WDW/DCL Western Caribbean Honeymoon Extravaganza!! DONE!!! - PG 51!!

[Born 2B a Princess]

I'm so happy that Jack is back home with you and that it turned out to be the most treatable of the three possible scenarios! I'm sure he'll be back to his normal self soon. Cats are so funny -- so much personality. Good luck with the medicine -- I've never tried to give medicine to a cat. It's pretty easy with dogs -- I just wrap it in a piece of cheese, some peanut butter, or drop it in with their dog food and they gobble it down without realizing they just took their medication.

Enjoy spending time with Jack this weekend!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Thanks everyone! We are very happy to have him home.

Unfortunately, the medicine situation is a disaster. We pretty much had to take our bed about last night to get him out and give him his pill. Then this morning, Tom and I both went to work with scratched and bloody hands from trying to get him to swallow his pill this morning. I wish the doctor would have given us some advice on how to do it because it seems next to impossible! We can't go through that twice every day and he fights us so much, I"m afraid he might spit it out, without us even knowing. It's really hard...much easier with dogs, I imagine. I'm going to call the doctor and see if they have any advice on how to do it more effectively.

 

[tink1957]

Could you just smash it up & put it in his food? If there's something he loves to eat, I would just crumble the pill up & mix it in with his food.

 

[emcreative]

(I thought you might appreciate this gem I was sent a few years ago when I was also trying to get my cat to take his medicine)

HOW TO GIVE YOUR CAT A PILL
IN TWENTY EASY STEPS​

1. Sit on sofa. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your elbow as though you were going to give a bottle to a baby. Talk softly to it.

2. With right hand, position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. (be patient) As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow. Drop pill into mouth. Let go of cat, noticing the direction it runs.

3. Pick the pill up off the floor and go get the cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process. Sit on floor in kitchen, wrap arm around cat as before, drop pill in mouth. Let go of cat, noticing the direction it runs.

4. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away. Scoot across floor to pick up pill, and go find the cat. Bring it back into the kitchen. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten. Drop pill into mouth.

5. Pry claws from back legs out of your arm. Go get the cat, pick up half-dissolved pill from floor and drop it into garbage can.

6. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of closet. Call spouse from backyard. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rod, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered Doulton figures from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with rubber band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Call fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take another pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, force cat's mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour one cup of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call at furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Get last pill from bottle. Go into bathroom and get a fluffy towel. Stay in the bathroom with the cat, and close the door.

16. Sit on bathroom floor, wrap towel around kitty, leaving only his head exposed. Cradle kitty in the crook of your arm, and pick up pill off of counter.

17. Retrieve cat from top of shower door (you didn't know that cats can jump 5 feet straight up in the air, did you?), and wrap towel around it a little tighter, making sure its paws can't come out this time. With fingers at either side of its jaw, pry it open and pop pill into mouth. Quickly close mouth (his, not yours).

18. Sit on floor with cat in your lap, stroking it under the chin and talking gently to it for at least a half hour, while the pill dissolves.

19. Unwrap towel, open bathroom door. Wash off scratches in warm soapy water, comb your hair, and go find something to occupy your time for 7-1/2 hours.

20. Arrange for SPCA to get cat and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Could you just smash it up & put it in his food? If there's something he loves to eat, I would just crumble the pill up & mix it in with his food.

Well normally, yes, I could do that. That is what I did for his asthma. Unfortunately, he is still VERY sick, therefore not really interested in eating much at all. So I HAVE to figure out a way to shove it down his throat.

AND there are 2 different pills. One can be mashed, the other is gel and HUGE for the poor guy!

(I thought you might appreciate this gem I was sent a few years ago when I was also trying to get my cat to take his medicine)

HOW TO GIVE YOUR CAT A PILL
IN TWENTY EASY STEPS​

1. Sit on sofa. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your elbow as though you were going to give a bottle to a baby. Talk softly to it.

2. With right hand, position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. (be patient) As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow. Drop pill into mouth. Let go of cat, noticing the direction it runs.

3. Pick the pill up off the floor and go get the cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process. Sit on floor in kitchen, wrap arm around cat as before, drop pill in mouth. Let go of cat, noticing the direction it runs.

4. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away. Scoot across floor to pick up pill, and go find the cat. Bring it back into the kitchen. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten. Drop pill into mouth.

5. Pry claws from back legs out of your arm. Go get the cat, pick up half-dissolved pill from floor and drop it into garbage can.

6. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of closet. Call spouse from backyard. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rod, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered Doulton figures from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with rubber band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Call fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take another pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, force cat's mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour one cup of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call at furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Get last pill from bottle. Go into bathroom and get a fluffy towel. Stay in the bathroom with the cat, and close the door.

16. Sit on bathroom floor, wrap towel around kitty, leaving only his head exposed. Cradle kitty in the crook of your arm, and pick up pill off of counter.

17. Retrieve cat from top of shower door (you didn't know that cats can jump 5 feet straight up in the air, did you?), and wrap towel around it a little tighter, making sure its paws can't come out this time. With fingers at either side of its jaw, pry it open and pop pill into mouth. Quickly close mouth (his, not yours).

18. Sit on floor with cat in your lap, stroking it under the chin and talking gently to it for at least a half hour, while the pill dissolves.

19. Unwrap towel, open bathroom door. Wash off scratches in warm soapy water, comb your hair, and go find something to occupy your time for 7-1/2 hours.

20. Arrange for SPCA to get cat and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

Oh my god, soooo true!

 

[PopArtGal]

The Flying Dutchman looks so cool.

I so wish I could see it.

I need to watch the movies again lol

 

[PopArtGal]

Awe, so sorry you cried. Maybe it was exhaustion and being overwhelmed with everything?

At least you got to try a crusie

 

[PopArtGal]

I don't remember how far I got with telling your all what's been going on and it's been a HARD couple of days. My first day back (Tuesday) I found out that Jack's leves dropped drastically enough to require a blood transfusion....still no test results. Then yesterday, his levels only went up slightly, even after the transufsion. The doctor basically told me he wasn't doing well and I had pretty much accepted and dealt with the fact that either last night or tonight, we would be going there to have him put to sleep...still no test results.

Then today, my first day with students, I got a message from the doctor that said Jack's levels went UP significantly, which had nothing to do with the transfusion, as that would have been immediate, AND they got the results back that it most likely is an auto-immune disease. (If you remember, that was the ONE that was most treatable.) I figured since he was on the medicine for so long and he didn't seem to be responding, it wasn't working but the doc said it takes a few days and his body is probably finally responding to the meds! They added another medicine, now that they have a better idea of what it is AND we're taking him home tonight!!!!!!

I asked the doctor, "Does this mean he's going to be okay?" and basically he said he doesn't know but it's promising. He'll have to be on this medicine for a while and has to have regular blood tests to make sure he's still responding to the meds but it's MUCH less dire than it was yesterday and I just can't WAIT to get him home!! I just keep trying to get it in my head that's he's still not himself and won't look "right" but I just can't wait to see him!! I'm cuddling with a blanket right now so I can put it in his cat carrier with my scent on it.

He's going to be so pissed at us!!!

Awe. I'm glad you can bring him back. I've been thinking about you guys every single day!

 

[swankybeth]

Enjoyed the update, sorry to hear that you were upset on your last day.
Glad to hear Jack is back home, hopefully he'll be back to himself soon.
Looking forward to hearing about the Epcot day.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

The Flying Dutchman looks so cool.

I so wish I could see it.

I need to watch the movies again lol

Yes! It was definitely the coolest thing about CC, in my opinion!

Awe, so sorry you cried. Maybe it was exhaustion and being overwhelmed with everything?

At least you got to try a crusie

Exactly. At least we tried!

Awe. I'm glad you can bring him back. I've been thinking about you guys every single day!

Thanks so much Christy! I really appreciate that! How's little Timon doing??

Enjoyed the update, sorry to hear that you were upset on your last day.
Glad to hear Jack is back home, hopefully he'll be back to himself soon.
Looking forward to hearing about the Epcot day.

Thanks! Epcot day coming soon!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Hey guys! Thanks so much for all your kind words about Jack. Like I said before, I had pretty much accepted the fact that we were going to lose him so it really is a miracle that he is home!

