Tommy
The first paragraph was written by Lee, the rest by Cathryn.
Tommy came to my mum and dad's house in January of 1994 after my Gran died, as he was her cat. He was just a kitten. All was well until we went on holiday and put Tommy in the cattery. There, he contracted cat 'flu and became extremely ill. After six months of treatment, he eventually pulled through and was well again but to this day, he still suffers with the sniffles. He is a very loving cat who likes to hunt and play. He is nearly nine years old.

Sunday 16th February 2003

Tommy now has a new home. Yes, you've guessed it - with us! Lee's mum and dad were experiencing some difficulties with a neighbour with regards to Tommy and they asked us if we would have him. With him being Lee's cat anyway after his Gran died, we decided that having him would make the family complete so he came home with us this evening. He meowed and scratched the box all way home but arrived safe and well.

We took Tommy up to the bedroom for the evening to get him used to the sounds and smells of the house, with a litter tray, water and food. He soon fell asleep on the bed in between having fuss and love off his new mummy and daddy.

Monday 17th February 2003

Tommy went downstairs today to meet the other cats. It didn't go very well. He growled and hissed at them and went for Mavis and Norman. We decided to put him back in the bedroom until tomorrow. When he was on the bed, Mavis came in the bedroom and jumped up. Tommy stared at her for a very long time but didn't hiss or growl. I think he making some progress. It must be difficult for him, going from living in a one-cat household to coming to one of twelve. I think it's going to take a lot of time before he settles and time is something we have plenty of.

Tuesday 18th February 2003

I made the executive decision of letting Tommy have free run of the house. I was unsure about what was going to happen, whether he was going to be bad tempered or not, so I kept an eye on him for the first few minutes. But, blow me, he was as calm and collected as anything, no hissing or scratching or growling. He was like a different cat. He went exploring and sniffing around and then had a bit to eat. When he'd had enough, he opened our bedroom door and went back to bed!

Friday 28th February 2003

Since my last entry into Tommy's diary, he has started to settle in really well. He is using the litter trays downstairs and is starting to take his meals down there as well with the other cats. He often wanders through the house having a look around. Sometimes, he is met by hisses from Toffee and Clare but most of the time, he is accepted quietly. Below is a picture of him drinking out of the tap.

 

Thursday 6th March 2003

Today, Tommy was admitted to hospital because he hasn't eaten since Monday but has been drinking a lot of water.

Friday 7th March 2003

Tommy has been put on a drip and been given anti-biotics but he doesn't seem to be getting any better. The vet has said he might have FIP. We are devastated as FIP is a contagious and often fatal disease, which means some of the other cats may have it. We are praying to God for Tommy's and everyone else's sake that it isn't FIP.

Saturday 8th March 2003

Dr. Raymond from the vet's rang today and said there has still been no improvement with Tommy. He says it's serious now. If Tommy hasn't improved by Monday, he's going to take blood to test for FIP and x-ray him to see if there's not a tumour, which is another thing that could be making Tommy so ill. Lee and I are so upset. We've only had the pleasure of Tommy's company for a few weeks and now he could be leaving us. Poor Tommy Fox.

Sunday 9th March 2003

I didn't think that Marshall and Till vet's would appreciate my ringing today but I thought 'what the hell' and rang anyway. I am so glad that I did because the vet, Mr. Raymond, was full of good news! Tommy is a lot brighter, he said and had eaten. Hurray!

Monday 10th March 2003

We saw Tommy today for the first time since Thursday. He was very perky and bright and into everything in the room we were in. He was a bit thinner than before but that is no surprise. We didn't know what decision had been made about him because the vet was at a different surgery and couldn't speak to us.

Tuesday 11th March 2003

We saw the vet today while we were taking Monty to have his stitches out. He said that Tommy was fit to come home. We were reluctant to do that, though, because of the risk of FIP. We asked the vet to test him for it and that is how we left it, with Tommy still at the vet's and probably ready to come home, if all is well, on Thursday or Friday.

Friday 14th March 2003

Someone from the vet's rang today so say that the results from Tommy's blood tests were back. They said it was highly unlikely that he had FIP but the blood tests weren't conclusive because the actual FIP test had not be requested by the person who sent the blood off. Grrr! This now means that Tommy has to stay at least another four days at the vet's until we get the actual FIP results back.

Other than that, he is well in himself and bright.

Wednesday 19th March 2003

It was found from the blood tests that Tommy does not have FIP and neither is he a carrier of the disease. Hurray! But, he has been in contact with it at some point in his life, though we don't know when that is. He is safe and well at home with us now. He is settling in all over again but it is easier this time round. He is eating with the other cats and enjoys crunchy biscuits as well as tinned food.