Update On "The Wee"

KiKi, otherwise known around here as "The Wee" (short for Kiwi...don'tcha love all the nicknames around here?) is plugging along just fine, Thank You Very Much. 

The Vet called last week to report that all his blood work was normal, so he concluded that hypertension was the most likely culprit.  His best guess so to speak.  No real way to test for it.  I can't imagine a little kitty blood pressure cuff, so I'll take his word for it.

Anyway, we talked and agreed to wait another week or so before taking him back in to be re-evaluated.  What "re-evaluated" means to the Vet is parting me from the $50 bucks I've got in my back pocket.  No offense Doc...but blind is blind.  Damage done.  Additional testing ain't gonna help and I don't mind you looking at his retina's but really...$50 for a look-see? (*I'm not made of money here so I'm not sure if I'm even going to keep that appointment.) 

In fact KiKi's pupils do look more normal now so the BP meds must be doing something.  Before there was no Iris at all.  Total blackness.  Now in bright light he has the typical "cat eyes" but still, if he has any vision at all, I can't tell.

This whole experience has led me to think about the difference between humans and animals.  Yes, animals are simple creatures but it is truly amazing to see KiKi adapt to his world without sight.  There's no drama at all, he just gets on with it.  If it were me, I'd be curled up in a ball afraid to make a move without assistance.  KiKi is fearless as he heads outside to do whatever business needs doing.  His awareness of his environment is inspiring.

SM startled him the other day and the poor thing ran right into the wall.  Sort of a sad (but funny) moment.  Today, I watched him head over to the kitchen table legs, sit down and put a paw up where he "senses" the chair is and hops up onto the chair, then onto the table top where his food dish sits with a piece of tuna, laced with drugs (courtesy of me).  Fortunately, he gobbles it right down so it's a win-win for both of us.  He gets a treat and I don't get bit or scratched up.  Yeah me!

So we've all adapted to KiKi's new norm.  I am concerned about his being an "outdoor" cat.  It's all he's ever known so there's no way I can turn him back into a housecat with a litter box.  With warmer weather coming around the corner, KiKi tends to spend most of his day outside.  I try not to attach my human concerns to it all.  I want to protect him, but realize I can't. He won't let me.  If a car or a dog is heading his way, I expect he'll high-tail it  outta there same as he ever did.  Or not. 

They say cats have nine lives.  KiKi has used up quite a few of them.  Hopefully he has a few left.