When we first brought him home, on top of being shaved in 6 different places (all 4 legs, belly and random spot on his chest ) he was also very jaundice (yellow skin) and completely traumatized from being in the hospital for a week.

Then there was the pill problem, which upset all 3 of us!

Fortunately, I got a call from the original vet that sent him to the hospital for further treatment saying that she receive his info that he had been sent home and she wanted to know how he was doing and if we were having any trouble giving him the meds! It was like she was a mind-reader!!

So I called her back last night and she said she was going to look into finding liquid forms of either medicine and to relax, we're doing a good job even if we think we're not! She's just wonderful! (And not even his regular vet, he was on vaca when I first brought him in.)

So I tried again with putting his pills in treats but he's just NOT interested...not really eating, as he's still very sick. So I took away all his other food except the "spiked" food and he didn't touch it all day yesterday or last night.

SO, this morning he actually seemed much better. WAY less jaundice, even gave himself a little bath. So we tried the pill again. This time, Tom held him on the chair with a blanket (basically pinned him down) and I opened the mouth and shoved it in...SUCCESS! Thank God! Quick and easy, that time. Hopefully, this technique will contine to work so he gets all the meds he needs to continue to get better.


SOooooo, other than that, after I do some laundry and lesson plans, I will try to get to the final Epcot day by the end of today!!!

 

[PopArtGal]

Timon's doing well.

Thanks for asking.

I went to the vet for his first appointment on thursday. He had his flu shot, and he has to go back for another shot in 1 month.

Then we'll take care if his claws (don't flame me).

Then he'll get castrated at 6 months (don't flame me).

The vet says I'm doing a great job. He's healthy and gaining weight as he should.

1.4 pounds now hehe I know, he's huge

 

[PopArtGal]

Hey guys! Thanks so much for all your kind words about Jack. Like I said before, I had pretty much accepted the fact that we were going to lose him so it really is a miracle that he is home!

When we first brought him home, on top of being shaved in 6 different places (all 4 legs, belly and random spot on his chest ) he was also very jaundice (yellow skin) and completely traumatized from being in the hospital for a week.

Then there was the pill problem, which upset all 3 of us!

Fortunately, I got a call from the original vet that sent him to the hospital for further treatment saying that she receive his info that he had been sent home and she wanted to know how he was doing and if we were having any trouble giving him the meds! It was like she was a mind-reader!!

So I called her back last night and she said she was going to look into finding liquid forms of either medicine and to relax, we're doing a good job even if we think we're not! She's just wonderful! (And not even his regular vet, he was on vaca when I first brought him in.)

So I tried again with putting his pills in treats but he's just NOT interested...not really eating, as he's still very sick. So I took away all his other food except the "spiked" food and he didn't touch it all day yesterday or last night.

SO, this morning he actually seemed much better. WAY less jaundice, even gave himself a little bath. So we tried the pill again. This time, Tom held him on the chair with a blanket (basically pinned him down) and I opened the mouth and shoved it in...SUCCESS! Thank God! Quick and easy, that time. Hopefully, this technique will contine to work so he gets all the meds he needs to continue to get better.


SOooooo, other than that, after I do some laundry and lesson plans, I will try to get to the final Epcot day by the end of today!!!

Awe that's great!

That's usually what I did with my late cat. I put the pill so far in his mouth that he couldn't spit it out. He had to swallow it.

I kept his head up and stroked his throat until I was sure he swallowed.

Hope that helps.

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi Nikki,
glad to hear your cat is back home

with the talk of the Flying Dutchman at CC.... did you guys see the news about POTC 4 being made.. released 2011, wooo!
Wish I was at D23 Expo this weekend there is soo much going on, apparently Fantasyland in MK is being expanded by 2012 wow!!

Looking forward to your return to wdw Epcot day

Emma x x

 

[YoNoSe]

Wow, I can't believe how long this trip report is! I'm ashamed to admit that I have to go back and catch up.

I just wanted to pop in some pics of our favorite little guy, resting comfortably at home -

I have to think that after while they were just shaving random bits of him for the hell of it.
We feel SOOOO lucky to have him back!!!!

