Mancat Monday

Oliver spent time this weekend relaxing.  

This bed in Aunties room is a favorite because it gets the morning sun.  There is a nice tree outside where birds gather as well.  

This bed is in my room and gets the afternoon sun.  Oliver was 'helping' me do some cleaning and organizing in my room.  He loves to be a part of the action!  Do you see how chunky he's become?  He weighs 14lbs 8 oz and needs to be losing some weight!

I don't know how I always end up with the fattest cat in the house!  MOL...we will have to start monitoring his eating more, since it is clear he can't self-regulate.  Thankfully, Tanner has gained up to a nice size and we can probably get back on scheduled feedings now.  Watch out Oliver...the buffet is closing!

Tanner Tuesday

Tanner has been having a wonderful time lately!  He looks thin in this picture, but he gained weight this week and now weighs 12 lbs 9 ounces!!  This is probably a good weight for him, and he is more of an ideal size for a cat, but it is hard to see him so thin...afterall, he weighed almost 20lbs at one point!  A before shot is shown below...Tanner definitely looks healthier now!

Do any of your cats front arms angle the way that Tanner's do?  Would that be his "wrist"?  It doesn't bother him, and I think he's always been this way, but when I google images of cats sitting...most have straight arms!  I guess it's just another way my boy is special :)

Tanner has been playing more and more as well, and loving every minute of it!  These Chinese yo yo's are one of his favorites.  

He will return to the vet school the last week of May...we are loving our time off!

Weight Loss Wednesday

This post isn't about weight loss, but more about some side effects that Tanner is working through at the moment.  If you all remember, a couple of months ago, Tanner's blood work came back showing he was anemic.  Well, we have been monitoring him, and he is acting and eating normally.  He still at times though, will look rather pale.  His nose will be pretty white, and his feet pads will be more white instead of pink, etc...I took him back to the vet because I thought maybe his anemia was getting worse or something.  His blood work actually came back really good!  The anemia appears to have resolved itself, and his numbers looked good for everything they tested. 

 

So why does he turn pale at times?  The vet is wondering if because he has lost so much weight (25% of his total body weight) that maybe some of his heart meds need to be adjusted now.  She believes at times, his blood pressure is dropping causing him to appear pale. 

Here he is with a nice pink nose!  This is what it should look like... 

Another pink nose shot... 

Hard to see because of the angle, but here is a whiter looking nose...When I see him like this, I am to check his heart rate to see if it is elevated, meaning it is compensating for the lower pressure.  And then aggravate him, to see if he "pinks" back up.  I usually give his tail a good squeeze!

 

We checked his blood pressure at the vet, and it was pretty normal for a stressed cat.  He was also very pink at the vets office because he was upset!

 

We will be working with his cardiologist to see which med we need to tweak to get him to stay pink :)

Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner is happy to report that his weight has been fairly stable over the past few weeks.  Slight losses and gains but remaining right around the 15 pound mark!  This is exactly where we want him, until we can get some more muscle developed, as he lost a fair amount of muscle along with the fat.

 

He feels good and looks good these days.  We may have to come up with a new Wednesday theme, as our weight loss journey comes to an end!

 

He is still eating the Calorie Control food, two cans a day, plus 1/2 cup of dry, with a few small snacks thrown in for good measure :)

 

He still loves sweets, but we don't get them very often.  He also enjoys some table scraps, like steak, chicken and corn on the cob.  He is learning to like greek yogurt, but is still very disappointed that it is not ice cream!

 

He will go next month for his annual visit, where we will recheck his bloodwork, to see how the anemia is resolving, and maybe make a new plan for his food.

 

 

 

 

Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner is eating well, and actually gained a couple of more ounces this week.  He is at 15 lbs 6oz.  This is fine with me at the moment.

 

He is looking better and acting better and eating better than before.  I've decided to hold off on the ultrasound.  I'll take him back to the vet in May to check his red cell count then, and if still low, will discuss having the ultrasound done.  If improving then I'll do nothing more than wait.  This seems to be in line with what I am seeing, and if I didn't know he was anemic, I would not suspect anything was wrong with him, based on outward appearances, appetite, and activity level.

Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner lost a bit of weight two weeks ago, and then gained a little bit back this past week, bringing his weight to 15 lbs 3 ounces.  We are trying not to lose any at the moment, as he is losing muscle more than fat right now, and we are still trying to make sure he is healthy and rebuilding his red cells.  He looks much better than he did a couple of weeks ago, but I am still debating about having an ultrasound done, for peace of mind!  It seems like since he came down with that terrible cold at the end of January, he hasn't been the same...he is having a hard time bouncing back completely.

