"But, really, why does anyone create? You feel a... a restlessness inside, a need to make something new, something no one has ever seen before. You want to add to the beauty and the richness of the world with a gift, an offering that is uniquely yours. It's an act of selfishness and generosity, all rolled into one."

-- Bruce Coville,
The Last Hunt

Saturday, January 18, 2014

TIAS Day 5, and Squijum Update

Here's day 5 of the TIAS.


This bit seems to have similar shapes to the first segment, but coming at it from a different direction. I really have no ideas at this point, although I will say that I think the best suggestion so far is a sailboat; days 1-4 made one side of the sail, we've now started on the other side, and the mast will join up between them. But Jane says we're not even halfway through yet, so a lot could change.

As for Squijum, I honestly don't know whether he's getting better or worse. On the one hand, the huge bald patch on his back is starting to re-grow some hair, at least in parts of it. On the other hand, I've found some new patches on his legs. So I took him back to the vet on Thursday, and we've started him on cyclosporine, an immune suppressant. Unlike that fatty acid supplement, this is a "real" medication, so it's important that he get the full dose every day. This means I have no choice but to hold him down and force it into his mouth, which is not fun for either of us, although of course he gets a treat afterwards. The fatty acid is still working OK in the yogurt.

He went through several days where he was very withdrawn. He would just stay in one of his hidey-holes all day and not come out for cuddles or playtime, although he was still eating normally. He would let me come and pet him, and would even purr and lick my hand, but he wouldn't come out and sit on my lap or show any interest in his toys. Happily, this has passed and he is back to his usual self.

I really hope the cyclosporine works and he can stop being itchy all the time. I also really hope he doesn't have to be on it forever.

And now he is agitating for his dinner, so I had best sign off and go fetch it.

5 comments:

  1. I hope he doesn't have a tiny mite, to where just that nice clove oil mixture bath stuff would relieve the suffering. My other dog had a little problem years ago and that cleared it up we got it at pet smart I wish I could remember the name!

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    1. At this point we're still thinking allergies because the vet says his pattern of hair loss is completely typical of an environmental allergy and nothing else. But of course if the current meds don't work, then we'll start looking at other possibilities, and mites are one of them. She would have to sedate him and take a skin sample to examine under the microscope, and possibly even biopsy, to diagnose mites because they're so small. Right now we're just trying to eliminate possibilities one at a time.

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  2. Most cats are lactose intolerant. Perhaps the yogurt is contributing to his allergy issues

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  3. Fingers crossed for the baby to get better soon--having a sick pet is the worst!

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