Lock-down Day 394

Up at twenty to four ... looking for Ziva first! She's fine, but STILL throwing up! There's no choice, I MUST take her to a vet today. She's still not eating, either.

The Veterinary Academic Hospital, where ALL South African vets train, is just up the road, so just after six, I give them a call. They are open from nine to twelve today. Oh, they are open 24 hours, but outside normal hours, their fee triples! Ziva is still fine, still active - just not eating and still one retching incident. Not life-threatening emergency, so I'll wait till they open. I'll try to be there before nine, and hope to get an opening quickly - with no appointment, that's the best we can do.

I've got the cat carrier ready, I'll leave about half nine. It takes about 10 minutes to get there, without traffic ...

Other mippies are also unsettled. Mewthos demanded breakfast, since the door is closed and he can't go outies ... Ziva wouldn't come. She's keeping out of the way. Mewthos tackled her last night, I had to call him off! Mini is leaving her in peace, though she does show concern. She give Ziva a gentle sniff, without her usual play-tackle.

Now we wait ...

Ziva is in hospital! Overnight ... they don't know what's wrong.

When I put her in front of the cat carrier, she walked right in by herself. She knows exactly what's going on. And why. She was quiet in the car to the vet, no crying. Since we didn't have an appointment, we had to wait - we got lucky, and there was an opening at half past nine. Student examined her, then consulted with the vet (standard procedure at the Academic Hospital). Ziva seems really fine - she purred while we waited, walked around inside the carrier, no lethargy. Vet came with the student and examined Ziva as well, then took her with for more tests ... and I waited ... and waited ... and waited ... growing more anxious, the longer it took.

About quarter to eleven the student came out and told me that they can find no cause. She is dehydrated, but otherwise she seems fine ... yet, she won't eat. So they want to keep her overnight to rehydrate her and keep her under observation. Then re-assess tomorrow morning.

Don't ask me what that cost me! Not only financially, but emotionally ...

Still, I have chores to do, so I had better get them done.

Three in the afternoon, laundry is hanging to dry - blankets are already put away. I've taken a hot shower and fried myself something to eat. I didn't eat last night, nor this morning ... 

The atmosphere is - naturally - subdued. Janey and Mewthos miss their mommy, even Mini misses her playmate. 

Yes, I could have taken her home, after some medication against the nausea - but nausea is just the symptom, not the cause. And she needs re-hydration (from my own experience, once you start de-hydrating, that causes continued vomiting - so re-hydration may clear up everything) Also, I could keep her in the spare room, under observation - but I'm no vet! I don't know what I'm observing! What to look out for!

However, if she isn't better tomorrow ... the cost of more in-depth testing ... that's really beyond me ... I just hope that she will be fine tomorrow!

She looks fine. Alert, active, purring ... but until she starts eating again ...

The entire consultation took over an hour ... worst hour I've had in a long, long while! Not knowing, fearing, man, my brain is my worst enemy at time like these ...

Well, I have to keep busy. Things to do. Laundry is hanging to dry, I've fried myself something to eat - I hadn't eaten last night, nor this morning. I'm in no mood to garden, I'm afraid ... just waiting for the vet to call, repeating 'No news is good news' as my stay-sane mantra.

Ziva is doing well! I just called the vet and he told me she hasn't thrown up since I brought her in, and she's even eaten a little! That's really a huge relief! Still not a clue as to the cause ... but she's definitely better. She's eating! Even if only a little - it's still more than she's done the past 12 hours or more ...

I had messaged At, that Ziva was in hospital, so I messaged to let him know she is doing well. He told me that his both the people he lives with are sick, and he is looking after them, so he can't make it this weekend. Pity for him! He could really do with some time here ...

I had also messaged Rose, she's just as relieved that Ziva is doing better.

I was a little surprised, having messaged 2 of my readers that Ziva was in hospital, when they each asked 'Who is Ziva'? 

Anyway, Mewthos, Janey and Mini came in very, very early! Enjoyed their treat ... then Janey mipped, looking everywhere for Ziva! She called, then led me to the front gate ... which is unusual. Does she think I've left Ziva somewhere outside? Mini wouldn't come away from the front gate, when I wanted to close the door. I pulled her back and before I could close the door, she went right back ... pawing at the gate ... Three times in a row! Also not normal. I'm not sure whether Smeagol is outside - though they don't normally try to tell me that. They just hiss and stay away ... 

Well, I'll be very much relieved once Ziva is back home, where she belongs!

I'm not sure, yet, whether I should keep them inside tomorrow, so I can leave anytime I need to ... or let them out, counting on their habit of coming in most of the day?