There something wrong with the wee man of the house. I may have alluded to it before, or wrote in all caps about the YOWLING FOR FOOD, the soul-crushing wailing that makes an appearance at 3, 4, 5, 5:30, and 6 am. Bug wants to eat all the time. Short of filming him, or documenting the frequency with which he begs for food, I understand it seems like exaggeration. Trust though that he will eat a quarter cup of kibble and be under the coffee table half an hour later, having ironically mastered the sad puppy eye, begging with a strong voice as if survival depended on it. I’m now convinced that he thinks it does. His demands began as something rather irritating, a claw to my nostril in the middle of the night. A call to action. Over the past five months, this routine has grown into something unmanageable. I cannot function after a night during which I’ve been up six times. Bug’s quality of life has clearly been diminished; I don’t care who or what you are, if you’re constantly worried about where your next meal will come from, there can be no peace in the present.
I took him to the vet yesterday and all worry was confirmed. He’s lost three pounds in the past two years. That’s a quarter of his body weight gone, a change I believe has happened primarily over the past six months. Contrary to my top life wish, turns out eating constantly and losing weight isn’t an ideal state of being. So the vet palpated and prodded every inch of his 10-pound body while Bug crawled steadily up the technician’s breasts and shoulders, searching for any escape from the white-coated menace. They took blood and urine samples, the latter of which I don’t even want to think about obtaining. They also gave me a small vial for a stool sample; guess who gets to hover over the litter box for her MLK Day of Service? Soon we shall know if it’s a thyroid condition or liver disease or – for the win! – diabetes! Because CLEARLY. Having a limb removed and hopping around forevermore is not enough for one cat’s lifetime. I’m really sorry, buddy.
The good news? This kitty gets to eat ANYTHING HE WANTS until his diagnosis comes in. Yes, my friends, since our return from the vet, Buggles McScarfsalot has eaten no less than the following:
• Two full cups of Tuna/Salmon flavored kibble
• Four slices of smoked ham
• Two slices of turkey
• A wedge of Light Original Swiss Laughing Cow Cheese
• Four Canadian Geese we picked up on the Parkway
Ok. Maybe not the last of those, but the kid’s doing all right for himself.
Results will be in Monday or Tuesday. Until then, I’ll be watching the litter box and keeping Cricket and my frozen pizzas safe in another room.
(Many frozen pizzas and my case of Easy Cheese are on their way to Nathan; many thanks for your persistence in helping me get pics centered around here.)
15 Comments
That sounds like a thyroid situation. My cat Ted had the same thing. We took him to a place called Radio Cat and it seemed to totally cure him. I hope it’s not one of the other two – those are far more serious.
This was so well written! Thank you for sharing! I hope everything turns out OK for Bug. I have a 16 year old Jack Russell Terrier that I worry about daily, constantly wringing my hands if she happens to ignore her food one day, then devour it and beg for more the next. Hopefully, you’ll get some medication to fix the problem and he’ll be back to normal soon!
I am new to the “blogosphere” and have just found your site. I think you’re a great writer and I hope I can make my blog as entertaining and thoughtful as yours! I’ll keep my fingers crossed, good luck with the vet!
Hope he’s OK!
Good luck to you and Bug! He looks so much like my Otis it’s startling. I hope it can be fixed with medication (that you don’t have to shove down his throat or poke in him… do they make one delivered by magic wand?)
GREAT picture. cool bokeh :)
I’ll keep the Bug in my thoughts…. I’ve had some kitty issues around here lately so I’m hoping for the best.
Awwww. One of my parents’ cats has the same thing… thyroid. Sigh.
Hope it’s nothing as serious!
I have a 14 year old kitty who seems to be going the same way. I grew up on a cattle ranch – my pets didn’t grow to be old back in the day (yeah, I know, we were hicks). But I find that them growing old and dealing with them as sweet geriatrics is hard too. I think I need a parrot.
I hope Bug ends up being ok in the long run; perhaps he’s been doing a quarter marathon in the times you’ve been gone? Poor thing could just be bulking up for the big race.
And…you’re welcome, although I see that Internet Explorer works now but Firefox fails to center. Back to the drawing board on that one, I shall not fail! Will be in contact soon with more mysterious potions to be poured into the apple of your choice.
Pet health issues terrify me. I hope Bug is OK!
I too am a cat lover/owner/ slave… and have had to deal with an older kitty. It’s hard, but worth it. Good luck with Bug. Hugs to you.
send him over to my house. NO ONE ESCAPES WITHOUT AT LEAST A 20LB WEIGHT GAIN!!!
Poor Bug! I hope the results find something easily treatable. We’ve lived through diabetes and hyper- and hypo-thyroidism in our household and all were easily manageable. If I can do anything AT ALL, let me know – just an email or txt away.
I LOVE reading about Bug – that is the sweet face I used to know and love. My thoughts are with you and Bug. One of his prior indoor siblings has lost 3 pounds in the last 4 months and was diagnosed last week with diabetes. So far hanging just outside the range for insulin. Annoying though because he won’t eat and is likely dropping weight as we speak. I hope it ends up being clearer and easily treatable with sweet Bug. :)
keeping your bug in my thoughts!
Aw, Kelly. So good to see you here! I’m sorry to hear about one of your kids. Keep me posted and I’ll let you know what we find out about Buggles Magee — I called the vet on Friday and expect to hear back Monday.