Mongo - Two Weeks In

[MNeedham73]

I said it in my original post about him, and I'll say it again. I can't fathom why someone would've given this cat up. He is such a lovable, gentle, well mannered cat. I couldn't be happier with him. He'll lie next to me for hours while I'm sleeping, watching TV, typing away on my laptop, etc., purring the entire time. He's not too playful, but he'll chase a laser pointer when he feels like it. He seems to like chasing my hand around more lol.

I will say he is currently experiencing one of the reasons/excuses the previous owner gave for surrendering him. He started up with some pretty nasty diarrhea a couple of days ago. Not even a hint of solidity to it. Not fun, especially when he didn't make it to the litter box a couple of times. Not to mention, when he's had a bout of it, then sits somewhere else in the house, he leaves a nasty brown spot. Thank goodness for carpet and upholstery cleaner and my washing machine lol. My temporary fix for this is to watch when he uses the litter box. Then, I catch him and wipe his ass LOL.

So, off to the vet he went today. He does have a heart murmur, as I was told when I adopted him. But, as the vet was going through the paperwork from the shelter (I hadn't looked through all of it yet), he noticed that there was information provided by Mongo's original owner. Apparently, the murmur has always been there. Vet said that was better that it is apparently a mild birth defect rather than it being a recent issue. Also, he just turned 10 on 5/2. He's still a youngin in my book ;)

The vet took blood samples that I should hear back about tomorrow. I had to collect a stool sample to drop off as well (boy that was fun..NOT). And, Mongo was prescribed a 5 day run of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds to hopefully settle his stomach down. He's also underweight by a few pounds at least. From what I've read, the average minimum weight of a male Maine Coon is 13 pounds. Mongo is only at 10.5 right now. So, the vet is running a thyroid panel as well, just to be on the safe side. I've plenty of experience with that if it becomes an issue as Scotch was on meds for a hyperactive thyroid for the last 4 years of his life. Hopefully, it's just whatever it bothering his stomach. If it's some kind of stomach parasite (the vet thinks it's likely), I think I'll be calling the shelter and voicing my displeasure about it, and get to doing whatever I have to in order to fatten him up a bit.

So, we'll see what the blood and stool tests come back with tomorrow.

Now for some fun stuff:

Mongo seems to think it's hilarious to wake me up at 2:30 in the morning, normally by licking my forehead or nose. It's amazing how fast that will wake you up.

He doesn't care for the dogs much. But he has found that it is pretty easy to intimidate both of them. The dogs get in his face, he whacks them on the nose, they run away. He's gotten to the point of making a game of it lol.

He's snuck up on my other cats a couple of times and curled up with them. The girls don't mind much until they notice that it's him, then they throw a fit LOL. I'll give Mongo an A for effort though. At least he's trying to make friends lol :)

I'll update this thread tomorrow when I get the test results back. Hopefully it's nothing major. In the mean time...he's not allowed on my bed LOL.

[ethics]

Love these posts.

Best of luck with him tomorrow. I hope it's something mild and easily fixable like with AB's!

[MNeedham73]

Got word back from the vet a little bit ago.

No thyroid issues, no parasites, nothing wrong at all with him, other than needing to put some weight on.

Hopefully, whatever has his stomach upset will get taken care of with the AB's. If not, I'll probably have to start trying different kinds of food for him. Hill's, Iam's, and Royal Canin all make cat food for sensitive stomachs. Might try that route.

[cmhbob]

I wonder, too, how much of the diarrhea is caused by stress/diet change? New place, plus new kitties in close proximity, plus new food. :blank:

[MNeedham73]

It just started up a few days ago, after he's already been home for over a week. I suppose that could still be an issue, but I would have thought it would have happened sooner.

[Violet1966]

See if he'll eat some white rice. I had a friend who's dog had to eat it and it helped with the runs. Might work for cats too?

[ethics]

That's key for dogs, yes. Not sure if it's done for cats though?

[Violet1966]

Well if the whole grain is an issue, maybe create a paste with it or something? Call vet and ask, but it could work if it's ok for cats to eat. I never remember anything saying they can't eat rice.

[Brazbit]

Mongo seems to think it's hilarious to wake me up at 2:30 in the morning, normally by licking my forehead or nose. It's amazing how fast that will wake you up.Considering his other issues this is probably one of the better things he can do to wake you up at 2:30 in the morning. Sounds like you have a nice friend in Mongo and I am glad to hear there is nothing terribly wrong with him.

[MNeedham73]

A friend indeed, Braz :)

[ethics]

That is just awesome, Mike!

[MNeedham73]

Oh boy. Mongo has come up with a new game to play with Ronin, my 120 pound Akita.

1.) Mongo actually chased Ronin this morning. And Ronin ran like a bitch LOL.

2.) Then Mongo laid down in the middle of the living room floor, rolled over onto his back and waited for Ronin to come and sniff him. And then Mongo proceeded to smack the living crap out of Ronin. And Mongo repeated this 3-4 times, because Ronin is dumb enough to fall for it LOL.