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Newt’s Another Year Older

Newt is Now 9 Years Old!

How does that old song go? Another day older and deeper in debt? Only in this case, it’s another YEAR older!

Another Year Older

Yes, that’s right. Everybody’s favorite Spotted Schnookums had yet ANOTHER birthday, and there was much rejoicing – and ice cream and key lime pie – in Newtopia. Our “he’s probably going to die any day” kitten is now nine years old and officially a senior cat. Can you believe it?!

In looking back over Newt’s blog, I am dumbfounded to see how long it’s been since the last update. How is this possible? (I coulda sworn it had only been a couple of weeks – months, at most!) We’ve had some ups and downs during the last year. Sadly we lost a couple more family members, and Newt has had some more issues with urinary obstructions. Needless to say, he’s being monitored even more closely than before – and I thought that would be impossible!

His liver shunt cat support group is still going strong, and that is where the bulk of my online time usually goes. My current goal is to try and maybe back fill some posts with some of the brighter spots over the last year. (Am still holding a grudge about being forced to switch over to this new platform, but I will try and do better about giving more frequent updates. Y’all know how I have always been a reluctant blogger LOL)

Newt is Now Eight Years Old!

Am thrilled to report it’s that time again – yup; Newt’s birthday is today. He is now eight years old! Hard to believe that the runty, dirty, little kitty baby who was “going to die any day” is now approaching middle age. 🙂

Liver shunts in cats are rare; successful medical management is even rarer – or so we’ve been told. We are personally aware of hundreds of parents around the world (many of whom are in Newt’s support group) who are successfully managing their kitty ’s liver shunts. Many thanks to each of you who are sharing our journey with our Little Lion, and sharing Hope for other liver shunt cats.

Together, we ARE making a difference.

Big hugs, and many thanks.

PS – Newt says “send more ice cream !

Vet Check Up

Newt had his annual check up this past Tuesday. Apparently the whole clinic was cooing and ahhhing over him – not just the vets and techs, but people in the waiting room.

His blood work showed an elevation in his liver enzymes from last year. Not a huge increase, but big enough that we are going to consider milk thistle seed extract for additional hepatic support. Several other liver shunt cat parents have had very good luck with milk thistle for their PSS kitties.

We are SO lucky with our little liver shunt cat. We have progressed from the very early days where it almost seemed as if the vet clinic had a revolving door, to now, where he mostly has a yearly check up, just like a “normal” cat.

Vet was very pleased; said he looks great! Cat Daddy explained Newt wasn’t looking quite as spiffy as usual, as he’s had mild episodes off and on the last few days (change of season, so, not out of the norm for him). So, great news that even on a not-quite normal day, he looked normal.

Bonus in that for the first time ever, really, he ACTED like a “normal” cat at the vet. (Yeah, ok fine, no such thing as “normal cat” LOL but Newt has historically been abnormally calm and unfazed through all and sundry). Apparently this time, he began using the most uncivilized language upon entering the clinic, hid under the chair in the exam room, then hid in Cat Daddy’s lap during the exam, and when they took him back to draw blood, express anal glands, etc., he continually invoked the most strident string of curse-filled feline objections ever.

::sniff:: My little boy is growing up!

Throwback Thursday – Hope

OK guys, ended up with an accidental Throwback Thursday post!

Think I need a group hug. Don’t fret, Newt is FINE. I’m just getting a bit snively and emotional, after looking at his original vet records for the first time in what seems like years.

Was told that he was probably going to die any day, and to just keep him comfortable, so this is nothing new. But reading the discharge papers with the words “poor prognosis” really is taking my breath away.

I remember how stunned we were, and how desperate we were for information and for … Hope. And now, six years later, our tiny Little Lion is a sleek and spoiled older Little Lion?

It seems unbelievable.

So much gratitude to everyone who has joined us on this journey, both from the earliest days to the most recent. Each of you is so important. Each of your sharing your stories of Hope with your own liver shunt kitties is such a beacon of Hope.

Together, we ARE making a difference.

Oops, gotta go, my “poor prognosis” puddy tat needs belly snorgles!

If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It, Part 342

Well, well, well.

After much frustration, teeth gnashing, and whining (OMG, the WHINING), I finally closed my eyes and pushed the import button.

Once I FOUND it, that is.

I am stunned by the seemingly effortless transfer of what appears, at first glance, to have been a total import of all the posts, pics, comments, etc., of my little blog about our little liver shunt cat named Newt.

Long-time readers may remember my whining about “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It” over the years. I used to be quite the tumbleweed, happy to roll with the winds., Change came easily, and was welcomed with wild abandon. Alas, age has brought a certain degree of caution, which has been compounded by additional layers of caution with ANYTHING to do with our little Spotted Schnookums. Not that I’m superstitious or anything, mind you (remind me to tell you about my recent Friday the 13th Full Moon Adventure).

But … if it’s working, don’t risk it! Something Might Happen …

Well, it appears something DID happen! This whole import thing suddenly and mysteriously worked, after more than a month of wailing, whining, researching and complaining. Fingers crossed, and much cross-checking in process. However, it appears that THIS change may be for the better. If the interface is faster and easier to use, well then perhaps the ongoing excuses of why it’s been such a challenge to blog may actually decrease, and posts may actually … dare I say, increase?!

I won’t hold my breath, but … we’ll see. 🙂

Time Keeps on Slippin’ Slippin’ into the Future

Wow, where has the time gone?

Can’t believe that everyone’s favorite little Spotted Schnookums is another year older, and even more adorable than ever. He recently turned six years old – can you believe it?!

