Gato-a-Gato

Cecil on Park Avenue and 79th Street

Cecil had an exhausting day commuting to Manhattan for his neuter surgery. We both took a break next to this Fernando Botero sculpture on Park Avenue. I’ve seen people pulling their frantic, confused barking dogs past this delightful bronze giant! Cecil’s testicles never descended, a condition called bilateral cryptorchidism, and needed a procedure more like a spay than a simple neuter. His “cojones” were up by his kidneys, and the vet said it was fairly simple to the tune of $230.00 and change! He’s back in the Cat Loft and once his final eye procedure is done, he has a forever home to go to. He will be missed!

The Cat Loft’s New Resident

Cecil had another recheck at the AMC. He’s getting some antibiotic eye ointment again, but Dr. Aquino was pleased overall with his healing process. She’s going to do some final procedures next week where the individual hairs that rub his eyes in a couple spots will be “frozen”. It’s nowhere near the “big deal” his original surgery was and knowing Cecil, he should bounce back quickly.

Cecil has been moved to the Cat Loft. It was a very difficult move. For me. Cecil is a little grumpy about the small orange kitten in the kennel next door, who is also new to BARC. He kept reaching into Cecil’s space trying to steal his toys. However, this prankster was just adopted so Cecil should have time to adjust before he gets a new neighbor. On the other side is an adorable tiny tiger who was born without eyes. Brand new to the Cat Loft, and still nameless, this little one shouldn’t give Cecil any grief, but we’ll keep you posted! I’ll try to get some photos today and put them up here later.

Be sure to visit! He’s still a bit “mouthy” and likes to chew on your arms, but it seems to just be a bad habit, and he’s getting the idea that humans don’t like that! A very clever cat is Cecil and what a great companion he will make for just the right person.

Cecil’s Growing Up

Cecil – July 12, 2006

I realized Cecil’s blog needed an update and took a photo this morning. When uploaded on Flickr, it struck me how much older he looks. Still acts like a nutty kitten, but frozen in pixels, perhaps a bit more reserved? We have a recheck appointment tomorrow at the Animal Medical Center. I have lots of questions and concerns, including a new development that looks like a tiny “cherry eye”. I’ve only seen them in dogs, but perhaps cats can have them too. Cecil also has some behavior issues that I suspect may be related to his impaired vision. He seems to have trouble reading other cats (and my!) body language and can be too aggressive when playing. Of course that fact that he probably had little or no socialization for the first 4 months of his life may have something to do with his mixed messages too. Eventually, Cecil will need a permanent home and the more adjusted he is for the move the better it will be for all! BARC Shelter’s website has Adoption information. Sadly, Cecil’s donations have dropped off to nothing. If anyone can make a small contribution, or would like to sponsor Cecil it would be a huge help. BARC takes in new “special needs” dogs and cats every week and veterinary funds get depleted quickly as all you animal folks know! Here’s a secure link, and thank you for any amount: Network for Good

First Surgery, Done

Not a pretty sight, but he’s purring!”

It was a long surgery, but Cecil got through it with flying colors. He’s now recovering in his foster home and getting back to being a goofy kitten. The surgeon said she was pleased with the surgery, but the little orange one may need additional procedures depending upon how the incisions heal. There is considerable swelling right now, but the pain meds and antibiotics seem to be working… he was on his back playing with his toys today, oblivious to the giant cone around his head! You’d think having something around his neck would bother him, but the elizabethan collar hasn’t brought back the memories of his old injuries.

It’s on for May 24th!

AMC opthalmologist, Dr. Susette Aquino with Cecil, and intern, Dr. Joshua Eaton (l).

Cecil had his consultation with Dr. Susette Aquino, the opthalmology specialist at Manhattan’s Animal Medical Center today. He was the perfect patient, sitting still and only crying a bit at the end of the exam. I’ll expand on this post later tonight, but the good news is Cecil is a good candidate for reconstructive surgery and, we’ve got an appointment for May 24th! More later…

Cecil getting a lift from his surgeon

Friday is “Eye-day”

Cecil has an appointment on Friday, May 12, with the opthalmologist. He’s going to see Dr. Susette Aquino at the Animal Medical Center. Dr. Aquino comes highly recommended and has been working with the AMC’s previous chief veterinary opthalmologist, and familiar to BARC, Dr. van der Woerdt for the past year. Cecil is getting more rambunctious every day, no doubt making up for his lost kittenhood. I hope he can hold still for the doc!

Off to the vets

After a few days of antibiotics, unlimited food, a clean bed, new toys and TLC, the tiger was ready for a first vet visit. Dr. Schwartz at BARC looked the scruffy one over and found 1) a slight heart murmur, 2) “circling” behavior that may be neurological, 3) eyelids only partly formed, and 4) two undescended testicles! Cecilia is a boy, henceforth to be known as Cecil. The GOOD news is he had no fever, no ear mites, and is a very sweet cat who is making a quick recovery from some nasty neck wounds. Dr.Schwartz took blood for a complete work-up and the next day we learned Cecil is negative for Felv/FIV, and Toxoplasmosis. He does have a very high white cell count, so, the antibiotics continue. Fortunately he doesn’t even notice the pill sitting on top of his wet food and scarfs it right up.

Thanks to a Cecil supporter, he was able to see the board-certified, feline vet, Dr. Arnold Plotnick at Manhattan Cat Specialists. Dr. Plotnick who has done many surgeries to correct a condition of the eyelids called entropion, told us Cecil’s problem, called agenesis, requires the skills of a veterinary opthalmologist.

So, we’re networking, fundraising and working on the next step for Cecil. Stay tuned!