Rosie

Yesterday was a busy day and heart-wrenching. Rosie hasn’t been too well. We noticed that she had swollen glands under her jaw and wasn’t eating a lot (which can be hard to detect because she generally doesn’t eat that much). So I took her in to see the vet yesterday. This wasn’t a fun experience. I don’t like this particular vet practise but it’s the only one in the area so we’re kinda stuck in regards to this. The vet informed me that it’s likely the effect of FeLV.

This puzzled me since I could have sworn that they had said she was only exposed to FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) but apparently she has it. The question is whether she has the immune system strong enough to fight it. I know that Bobcat, at a robust age of 15, can fight it. But Rosie, given her timid nature has more of an uphill battle to face. The vet said that Rosie lost over 1.5lbs since her last visit (June 08 — she weight about 5.9lbs and now is at 4.2lbs).

Julia and Rosie watching the birdies

I was shocked! I knew she had lost some weight but didn’t realize it was this much. Definitely not a good thing. So we got antibiotics (to deal with the swollen glands), vitamin “goo” (tastes like tuna apparently and should help give her necessary vitamins she may be missing because of not eating) and a medication that should kick her immune system into gear to fight off the FeLV. I’m hopeful that the antibiotics will help her eat more, the vitamins give her more energy and that her immune system isn’t weakened too much. As frustrated as I am that the previous owner didn’t know or let us know that both Julia and Rosie had FeLV, I’m glad that, at the worst, they got to enjoy a full life — as short as it may have been or will be — with us. I admit that K and I spoil our furrkids.

And as feral as Rosie is, she’s got this little special place in my heart. She has this absolute innocence about things and a love for the simplest of things. Her favourite toy? a piece of cotton string I got for her. It’s impressive that she is able to play with it given how, not too long ago, she was afraid of anything that moved. She’s still not quite a lapcat but perhaps with time, she will be. I know we won’t give up on her yet and I’m just hoping she hasn’t given up yet.