Can’t believe the last few months have zoomed past in such a blur. It’s been rather a rough winter here in Newtopia. Luckily, Newt has taken it all in stride. I, on the other hand, could take some lessons from him! Am trying – certainly doing my best to nap in the sunshine whenever possible hee hee hee

Lots to report, so may try and back-fill some posts to give you a glimpse at what’s been going on here in Newtopia. Main thing is to just let you all know that Newt is doing well, and we are so thankful and celebrate every day that he continues to not only survive, but thrive. Like so many other liver shunt cats around the world, he continues to astound his vets, and enrich our lives.

So many now are living proof that there is Hope for liver shunt cats!

Bunny Snax

I was just reminded again why Newt will not be getting his very own bunny rabbit.

He’s been doing very well. Like so many other parents of liver shunt cats, we marvel each day that he is enjoying his normal, happy life. And while he might think his life would be happier with a pet rabbit, the answer is a definite “no!”

You see, I’ve been engaging in a bit of self-care, and relaxing in the fresh air with my antique spinning wheel. Have been enjoying the reasonable temperatures by sitting out in the yard with The Dog and the spinning wheel, enjoying my first attempt at spinning angora rabbit fiber. Oh, my goodness. It’s soft, it’s squishy, it’s fun to spin! (And seeing how angora rabbits must be either plucked or clipped as a routine part of their grooming, it is guilt-free fiber, in my mind. Am doing that bunny a FAVOR, right?)

Have completed one bobbin, and am debating about spinning a second bobbin to ply with the first, or ply with a contrasting cotton thread. Am not a huge fan of brown, and the white is softer anyway.

But seeing how I have almost an equal amount remaining, perhaps I should ply it on itself, to make it doubly squishalicious?

Newt, on the other hand, seems to think angora is simply delicious. He is THRILLED with the angora. Or, at least he was – until I yanked his head, neck and upper body out
of the little bag, and ripped the fur out of his tightly clenched teeth, with
him all wall-eyed, growling and doing his “Little Lion, Mighty Hunter” schtick.

Guess this proves we definitely won’t be getting him his own bunny!

Chill of an Early Fall?

Yesterday morning, while gulping coffee and gazing out the window, I was subconsciously aware that Something Was Not Quite Right, but couldn’t quite figure out what.

Took me a few minutes to realize that the neighbor’s tree has already begun shedding its leaves, and what remain are already turning colors.

What?! It’s only early summer … mid-summer … ok fine, LATE summer. But still! Leaves changing color already?! Where did the rest of the year go?

I suppose my first clue should have been Newt.

For a couple of weeks now, he’s been quietly insistent on regularly burrowing under the down comforter next to me, instead of just sleeping on it. And last night, he was most pathetic, trying to root and nest under it, until I took pity and arranged him a little Newt-shaped cocoon where he could burrow until I relented and joined him.

It’s still pretty warm and muggy, but the temperatures have not been nearly so yucky as they usually seem for August in DC.

Like so many other liver shunt cats, Newt seems to often be a furry little heat-seeking missile. I do have to wonder if his recent insistence on stealing my covers indicates an early Fall, and possibly hard winter.

If it does, should I start the Newt Almanac? Think it could give the Farmers’ Almanac a run for its money?

Cat Liver Shunts

When new acquaintances ask about Newt, I try to give them my “elevator speech” (the quick, 30-second overview), and not overwhelm them with too many of the details which are routine to us, but might be mind-boggling for others.

So, here’s my personal version of the quick and dirty on liver shunts in cats:

A liver shunt is a condition where the blood is not properly purified, because it bypasses the liver. As a result, toxins can accumulate and cause “Very Bad Things” to happen. Liver shunts are even more rare in cats than in dogs, affecting approximately 1 in every 10,000 cats. However, there is Hope – many cats with liver shunts are able to live normal, happy lives!

Okay, that was one floor; if they haven’t gotten out of the elevator yet, and want more info, the next part goes like this:

A liver shunt may also be known as a portosystemic shunt (PSS), and be intra-hepatic, extra-hepatic, or some combination of both. Treatment options include surgery and/or medical management, using a combination of diet and medicine. More studies and statistics are available on surgical options, but we are now seeing more anecdotal evidence regarding successful medical management, both pre-operative, and in lieu of, surgical correction, as with our Newt.

Is the listener still on the elevator with me, or are they planning to jump out whether or not the next floor is theirs?

The “Very Bad Things” that can happen are a result of Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE), where the toxins have accumulated and start causing problems. Depending on the severity of the HE episode, signs can include, but are not limited to, lethargy, circling, head-pressing, drooling, blindness, seizures, and neurological impairments. However, many owners are able to control/minimize these episodes in their liver shunt cats through a combination of diet, medication, and/or surgery.

Which takes us back to the first (and most important) part of the whole elevator speech, which is simply …

“Cats with liver shunts – there is Hope.”

All Quiet in Newtopia

Quick hello! Not much to report on Newt; he’s doing very well.

Yesterday’s “excitement” consisted of him demanding snuggles while I was at the computer trying to catch up on his emails. He fell asleep in my arms which were leaned on my desk, and I fell asleep while I was kissing his little head. Cat Daddy woke us up laughing at the adorable sight.

After that rude awakening, Newt had a long bath, (complete with cleaning my chin), then we once again fell asleep in the same position, til Cat Daddy made us go nap on the couch.

At 9PM.

Hey, at least I was engaging in a bit of self-care, and getting some rest, right?!