Contributing writer
By Jewel Gilbert, Editor
My tabby cat Mingus will be 19 on Valentine’s Day. That’s probably why the animal shelter named him Valentine. We changed his name to Mingus, but that’s another story.
My Goldendoodle, Emma, and Mingus. (Daniela Caride photo)
Mingus has had an easy life. Except for wellness exams, he probably hasn’t been to the vet more than six times. Lately, he’s been seeing the vet more often.
Even as an old man, Mingus is still beautiful but very fragile. His stomach is so sensitive, he yaks at least once a day — if he’s hungry or if I feed him something new, if the sun doesn’t shine, or if it does.
He is hyperthyroid and on medication, so some of the symptoms have abated. He doesn’t poop all over the house anymore. He has stopped losing weight. And his fur stays smooth and sleek, now that I finally have all the mats combed out.
Realizing Mingus is on the far end of the geriatric scale, we treasure him. My partner, Cheryl, and I hold him tenderly and let him sleep in his chosen place, between our pillows.
Cheryl has mild asthma and is allergic to Mingus. But she smiles contentedly when he settles in between us. And she manages.
A few nights ago, I gave Mingus hairball medicine. I didn’t want to risk him getting sick from a hairball stuck in his throat or belly. Big mistake.
I found out the hard way that Mingus can no longer absorb this malt-flavored petroleum catalyst that greases the works and pushes hairballs all the way through a cat to the litter box.
As soon as I fall asleep, Mingus wakes me, yowling. Again I fall asleep. Again I wake up to yowling. Then the vomiting starts. Then the diarrhea. On the rug. On the bath mat.
I follow him downstairs and watch as he poops, apparently painfully, in his box. While I’m dumping the contents into the toilet, he goes back to his box, standing in that awkward-cat-pooping position. But nothing comes out.
Is this it? I wonder. Has Mingus come to the end of his life? Maybe not. Finally, he calms down and follows me back upstairs.
I check the clock — 4:05 a.m. — and crawl into bed.
I’m still awake when Emma, who is having what we call a “big girl” night sleeping downstairs, comes upstairs and starts pacing.
I invite her to jump up on the bed, but she keeps walking around — the signal that all is not right with her tummy. Cheryl is awake, but Mingus is finally sleeping peacefully between the pillows. I don’t want to disturb him. Sighing, I slip out of bed and dress. Emma is coaxing me with her eyes. I take her out and walk her until she empties the contents of her distressed gut — one full bag of poop and another half bag.
Back in bed, exhausted, I look at the clock — 4:35 a.m. I tell Cheryl I’m done with pets. No more after these guys. I’m getting too old for this. Before I fall asleep, I make a mental note to make a vet appointment for Mingus when I get up.
In the morning, I sleep until 9:00 a.m. and wake up exhausted. Even before I have my coffee, I call the vet and make the appointment for Mingus. It’s time to check his T4 levels, which will ascertain whether or not he’s on the right level of medication to regulate his thyroid. Last night’s upset reminds me it’s time to do that. Emma seems fine.
The next day, Cheryl and I pack Emma and Mingus into the car and head off to the vet. The appointment goes well. It will be a few days before we get Mingus’ T4 values, but his weight is up a little, and he seems OK now. Emma has lost five pounds since her checkup in September, and the vet is pleased.
On the way home, Emma and Mingus are in the back seat, Emma looking out the window and Mingus in his carrier, probably praying to be home soon. Suddenly, Cheryl slams her brakes on — a defensive move against the driver in front of us who brakes for no reason and without warning. I hear the cat carrier roll forward.
Concerned about Mingus, who is already stressed enough, I whip around just in time to see Emma reach out with her paw to stabilize the carrier.
Did I say no more pets? That could not have been me. I will always have pets. I will always take care of them.
And they will take care of each other.
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I hear you, Jewel. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, too. It's Murphy's Law. My six pets start having problems at the same time. And then they get well and cuddle with me, and everything is fine again.
Yeah, they have a way of keeping our world in balance!
As do I…as tired and sometimes frustrating as the ups and downs, the sleepless nights can be, they are so worth it and leave such a gap when that friend has left you. Ask your vet about giving Mingas a tablespoon of plain pumpkin (no spices) to help his bowel problem. I love your Emma!
Thanks Christine. My vet already suggested the pumpkin and I tried it. Mingus looked at me like I was crazy. Emma lapped it up. The thyroid medication has done wonders for his appetite and his tummy. He still "yaks" regularly, but no more diarrhea and he hasn't been pooping on the floor.
Best, Jewel
Good to hear about this pumpkin thing. Will try on my five cats.
It is so true what you just told us, Jewel. With 8 at home and my Great Dane with Parrot Nose, I truly understand this momentary decision. Lucky us that it only lasts one minute or two! ;-))
So Emma kept the carrier in place–ingenius! I agree with the pumpkin–it's natural fiber and contains extra fluids, plus vitamins, especially those important Bs, and minerals, and it can be very soothing to the stomach. It's difficult to get a tablespoon into a cat, though. I'm not big on naming brands for foods, but my Peaches, also 19, has always had a touchy bowel and constipation problems–she came to me that way at age 15. She used to yak every day, too, just for fun. My Namir also had a constipation problem because he was in congestive heart failure and on a diuretic, which dries out everything while keeping excess fluid from building up around the heart. I tried everything with both of them, including pumpkin, fiber capsules, liquid supplements, even sub-Q fluids, which worked but was a little extreme, and anything else suggested or surmised. I actually found that Merrick varieties of canned food keeps things going. A few days off, and they'd both be constipated. I have no idea what is in the food, but it always worked for Namir and still does for Peaches. As I said, I'm not big on naming brands, but in this case it works. Give it a try and let me know if it works for Mingus the same way it does here!
My problem with Mingus has been the opposite…he never gets constipated. His stomach problems, side from the yakking, usually result in diarrhea. I have had really good luck with Authority (Petco's own brand). I feed Ming the lamb and rice variety only. For the first time in ages, he does not have diarrhea and is doing almost no yakking. Granted, he has a very old tummy, so I have to ignore his pleas for table food (chicken, tuna, etc.). All in all, I think the thyroid medication has done wonders and the lamb (highly recommended for animals with sensitive tummies) is helping. Old cats are a lot of work. It's a good thing they're also an incredible treasure!! Best regards, Jewel
That's really great news, Jewel. I was so happy to know he gained weight as well.
Awww what a l lovely story. How is Mingus, any updates at the vet? Sweet kitty. I have a tabby too – a mancat called Kip. I love my babies! You can meet them here: http://ihavecat.wordpress.com/the-cats/
And you should check out this blog I found called OLD CAT"S RULE
!http://oldcatsrule.wordpress.com/
T
Your cats are so cute! And I love the pictures — very imaginative. Mingus' last blood test showed he is on the exactly right dose of meds. His thyroid is in the center of the normal range (2.8). The old boy is eatingup a storm and seems to be quite enjoying his senior years now.
That's really great news, Jewel. I was so happy to know Mingus gained weight as well.
After reading this story i had tears in my eyes. Having been around dogs and cats literally my entire life, they really do become a part of the family, you are willing to do just about anything for them. and no matter the trials you go through with them, even when they pass on, we always long for that wagging tail or soft purring in our lives. They really are a blessing :) Best regards!
I totally agree, Nikha! You put it so well.
:-)