Chiral Overnight at the Vet

For the last couple of days, our cat Chiral has been suffering from some sort of ailment. It started with her throwing up an awful lot (and not just the usual summer hairballs). Then she started looking extremely lethargic, not wanting to move unless we moved her. She was also completely uninterested in food or water.

The lethargy was what really prompted our concern. Normally, Chiral is an energetic and mouthy little troublemaker. She's quick to give backtalk when you scold her and always chirps a meow when she thinks you're talking to her. She also has a purr like an outboard motor, which she'll start up at the slightest hint of attention.

So you can imagine our confusion when the poor thing barely lifted her head when we petted her. When she walked (and she didn't want to do that unless we had picked her up and set her back down), she moved unsteadily - almost like it hurt her back legs - for a few moments before sliding down to lie back down. She wouldn't even purr as we pet her. She didn't seem to hurt when we touched her or lifted her up but her general discomfort was obvious.

So Kate took Chiral in to the vet today and it looks like she'll be staying overnight. The vet needed a urine sample but since Chiral hadn't eaten since Wednesday morning (a full 24 hours) and had only managed to drink a few sips from a wet cloth, she wasn't producing much. The vet wanted to keep her until she did produce a sample she could use and from those tests she can decide if further bloodwork is required.

The vet couldn't give us a prognosis just yet, though Kate says that she mentioned diabetes at one point.

Kate tells me that the house had been frightfully quiet with Chiral at the vet. Naturally, Tessa fills the air with her chatter when she's awake, but when she napping, it's quiet. Rune isn't much of a noisemaker, preferring to doze away the morning and afternoon as much as she can.

(It might be my imagination, but I think even Rune is noticing Chiral's absence.)

Anyway, we're trying not to worry...but it's hard when you don't know what's wrong with your feline companion of more than seven years. So if you're reading this and you've got a prayer to spare, please say one for our fuzzy friend.



Thank you for reading and I hope you're having a great day!