random tooth and cat notes

[bunn]

My top left next-to-back tooth is aching a bit. I thought at first I'd jarred it cracking hazelnuts, but it doesn't seem to be going away. Drattitude. I may actually have to go to a dentist.


Took Java Cat to the vet yesterday, as she is looking even thinner and mankier than usual, and I'd found a leaflet on hyperthyroidism in old cats which had a description that sounded exactly like her.

Vet prodded her a bit, and said he thought February's diagnosis of liver cancer was probably correct as the liver 'felt knobbly' and he couldn't feel enlarged thyroid glands. He consented to do yet another blood test to check. Bet it comes back inconclusive: Java's always do.

We could have her opened up to check the liver, but apparently the chances of them being able to do anything about it are extremely small, so there doesn't seem much point. She is still wiry and active as ever, just a bit shrivelled and very skinny. (note to self: check that Java does not have a Great Ring concealed in her bedding to eliminate possibility that she is turning into Gollum).

She has started slipping off things, and not jumping quite so accurately: vet thinks her muscle tone is going because she is so thin. Mind you, she caught and ate a vole within half an hour of getting home, so she is by no means an invalid yet. And though she is going downhill, she is going slowly and fighting all the way. Well done Java, keep it up!


Had an email from a rescue today to say they have now rehomed all their oldies to people enquiring from the Oldies Club site, apart from one, and that they have been amazed by the response, even for dogs that seemed almost unhomeable. We immediately resolved that we must find a home for the remaining one, to give us a clean sweep! Not sure how yet. Anyway, all very cheering.

I'm trying to take some photos around the theme 'weather' for a little photo comp. Of course, this has instantly produced a mix of brilliant sunshine, interspersed with thick fogs. You'd think there would be photo potential in fog...



Foggy trees


A Fogweb


And a Fogdog

Comments

[pellegrina.livejournal.com]

Those are pretty good efforts I'd say! Especially the cobweb and the fogdog.

[chainmailmaiden]

Chewing on a clove can help relieve pain from toothache - if you can bear the taste!

If the tooth aches more when you eat cold or acidic foods it suggests that the enamel is thinning and using a toothpaste like Sensodyne would help re-mineralise it and could stop it hurting. If it aches when you eat or drink hot things then I'm afraid that suggests decay (anaerobic bacteria produce gases that expand inside the tooth when heated and press on the nerves causing pain). Either way a trip to the dentist might not be a bad idea to get it checked out.

Poor Java, I can't imagine her getting skinnier, she's such a tiny cat! At least she still seems happy. It's good to hear most of the oldies got new homes too, that must be very satisfying.

The picture of Az is great, that looks like one very happy dog :-)

[bunn.livejournal.com]

I like cloves! :-)

It doesn't respond much to hot or cold things though. It just aches a little if I bite down hard on something. It's more like it's a bit loose.

I've been meaning to get round to going to the dentist ever since we moved, but this is the first time there has been any need to. I suppose if I had been having regular checkups then it might have been caught earlier - but then think of all the checkup fees I have been able to spend on chocolate!

[chainmailmaiden]

At least it doesn't sound like your tooth is infected then, which is good. I haven't been to the dentist in nearly 2 years and prior to that it was 3 years. Not really very good considering both my parents were dentists, but it is so expensive - and you don't have to make an appointment to buy chocolate! (Though I'd probably be thinner is you did as it would be too much hassle)

[ladyofastolat.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful word "fogweb" is for describing cobwebs all outlined with dew. I will adopt this from now on. I also like "fogdog". I do tend to call a wet cat "a cat of sogginess", but I think "sogmog" sounds better.

[chainmailmaiden]

Sogmog! *giggles*

I like that, makes me want cats even more *sigh* Still I managed to pick up a nice fleecy blanket for our future kitties today. It was reduced to £2 and has cute paw prints all over it :-)