Goober's toes aren't in good shape: the middle and inner toe on both feet have lost circulation at their tips. Although the rest of her isn't in great shape, either, there seems to be no good reason for her toes to lose blood flow. She may have kidney issues, or liver issues, but the only connection the vet could think of would be a tumor on her liver that is constricting blood flow — a perfectly placed tumor that is affecting both feet in perfect symmetry. That would be surprising.

That symmetry also makes other possible explanations hard to prove. The only new item in Goober's life (that I can think of) is the hot rock. The vet wasn't completely convinced the extra heat could be the culprit, and if it were, you'd think both entire feet would be affected, not just a few toes. Still, despite Goober's Love Of The Rock, and despite the fact that Nutmeg discovered its warm goodness today (good for her! but let's hope she's not sick, too), I took it out of the Finsterium. I just don't want to take any chances with those delicate toes. Besides, now I can give it a proper cleaning.

There's not much to do for Goober's other ailments. I'd guessed that already, which is why I hadn't taken her to the vet sooner. There's nothing to do to help a tiny bird with kidney problems, and I already started giving her milk thistle, in case she was having liver problems. She's on a course of antibiotics — not because we really think it'll do anything, but because it won't hurt. Besides, you never know about mysterious toes.

And those toes? Well, they might fall off, and other disgustulating things like that. Poor little toes.

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