Worried...

My two cats have got very different personalities. Monsignor Furretti is into everything, and purrs at the slightest provocation. She is very demanding, and follows me everywhere. Cardinal Catzinger appeared quieter than his sister - and I assumed that, behaviour in the shop notwithstanding, Furretti was the dominant cat. I did my best to hold Furretti off while feeding cat treats to Catzinger, just to make sure that things were "fair."

By Monday afternoon, I was worried. Catzinger just seemed to get quieter and quieter. I encouraged Catzinger to sleep on my shoulder while keeping Furretti curled on my lap, but it was becoming obvious that Catzinger just wasn't very well, and that it was more than simple personality differences and difficulties in settling down.

During the night, Catzinger seemed unable to settle. He tried to be sick a few times, but didn't bring anything up other than a little fluid. I made a "den" for him, a nice, dark cave for him to hide in away from his more boisterous sister, and he crawled in... though, by morning, he was curled up at the foot of the bed. However, he wasn't comfortably curled up... he just looked all wrong.

He didn't miaow, and, more worryingly, he didn't purr. He wasn't interested in food.

Wondering if I was panicking unduly (I am not used to kittens - as I missed out on Sylvester's kittenhood, I have nothing to which I can refer back) I phoned the vet which had microchipped and innoculated him on Thursday morning. The only appointment available was at 10am. Mentally working out where the speed cameras were, I promised to be there. I thought it might be better to keep the cats together, so both Catzinger and Furretti went into the cat carrier.

The vet wasn't sure what was wrong with Catzinger, but agreed that he was a very sick-looking kitty. "I've never seen a kitten so quiet!" he remarked. Furretti was also examined, and declared to be in good health, though (as I suspected) very underweight. The vet was willing to take both cats in (to keep them together), but I thought that she might prove a little too wearing for Catzinger if they were both cooped up in one cage, especially since Catzinger would probably need to be put on a drip...

I wondered if I'd made the right decision, though, as Furretti cried all the way home. Part of me didn't want Furretti to feel she'd been abandoned again (I figured that Catzinger was too ill to notice) and a selfish part of me didn't want to be without any cats... but, now that we're home again, I think I made the right decision. Monsignor Furretti is currently balanced on my chest, fast asleep, while I type.

Catzinger is still at the vet's - I rang to check on his progress - and no-one is quite sure what is wrong with him. The vet will phone again later. I shall keep you all informed...