Why is it when I have a rare day off, I end up at the vet’s? Last night when I got off work and came home, I did my regular kitty check. Saying hello to everyone and making sure no one was overlooked to be petted and talked to. Riley was favoring his rear leg, so I took him aside and went looking for a source of the injury. There was no warmth to the paw, no swelling, no visible wound but he was doing no weight bearing on his leg at all. I took him upstairs, gave him some Metcam and checked on him this morning.

His paw is massively swollen and hot. His temp 103.4 not alarmingly high, but concerning especially in this hot weather. I ran him to the vet where he was given an antibiotic shot that should hold him for two weeks. They couldn’t find an abscess, but I know from experience one is probably cooking right now and will explode in the next few days. They gave me more pain meds and I have put Riley inside the Introduction Cage in the cat enclosure because if I put him upstairs his brain would cook in short order! It’s hot up there even with the fans running.

I was going to put him in the hay barn. It is cooler in there, and being that he is a barn kitty, I thought he might be more comfortable- but then I noticed three bats in the rafters and dismissed that idea. All I need for him to do is start chasing prey and really hurt himself.

I left a payment at the vet’s office but at this point my bill resembles the National Debt! Riley was in such pain that his leg was trembling the entire time the vet was examining him- but he didn’t bite her- so I am proud of him.

Last night after work, I threw my new bra on the bed and fell to sleep. In the morning when I woke up, Tilt was asleep in the cups! LOL Spendy kitty bed!