A Happy End in Piccolino

I had some annoyances this last week, but in the end of it, I had a pleasant time with my friend R. in Amsterdam.

Dentist

Last week, I  had an appointment with my dental hygienist - 30 minutes of hard cleaning and to find out that I have a tooth cavity, confirmed by the dentist 15 minutes later. I got a bit upset with this. I had removed a tooth this month already. I didn't need one more thing to annoy me.

Fofinho

Last Thursday, I didn't sleep very well. Fofinho had nausea, he wasn't feeling well, cried a lot and just wanted me to hold him. I gave him the proper medicine, he vomited and then he felt a bit more relieved. Then I nursed him until he fell asleep.

Return of our beloved friends M. and P. to Poland

During last week I became a bit sad too, when I learnt that my friends M. and P. decided to come back to Poland. We like them very much - very polite and respectful people - and we will miss them terribly. But I understand that expat life is sometimes difficult to cope with, specially in the first years and when kids are involved - a baby and a child of 3 years old. We tried to convince them to come to Almere - it would be easier for us to give them some support and the city is very family friendly - but they really want to return to Poland and, of course, we respect their decision.

Going to Piccolino with dear R.

Luckily, my friend R. invited me to dine with her this Friday in the Italian Restaurant Piccolino in Leidseplein, Amsterdam. We had a lovely time together and I ended up the week in a very pleasant way. Piccolino is one of the oldest Italian restaurants in A'dam.
I  also enjoyed very much the break dance show given by a young male group, minutes before, in that famous A'dam square. A good way to close the week. ;-)

A photo from Piccolino, to you.... :-)

From Neve 2013

Stay well and have a nice week!

PS: The snow and the cold have come back today. Time for poffertjes, tea and TV. ;-)

How is Fofinho doing?

This year we intended to go to Portugal for Christmas, but due to Fofinho's situation, we decided to stay here instead. I hope he gets stronger soon, so we can travel together to Portugal for short periods of time, without jeopardizing all we have achieved so far. There is no cure for renal failure, but he is much better now. And cheerful.

Calling 0900 15 15

Around 7 pm of July, 20th, suddenly, Fofinho started to act in a strange way: he couldn't keep his head up and he was having trouble standing on his feet. I never had seen him acting like this before and I got scared. I called my husband and then the 0900 15 15 to know where I should take him. A half hour later, in the Emergency Room, he did some blood tests and was given fluids. We were told that he should stay at home during the following days and rest. Arriving home, we cancelled our already paid weekend in Limburg.

Feeding Fofinho Using a Syringe

Since the end of July and until my departure to Portugal in September, Fofinho didn't eat dry or wet food by himself. I felt sad and desperated many times since I could only feed him using a syringe. To facilitate this process, my husband mixed water with the canned food in the blender.

During my staying in Portugal, my husband was told by the vet that probably Fofinho had only a couple of weeks to live. I arrived here very sad. She also told him to increase the frequency of the fluids administration and my husband started to do it every 30 hours.

The Fluids Therapy

A couple of days after my arrival, our dear cat started to eat and drink by himself. I cried of joy. I also noticed that he stopped suffering from nausea. I went many times with him to the vet clinic because of this situation, so he could take the pills and have some relief.

In the photo below, my husband is giving the fluids to Fofinho. At first, the fluids were given by the vet, but due to the high costs of the appointments and the fluids administration, we started to do it by ourselves.
Travels are for now in standby since we don't feel comfortable to ask this kind of support to our neighbors  - the needle is a bit scary and it would be too much work and responsibility for them.


Last October, Fofinho also started to use the cat litter on a regular basis. That means I don't need to give him the laxative anymore. Finally, this month, and for our big surprise, he began to clean himself up again. Until now, I had to clean him with a proper comb that we have bought in the vet clinic.

The Geriatric Tests

However, he's still very thin and has lost about a kilo and a half since the end of August. He now weighs a bit more than 2 kilos. He has done geriatric urine and blood tests, but no special causes that could explain this lost of weight - like diabetes or hyperthyroidism - were found. In fact, he is not losing proteins through his urine and his levels of creatinine are much lower - this means his kidneys are working better. The liver is also fine.
For the urine test, I bought the proper kit in the vet clinic. I put the small white pebbles in the cat litter and waited for him to urinate. Then I placed his urine in a tube and gave it to the vet right away.

