This is the story of Zeke and the bee.

As much as I would like to think so, it is not always a safe place outside in the catio. This week I happened to stick my head outside the window, to see what was happening out there. Zeke was at the bottom, trying to catch a bug with his two front paws. I instantly knew that this was potentially trouble! I shouted at him, but he took no notice of me. Suddenly, he lets the bug go free, and it flies away. Then he comes jumping through the window, and running through the house on three feet. He is holding his right front paw in the air, and shaking it. Yes, he got stung by a bee.

He spent time licking his paw, and seemed to be not badly affected otherwise. I decided not to take him to the veterinarian. I would just monitor his health closely. That was a mistake.

In two days, he was walking well upon his foot, as though nothing had happened. He was eating and drinking, and normal in every way–almost! I noticed that he began drooling saliva like an old hound dog! He was soaked! It was time to call the veterinarian.

Zeke did not want to go to the veterinarian. He never does want to go to the veterinarian. “It is for your own good,” I said. So, I put him into his carrier, and drove to the veterinarian.

The veterinarian technician weighed Zeke. She took his temperature. Then she wrapped him in a blanket to calm him, while he waited for the arrival of the veterinarian.

Zeke was very still and calm. He was wrapped in the magical Blanket of Invisibility. No one could find him now. Well, maybe someone could find him, if they looked closer.

After a thorough examination, the diagnosis was that Zeke was in excellent health–except for the fact he was drooling.

Since I saw him get stung by the bee, we decided that must be the cause, and he got an injection of antihistamin drug. That was a few days ago. I can report today, that he has stopped drooling. It was caused by the reaction to the bee sting. Another “crisis” is over–until the next time!