Zulu Watch ’07
Zulu came to the sanctuary very young. Other bengals that came with her were adopted out at that time to other volunteers. She stayed, but came to live with me when she was diagnosed with cancer. It is difficult sometimes, knowing I opened my home to an animal that is certain to pass away sooner than later. But she is getting an awesome quality life until that happens.
Maybe a month ago, we started to notice that her right pupil was bigger than her left. It grew until it almost took over her whole eye. Then it started to get cloudy.
She tolerates us touching her, but not picking her up. We’ve had to crate her twice, have her examined, have her sedated, and try and put ointments in her eye.
This from a cat I’ve seen bite down a pole so hard that if it were my finger, you’d be calling me stubby right now.
Luckily, tests proved it was a detached lens that we can leave alone for now. But almost as soon as we put the carrier away and tried to get back to a normal pattern, she seemed to get worse. She wasn’t eating, wasn’t playing. Of course she could barely stand to be in the same room as me – I’m the one doing all the mean things to her.
Today was the first day I’ve breathed easy looking in her general direction. She’s holding that eye completely open. She’s moving around the apartment a lot. She’s eating. And more importantly, she’s energetic enough for a sterile romp on the table with Roark.
(He’s never shown any sexual interest in another animals – in fact, we always thought he was gay. But he’ll hump her at the drop of the hat. Of course, everyone’s fixed so the entire act looks a little silly and Zulu definitely looks confused and pissed off by the end.)
So, we’re still on Zulu watch. But right now, we’ve downgraded to threat yellow. Which probably means she’s about to spray on something.
you have a giant heart, and i’m sure that zulu on some level recognizes that you mean well for her.