I am fairly worked up right now. This evening, my sister came over. She played with Chunk, picked up Puffy, we went to dinner and then she left. After I came back from dinner Puffy wouldn't come out from under the bed. I couldn't get her to eat a cookie and she was growling at me and Chunk. I put her on the kitchen counter and she just sat there and closed her eyes. She was so lethargic. I panicked and took her to the ER vet. I'm still pretty freaked out.

Everything was fine except she had a fever. After 30 minutes there, the fever decreased by half a degree. It went from 102.9 to 102.3 (I think... it could have been 100.9 to 100.3.. but I know it was in the high range of ok) All of her vitals were ok, so they gave her sub-q fluids under the skin to help with any dehydration she may have. I think it helped actually, because she already seems to feel better.

The vet said that this is probably caused by stress. I feel so bad. I'm crying right now, I've been crying for an hour now. I feel so guilty. All along I thought Puffy was handling this really well, and I inadvertently made her sick. Puffy means so much to me, I love her more than anything in the entire world. I can't believe what I have put her through this month. A move, a new apartment, a new kitten, and me being gone during the days. Chunk is in the bathroom right now since we just got home and she's acting normal again.

I need to give her more breaks. I love my girl so much, I need to learn how to be a better Momma. Chunk is so easy to love, and he is such a good boy, but I need to do what is best for both of them right now. That means taking things a little slower. I know everyone has advice on how to introduce two cats, but I have tried really hard to be the best Mom I can. This is such a big accident on my part.

I'm on the verge of a nervous break. I've had an immense amount of stress and change in the past few weeks and this just tops it off. Poor Puffy probably feels my stress too. Please say some prayers for my sweet girl.

And, on top of all this, it literally breaks my heart to make Chunk sleep alone. Breaks my heart. I am so in love with Chunkers. He is such a sweet boy. It breaks my heart that he doesn't have me to snuggle with tonight.

You're the farthest thing from a bad kitty mom and sure there's been lots of changes in PPP's world recently tho she did seem to adjust well if going by all recent behaviors with her reactions to Chunk, her ability to continue to eat well and no probs with output so maybe whatever stressed her was a more recent event and even unrelated to major stressors. Thankfully she let you know right away something was bothering her (hiding, growling) and you got her immediate veterinarian emergency intervention.

My new cat introductions were always pretty quick and my cats adjusted (and we've moved many times together like at least 7 in their lives to date). Cats can be very strong little creatures so go easy on yourself~ seems like you're a wonderful mom to PPP and I'm sure she knows it~ Chunk too (hope he won't have to stay in the BR long and PPP goes looking for him).

I had to log in to tell you my Prayers are with you and Puffy I got a little sad that you feel so sad

Kira you are the best mommy to Puffy and Chunk. Please please please don’t beat yourself up over this!

It sucks PPP worried herself sick but by getting her to the ER vet you now have some insight as to what to do from this day forward ...and take things a bit slower. It’s hard to know if anything is wrong sometimes when they act seemingly normal. Then when they get sick we realize our mistakes and it’s a horrible feeling. Believe me because I was just there, feeling guilty over Regan not feeling well and racking my brain over where I went wrong. Only if they could talk!

Just know that this experience doesn’t make you any less of an excellent kitty mom! If anything you can come out of this with a better connection to Puffy because you know that much more about her.

Puffy Puffy Princess, Regan and I hope you feel better

Also I think Chunk will understand his big sister needs extra attention right now. He has many wonderful nights ahead sleeping next to you,right now all he wants is for PPP to feel okay!

I am so sorry to hear this. You are the best kitty mommie I know so don't blame yourself.
I know how upset you are and I am sure things will calm down for Puffy.
The little Chunk will be fine with the new arrangement since he is still young.

I do understand how you are feeling however. I just vented about Dakota yesterday.

Hugs to the 3 of you. :heart:

Aww Kira don't be so hard on yourself, you are a wonderful mom

Maybe something happened while you were at work, a little disagreement , and it sounds like she was a little dehydrated, which will make them act that way. I know it is hard but maybe keep them separated when you are not there and let Puffy sleep with you like she always did. If you don't want to lock Chunk up at night maybe you could take Puffy in your bedroom with food and water and close the door so he has the run of the place and puffy has you. Spend extra time with Puffy and make sure she is getting enough water. She will be ok, it probably is just going to take some time, both of you, heck all three of you have had a lot to deal with.

