Confessions of an Analytical Mind

Bless Rescue Daddy’s heart.  He endures many an analysis of the slightest animal event.  I have a confession:  I analyze EVERYTHING with my furry children.

My grandmother inspected parachutes for the military so being analytical is in my DNA.  Losing two dogs to cancer only drove me harder to accumulate a database of pet facts, behaviors, and other oddities.  I contend this is not necessarily a bad thing.

It is easy to fly off the deep end if, say, your pet vomits.  Well, I should amend that.  If your dog vomits, it is a big deal.  For most cats, vomiting seems to be a hobby.

When something out of the ordinary happens, I immediately start queries in the pet database stored in my brain.  (SQL has nothing on me.)  I take into account what the pet ate, how much activity she had, the weather and pollen levels (yes, that makes a difference), et cetera.  I analyze all of this information to determine whether or not we are dealing with a serious issue or a routine event.  Careful thinking has kept me from rushing to the emergency vet on many an occasion.

Here are the things that run through my head whenever something goes awry:

1. Has she eaten something that is not part of her normal diet?
2.  Has she been exposed to something new in her environment?  This could range from a new animal to chemicals.
3. Has her activity level changed?  This could include an increase in activity, which might have resulted in an injury.
4. Have you adjusted her diet?  Switched food?
5. Has her routine changed? 
6. Is she pooping, peeing, and drinking water?
7. Has her appetite changed – either increased or decreased?
8. Does she seem to be urinating more frequently or in larger quantities?
9. Is she having “accidents” in the house, even though she is house trained?
10. This one is gross but necessary – how’s her poop?
11. Does she seem interested in food, particularly if you are preparing food in the kitchen?  If I  wanted to remove all doubt, I could fry bacon.  Both Kiki and Gracie are there in seconds.  If they did not appear, it would be time for a vet visit ASAP.

Pay particular attention to #2.  My next-door neighbors use a weed killer that makes Gracie sick every time she is exposed to it.  I have asked them numerous times to alert me before they use it; they never do.  My cats also became sick from a floor cleaner I once used.  I switched to an eco-friendly brand and never had problems with the floor cleaner again.

Observation and knowledge of your pet’s habits is beneficial.  It can help you to put things into the proper prospective and make less emotional decisions.  Then, if you do determine that a trip to the vet is needed, you will have a wealth of information to share.  The doctor does not have the same day-to-day experience with your pet.  Providing as much information as possible can assist him or her with the diagnosis.

Now, if you will excuse me, Kiki and Gracie are sleeping on the couch.  I need to count the number of breaths per minute.  I am joking.

Rescue Mommy

P.S. from Rescue Daddy – not really