Prayers needed for my kitty...

[Dreamstalker]

A bit of backstory first:

McGriff, whom we've had since I was 10, was hit by a car when he was a kitten resulting in facial nerve damage that meant his right eye cannot close. Two years ago, he got an ulcer on that eye. That's been managed with a topical antibiotic and artificial tears.

For the past two days, that eye has been very red and weepy. First we thought it was just irritation from dust, but upon seeing blood and a small dot on the surface of the eye I bundled him off to the animal hospital this afternoon.

Turns out, the poor guy has a hole in his cornea. The most humane option (and permanent solution) would be to remove the eye completely. However, given his age and medical conditions (diabetes, kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, possibly an enlarged heart but we seem to recall that "fixed itself" a few years ago), there is a chance he may not be a candidate for surgery. We won't know that until probably later tonight or tomorrow morning as they're running tests (he was admitted into the Critical Care Unit right off). Even if he is a candidate, it's still risky.

If he does make it through he should be fine until old age catches up with him. He's had a good life so far.

Any GoodThoughts that anyone can spare for my furball would be appreciated.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a287/Dreamstalkerwolf/McGriff/Basket2.jpg

[Elspeth]

Sending many good thoughts and hugs to you and him.

[Sheldonrs]

Good thoughts from me as well.

[Dreamstalker]

Mom just called; the opthalmologist called her and he passed the pre-surgical tests with flying colors (the heart came back completely normal, which both is and isn't a surprise). The surgery is scheduled for first thing tomorrow.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Aw, pretty kitty. I hope he's OK...

[RootedPhoenix]

Sending good thoughts. :)

[Cat]

hugs and love to your kitty for a fast and many head scratched recovery,


My kitty is a one-eyed bundle of fur, they adapt so well.

[Dreamstalker]

It's very strange not having him underfoot...I was telling a friend about what happened and he seemed surprised that he wouldn't get a glass eye (is it just me or would that be really weird).

[Cat]

It's very strange not having him underfoot...I was telling a friend about what happened and he seemed surprised that he wouldn't get a glass eye (is it just me or would that be really weird).

When I too Ri to a specialist the next state over (kitty hated the drive), I looked through the pictures they had of previous patients.


They do indeed to glass eyes for pets :eek:


I prefer Riley to be a pirate.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Sending good kitty vibes your way and plenty of virtual hugs.:hug::hug::hug:

[Food Lady]

Kisses to your kitty! (Yes, I kiss kitties. :) )

[Camry178]

Lots of hugs for your kitteh. I'll keep him in my prayers. :)

[MaggieTheCat]

Boyfriend and I will be thinking of your kitty while he's in surgery! And here are some best wishes from our kitties:

http://speed.sakabatou.net/stuff/cats/laundrycats.jpg

[Dreamstalker]

Awww, your kitties are too cute (especially the tortie--is that what s/he is?).

Well, we're both going on the assumption that no news is good news, at least for now (I didn't ask when the surgery was going to be, so don't know if it was done earlier this morning or not).

[Cat]

Awww, your kitties are too cute (especially the tortie--is that what s/he is?).

Well, we're both going on the assumption that no news is good news, at least for now (I didn't ask when the surgery was going to be, so don't know if it was done earlier this morning or not).

Yeah, Ri's surgery was early in the day, and I got the "he's all good,,,,now here's the graphic discription of what happened :) " call mid-afternoon.


*thinking happy thoughts!!*

[Dreamstalker]

Yeah, after a surgery they probably want to make sure everything's as OK as it's going to be before making the call.

A glass eye would strike me as really strange; having one eye with a normal reactive pupil and the other one just staring (which is what he was doing anyway, but for us the big issue is the expense and I'd also think there would be a danger of particles actually getting under the lids and into the socket). If he couldn't see anyway...

That never came up yesterday; I'd think if an implant was being considered it would come up when planning the initial surgery.

I've seen testicular implants (http://www.neuticles.com/) (this company also has eye implants) for fixed dogs/cats.

[Dreamstalker]

I just got a call from mom; the surgeon called her (well, not the surgeon per se, probably one of the critical-care technicians) and "he's up and walking around and he even ate something". Mom said the tech was surprised at him eating so soon after surgery, but he can be a bottomless pit at times.

She should hear from the doctor later today, and the plan is to pick him up tomorrow afternoon. He'll have to wear one of those Elizabethan (cone) collars for a week or two and will probably have pain meds as well until the sutures heal; we'll probably also have to make some changes around the place to compensate for his lack of vision on the right side.

So he came through; thanks for all the goodthoughts as I'm sure they helped.

[Cat]

Happy to hear :) Those collars make kitties so sat looking, esp with the one eye..... Riley says, "Puuuurrrraaaaarrrggghhh, matey"

[Dreamstalker]

I dogsat for a puppy that had to be spayed; she looked so sad in the collar (but cute in a weird way). When we got McGriff neutered the only type of collar they had was hard plastic; I've seen semirigid "foam" collars now so maybe he'd get one of those.

[MaggieTheCat]

Awww, your kitties are too cute (especially the tortie--is that what s/he is?).

Yup, our Yume, on the left, is a tortie (and a spoiled little princess.) Ash, on the right, is just an American shorthair mix. They love it when we do laundry -- obviously. :roll:

Glad to hear your kitty is doing well! The collar will suck at first...hopefully he won't be too bothered by it...I know where you can get a nice, soft Elizabethan collar that's more comfortable that the hard plastic cone type, but you'd have to mail order it, and it being Friday, I'm sure you wouldn't get it till middle/end of next week. :( Still, let me know if you're interested.

[protege]

Teh kittehs and I send happy thoughts.