So, I suppose it’s time to update y’all on what’s going on with mama Kim Wexler.
When she went for her spay almost five weeks ago, the vet spotted a few oddities and suggested a full blood panel. We followed up with three different trips to the vet for tests, ultrasounds, medication, and more tests, and finally got a diagnosis last week of Glomerular Disease. This is a kidney disease, and while she is not showing any clinical signs aside from some wobbliness right now, it is a disease that is going to shorten her life. Fortunately, she is at the very beginning of this disease, and she is on medication that will hopefully help to slow it down.
She is still available for adoption, but I’m being realistic – there tend not to be a lot of people who want to adopt an older cat (she’s at least 8 years old) who will require medication, a special diet, and regular trips to the vet. (If that is YOU, then by all means email Forgotten Felines at info (at) ffhsv.org to inquire. I do not exaggerate when I say that she is the SWEETEST girl.)
So at least for now (unless/until someone steps up and wants to adopt her), we will be long-term fostering her. As her kittens leave us, we will introduce her to the permanent residents, and unless there’s a big problem (I don’t expect one), she’ll be allowed free reign of the house.
This leads naturally to the question: does this mean I’m going to stop fostering for now? I don’t plan to. As long as Kim does okay with the permanent residents, fostering will continue. There might be a bit of a lull while we get Kim fully integrated, but she’s a pretty chill girl and I’m not expecting any problems.
I am going to say this next part in all-caps and bold, because I am very very serious about this: I AM NOT LOOKING FOR ADVICE. KIM IS UNDER THE CARE OF AN EXCELLENT VET. PLEASE DO NOT SPEND 5 MINUTES SEARCHING HER CONDITION ON GOOGLE AND THEN TELL ME WHAT I’M DOING WRONG. PLEASE DO NOT TELL ME WHAT YOUR UNCLE’S FRIEND’S AUNT’S CAT’S EXPERIENCE WITH THIS WAS. PLEASE, I AM BEGGING YOU: NO ADVICE. EVEN IF YOU ARE A VET, EVEN IF YOU HAVE DEALT WITH THIS 1 MILLION TIMES, EVEN IF YOU ARE A SPECIALIST IN THIS DISEASE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE DEVOTED YOUR LIFE TO STOMPING AROUND THE INTERNET TELLING PEOPLE THAT WHAT THEY’RE DOING IS WRONG, YOU ARE NOT KIM’S VET AND YOU HAVE NOT SEEN HER TESTS OR RESULTS. HER VET IS AWESOME AND KNOWS WHAT SHE’S DOING. THANK YOU. (You may, of course, ask questions. I won’t necessarily know the answer, but I might!)
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The desk has become the place where treats happen. Kim caught onto that very quickly, and the kittens are figuring it out too.
“I hop up on the desk and sometimes I get treats? This is AWESOME!” says Francesca.
“What you waitin’ for? Stop taking pictures, start givin’ treats.”
Mike’s all “Any time now, lady. We like treats, and we like ’em often.”
Mike does not kid around when it comes to the Churu.
“I mean, if you have more Churu to share, I’m listening.” That Mike, he’s a giver.
Did I mention he’s not kidding when it comes to the Churu?
She is such a gorgeous mama.
Nacho chillin’ in the top of the cat tree.
This picture shows Mike’s happy tail. He walks around with it up so far it practically brushes the back of his head.
The boys are off for their neuters tomorrow (the girls are scheduled for November 16th). It’ll be interesting to see how the girls react to the boys when they get home tomorrow afternoon!
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Charlie loves to roll around on the deck, especially when the sun’s shining.
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Posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr) yesterday.
I opened the door to the kitten room so that the kittens and Kim can have the run of the entire upstairs now (which basically doubles the amount of space they have). The VERY first thing that Mike did, like he’d been planning it for weeks, was run into my office, jump up onto my filing cabinet, and meerkat while trying to decide whether he could make the jump from there to my desk. He ultimately decided not to try it, but I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.
It’s Mimosa! Amy says: “I present to you: A plump Mimosa with her plump chickie.” That is one very happy, content looking girl!
(Thanks, Amy!)
YouTube link
Those kittens are sleepy and ready to nap (and ready for me to stop bugging them, obviously!)
Line ’em up! I couldn’t get a shot of all of them looking directly at me (talking about you, Lalo), but I’m calling it good enough. From left: Francesca, Nacho, Saul, Mike, Mama Kim Wexler, Mike and Lalo.
YouTube link
52 seconds of Mike purring. He is one happy, happy boy!
Francesca and her giant foot.
Good night innernets. (Lalo and Mike, who do not look at all sleepy, but rather as though they’ll be shenanigating in 3…2…)
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Previously
2021: Sammy, Ruthy and Carli are ready for me to go away. (RUDE)
2020: This ham-mick gives Davy Crockett the Crazy Eyes.
2019: No entry.
2018: “I was SLEEPIN’ in the SCRATCHER BOWL, and then the ornj wave DESCENDED!” pouts Solenoid.
2017: She is a LAYDEE, you know.
