Chunky Health News

It’s been a hard couple of weeks. 

Last Tuesday, Chunky had his appointment with an Internist for an abdominal ultrasound. If you may recall, Chunky was experiencing chronic vomiting so his primary vet recommended the ultrasound to try to figure out what was going on.

The ultrasound showed two things: Chunky’s lymph nodes are enlarged and the lining of his small intestines is thicker than it should be. The Internist recommended a biopsy, which of course I authorized because I needed to know what was wrong with my cat.

For two days I was on pins and needles, waiting for the results to come in. When the Internist finally did call me, it was with the worst news possible: there was evidence of cancer.

It wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I cried so many times since then that I don’t know if I have any tears left. The idea of Chunky having cancer seemed ludicrous. How can my furbaby have such a nasty disease? 

I made an appointment with an oncologist while the Internist does further testing to confirm what kind of cancer it is. The appointment isn’t until the second week of September, so there’s not much I can do except twiddle my thumbs, which sucks. I mean, this entire situation sucks, but having to wait for answers makes the situation harder to deal with.

I remember when Cas was diagnosed with heart disease, it was a little easier to process. I didn’t have to wait days for results, nor was I bouncing around between doctors. I was given his diagnosis, the recommended treatment, his medication, and his life expectancy all within the same hour. I don’t have that with Chunky. I don’t know how advanced the cancer is or what treatment plans are available, if any. I don’t know what his life expectancy is now. I don’t know if treatment will make things better or worse for him. I’m unable to make a decision. I’m unable to adjust. I’m just lost.

Like I said, this sucks. 

Below is a picture that I took a few years ago of Chunky and Cas. Cas always appreciated the camera but it's rare to get one of Chunky looking in my direction when I'm taking a picture of him. Usually he turns his head, as if he's saying "no pictures, no pictures." That's why this is one of my favorite pictures, because I have both of them looking at me. Both were healthy without a care in the world.

I'd give anything to go back to this moment. Anything.

It's Time to Clear the Shelters

If you’ve been thinking about bringing home a new pet, now may be the time to adopt from a  shelter or rescue because if you haven’t heard, the Clear the Shelters campaign is officially underway. 

For those who may not be familiar with the name, Clear the Shelters is a yearly campaign that  sees NBC and Telemundo stations across the U.S. partner with local shelters and rescues to promote adoption and to fundraise. There’s even a television special that will air nationwide on August 16th, hosted by Amanda Seyfried (any fans of the Mamma Mia or Mean Girls movies out there?).

I’ve been a huge fan of this campaign because it helps highlight animals who are available for adoption. A few posts back I mentioned that I’m not here to tell anyone what to do when it comes to adopting or shopping for a pet, and that still stands true. Personally, though, I’ve always been a proponent of adoption. My own fur babies came from shelters. There’s so many overlooked animals stuck in kennels who just need to be given a chance to be seen. I will never judge someone who buys from an ethical breeder, but I will always promote adoption from a shelter or rescue. 

Which is why I wanted to use this post to highlight the campaign. It gets people to think about adoption or, at the very least, get people to think about donating. Shelters are underfunded and recuses often rely on just donations. They are doing their best in a situation that has spiraled out of control, and the more support they get from their communities the more they can do for the animals. 

The attention that Clear the Shelters brings has helped thousands of animals get adopted, and this year the adoption campaign is running from August 10th to September 10th. Even more exciting, this is the campaign’s 10th anniversary, and they opted to celebrate that achievement by extending their donation initiative through September 30th.

If you can’t adopt or donate, no worries! Sharing the campaign with family or friends who may not have heard about it can help. For more info, please feel free to check out their website: https://www.cleartheshelters.com/

Cats and the Outdoors

There’s a cat that visits my patio from time to time. It has no collar and it hisses at me if I approach it. I nicknamed it Smokey, and I know what you’re thinking: Smokey is a stray. I thought so too, at first, but it’s fat with a clean coat. The strays I’m used to seeing in my area are usually skinny, so I have a feeling Smokey belongs to someone, and that Smokey’s owner lets it roam outside.

Every time I see Smokey, I always wonder why the owner lets it be outside. In fact, why does anyone allow their cat to go outside? I am not talking about enclosed patios or fenced backyards. I’m talking about opening the front door, watching your cat leave, and then shutting the door behind them. I’ve seen social media posts of cat parents saying it's good for cats to be outside. I’ll admit, I judged them. I judged them hard. I even thought they were lying.

I did some digging and as it turns out, they might be telling the truth. Nothing is concrete, but it's been suggested that cats who have access to the outdoors can benefit from more exercise and are able to indulge in natural behaviors. This includes hunting, exploring, and climbing (Tan et al.). A cat may also benefit from the stimulation they receive while outdoors. They can take in the sights, smells, and sounds, and entertain themselves with what nature has to offer (“Outdoor Cats: Pros & Cons of Outdoor Life | Purina”). There’s also the possibility that cats who remain indoors could develop issues such as indoor spraying and scratching due to stress, or engaging in destructive behavior due to boredom. (“Pros & cons: Indoor or outdoor cats”). I suppose it makes sense that some cats might thrive being outside if these benefits are proven to be true.

I also can’t forget the cons. Take my area, for example. We have coyotes here, and they aren’t afraid to jump over walls and fences to get to small animals. A cat walking down the street is easy pickings, so that is the number one reason why I don’t let my own cat outside. Not to mention the other risks outdoor cats face: moving cars, diseases, parasites, and humans with very ill intentions. To this day, I carry the haunting memory of seeing a dead cat lying in the middle of the street. You just never know what might happen. 

Alas, I can’t control what other people do with their pets. So, if you are thinking about letting your cat explore the great outdoors, use common sense. Consider the pros and cons, and acknowledge the risks. The Purina article takes it a step further and advises owners to have their cats microchipped and neutered before letting them out, which I whole-heartedly agree with. If your cat gets lost or goes too far, a microchip will go a long way in letting people know who your kitty belongs to when they are found. Getting your cat fixed should go without saying, but it's especially important if they are going to be let out. For one, you don’t want to add to the already high cat population, and two, unneutered males are more territorial and may get into fights with other cats. 

As I finish writing this post, my mind goes back to Smokey. I know some may be thinking that I should just bring Smokey indoors, but it's not my place to do so and Chunky would not appreciate it. All I can do is hope that the next time I see Smokey, it won’t be lying dead in the street.

Sources

“Outdoor Cats: Pros & Cons of Outdoor Life | Purina.” Purina UK, https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/kitten/welcoming/outdoor-cats. Accessed 23 July 2024.

“Pros & cons: Indoor or outdoor cats.” Banfield Pet Hospital, https://www.banfield.com/en/Wellness-at-banfield/kitten-hub/indoor-vs-outdoor-cats. Accessed 23 July 2024.

Tan, Sarah M.L., et al. “Uncontrolled Outdoor Access for Cats: An Assessment of Risks and Benefits.” NCBI, 6 February 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070728/. Accessed 23 July 2024.