In the Medische Centrum voor Dieren: Diagnosed with HCM

His vet asked then for an ultrasound of his heart and suggested that we do it in the Medische Centrum voor Dieren in Amsterdam. He was diagnosed  with a moderate Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), but according to the doctor who made the exam, his HCM doesn't explain his loss of weight. In fact, she got curious about it and also checked other organs, but she didn't find anything wrong. Fofinho is now taking everyday, and for the rest of his life too, besides the daily pill for the kidney failure (Benakor), a quarter of a pill of Atenolol to help his heart working better.
All the previous procedures - the geriatric tests and the ultrasound - were suggested by a professor of Utrecht University with whom his vet has spoken with.

Repeating the Tests for the laboratory in Germany

The less pleasant situation was with the lab in Germany to where the blood tests were sent to. Something happened and Fofinho needed to repeat his blood tests again, a situation not very comfortable for him, since the blood is taken near the throat.

The Vomits

He still vomits, specially in the middle of the night. I always hear him and wake up to comfort him until he relaxes a bit. I also clean everything as soon as possible since the floor is not in real wood and could be damaged by the vomit liquid. Cleaning vomit is another task that I don't dare to ask the neighbors to do in case I wish to travel to Portugal or elsewhere. It's too much work to ask for.

Diagnosed with High Blood Pressure

In the end of August, Fofinho was also diagnosed with high blood pressure. He needs to take Amlodipine everyday for the rest of his life. I also give this medication with a syringe. High blood pressure in cats can be very dangerous because they can turn blind suddenly. In September, I only left for Portugal, after Fofinho's blood pressure levels became normal. I also noticed that since he began to take the blood pressure medication, his neck became stronger and he could keep his head up all the time.

Fofinho's Bravery and Friendship

Fofinho has been a brave cat during these demanding months and I hope he gets better soon since he is eating so well the proper diet - dry and wet - that the vet has prescribed.
In the worst weeks, he used to hide himself in our bedroom, not staying with us in the living room during the evening. I used to go up to our bedroom to stay with him for a while, in silence, just laying down next to him. One day, I was crying in silence fearing losing him. I don't know how he noticed it, but he stood up, came next to my face and started to lick my tears. My dear, dear friend! He was so weak, laid down for some hours, but he stood up for me.

This was not the first time he has licked my tears. He was there for me in other difficult situations. He accepts me as I am, he is a very friendly and gentle cat and has the most beautiful blue eyes. I could tell you a million stories about him - what we have shared during these 16 years - , but that is our secret, our love and friendship.

Where are you, Fofinho?

My cat is missing since last Tuesday. I'm so worried and sad.

From Coisas Minhas

We have been looking for him everywhere, day and night, by foot and by car. We have placed photos at the supermarket and at the vet clinic. After looking for him without results tuesday evening and wednesday morning, I called to the police to know what should I do in these circumstances. They advised me to contact the Dieren Ambulance. And so I did and I have followed all their advices. I took a look at mijn dier is zoek, a site with photos and information about lost pets found by other people. But unfortunately, I didn't find anything! Then I phoned to the Dieren Asiel in Almere asking if someone has left Fofinho there. Later I also sent a Fofinho's photo. Finally, I sent all the information to Amivedi, a site about lost pets. The Dieren Ambulance assistant also told me if they find my cat in the street, they will let me know. I've sent to them my cat's photo to help them on their work. I've also talked to my neighbours, checked frontyards, backyards, corridors, lakes, public gardens, etc. Nothing! I'm so worried and sad, but I'm trying to think positive. He has got a chip with its identification data. That means he can easily be recognized. He has got all the vaccines. That means he is more protected against this cold weather. He is friendly. Perhaps he will be found by a gentle soul. I'm worried because this is not his usual behaviour. Everyday he likes to go for a walk, but after a while he comes back to eat something and drink water. He is doing a special diet because he has bladderproblems. On the other side, the street is very quiet and he knows the surroundings. But I just can't find him anywhere and he doesn't come back home. Where are you, Fofinho? I thought perhaps he was injured and he could not move. So I called for him, but not even a sound. I've been looking carefully at the sidewalks and the roads (perhaps an accident), but gladly, I didn't see him in those circumstances. I don't know what to think about and what to do more. Where is he? I checked all the places I was able to remember. If it was in the Summer and he was younger, I would be more relaxed. But knowing him under this rain and cold, with 15 years old, I'm fearing the worst scenario. I'm so sad. I want him with me, protected and well. Why doesn't he come back home?? Why don't I see him anywhere? Just pray, so I would be able to find him soon. Tomorrow I will place more photos in public places.

