Skeeter's in having surgery :(

[ringletchk]

Hi All!! Sorry I haven't posted for a while but life is REALLY messed up. As most of you probably remember, Skeeter was on the S/D diet because he had stones in his bladder. He was on the food for 6-7 weeks and the protein stones disolved but the calcium stones did not.

When I went to the vet on Friday and he told me about Skeeter needing surgery after showing the the ultrasound I fell apart because I lost my job about 3 weeks ago and had to move out of my BFs house due to domestic violence and can't afford the surgery. The vet held me while I was crying and told me that he would take care of the surgery and if and when I'm able I can pay him. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING!! He is amazing!!

www.boulevardpethospital.com (Dr. Schuchman)


Skeeter is probably having the surgery right now and the assistant told me she would call me to let me know how everything went and I should be able to bring him home tomorrow.

[ringletchk]

I just spoke to the vet and he said Skeeter did good through the surgery.

He said he wants to keep him there until Thursday or Friday to ensure there's no leaks in his bladder? Is this normal or should I be more worried than I already am?

[special]

Oh my gosh! My heart was in my throat when I saw this.

What kind of surgery did he have? Remove the calcium stones? How wonderful your vet is to do this for you.

I don't know anything about the surgery so can't offer any helpful insight, just hugs and prayers. If you tel me what kind of surgery it was I can do a search for you if you want.

I'm sorry things are so rough for you, now. Please keep us updated.

[special]

was it this:

Called a cystotomy, the surgery to remove bladder stones involves making an incision through the belly. The bladder is lifted into view, opened, and stones are removed.

here is some info on it:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_feline_oxalate_bladder_stones.html

[ringletchk]

Special ~ Yes, that it what was done. The vet told me to call again today to check on his progress. I will keep you posted.

Thank you for the nice private message it made me smile after such a tough road. Thanks!

[katiem]

Wow, your vet must be a pile of awesome!

I'm glad Skeeter made it through okay. Keep us updated.

We're all sending hugs to you and Skeeter!

[ringletchk]

Thanks Kat ~ I will be calling this afternoon to check on him. I will let you all know his update.

[special]

Checking for a Skeeter update. Have you been to visit him? Bring a shirt you've worn or slept in to leave with him. Nothing you value, because you probably won't get it back!

[ringletchk]

I spoke to the vet tech yesterday afternoon and he told me Skeeter is doing well.

He asked if I would be able to give Skeeter antibiotics and I just laughed because he would never allow me to do that so the tech suggested he stay there until approx Saturday to ensure he gets all the meds he needs.

The tech did tell me he has eaten and has urinated but he hasn't had a BM. I got a suggestion from Special to give him Rescue Remedy when he returns which I will do but I will ask the vet if it's ok to give to him.

I miss Skeeter soooo much. When I call today I will ask if I can come visit him.

[squashynose]

I'm glad he's doing well :)

[ringletchk]

I just called the vet and spoke to the tech thats been taking care of him and he told me I could come visit so I'm leaving now. I'm going to take one of my tops that I wore yesterday for him.

I will let you all know how it goes.

Thanks everyone for your support, especially you SPECIAL!!

[ringletchk]

I just got back from visiting with Skeeter. I fell apart. It seems like he didn't even recognize me, could that be? The tech told me he wasn't on pain meds anymore and he was alert.

They shaved him from his chest to his butt and his fur under his tail is an absolute mess.

I'm so freaked out that he doesn't remember me!!

[Macawpower58]

Stress can cause animals to go into a kind of zombie state. They don't react to normal stimuli. Once he is home in safe surroundings, he'll be fine. Don't take it personnaly.

Look at how many pets that get lost. The owner sees them, and calls, and the animal runs away in full flight. It's not uncommon, but the memory loss won't last.

Cat's especially can go whacko very quickly. Calm down, and take him home. He'll be fine, once he relaxes and feels safe again.

I've seen many 'reunions' where the pet looks completely confused. Trauma is rough on pets, cat's especially.

