She's not 100%, but she's better. The vet actually thinks that she might have passed one or more of the kidney stones that were collected in her undersized kidneys. She has to stay on the same meds, eat the special diet and get her sub-Q fluids, but so wonderful to know that something is working.
The bad news is that the little stinker is doing an obsessive-compulsive grooming thing. She's got a bald strip on her leg that I've been putting super stinky stuff on, but not sure that's helping. Furthermore, I think she might have started a new bald patch on the other leg. Gack. Furthermore, she's now way too jittery and running anytime she thinks I might scoop her up to put the stinky stuff on. Which probably adds to her nervous state which feeds the obsessive grooming...
Slither Eek Boo will look much better longarm machine quilted by Natalie instead of my freehand fans hand quilting (which really wasn't adding anything to it), so I've started ripping all my work out. I've already put so much time into it, but still had soooo much more to do that in the end it wasn't that hard of a decision.
It's been making me cranky not having a quilt that I really wanted to hand quilt on. So I got an old unfinished top out and put a border on it. Anyone with a good memory know which quilt this is?
Ever since see Silly Boo Dilly's quilting with the Sulky Blendables 12 wt thread I have wanted to try it. This quilt is the perfect opportunity. I wanted something thicker than regular quilting thread, yet more colorful and not so thick as perle cotton size 8.
I love it. I picked Sunset which goes from yellow to orange - but isn't too high contrast. I'm using a size 8 Between needle and taking bigger stitches than I usually do. Love how it looks and the quilting goes faster that way. I'm going to try doubling the thread and see how that goes.
I spent much of yesterday hand quilting and it felt so soothing. I really needed it back in my life again.
33 comments:
Phenomenal Pokey news! Do some gentle cat massage on her in a relaxed state of mind and slowly pull her jitters out.It works... and they love it. Better than cat valium!
It looks great! love the colors in this quilt Tonya! Love that orange purple pink combo...
cute pokey!
Love that Sulky Blendables! I'm still not at the point where hand quilting is soothing, but I'll always enjoy looking at it!
Going to bore you with a cat story:
One of our cats has done that to herself, licked bald spots. Lately she has eased up and it has gotten better. Talking about it the other day my husband and I realized, she started over grooming when our son's voice changed. Now you need to understand that this cat thinks the sun rises & sets by "her boy". We think his voice changing was so upsetting to her that this is what caused the over grooming.
Our vet also recommended dosing her with Prozac (for real, they'll prescribe it for kitties!) to help with the over grooming.
I love that quilt. It kind of looks like a quilt I would make. Great job. I have not hand quilted in awhile, but I do remember the soothing part. U are inspirational!!
Fantastic news about Pokey. My siamese, Merlin, had some health issues after we moved from France to California. After a year of many trips to the vet, he mysteriously became a healthy cat again and lived a long, happy cat life.
Great Pokey update. Izzy my 3 legged diva is an aggressive groomer. She goes through bouts of it and just when I think she's better, she starts up again. Obsessive grooming can be a bummer sigh*
That is wonderful news, Pokey Baby, and you are just as beautiful as ever. To Pokey's human: that obsessive cat behavior can drive one mad.
What a bright and happy quilt! It should light up every room. And the cat is so sweet, hope she will be okay very soon.
Purr fect news about Pokey!! Maybe he needs you to start hand quilting so he can snuggle under it:) Funny what our kitties worry about and get themselves agitated.
I admire that cat, Pokey! What a fighter. Since she has overcome all else she will overcome this too. I have faith.
Love the quilt and the hand quilting.
I agree with Barbara. I hope Pokey can find a calmness again. He has managed alot this year. You are a great cat mom!
I am so happy to hear about Pokey, I have been thinking about her!
Thanks for keeping us informed.
Yay for Pokey! I have no advice on the grooming but hope it eases up.
Love the quilt you're working on. I am great at big stitching--but not so much on the finer work. Ahem.
Have fun!
I sure am happy to hear the good news on Pokey. I hope she continues to improve.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
So glad your girl is on the mend, it must be a huge relief for you. My MIL's cat over-grooms when he is stressed, the vet told her to wash him. Strangely enough it seems to work. She doesnt put anything on his skin, just bathes him in a baby shampoo.
That quilt is just lovely, the colours remind me of fresh strawberries,their green stalks and cream :D
Glad your kitty is improving. I had a dog that was licking his front legs all the time and we sprayed bitter apple on them and it took care of it. I don't know if it would work on a cat but might be worth a try.
Love the quilt!!!
Funny you should say that about the #12 Perle cotton.....that is what I am using on one of challenge quilts....its really fun and I just love freestyle quilting as well as piecing.....I may add some more patterned quilting but for now this is just pure fun and relaxation.
Happy Sewing with your sweet Pokey at your side.
I love that quilt! I am so happy to hear Pokey is doing well. Her eyes are gorgeous
Wonderful news about Pokey! Have you considered a product called Feliway? I haven't used it, but it gets good reviews from cat owners. It's a product that comes in either spray or diffuser form and is supposed to help calm cats.
SO glad Pokey is doing better. That picture is AMAZING. Your quilting is gorgeous. Oooo...those colors!
Lucy (in IN)
Is that a crumb quilt from way back when you and Bonnie had a quilting marathon?
The Sulky Blendables does look very nice, and great Pokey news!
Glad to hear the good news about Pokey; sorry about the bald spot(s).
Really liked the part about Sulky thread. I have been using Perle cotton #8, but sometimes it is too much. What a great idea. Will love seeing it doubled. Opens a whole new area of inspiration. Bonnie
Hi,
I just popped in to see how Pokey was doing and am so glad to hear Pokey is doing O K.
Fern
Yayyyyyy Pokey! Such good news!
I will vouch for the effectiveness of the Feliway diffuser for stressed out cats -- my boy Jake was a stress magnet, and it usually manifested itself in urinary tract issues. I have used the Feliway for years, and he has just done amazingly on it. They also recommended Prozac for him at one point, but I couldn't quite deal with that notion. (but I know cats who have been helped by it!)
will she play, like with a cat fishing toy? If so, every time you see her groom, try to get her to play instead. And try to get her to play enough that she is tired! Add new stuff ( if she likes toys, or boxes, or whatever to keep her mentally challenged- this was all the advice I got with my (whisper) dog and it helped a lot. Good luck, glad it is working otherwise.
Pokey I'm so happy for you! Rusty had the same little grooming problem. The vet said he needed more love and attention. My husband asked if there were more hours in a day available. Apparently he feels Rusty gets me 24/7. We did make a conscience effort to talk to him more, cuddle him, and pet him more. It worked! Rusty's fur is growing back. So double your love and attention!
I'm glad to hear that Pokey is doing better. I'm a lurker and have read your blog for about a year now. I have a female cat who got stressed out after being in an emergency vet for 4 days (5 years ago) and she has completely licked all her hair off of her legs, stomach, thighs and base of her tail. We used to fuss with her all the time and it just made matters worse. So it's not pretty but she's happy.
I am so glad Pokey's numbers are looking better. Hand quilting really soothes my feathers too...just so relaxing. Very pretty project you are quilting on!
That's wonderful news about Pokey!!
Yeah for Pokey!!
glad your cat is doing great, my cay started to lick herself hairless and red raw, the vet gave her an injection of steroids and she stopped for about a month, she got another injection and stopped again, so far she hasn't done it again and that was 5 years ago.
All that licking must be painful, best of luck with your darling pokey.
My siamese cat did the over-grooming thing for awhile. The vet suggested a change in food. I put him on Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and the over-grooming stopped. Might not work with Poke's other issues, but thought I'd mention it.
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