Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.
The cats survived, and some were almost unscathed. Although they are solitary hunters, like their ancestors, they can form small, ferocious colonies to survive on the streets. Older males usually leave after mating, but females and offspring stick together. It is not unusual for a feral female to care for a mother’s kittens in her absence.
Cat Health Concerns
Even though they have nine lives, domestic cats, whether indoor or outdoor, are susceptible to certain diseases and infections. Some cats are more susceptible to serious health conditions, and it’s depressing when your cat is on the “most dangerous breeds” list. I’m glad it’s easier to find accurate information about my cat’s health, but I’m guilty of hoping for the worst and obsessing over the details.
I had a more carefree attitude until my Siamese cat, who never had a problem until he was 17, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. He died two months before his 20th birthdayth birthday, and a few months later, I adopted Olga. After about a week, the rescue center called me and asked if Olga was feeling okay.
Disturbing News
They said his sister died after suffering a gastrointestinal infection and wondered if she had diarrhea or vomiting. Fortunately, she was all right, but I couldn’t sleep for a while, and I annoyed Olga by hovering over her; he is not as friendly as a kitten and needs more alone time. He was treated for ear mites before I adopted him and he never had a problem with them again, but he did get a few ear infections.
Besides that, he was treated for a bad case of diarrhea and, more recently, idiopathic vomiting. A few weeks ago, Olga continued to vomit after eating her food, but she showed no other alarming signs and seemed normal. The vet examined him and ran several tests, including a comprehensive blood test, urinalysis, and radiographs to check for obstructions.
Comfort and Concern
I was relieved that they said she was healthy, and all her results looked good, but the “idiopathic” part of the diagnosis didn’t ease a worried mind. My memory came back to the phone call about her brother, and I struggled to get my mind off kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, cancer, and hyperthyroidism.
Even with my vet’s reassurance and good blood test results, it took me a few days to feel more optimistic about Olga’s health. He’s back to normal, running around the house like crazy, but I’m worried. In previous articles, I have criticized his strange behavior and violent ways, but I cannot ignore how much he has improved my life.
Even when he’s scratching the back of my legs or playing soccer with my contact cases, it’s hard for me to get mad. He cheats on me even when he attacks me, but when he’s sick, my brain is useless mass. It’s hard to get bad thoughts out of my head, but watching a few hours of Monty Python’s Flying Circus usually helps.
This article is part of a series by Christopher and Olga.
