Geri Schmutz rescued Mokie from a burn barrel. She had lost the tips of her ears and had several bad burns on her legs. This little grey kitten was so affectionate and friendly despite her wounds that I had to try and save her. She had a couple bad burns on her back legs, but I was more concerned about smoke damage to her lungs. However, she got better with antibiotics and suave, and soon was running around my living room, making my other cats furious.
We had named her “Crispy” at the veterinary hospital, but my wife made sure that was changed. She thought that name was cruel. I thought it was appropriate and a bit humorous, but we changed it to Mokie of course. Mokie is not a beautiful cat. Her body is very compact with a comparatively big head, wide set big green eyes, and a hooked tail. Her trail had obviously been broken to end up like the hook on a clothes hanger. Don’t forget she has rounded ears due to her burns that give her a slightly “wild look”. However she is one of the most affectionate and cats we had ever had. She is always interested in what we are doing, and will join us in the yard, or wherever there is activity.
She considers herself part of our dog’s “pack”, and will join them for “go potty” before we go to bed. The “off” click of the remote starts the activity. They know when they hear the click of the remote, potty outside, and nummy inside follow. The funny part is that Mokie races outside with the three dogs, pees in the gravel area, and runs back in for her “nummy” with her pack. She then joins us in bed with at least one and sometimes two of the three dogs.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a cat that looks a lot like Mokie, who has had asthma for 14 years. I never realized it was anything more than a cough, because the first time he ever did it at age 1 or 2, I took him to the vet and the vet seemed perplexed and gave me an antibiotic. He never mentioned asthma or xrays. So I figured if he isn’t worried, I guess I’m not either!
But last year the coughing got so bad I had to take him to the vet for it again, and this time it was diagnosed as asthma.
I treat him with Flovent (for people) and the Aerokat face mask. I don’t want him on steroids pills or injections, as he is already a big cat and I don’t want to cause diabetes or anything else. He no longer coughs! He gets his puffs every morning and every night, for over a year now.
Here’s a video of him getting his puffs! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDxyUWG7MCE
Leigh,
I am going to try the inhaler on Mokie. Right now she only needs a injection of dexamethasone (1mg) every few weeks. She is a young cat, so definitely will be a candidate for the mask if her episodes get closer together.
Thanks for writing!
I give our boy cat “Jethro” (rescuse) a Flovent treatment every night and it has worked wonders. He uses the Aerokat face mask and Flovent inhaler and doesn’t mind it as he seems to know this has made him feel better. We have been doing this for about a year. The next time we get a prescription we are going to lower the dosage. I may go to the lowest dosage and give this to him morning and night when I retire… Other than the Asthma, he is a happy, healthy boy. If he has an Asthma attack we give him a blast of Albuterol with the Aerokat mask and that gives him immediate relief. He uses the same Albuterol inhaler I use so that was convenient.
Glad he does so well. Thanks for letting me know how well the inhaler works!