Or Tap Tap, the Chiseler, as he was better known. I originally dubbed him Nathan Scott Phillips after scooping him out of a hoarding situation at my boyfriend's parent's house. He was very tiny, covered with fleas, and full of worms. We got him better again and brought him home. This was a few months after my kitten Chairman Meow was tragically killed and I thought we (me and Smalls) were ready for a new kitten. Things were not working out. Nathan had to be completely separated from Smalls. She and Chairman were the best of friends, and I'm not sure if his death did something to her (she would not leave the spot he died or eat for days after he was killed) but she was aggressive towards Nathan. She no longer shows aggression of any kind towards cats, so I have no idea what could have happened there.
So, Nathan was rehomed with my parents. My dad is quite fond of cats and offered to take him. I hate to say Nathan is the only animal I've ever rehomed that was meant to stay with me, but it was better for him and he was quite happy to be the only cat and live with my parent's dog who got along with him swimmingly.
Nathan died last night at 2 AM. I received word today from my sister. Nathan was only alive for three years, but they were quite a struggle (he was most likely extremely inbred). The last year or so he had lost most of his hair and was constantly scabbed over. My dad took him to vet after vet and tried every thing. I had them switch foods thinking it was an allergy and he began to grow back fur and became EXTREMELY playful and friendly, but still scabbed and scratching. My dad took him to a local vet I have had good luck with before finding our current vet, and that is when things went down hill. The man berated my parents for taking horrible care of their cat (infinitely not the case) and perscribed Prednisone. Within hours of taking his first dose, Nathan became lethargic and odd acting. E-vet was called and they said to observe him for a few hours and if any thing changes, come in. A few hours after that he began vomiting and could not walk. They rushed him to the e-vet and he did not survive.
I can't get anyone on the phone, but the word is my dad is very angry and believes the vet made a mistake. He has talked to the vet, who offered a necropsy free of charge, but I advised them to save their instructions and medications and have our personal vet preform the necropsy. Nathan was prescribed 5 mg of prednisone twice a day. I am NOT a vet, and I imagine there could have been other causes (including an allergic reaction to the steroid?) but Nathan is an 11 lbs cat, who was given the same dose Magpie was, and Magpie is a 50 lbs dog.
Hopefully I have some word on what happened to him soon. Where ever he is, I'm sure he's not itchy anymore. Good bye, Tap Tap.
What a beautiful cat.