Fofinho at the Dierenkliniek

From Coisas Minhas

On this entry I told you what was necessary to bring my cat by plane from Portugal to the Netherlands. On today's entry I will tell you how it was his first visit to the vet.

Fofinho is in the Netherlands since September 2008. However, only last month I went to the veterinary clinic (dierenkliniek) to make an appointment with the vet and to ask how I could change Fofinho's chip data.

The recepcionist said I should send an email to the Portuguese organisation SIRA/SNMV (Sistema de Identificação e Registo Animal/Sindicato Nacional dos Médicos Veterinários) to change my cat's data. So I did, without extra costs, and now, my name, my new address, my email and my phone number are there. I've already received a confirmation letter. As you may remember my cat came with my mother and so the chip had her information, not mine.

On our first meeting with the vet, Fofinho did a general check-up (heart, weight, eyes, ears, hair and teeth).
Fofinho was ok. In fact, he lost some weight (3 kg). I think it's his daily walkings in the street. We live in a quiet, clean and safe street, so I feel more confident to let him leave.
Fofinho also took as a routine procedure a vaccine (vaccin) to protect him against different kinds of health problems and a tablet (tablet) for the treatment (behandeling) of mixed infections (infecties) with worms (wormen).

However, he needed to do a surgery (chirurgie) to remove a tooth (tand). I made another appointment. The surgery went well. Fofinho has received an anesthesia (anesthesie) and stayed all day long with the vet. The following two days he was a bit dizzy, but it was all.

On the first appointment I paid € 66.77 and for the second one I paid € 160.61. That means between the expenses to bring Fofinho from Portugal and the medical costs I spent almost € 500. So, if you are portuguese, you wish to live here and you want to bring your cat, this is more or less what you may spend.

I must say I had to spend € 61 more on the following week because Fofinho had a problem with one of his legs. He couldn't walk properly. He went to the dierenkliniek again and the vet said it was probably a fight with another cat. Fofinho took a medicine (geneesmiddel) for the pain (pijn) and now he is ok and walking again.

Bring your pet with you

27.03.2011

My cat in the backyard

From Coisas Minhas

We have a saying in Portuguese " Quem não tem cão, caça com gato" (He who has no dog, hunts with a cat), which means
you use whatever you have to achieve your goals, if you don't have what you are supposed to.
Look, for example, at my cat: it had no pillow to lay down its head, so it used the shelf to do it...;-)

My cat came with my mother by plane -in a KLM flight- on the first time she was here to visit us.

"What are the procedures in this situation?", you ask.

Fofinho needed a valid health certificate signed by a qualified vet. This certificate was issued eight days prior to departure.

Also the animal must be accompanied by a valid certificate stating that it has been inoculated for rabies at least 21 days before departure.

Pets travelling within the European Union must have a microchip and an official EU pet passport which should be issued by a qualified vet.

Only small cats and dogs up to 6 kg including travel bag or kennel can be taken into the cabin. Ours came in the special ventilated part of the aircraft. He is a bit fat.

PS:
Prepare yourself to spend around 250/300€ with everything:flight+health certificate+microship+ EU pet passport+ rabies vaccine+kennel

Asleep

Asleep. ;-)

From Coisas Minhas

From Coisas Minhas

Fofinho is sleeping...

Shiu!! Fofinho is sleeping...

From Coisas Minhas

Have fun with this cute video ;-)

My Cat in the Snow

In the Backyard (achtertuin)...

My Cat in the Snow ... ;-) So cute!!!

From Almere (III)

From Almere (III)

From Almere (III)

From Almere (III)

Thank you, Aledys ! :)

From Coisas Minhas

Hello Aledys :)
I`m Fofinho, Sandra`s Cat :)

Sandra is tired and she asked me to come here and say "THANK YOU, Aledys!" for the nice weekly recomendation to your readers :)

Sandra hopes that your readers enjoy "Presépio" and gives them a big "WELCOME" :)

Just to remember the labels are in english and there is an english translator ;)

To see the photos of Sandra`s travels, please click in the name of each country (Labels) :)

Enjoy and thank`s everybody! :)

De Calais a Dover

Ele também queria ir connosco na terça-feira, nas nossas mini-férias de 5 dias ;)

From Calais - Dover

Mas a E. e o B., os nossos vizinhos neerlandeses, cuidaram muito bem do Fofinho durante este pequeno período :) com muito mimo, varanda, comidinha, água, tudo o que um gato tem direito :)

Fomos cruzar o mítico Canal da Mancha, de Calais a Dover. Era assim que eu queria que fosse a minha primeira viagem a Inglaterra, de ferry, e gostei muito :) hora e meia que passou num instante.