Tanner still loves his baby though, even though his baby is HUGE!  Ollie has grown so fast it is hard to remember him as a tiny baby now.  Ollie is all muscle too, he is a solid cat! Ollie weighs 9lbs...he is only 7 months old!

I find Ollie sitting like this a lot...yes, he is sleeping!  If you watch him closely, he is swaying back and forth a bit...I usually go and help him lay down or snuggle with him!  He is one crazy kitten.  I am so glad that Tanner and Ollie still get along so well.  Tanner loves to wash his baby, and they will wrestle some.  Tan is learning that he doesn't have to be quite as gentle with his baby now!

Weight Loss Wednesday

This handsome boy would like you all to know that he is back down to his lowest weight!  Over the last two weeks, he lost 2 ounces each week, and now weighs 15 lbs 6 oz!!

So proud of you Tanner!!

Weight Loss Wednesday

This week, Tanner pretty much maintained his weight, only gaining 1/2 ounce.  His current weight is 15 lbs 9.5 ounces.

We had wonderful weather over the weekend, and have had a couple of really nice days here this week.  Yesterday, temps were in the upper 70's!  Today is warm but raining, and tomorrow it will be in the low 40's.  But we will all enjoy the warmth when we get it.  Tanner loved being able to munch on the catnip plant in the garden. 

Some of the daffodils were blooming last weekend, and now they have all bloomed and are just beautiful! 

 

We hope you are getting glimpses of Spring where you live too...It is coming!



Weight Loss Wednesday

It seems like the Weight Loss Wednesday posts are coming more frequently...does anyone else feel like we are zipping through this year?

 

Tanner is pleased to announce that he had some loss this week.  He lost three ounces, bringing his weight to 15 lbs 9 oz!  We are getting back on track!

 

He has a fair amount of loose skin, but I don't think they remove that the way they do in people :)  He could probably shed another pound just by getting rid of the excess!

 

Here's a photo from this past Sunday...he is looking like a normal cat, nice and lean, but not too thin. 

 

 

Weight Loss Wednesday

This week Tanner crept up a couple more ounces bringing his total to 15lbs 12 oz.  He is still at a net loss of 4 pounds 2 ounces, so not too concerned.  My focus at this point is getting him healthy again and over this crazy URI.  He is improving more now, the eye is looking better, and the sneezing has all but stopped.  Of course, we are on antibiotics, so we are dealing with diarrhea now.  I've started back up with the probiotics to help calm his digestive tract.

 

So while, Tanner has been out of commission some and not wanting to fully play with Ollie...Ollie has found a way to entertain himself, at Tanner's expense, I might add :)

Tails are great fun!



Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner gained a couple more ounces this week, bringing his weight to 15 lbs 10 ounces. 

 

As you can see from the photo, he is still dealing with a runny eye.  The eye became quite irritated looking over the weekend, with big yellow goobers.  He is now on some eye ointment for this, and will hopefully be feeling better soon.

 

This has been the most persistant, lingering cold we've had to deal with in a long time. 

 

Ollie and Smokey are sneezing some, but everyone is getting extra Lysine each day, so I hope we can keep it to just a few sneezes, and not a full blown cold like Tanner had.  Fingers Crossed!

 

I'm not worrying too much about Tanner's weight gain...I am glad he is eating well, and just want him to start feeling better.

Weight Loss Wednesday - Interrupted

We interrupt our regular weight loss Wednesday post for a special announcement...

 

Ollie is going to be neutered today!  This is the final procedure in growing up...my little boy isn't a baby any longer!

Purrs for no complications please...

 

Procedures today: Neuter, microchip, FeLV/FIV recheck

 

PS - Tanner is doing better and therefore will not be seeing the vet today.  I think a couple of more days and we'll be over this cold.  Knock-on-wood, he is still the only one that has gotten sick.

Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner had success this week with his weight loss...he now weighs

 

15lbs 8 oz, for a loss of 5 ounces.  He is getting extra snacks, as we are trying to slow the loss down a bit.  Maintaining week to week is fine too at this point.

 

Here are some gratuitous photos of Tanner and Ollie.  Tanner still just loves his baby, even though his baby is huge now!