I agree your vet is a gem. I'd say a batch of your best cookies is needing to be baked! Small enough thanks, but he'll appreciate the thought behind it.

[special]

Hi, just checking for an update on Skeeter's homecoming! I know it's still early afternoon for you so I'll try to wait patiently......<s>

[ringletchk]

I'm sorry but I didn't have access to the computer until now.

I picked up Skeeter at 11:00 pst today. I think he knew he was coming home with me because when they brought him out to me, he cuddled with me and started purring and that THRILLED me because I was so afraid he had forgotten who I was.

When we got home he was acting like he was never gone but he was very hungry and thristing. I let him eat his fill then I let him be and watched TV and he came and went to sleep next to me.

I just now spoke to the vet since he wasn't in when I picked him up. He got the results back from the lab and the stones were calcium so he wants to see Skeeter again on Sunday to discuss how we are going to stop the stones from returning and he says that is going to be a challenge.

So far so good. Thank you all for your support and Special, talking to you last night was VERY helpful and I thoroughly enjoyed our chat.

[special]

Thanks for the update! I'm glad the reuniin was a happy one and that Skeeter knew you. !

Please keep up updated on his progress, and what vet is recommending for treatment!

[Julia423]

I'm so glad that Skeeter is home and recovering with you. I'm sorry you've gone through such a rough patch. I was wondering how you were doing...I know you and I live pretty near each other (I used to live in Hayward, too ... isn't that where you were?) I know Dublin pretty well also.

Sorry about the bad domestic front. My sister and her kitty came to live with me just around Thanksgiving for what's probably a similar situation.

Hang in there...we're here for ya.

[ringletchk]

Thanks Julia. I appreciate the support.

Skeeter has an appointment at noon today with the vet. I will update when I get back.

[ringletchk]

Just got back from Skeeter's re-check and things seems to be fine. The vet is concerned that he hasn't had a BM since the surgery but he says he is not blocked and should be going within a couple days.

The place I'm temperarily staying was babysitting 2 kittens about 8 weeks ago and now Skeeter has fleas so the tech gave me 2 doses for flea meds. That really bothers me since Skeeter has NEVER had any type of bugs.

He will go back to the vet next Sunday to have the stiches removed and they said they will probably have to sedate him so I will need to leave him over night.

The vet said we will talk about how to keep the calcium stones away by diet or something to keep the Ph down on Sunday when he goes back and to keep him on the S/D diet for now.

[special]

Thanks for the update! ugh, sorry about the fleas.

I know how you feel, I felt the same when I suddenly developed a flea issue here, having never ever had fleas or had to use flea treatments, ever. I was mortified! I used Frontline PLUS for four months, every 30 days, then every other month for the next eight months and I have not had to use it again since, (over a year now) so the frontline plus solved the problem.

I treated only three out of the four cats, my senior lady's health is too delicate to risk even safe frontline plus.

While using the spot on treatment vacuum daily everywhere with an upright vacuum cleaner. Recent studies have shown that this kind of vacuum scrambles the fleas' brains and kills them (or something like that)

[Pugzley]

Hi ringletchk, I'm so glad to hear that he's back home and doing well.

I hope your personal stuff turns around quickly as far as a job. Lots of people are worried, us included, you just don't know who's going to be next these days!

(((((Skeeter and ringletchk))))

[ringletchk]

Thanks Pugz ~ Skeeter has a vet appointment today because he's been sneezing like crazy and breathing odd. I'm sure I'm being over protective but like we all says "better safe than sorry". The vet is still taking care of him at no charge which is just a gold send.

I will keep you all updated. Thanks for the well wishes EVERYONE!

[ringletchk]

DAMN!! I'm so upset. Skeeter has an upper respiratory infection. The tech just put his ear to Skeeter in the carrier and could hear his labored breathing. They are going to give him injectable meds for several days and check his urination and BM habits. The tech said they will keep him until Sunday so they can take out the stitches instead of me taking him back and forth (30 miles).