Entretanto, estávamos no lounge a tomar café, relaxados, quando uma rapariga se aproxima e pergunta se queremos uma massagem às costas, ao pescoço e à cabeça. O valor do pagamento ficaria ao nosso critério. Aceitei e gostei muito :) que bela forma de começar estas mini-férias, não estava nada à espera :)

Para já, duas fotos:

Uma das salas do ferry...

From Calais - Dover

A minha primeira imagem de Terras de Sua Majestade, a Rainha Isabel II...

From Calais - Dover

Os nossos destinos depois de Dover?

Castelo de Windsor, York Castle Museum, York Minster, Castelo de Edimburgh.

Ao longo dos próximos dias, irei colocando as fotos :)

Boa Semana :)

O Guardião

From Coisas Minhas

Cuidou de mim desde ontem à noite...não me largou um segundo.

Tive uma paragem de digestão depois do jantar e não consegui dormir de noite com as dores.Horrível.
O meu marido teve que ficar hoje a trabalhar a partir de casa, pois eu estava incapaz de me levantar.
Andei a chá e torradas, uvas e gelatina de chá verde.
E sempre com o Fofinho a guardar-me, mesmo quando eu conseguia dormir por breves momentos, e enquanto o cuidador-mor trabalhava na sala.
Um querido!

PS 1: neste momento, já me sinto bem melhor :) Bom fim-de-semana a todos :)

PS 2: se alguém souber onde se arranja galinhas caseiras nestas Terras Baixas, por favor, diga. Já experimentei aqui uns ditos frangos caseiros, mas não me souberam a nada...o que eu quero mesmo é galinha. Dá jeito nestas situações :) Dank`u well!:)

Mais uma foto do Fofinho :)

From Coisas Minhas

dieren (animais)

Hoje foi dia de ir à loja dos animais fazer compras para o gato :)

sisal krabpaal (estaca em sisal para arranhaduras).

From Coisas Minhas

kattengras(erva para gatos) assim evitam-se os ataques às plantas.

From Coisas Minhas

blaasgruis(ração própria para os gatos com problemas no aparelho urinário); esta é o equivalente à que era comprada em Portugal.

From Coisas Minhas

já agora...

dierenarts(veterinário);
dierentuin(jardim zoológico);
dierenvriend(amigo dos animais);
dierenwereld(mundo animal);

A expressão é uma ternura...

...que eu não resisto...

o meu marido tem estado com uma forte gripe desde há três dias e ele não o larga, só está bem quando está ao pé do dono.

From Coisas Minhas

De Kat (O Gato)

Para quem já me perguntou por ele...

O nosso gatinho a dormir em frente à livreira ontem à tarde...

From Gatinho

sentiu-me e acordou...

From Gatinho

Ele também gosta muito de dormir e sentir o quentinho da canalização do aquecimento central no hall ou na sala de banho...

aqui no hall...

From Gatinho

My cat has arrived

Eu tenho um gato há onze anos, muito meigo e bonito. É branco, de riscas castanhas.
Os olhos são azuis como o céu.

"É um feiticeiro" como diz a minha mãe ou um "Fofinho" como diz o meu marido. Eu digo que ele é o meu amiguinho fidelíssimo.

Adora festinhas, o olhar é uma ternura e gosta muito de estar junto de nós.

Ele é preciosidade que me foi deixada cá há uns dias...

O meu gato veio de avião pela KLM.

Para trazê-lo foi necessário:

implantar-lhe um microship com os dados de identificação;
atribuir-lhe um passaporte adquirido junto do veterinário do bichano;
um atestado de saúde;
dar-lhe a vacina contra a raiva com uma antecedência mínima de 21 dias antes da data de partida;
comprar uma caixa adequada ao transporte no aeroporto.

O preço do bilhete varia de acordo com o peso do bichano.

Querem ver como é bonito?