that Monday. I fed her canned kitten food, kitten milk and 1.5 cc Amoxicillin 2x day and left a message for my veterinarian. The kitten had a good appetite, a great attitude and no fear. I kept her in the master bathroom on her own not knowing if she might have FeLV (Feline Leukemia), FIV, FIP or any of the other nasty, contagious things cats can have. She sure had bad upper respiratory problems which might mean Feline Herpes! (She has since tested negative for all and has had her full series of shots.)
First thing Tuesday morning, July 5, 2011, my vet (Dr. Beery,) called me back and I made arrangements to take her in immediately. Dr. Beery concurred the right eye was about ready to go and there was no sight in the left eye. Best bet was to surgically remove both immediately as it was doubtful she had ever had a chance to know what it was like to see and she would likely die otherwise. So it was done.
Meanwhile, I went home and searched my mind (rather short process) and then searched the internet (rather long process on dial-up) looking for names for the new kitty.
Koko was it. It is the American Indian (Blackfoot) word for 'night'; it is the name of the first gorilla to learn American Sign Language for the blind, and; Koko the gorilla, signed to her keepers - repeatedly - that she wanted a kitten - a REAL LIVE kitten - for Christmas. She got the kitten, adopted it and loved it and all the following kittens she had. Had to be the name for my new kitten however long she was with me.
Since then, Koko has memorized the house, made friends with all the other cats (well, except for a couple who aren't even friends with themselves let alone me, other cats or dogs!) and dogs, gets groomed by the 75# Samoyed, jumps onto and off of everything with no fear, and goes outside on a leash to chase leaves.
Her right eye kept seeping so back to the vet to have it opened, cleaned and re-sutured about 3 weeks after the initial surgery.
Then, last Saturday, 9/24/11, I took her to the Pet Health Day in Adams County cause she had problems with her ears and I didn't know if it was mites, (too gooey) a yeast infection or possibly a bacterial infection, each requiring a different treatment. (Kudos to Dr. Dan and crew at All Creatures Animal Hospital in Amelia, Ohio for this great thing they do!) I found she had a bacterial ear infection and her eye was seeping again! Medicine for her ears (she HATES IT!) was in order and another visit to my vet.
Back to my vet 9/27, where both eye sockets were opened again and further tissue removed, sockets irrigated and both re-sutured. She was still out of it when she came home that afternoon but by the next day was ready for action again.
So, Koko the wonder kitty, who doesn't know she should have had the chance to see, runs around the house that she owns, demands goodies from the human she owns and is absolutely amazing. I am going to take her to Tractor Supply (TSC) for my friends there to meet next week and let her choose some goodies as they all want to buy her something and play with her.
Stay tuned to hear how she handles catnip.......
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