I'm so freaked out AGAIN that he's going to forget me. Do you think he's suffering? I just couldn't handle all this if he felt abused or suffering or feeling neglected. My heart is breaking.

GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[squashynose]

Gahh! Poor Skeet :(
But yay on the job front!! :biggthumpup:

[special]

DAMN!! I'm so upset. Skeeter has an upper respiratory infection. The tech just put his ear to Skeeter in the carrier and could hear his labored breathing. They are going to give him injectable meds for several days and check his urination and BM habits. The tech said they will keep him until Sunday so they can take out the stitches instead of me taking him back and forth (30 miles).

I'm so freaked out AGAIN that he's going to forget me. Do you think he's suffering? I just couldn't handle all this if he felt abused or suffering or feeling neglected. My heart is breaking.

GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know how you feel, it's devastating to have to leave them in a "cold steel cage". When I had to leave my seizure kitty at the hospital in Cornell I couldn't eat the whole time he was there. It was too far for me to visit every day, ugh it was terrible.

but he will be okay. visit him every day if you can. This will show him that even though you've left him there you will be coming back again. bring him another shirt you've slept in.

Is he using a litter box now?

congratulations on the new job!

[Julia423]

Oh no, I can't believe he's got a respiratory infection! Poor thing. I agree with the shirt trick special suggested (that's how I get Chico's new toys ready for him - I wear them around in my bra :))
I know how hard it is to leave them...you just can't get your normal day to work correctly...everything is off until you get that baby home.

Glad you found a job. I just read that we have a 17% unemployment rate in my fair city. :(

[ringletchk]

Special ~ I forgot to answer you question, sorry. I have the litter box out for him but he refuses to use it. I have a piece of plexiglass under the toilet seat with some litter on it so I know when and how much he is using it. I tried keep the toilet seat down when I moved here but he wouldn't use the litter box. I had no alternative but to set up the toilet again.

[special]

Special ~ I forgot to answer you question, sorry. I have the litter box out for him but he refuses to use it. I have a piece of plexiglass under the toilet seat with some litter on it so I know when and how much he is using it. I tried keep the toilet seat down when I moved here but he wouldn't use the litter box. I had no alternative but to set up the toilet again.

How does he manage when he's at the vet? Do they have a little porta potty thing?

[Pugzley]

Congrats on the job!

So sorry about the URI, though. He'll be fine, once this is over, he'll forget any of it happened. He's not going to forget who you are. Not in this short of a period of time.

Here's proof of how long cats can remember those they love. The end was one year after Christian the lion had been released into the wild, he already had a family of his own, but he still remembered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU6AjvibF50&feature=related

Skeeter will always love you, too!

[srgrimes]

Ive saved two dogs in the last ten years and we can never save them when we have extra cash. yes my vet understands and allowed me to repay him on my own terms. vets are great guys in more than one way!Sounds like you got a great one too.

[ringletchk]

Special ~ He is using a litter box at the vet but he will only use the toilet at home. I know I know, VERY wierd!

I went to visit my boy twice today and he was very happy to see me. He is still sneezing and weezing a bit but not as bad. The Dr came while I was visiting and he told me they are giving him injectable antibiotics until Sunday. I took a small hand towel that I wore around my neck until I got there to keep with Skeeter so he will have my scent there with him.

Before I went to visit the first time I stopped at Safeway and got a beautiful orchid plant for Dr. Schuchman and his staff with a card that made me cry. It was mushy and talked about they were my heros and that I can never thank them and show as much appreciation as I have. The Dr seemed touched by the gesture and thanked me.

Thank you all for being so supportive!!

[lexi]

You are really lucky to have a vet like that. He must be the Marcus Welby of the animal set. I take my cats to a wonderful animal hospital but I don't think they would ever say that to me. I have 11 cats and they do give me a break on their treatment though. I can't tell you how many thousands of dollars I spent on my cats already. I'm glad Skeeter is doing well

[ringletchk]

The vet tech Robert just called and told me I can pick up Skeeter after work today. He said he's not sneezing or weezing anymore and his stitches have been removed. I'm soooo excited!!