 

[mamaboogie]

Awww! look at all his shaved bits!

He looks cosy and happy to be home!

 

[tink1957]

Jack looks like he's smiling in that last pic, you can tell he's feeling better.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Timon's doing well.

Thanks for asking.

I went to the vet for his first appointment on thursday. He had his flu shot, and he has to go back for another shot in 1 month.

Then we'll take care if his claws (don't flame me).

Then he'll get castrated at 6 months (don't flame me).

The vet says I'm doing a great job. He's healthy and gaining weight as he should.

1.4 pounds now hehe I know, he's huge

Oh that's so tiny!!!

Awe that's great!

That's usually what I did with my late cat. I put the pill so far in his mouth that he couldn't spit it out. He had to swallow it.

I kept his head up and stroked his throat until I was sure he swallowed.

Hope that helps.

Yes, hopefully it will continue to work!

Hi Nikki,
glad to hear your cat is back home

with the talk of the Flying Dutchman at CC.... did you guys see the news about POTC 4 being made.. released 2011, wooo!
Wish I was at D23 Expo this weekend there is soo much going on, apparently Fantasyland in MK is being expanded by 2012 wow!!

Looking forward to your return to wdw Epcot day

Emma x x

Yes! I just read the title of the 4th POTC was annouced!

Awww! look at all his shaved bits!

He looks cosy and happy to be home!

Aren't those shaved parts so funny!?

Jack looks like he's smiling in that last pic, you can tell he's feeling better.

Aww, yeah he kind of does!

 

[PopArtGal]

He is.

But he loves biting and scratching us. To him it's just play. But it's starting to hurt.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Day 14 ~ August 1, 2009
Epcot - The best day we've ever had in Disney World!​

I woke up around 7:15 to the sound of our bill coming under the door. I checked to make sure our excursions were taken off and thankfully, the Cozumel ones were BUT Tom's parasailing on Castaway Cay was NOT. So I went straight to Guest Services, the guy behind the desk made a phone call to the person who had to authorize him to take it off (he was home sick!) and it was taken care of fairly quickly.

I went back to the room at 7:30 and woke up Tom. I had to laugh because he is not really easy to wake up and he woke up and got out of bed faster THIS morning than any other day on the trip! We really couldn't wait to get off the boat and to EPCOT!!!

There was a long line in the Atrium, which at first we thought was the line to get off the ship, but turned out to be the line for breakfast at Lumiere's!!

We were able to get off the ship really quickly, it was about 7:45 when we left.

Security was very easy (I was kind of worried that I hadn't filled out the customs form properly). We then entered a room FILLED with bags! The day before, we got "tinkerbell" tags to put on our luggage so we fould the "tinkerbell" section, quickly found our bags and made our way out of the building. We were directed to the right, where all the rental car shuttles pick up. (The day before, I had asked at guest services about the rental car shuttle and they didn't know about this place. They actually told me that I should call to have the shuttle come get us but when I called, they told me it runs continuously.)

Well, we were the second family in the Avis line...and of course, Avis strikes again!!! All of the other rental car shuttles came and went AT LEAST twice before we saw the first Avis shuttle. Really, it took so long that I finally called and when I told them I was calling from the port, they didn't even wait for me to ask the question, they just said, "YES, the shuttle is running!" I guess I wasn't the only one that called!

Thankfully, we were second on line because there was not a lot of room and a lot of people didn't make it on the first shuttle, and possibly not even the second! They were REALLY mad!!!

We got to Avis and I stood in line for maybe 10 mins before they told me where the car was. Good thing I'm a good driver because that car was in the corner of the lot in between two cars. Do you know what I mean? Like imagine an L with a line of cars on the side of the L, a line of cars on the bottom and our car where the lines meet! And I did NOT get the accident protection so I was veeeery careful pulling out of the mess!

I pulled around to the back, got Tom, loaded our bags...and we were off to Epcot!!!!!! Before we left for the honeymoon, I had printed out directions and they were very easy to follow! We were so happy to be on our way to a place we KNOW won't let us down!! We were on our way before 9:00am

Okay, so the "Just Married" pin was back on, ears were in the back seat, ready to go back on after a week of being in the suitcase and before we knew it, we saw that magical sign once again!