2016: Charlotte really enjoyed being flea combed!
2015: The Swimmers, house panther division.
2014: No entry.
2013: No entry.
2012: The look on Magoo’s face is cracking me up.
2011: I’m starting to think that Miss Molly has a bit of a crush on little Charlie Peppers.
2010: They would LOVE to have the run of the house, but they’re still little guys so it’ll be a few more weeks before that happens.
2009: I accidentally brushed Terry with one hand and woke him up, and he blatted at me until I started petting him, and then he purred and blatted some more.
2008: No entry.
2007: Peyton puts his paws in the air like he just don’t care.
2006: Where else is there to sleep in this horrid, uncomfortable house where there are three warm and cozy cat beds to every single cat?
2005: Also, there are little cinnamon footprints around the food bowl, because little Sugarbutt gets SO HAPPY when he’s eating that he has to dance around in the cinnamon and then drag it all over the room.
Thank you Robyn and Fred for all you do. You are just awesome.
Ms Wexler is in VERY capable hands. Thanks Robyn and Fred for taking her into your home.
So sorry to hear about sweet Kim’s health issues! Prayers that she integrates in well with the perms and enjoys a long time being spoiled and loved on by you and Fred.
Ugh…kidney issues in kitties. I feel for you and Mama Kim. But she’s in the best place and I know you and Fred will do everything possible for her, because that’s just who y’all are!!
Has Kim fallen for Fred like the long line of other mamas he has charmed? ❤️
Actually, NO. I mean, it’s probably only a matter of time – Fred has been pretty busy with work and hasn’t spent a lot of time with the fosters – but for now she seems to have a slight preference for me.
My uncle’s friend’s aunt’s cat says, “Can I come live with you, Robyn?”
Damn, and her I was all ready to suggest that you hug her and squeeze her and call her George.
Ah sorry to hear about Kim, but she’s going to do so well with you as a long term foster, and hopefully some awesome adopters will come along and want to give her a home 😀 Also my sympathies for the people that will *still* to try to give you advice despite your capitals, probably on Facebook. I am sending calming vibes. 😛
Love seeing Mike absolutely going feral for that Churu, lol.
Kim is so lucky to have ended up with you.
My Luna goes crazy for Churu and bites the tube, which causes me some concern. Do any of your kitties try to bite it? My other cat is totally uninterested in Churu.
They do try to bite it, but I haven’t had them actually chew on the tube or bite off any of the tube (which would worry me). If they start biting, I’ll generally pull the tube away and wait a moment for them to calm down. (Note to Churu: what if you put the Churu in an EDIBLE tube?)
I blame the vet who introduced her to Churu at her first visit. She did the exam and gave her a shot while I was feeding her Churu, and she never noticed. So of course, I had to get some. At last month’s annual checkup the vet was in awe of her desire for the Churu. Makes vet visits easy!
Even withdrawing it temporarily doesn’t stop this Churu addict from attempting to chew it. I may have to give it to her on a plate! She will stand in the Churu treat place (on the counter) and yell at me if she thinks she deserves one. Which is most of the time. She gets one every other day.
I’m so glad that Kim Wexler has you to take care of her! She may be sick, but she ended up in the best place possible to get the care and love she needs.
Thank you so much for taking such good care of them. Especially momma Kim. If I was close to you I would adopt her today!!
You and Fred have the bigest hearts! Even so, I pray that an adopter steps forward for sweet Kim Wexler!
Oh, so many mixed feelings here. Hate for any kitty to suffer an awful disease, so happy we will continue to see sweet mama Kim here for (hopefully) a loooooong time!!! My only advice (which I know is totally unnecessary) – give her loads of love <3 🙂
1. Mike is just the best boy, he lives life to the fullest in everything he does!
2. I don’t even know how to SAY glomerular. I’m having as much trouble trying to say it as Jenna had with “The Rural Juror” on 30 Rock. I hope Mama Kim keeps feeling good! Thank you for everything you do Robyn.
OMG “The Rural Juror” – that cracks me up, I hadn’t thought of that in a long time!
(And honestly, I’ve been calling it “The Gloms” because I can’t pronounce it either. Something about trying to go from the “glom” to the “er” gets me every time. I try to turn the “r” into an “l” and it’s just a total tongue twister for me.)
Sorry to hear about Kim Wexler’s health issues, and relieved on her behalf to know she is in the best possible hands. You and Fred are outstanding humans and pet parents. My only advice is to ignore idiots. Easier said than done, I know!
I am so glad you have found Mama Kim’s health issue. There are so many health issues cats may develop as they age, but with proper treatment, a person would never suspect any illness is being treated.
I know she will be just fine in your care. Get better soon, Mama Kim.
Thanks so much for all you do for the cats, big or small, healthy or sick.
I do look forward to your daily sharing.
Sounds like an excellent plan for Mama Kim. So glad you and Fred are willing and able.
And a standing ovation for your ability to remain on the interwebs despite all the [sometimes well meaning but ultimately annoying] people you have to deal with! As a long time follower, I am in awe of your stamina and forebearance.
