Tommy has been sleeping for hours. I offered him some Temptations cat treats. He declined. Oh dear. He must really not feel well.
Tomorrow’s Saturday and there’s a big family reunion picnic to go to. That’s no good: I’ll be too worried about Tommy if I leave him. Relatives are coming from near and far, more than sixty of them.
Why did I not take Tommy to the vet? The bleeding was not pretty, yet it’s something else that’s wrong. Tommy is able to walk but now there’s a noticeable limp. What is the extent of the injury? It doesn’t seem very bad. And yet, this is the thing. It’s Tommy, his demeanor. He’s not himself. He is so solemn. That is what’s frightening me.
He must realize what he needs is to take it easy and rest. I can hold him and pet him and he purrs. But he’s listless, weak and sore I suppose. He doesn’t ask to go outside while normally he has a very busy day.
Tommy has been licking his mouth and making swallowing motions. My sister thinks it may be a sign of nausea. That makes sense since he doesn’t want to eat.
I didn’t take him to the vet. He has slept and slept. He remains as solemn. It’s no coincidence that I do too.
Tommy’s day often begins at 5:00 am. It’s no coincidence that mine does too. He eats then ventures outside. This morning was no different. At 5:00 I could hear papers rustling. If I don’t get up, I know these papers are destined to fall on me. Tommy always outsmarts me.
At 7:00 this morning, Tommy came home bleeding. I couldn’t help having tears when I saw him. The blood on his right paw may have trickled down from his right shoulder. Fortunately, the lesion near the shoulder doesn’t look serious and I don’t think it requires a visit to the vet. Or does it? My sister is in town so I’ll ask her opinion.
I have to keep a careful eye on Tommy. Is he injured in any other way? He’s moved from one place to another, seemingly without trouble, and he’s fallen asleep in my room. How is his breathing? I think it’s okay.
It’s Friday. That’s always tough. If I don’t get him to his vet today, Monday would be the next opportunity. So that’s a consideration. If he did need medical attention on the weekend, the dreaded emergency hospital might have to suffice. And that’s not a place I ever want to end up. I mean, it’s good that it’s there, but…right.
Cats are stoic. I know that. They know how to mask their pain. It’s a survival skill. Many feral cats even suppress meowing. The sound could put them in harm’s way.