From there, I pretty much just followed the signs and soon enough, we saw ANOTHER magical sign!

I have NEVER driven into a park before, always took the bus, so I wasn't really sure how it all worked. Well, I had my AP out and as soon as I pulled up to the booth, I asked the woman if it was free parking with an AP. 'It sure is, honey! And congratulations!" Ahhhhh, YES! Friendly, smiling castmembers already!!!

Tom took some more pictures as we drove in.

I was worried about the parking lot, too but it was SOOO easy! I couldn't believe it! And we parked close enough to just walk...actually, I think we may have skipped up to the front entrance. We were SOOO excited!

I think it was around 10 when we entered and I think I may have teared up at the Epcot Entrance music. I was able to appreciate it even MORE after the disappointing week on the cruise. I felt so relaxed and at ease for the first time in a week. I felt like I could breathe easier! It really was like going home!!

We went straight to Soarin' to get a fastpass but the line was only 25 minutes long! Already way less crowded than the week before. (Last week, by 10am, the line was an hour long!) So we decided to just wait on standby. Just as we got to the end of the line, I had a thought....did I remember to lock the car? I am so freakin' OCD about stuff like this!! Like, if I don't have the image in my head of the exact moment I did something, I think I didn't do it. So I told Tom my fear and he KNEW that I had locked it but I was still worried...I mean we had ALL our stuff in that car.

So after an excellent ride on Soarin', I volunteered to walk back to the car and check. Actually, when I got there, I didn't even check it...I just hit the lock button and then checked to make sure it was locked. I didn't even want to know if I had locked it before or not!!

By the walk back, I could tell that not only was it LESS crowded than last week but it was WAY HOTTER than last week!

I met Tom in MouseGear and it was straight to World Showcase for the rest of the day!! Our first stop was Mexico for some margaritas and Nachos!!

It was quite clear that the crowds had changed from Brazilian tour groups, to obnoxious drunken frat boys!! As we found our seat, there was a large group of guys sitting not that far from us. They were loud...and they were bragging about getting drunk and cursing A LOT. Now listen, I curse and I drink but it was so inappropriate, it was making me cringe! BUT, I tried my best to enjoy my snack and drink. Our margaritas were SOOO salty ( I guess some salt must have gotten on the bottom of the cup) it was almost undrinkable. So Tom brought them back and they gave us two more, without salt! Thank you kind Mexican CM!!

Sooooo, the annoying boys get up to leave and what do they do next? They each get on a motorized scooter that they had rented from the front of the park. OH MY GOD, I was livid!!!! These guys rented scooters because they were lazy jerks who wanted to get drunk and not walk. (If I was saying that sentence out loud, and not on the DIS, there would be WAY more curse words and I would have called them way worse than jerks!)

Now, I am SOOO nonconfrontational. I avoid that kind of thing at all costs and I get so uncomfortable when people fight...but I just couldn't let it go. I don't know what came over me but all of a sudden out of my mouth came, "Why are you guys riding those?" Then, the ONE girl that was with them (and walking, by the way) came back with, "Why do you care?" So I shot back, "Because some people actually need them." Well the guys just kind of were saying, "It's more fun than walking" or "They rent them to anyone" blah blah. So they went on their way but I couldn't eat another bite of nachos after that. Completely lost my appetite. But that's ok because there were plenty more World Showcase snacks in my future!

I have to say, this experience kind of made me nervous for my first Food and Wine trip. They were actually NOT the only group of young people there to DRINK. We saw a lot of groups clearly there to drink around the world. It was weird...I wasn't sure if there was something going on or what. I'd never seen that before.

We walked to Germany and saw Snow White with no line! We asked the photopass photographer if we could use the same card from last week and she said sure. Again, it was a HUGE congratulations on our wedding and honeymoon and she chatted us up for a few minutes. Again, soooo nice to be back with the WDW CMs!!

Up Next: The rest of the relaxing day in Epcot, more friendly CMs, snacks, snacks, snacks and different kind of exit picture!