We had to rush him to emergency; and I only managed it with the help of my kung fu brother (who should be sainted, by the way). He was so kind to come and collect me and take the cat and I to the emergency vet. We went to the Ottawa Veterinary Hospital, and I cannot recommend them enough. They were so lovely, and kind, and really understanding about my tears.
The Amazing Flatmate was on holiday herself, and out of the country. I ruined that holiday by leaving a teary , anxious message on her voicemail about what was going on. I feel guilty about calling her when I was panicked, but I had to let her know what was going on.
What followed was a looooong trip to the emergency vet, with my kung fu brother staying with me the whole time. I honestly owe that man the world. The vets were worried it was something to do with his urinary systems, which can be fatal pretty quickly. They did a whole bunch of tests, and gave him and X-ray, and then sent him home with strict instructions to observe him.
His weird behaviours continued, and I got a call from the vet. All urinary stuff was clear. Now they were worried that his liver (which appeared too small for him in the X-ray), and so wanted him brought in for testing. Once again, I packed poor Galahad into his carrier and brought him to the vet. I had to leave him there for five hours while they tested. My good friend Jonathan did the leg work this time, and I owe him a great deal too. The same from Trina, who was incredible emotional support. I spent those five hours wracked with guilt and sobbing.
Galahad is an annoying little fur-ball, but I love him very much, and the thought of him being in pain made me beside myself.
At pick-up, I was told Galahad was extremely stressed at the vet. Guilt intensifies. Still, after bringing him home, he seemed much more himself. I even got a couple of days of cuddles (he's normally a very cuddly cat). Then the odd behaviour started again, and I got worried. But I got a call from the vet earlier in the week. His micro-liver appeared to be functioning normally, and he is pretty damned healthy (if a little overweight... Ahem). I asked the vet about his behaviour and they thought it might be stress caused by the intense heat we've been having.
So... now I'm saving up for a portable air conditioner, or a small, quiet, window unit that I can put in and take out (because fresh air is absolutely necessary for me) easily for when we get heatwaves that our central air cannot handle... and it cannot handle even a little bit of heat. That way there'll be at least one cool room in the house for Galahad to take refuge in.
And that was my "holiday." I spent it anxiously hovering over a sick cat, dealing with the stress by hiding from the world and having a massive Castle marathon. You can bet that I cried more than normal at all the touching scenes in the series.
However, now that the Amazing Flatmate is back from the trip I spoilt — so much guilt — I can return to work knowing that Galahad is safe with her. So, here I am.
Now I have to try and play catch-up with all the things I hid from while on "holiday." Wish me luck!
Ciao!