 A little wrestling...

 A nice bath...

Special friends and brothers!

Weight Loss Wednesday

This week, Tanner had a slight increase.  We had been adding some extra snacks and treats to his diet to help slow the weight loss down a bit.  I guess we over did it some!  The vet is super pleased, and would like for us to try and maintain where we are, but if a bit more is lost then that is not a problem.  He is a good size and is enjoying the health benefits of having lost over 4 pounds!

 

Current Weight: 15 lbs, 13 oz...increase of 1 ounce this week.

 

After a few very cold days, we had some warmer weather, and the boys enjoyed a bit of outside time...Here are a couple of photos from this past Sunday.

 

 



Weight Loss Wednesday

Well, we missed a couple of Weight Loss Wednesday posts over the holiday, but never fear, Tanner was still losing weight!  I believe we had one week where we gained, but we are down again...

 

Drum Roll......

 

Tanner has now lost over 4 pounds!!!

 

Current weight is 15 lbs, 12 ounces!

 

 Tanner still loves Ollie...they share this bed many evenings.  Not sure how much longer they will both fit though!  Ollie is growing faster than Tanner is losing!

Nap time with brother is special!

 

For Tanner's success in reaching the 15's he is getting a pack of spring toys, and a new egg for his hard food.

 

I am going to the vet on Saturday with Ollie for more shots, and so I'll speak with her about Tanner's weight loss plan.  I think we should continue losing some weight, but don't want to get him too thin.  I like a cat to have a little bit of cushion or reserve on them, so they have some wiggle room if they get sick.  What are your thoughts on this?   What is your preference with your own cats?

Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner had another good week of weight loss...he now weighs 16 lbs, 5 oz...a loss of 6 ounces for the week!

 

Tanner's annual visit to the cardiologist went very well too.  His heart is stable and we do not have any medicine changes. 

 

Life is looking good for Tanner these days!!

Weight Loss

Tanner had an ok week considering it was Thanksgiving.  He simply maintained his weight, so we are still as 16 lbs 11 oz.  Tanner loves sweets and was given a few tasty morsels of pie crust, sweet potato casserole, and of course turkey. 

 

Tanner goes on Monday, Dec 9th to visit the cardiologist at the vet school.  We are hoping for a stable heart again this year.

Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner's weight is down again this week.  He lost 2 ounces bringing his current weight to 16lbs, 11oz.  I was a little concerned about what his numbers might show because he has been having a few extra snacks and treats as rewards to being nice to Ollie.  I had hoped we hadn't over done it!  Two ounces is a good amount and I'd like to keep him at that pace...nice and slow.  He goes to the cardiologist in a couple of weeks, and I know they are going to be pleased with his weight!!

 

He was rewarded with a bit of fresh air last weekend because we were having such lovely weather.

Weight Loss Wednesday

It's time to break out the Nip Tini's because Tanner has now lost over Three pounds!!!  His current weight is 16 lbs 13 oz. 

Put on your party gear and let's celebrate!!

 

The balloons will lead the way...come on over

We are having Chick-Hen

Fish

The favorite Ham

Small pieces of cake for everyone...this is a party afterall, everything can't be healthy!

And nip tini's or milk to drink.

 

There are places to rest when you get tired...stay all day and enjoy the food!

Don't forget to take a treat with you when you go...toys for everyone!

 

Thanks for coming and celebrating this milestone with Tanner.

 

 

Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner continued to make good progress this week.  He lost 2 ounces, bringing his weight to 17lbs, 3oz. 

Here are a couple of shots to show how far Tanner has come...I am so proud of him!

 This photo was taken in July, just before we started on the diet plan.  Tanner was at his heaviest, 19lbs, 14oz.  This isn't the most flattering of angles for a photo, but I didn't have a straight down shot.

This photo was taken on Sunday, when we gave the boys a break from Ollie and rewarded them with some fresh air and outside time.  You can see Tanner now has a waist!!  He feels much better, is more active, can clean himself, and while he still loves to eat, is doing very well on his plan.  We have added in a bit of extra dry food, to help the weight loss to slow down a bit (aiming for 2-3 ounces a week).

 

Tanner wants you all to 'weigh in' on what his reward should be for getting into the 16 pound range!  He should be there in a couple of weeks.

 

He got a new X Scratcher for reaching the 18's, and some fresh catnip for hitting the 17's. 

 

Our weight goal is to be in the 15's...I think we can do it!