Every Life Should have Nine Cats

The Twins and Jonesie
Was Jonesie really ever that small?

I was going through the pet records the other day and discovered that some of the cats are behind on their vaccinations.

Our vet, Telegraph Canyon Animal Medical Clinic, has a half price on shots clinic on Tuesdays and Saturdays. You don’t need an appointment. You just need to show up between 10:00 - 11:30am and wait your turn.

It’s really pretty unorganized. People start gathering outside of the vet’s office. At 10:00 one of the technicians bring out a clipboard for everyone to sign. Supposedly you get in line and sign on a first come basis. But, there are always people who rush up to get their name on the list first.

Anyway, I’ve been part of that fiasco too many times. We’ve tried to think of better ways that they could do it like putting a roll of numbers out and let people take a number as they walk up. Sounds simple. But, I think they need to have the names so they can pull the files and get the shots ready. Also, some people who bring their pets for shots have never been there before and need to fill out paperwork before they can get shots.

Sometime last year Charlie was nominated to take the cats over for their clinic shots. He has the patience to wait for the clipboard, even though ten people who weren’t there before him, rush up to sign it first. It doesn’t bother him like it does me. We decided I’d stay out of it and let him handle it.

So, on Tuesday it was the twins’ turn to get their shots. They need an FVRCP-PN (cat fever) and a FeLV (feline leukemia) shot. Since they have had bad reactions to the shots before, we started giving them one shot at a time instead of both at the same time like some cats get.

The cat fever shot had expired in June so that was the one they were going to get first. Charlie got the kennel down and put Jason and Kaci in and off he went to the vet.

In a little over an hour he was back. The twins were fine. He said the technician came to take the twins back for their shots. He waited up front in the waiting room. It seemed to take a little longer than he expected. Finally the technician came out and said, “Mr. Bell, we can’t tell them apart. Can you come back and tell us which one is Jason and which one is Kaci?”

Charlie went into one of the examining rooms. They brought the kennel in and one was carrying Jason. Kaci was in the kennel. Charlie said, “Oh, that’s Jason.” They looked at him like “how can you tell?” To make them feel better, he said, “Well, let me see the other one just to be sure.”

Jason (L) and Kaci (R)
Right?

They really do look alike and sometimes when they are walking across the room, we get them mixed up. Their faces are the same, just different sizes. Jason is about four or five pounds heavier than Kaci and has a bigger head. But, they are close enough in size that they can be mistaken from a distance.

Charlie said that the twins were so good when they got their shot. They didn’t complain or flinch. I think they went through so much handling when they were kittens that they really aren’t afraid of vets now. They both had eye problems and had to have ointment rubbed into their eyes each day. It just became routine to them.

I kept a close eye on them when they came home because usually Kaci feels the effects of the shot soon after and she sleeps for awhile. But, she and Jason both seemed fine and were awake all afternoon.

It was later that they didn’t really want dinner and I found Kaci curled up in a tight ball in my chair in the bedroom. She was fine when I checked on her at bedtime. I covered her with a blanket. She likes to burrow.

I was reading and noticed that Rhody was pulling on Kaci’s blanket, trying to play. She was awake by now and batting at him from under the blanket. Finally, she came out and got up on the bed with me. No rest for the weary when there’s a four month old kitten in the house.

Jason also passed out in the cat tree to sleep it off. He didn’t come to breakfast this morning, but he seemed fine when I checked on him. They were both okay today.

Next Tuesday Charlie will take Mr. Creme to get his cat fever and leukemia shot. Jonesie will get his leukemia shot and the next week, the twins will go back to get theirs. Then they will all be caught up for a year.

Mr. Creme
A very sweet boy

But, we’re not done yet. Because I had to take Rhody to the vet on a Sunday to get his leukemia test, I used our old vet, who is open on Sundays. I bought a kitten package which covers the cost of all of his kitten shots and appointments. He still needs his Rabies shot since he’s old enough now. He also still needs to be neutered and we are planning on having his front paws declawed. I will probably have our regular vet do that.

Rhody the terrible

Rhody is going to be a very active cat and is going to get into lots of trouble. He’ll be just the opposite from Jonesie. Jonesie doesn’t show any interest in jumping up on counters or entertainment centers, etc. But, I caught Rhody up on the counter in the kitchen tonight. The spray bottle is going to get lots of use with this cat!

More later..........