Sunday, July 24, 2016

the Marvinator celebrates a year of gotcha-dom!

This day last year was the day Marvin went from being a homeless cat to a rescued cat!

This was a photo from the day before he was trapped (he was in very rough shape):
July 23, 2015
 Thankfully, he went right in the trap like a good boy! 
July 24, 2015
It's been quite the year for him! He got some desperately needed medical care and went from 5 pounds to 7 pounds, a nice healthy weight for him. And in that year, his delightful personality landed him a cushy job! When he's feeling good, he accompanies me to work as my therapy cat - a role he seems to love.

Sadly though, his health continues to struggle, particularly his asthma. I've tried many treatments to get him to take his steroid (pill form, liquid, inhaler with Aerokat, etc.) but he's quite resistant (as in "no way in hell, it ain't gonna happen!") I tried building him a steroid inhaling chamber...


I loaded it with his favorite thing, nip in hopes it would make his time in the box more pleasant.


Even with the nip, he wasn't too thrilled about being in this box.

 After trying it for a number of times, it didn't seem to be making any difference in his asthma attacks.

The vet said we could try Depo-Medrol (long acting steroid injection). I was reluctant because this is really hard on his body, especially his already failing kidneys. But, I think we're in that phase where we are looking at quality of life now, even at the expense of longevity. The first shot did wonders, he was asthma symptom free for about 6-weeks. Then the asthma attacks came back. We tried it again and the second time it barely lasted 2-weeks. Sigh.

Moving on to the next thing, we got the steroid compounded into a cream that I smear in his ear every day. He hates having his ears touched but he tolerates it about a thousands times more than having his mouth touched. So, with a struggle, it's doable. After 10-days of treatment this way, there have only been slight improvements to his asthma attack symptoms. Will keep trying it for now.



Watching him gasp for air and being powerless to help him is a really awful feeling. There have been a few times where I was starting to really freak, gathering up the carrier ready for a frantic run across the alleyway to the 24-hour emergency vet. Thankfully, it hasn't come down to that yet. With him being so symptomatic, he's currently on medical leave from his therapy cat job, but sadly it's not looking promising that he'll be able to return.


Marvin loves to help out whatever you're doing.


Coloring is more fun (and challenging) with Marvin helping!


It's hard to think about losing the guy, he's such a delightful personality. He's the smallest cat I've known (only 7 pounds) but his personality and sound is huge! It's amazing so much personality and sound fits in such a tiny package! Oh, and there's a ton of cutes packed in there too!
 

As I contemplate Marvin's retirement from the workplace, I'm starting to prep my next therapy cat - Mr. Floofy himself, Nahum!


Nahum's undergoing a rigorous cuddle training regime.  It's hard work training to become a therapy cat, but everyday he gets more and more lovey.


Meanwhile, Marvin's sleeping away his Gotcha Day! 

Join with us in celebrating a wonderful year of gotcha-dom for a super-wonderful kitty - Marvin! He's such a joy and my heart is bursting with gratitude for getting to enjoy this delightful boy for an entire year! Here's to a year with the Marvinator!

14 comments:

  1. Aw..."Happy Gotcha-dom, Marvin" I hope you have many wonderful years ahead with your family. You remind me so much of my dear old Ed that looked about as bedraggled as you did your first day only to blossom into a beauty. xo

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  2. Happy Gotcha Day dearest Marvin. I am so glad you and your dad found one another. You life is filled to the top and running over with love. And I know you give that right back. <3

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  3. Happy Gotcha Day, Marvin! It's been such a blessing to you and to your biped that you were trapped, and we know that no matter the amount of time you have to live in your current body/form, you will be given all the love and care it's possible to give to another Being. Kitty kisses and hugs!

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  4. Marvin you are a special guy! Happy Gotcha Day!!

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  5. Happy gotcha day Marvin. Maybe he will feel better when the rains return in September clearing the air. Naham will be a great therapy cat I believe.

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  6. Oh Marvin, the before and after photos are stunning! Happy Gotcha Day, and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that the ear-rub stuff begins to work.

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  7. Happy Gotcha Day Marvin! I am sorry that his asthma is so bad, I am praying his meds will help more.

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  8. Happy Gotcha Day Mr. Marvin! This time of year is very tough on asthma kitties.

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  9. Happy Gotcha Marvin. No matters what happens the most important thing is the here and now and Marvin is so happy and so well loved.

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  10. Happy Gotcha Day, Marvin! You are quite the handsome cat. I hope your meds work and that your asthma lessens.

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  11. Happy Gotcha Day to both Marvin and you! I pray his asthma will subside. In the meantime, I know he is a happy boy who's enjoying being loved on and "helping" you in any way he can. Enjoy each day with this loving boy.

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  12. Marvin is beautiful! Have you tried getting his pills compounded into "treat" form? I give prednisolone to my in-house feral cat this way. The Cross River Pharmacy in Cross River, NY will ship the medication anywhere, I believe. Just have your vets office call in the RX. The phone number is 914-763-3152. My cat likes her "treats" extra beefy. Many pharmacies across the country are doing this for hard to medicate animals. Cross River can put just about any meds into treat form. They look like little mini hamburgers. They come in beef, fish or chicken flavors. Like I said, my cat prefers EXTRA beefy. I think the Extra helps disguise the prednisolone flavor. Good luck!

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  13. Happy Gotcha Day Marvinator! :) I truly hope you are around for your next one, and now your dad is going to do his absolute best by you. Whatever the future holds, it will holds fountains of love.

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