So much love to Kim the Kitty! At least she’s at the very beginning of the disease – rusty silvery lining, I know – and hopefully the meds (and all the love she’ll be getting from you and Fred!) keep things from progressing for ages and ages. “Oh, Kim? Yeah, she’s a little wobbly, but she was diagnosed ten years ago and that’s the only sign she’s ever shown.”
Please pass along snuggles and pets and scritchies to her from a nerdlady in Wisconsin who has a weakness for the special needs purrers, if you would?
Speaking of purrers, oh my gosh Mike! He totally has a perma-happy, and the confident tail held high just confirms it! <3
Hey, fellow Wisconsinite! I recognize your “name” as a commenter from way back.
I’m in the ‘burbs of Milwaukee. You?
Hi. Your comment doesn’t seem hitched to anyone else’s comment, so I don’t know who it is intended for. Probably NOT me, as I go back only to 2017 or so, but I am from Wisconsin. So in case it was for me, I’m in Madison. If not for me, please ignore.
It’s hitched to Chanter’s comment right above mine, because she called herself a ‘nerdlady in Wisconsin’. But it’s nice to connect with someone from our state capital, Joy!
Cheers to you for putting up with the well-intentioned but ultimately annoying people of the Internet, and for giving her a lovely home and treatment for as long as necessary. It says a lot about social media that that sort of post is even necessary. Some people just cannot keep their spew to themselves.
Some days I think social media is a curse on society, and when I read blogs like this, I am reminded that there are blessings like Robyn in the world.
That little Mike is just the best! Such a happy little tyke. He’s going to make someone a very good companion.
Thank you and Fred for all you do with all the fosters, but especially when something like the illness of Kim Wexler occurs. I am so thankful she will remain in your care. She really is a very special kitty. Blessings to you.
Could I at least ask what where the “oddities” your vet spotted in Kim that resulted in the kidney workup? The problem with our two is, they act like such complete and total JERKS at the vet I often wonder if she can even get close enough to SEE any oddities. BTW my two are STILL hissing at each other and the vet visit was Oct. 7. I’m about ready to put someone in a “timeout”…
Thank you so much for making room for Mama Kim among your permanent residents! <3
During her exam and spay, the vet noticed that her kidneys seemed “irregular” and her uterus was very pale (though her gums weren’t pale), leading her to think she might be anemic. She ran a full blood panel and the results indicated that it might be a kidney issue, so she recommended an ultrasound and more tests.
The angels certainly knew where to send Mama Kim!
I commented this on FB too, but adding it here as well: I would happily contribute to a fund for her ongoing/future care, if you want to set one up. Many of us cannot adopt any of the lovely kittens you raise nor the lovely mamas you host, but I’m betting many of us would like to help out if it would benefit Ms. Kim.
Thank you (and Fred) for taking such good care of Kim and all the kittens! Also — love how Mike holds on to that Churu!
What everyone said. As upsetting as this is, Kim is such a lucky girl to have had that surgery, with a really smart vet to perform it. And you are so good to be letting her stay.
I wonder if her pregnancy made her kidney-disease-induced anemia worse? I would guess it must have. The kittens seem perfectly healthy, thankfully.
I expect that having multiple litters through her life – which we assume she has – has done no favors for her kidneys. Fortunately there’ll be no more kittens for her!
Hopefully, maybe someone out there wants to a adopt a beauty, of a certain age, with a little issue with her kidneys? I wish I could but feel I am too far away. Hugs and prayers for taking care of sweet Kim. I have never seen the TV show. Though the other day I was reading and article on the top 50 best TV shows. It mentioned all the kittens names and Kim Wexler. It gave me giggle because I only know them through Love and Hisses!
I should be sad about Kim, but having gone through it years ago, I’m not. All the difference in quality and length of life is quality care and I know that should the perfect human not come along, you,Fred, and the permanent residents will give her the longest bestest life ever. She will be an amazing Auntie to next litter for sure!
And just a quick comment on Mike. He reminds me SOOOOOOO much of my house panther, Aldous. Same black/Sable coat, same long tail, same cute and coyness. And the tail! Aldi took a while to figure his out. It was like having 2 babies for a bit. It just drug behind him to point tgat it got a bald spot! About 3 months he found it and oh my what a wonderful toy. Today, nearly 11 yrs later, it’s a full 16 inches and beside his magnificent eyes, it’s *THE* thing everyone speaks about. Honestly it’s still kinda like another entity. He xan be sound aslero, deep sleep, and tgat thing is still whipping about!live it, love Mike, brings back such wonderful memories. Thanks for all you do!
He sounds WONDERFUL!
Awww, Kim!! So glad she’s in such good hands…and it’s all been said so well already. Makes my heart hurt that altho well-meaning in most cases, people will offer advice unwanted.
Thank you so very much, Robyn and Fred.
I’m glad to hear that Ms W will have a home despite her issues. Bless you and Fred!
My unsolicited treatment is frequent cuddles and lots of churu.
I’m gonna need that in a written prescription, please. 😛