Hugs

Just wanted to add, yes they most definitely know when we are upset and it upsets them, they only know something is wrong. I was so upset and depressed when the girls were sick as kittens and my vet kept telling me that I was making it worse, to be more positive. Sometimes I would go sit in the car and cry so they wouldn't see, then paste a happy face on. Of course they still knew, they are very tuned in to us.
Try to make things as normal as possible for Puffy, she is probably feeling like you are, totally overwhelmed. I sure wish we could learn cat talk so we could communicate

Aww, Kira, you can't blame yourself...you are a good cat mommy,
one of the best!
You just never know with cats how situations can or will affect them.
The both of you have certainly been under a lot of stress these last couple of weeks,
new job, new apartment, not to mention new kitten.
I truly believe that once things are "routine", Puffy will be just fine..right now,
it's just all this newness..

Dianne has an excellant idea of shutting you and Puffy in the bedroom at night, and allowing
Chunk free roam of the rest of the place...give it a try...

Hugs,
Joan

Oh my heart skipped a beat when I saw the title!

I know how you feel. I am like that with Muffins..I am so protective of her and I would feel horrible if I knew she was upset with me. When she pooped on my pillow I was so bummed out but I just kept on giving her special attention. Still to this day I give her her own special treats and she sleeps on my pillow. When everybody...and man there are a lot of people...who tell me how stupid I am to let the cat sleep on my pillow...I think....they would never understand, but that is me and Muffins' thing. I take that away how upset would she be. I put her happiness before my health and That makes me happy.

You are doing fine...and eventually she will get over it and be happy and probably even happier than she was before because she will have somebody to play with.

Your move and your life situation you can only do your best. When I moved out of my house in Virginia and back in with my parents as an in between before moving in with John...I had to keep Muffins locked up in my room there. My mom was paranoid about her herpes affecting her cats...and I was paranoid that they would let her outside or something. During the time I would spend weekends with John. I had to see how it went with me staying here a couple nights at a time if I was going to move in here...and I had to leave poor Muffins alone. My sister would pay attention to her for me and took care of her but my mom would call me all the time guilt tripping me that she was crying in the room. I have never felt so horrible. I was supposed to wait longer to move in here...but one day my mom called and said "your cat would be better off being put to sleep than staying here". That's my mom. So I went that day and got Muffins and moved in here for good. So she had to move 2 new places in a short period of time.

Anyways...I know nothing anybody says will make you feel better...but it will be ok. Give Puffy lots of hugs and kisses.

How's PPP this morning? Did Chunk do Ok in the BR last night? Did you get to sleep or were you up half the night feeling terrible?

I have felt bad many a time for the stress I'm sure I put my cats thru esp. as they've gotten older. I had to be away from home for 2-4 months at a time these last 4 years or so because my Dad was having increased health probs before he passed away last Dec. (love and rip Dad). I worried terribly about my cats and paid someone to stay in my home and sit them when they didnt' go stay w/my husband which was an even bigger stressor for them re him being gone/work 10-12 hours/day and his big big domestic cat 30lbs back then ...

Anyway, sure hope PPP is better today and Chunk's Ok and you're not feeling so like bad mommy today (I just went thru feeling like that re giving Winston all the raw food and Alaska none because I'm so happy to see Winnie eat so then felt like I neglected Alaska's health)...

Kira, I am so sorry about all the upset you and Puffy have had to go through. Bonnie is in the same boat. One thing I did that seemed to help Bonnie was to lock Emily up in another room at night. Last night was the first night we let Emily have "free rein". Bonnie seems to be much better since I allowed her a part of the day to have the house to herself.

I think the advice to lock you and Puffy in your bedroom at night, allowing Chunk freedom in the rest of your place, is very good. Chunk might object the first night but after a night or two, he will be fine. Puffy just needs a little space, that's all. I really think it takes a month for things to sort themselves out. Just be patient and love on Puffy a lot. *big hug*