Chester

Silas is now Chester!

Chester was and is a very affectionate, people-loving kitten. He loves to play as much as possible – until he conks out! Then he will sleep for a long stretch. He made himself at home quickly.

Chester has/had FIP. Fortunately we were able to see it and get him the extensive medical care he needed to survive. He has had a hospital stay, several ultrasounds, blood tests and fluid drained from his abdomen which inhibited his ability to breathe, among other things. And he was only about 5-6 months old at the time – poor little guy! He was a trooper and responded well to the treatment. He is now doing great but is still required to take anti-viral medication for a few more weeks and visit internal medicine at Central Veterinary Hospital for check-ups.

Initially, the introduction to my existing cat, Lyla, was quite difficult. Chester was used to being around other cats, but not Lyla, and she was not happy about this orange intruder entering her home. It’s been a few months now, and we have reached the stage of co-existence and more. They will chase each other around the house, but horseplay often turns a bit nasty and end with a hiss from Lyla telling Chester, “enough!” He obviously wants her affection, but she often isolates herself from Chester and us so as not to have to deal…

Chester is a little finicky in his food preferences and usually tries to eat Lyla’s food. Oddly, she lets him. But since he needs to get the nutrition in the kitten food now, I discourage that. His appetite is fine now that the FIP is in check and he has gained weight, filled out, and grown.

He still likes to chuckle my throat and actually tried to suckle one of the vet techs at the hospital! After suckling, he will fall asleep on my chest. Chester has a funny habit of bringing his toy animals to the food and water bowls, sometimes dropping them into the water bowl and fishing them out. He also carries things around the house.