My Cat Hates Me

We rescued our cat from the late but not lamented Dewey Animal Shelter here in Las Vegas. We weren't told that 85% of the cats from Dewey were ill with severe upper respiratory infections. Not until after we had adopted her, of course. We saved her on her last day before termination, and it wouldn't be the last time we saved her life.

After a week of ownership, it became clear that the cat was very ill, and not just shy. She spent all of her time under the bed, and wouldn't eat or drink. So, we took her to the animal hospital, and $400 later, and three weeks of force-feedings, she was on the road to health. A relapse occurred after she was declawed a month later (necessary, because she'd taken a shine to our brand new furniture). She got through that with antibiotics (ever give a cat a series of pills? Not. Fun.).

Because of all of this trauma, and because she plumped up nicely, and isn't allowed outside or around other cats, we let her skip the vet for the past six years. But over the last few months, Jinx has developed a lump right between her eyes. It might just be a wart or a mole or something, but it was getting bigger, and started to show through her fur. So, back to the vet.

I was not scolded for her chubitude, which was nice. Nor was I reprimanded for the skipped visits. But I was presented with a $430 vet bill. And a cone around the cat's head. And one very pissed off cat. And I haven't even mentioned the car ride to and fro. Mercy. She's going to wear herself out squalling, and/or in the attempt to remove the cone. And the damned thing has to stay on for two weeks! It's going to be a very long 14 days. . .