Kitty's at the vet's

[Eireann]

I finally took kitty to the vet today. I'm exhausted.

She's had diarrhea since about Tuesday. She's also been throwing up, but just saliva. Today, though, not only did she miss the box (which she NEVER does), but the saliva contained some blood.

I cried all the way to the vet's. I thought she would have to be put to sleep. I cried in the office, and a very sweet woman gave me a tissue and asked about kitty. The woman spoke English, so we talked about pets and how we hate going to the vet.

When it was my turn, kitty had blood samples taken, X-rays, the works. I had to go out to get money from the nearest ATM, because the vet operates on a cash-only basis. I came back and waited.

The vet told me that her platelets and leukocytes are down. This could be due to ingestion of a foreign object that is causing irritation. Or, it could be an immune problem. She's dehydrated, too. Basically, he's still not sure what it is.

I agreed to leave her there overnight, though I did warn him how stressed she gets (this wasn't the regular vet, but another one in the company). He's going to rehydrate her and give her antibiotics.

I just want my kitty back home, well and happy. That's what I want. So much.

[Mishi]

Oh no! Poor kitty, I hope she gets better and comes back home to you very quickly. What a lovely lady, it's good that there was someone nice for you to chat with rather than being stuck with an EW on top of your stress.

[Dilorenzo]

Eireann, I'm rooting for you to bring the little one home.

[draggar]

The vet told me that her platelets and leukocytes are down. This could be due to ingestion of a foreign object that is causing irritation. Or, it could be an immune problem. She's dehydrated, too. Basically, he's still not sure what it is.

It could also be some sort of blockage but hopefully it's just indegestion. Here things can get into our homes which aren't the best for cats (little hoppy amphibians (not the poisonous types, though) which can make the cats *REALLY* sick for a few days but then they get over it.

Hopefully it's nothing too serious and the kitty gets better quickly.

[Food Lady]

Poor kitty! Hope she comes home soon.

[Eireann]

Other Kitty has just blown my mind. I took Alpha Kitty to the vet today, and came back alone.

Other Kitty doesn't even notice. Really. You know how cats act when one's gone - well, she's not calling for her, or anything. She's a lot calmer than she usually is, but she's not asking me what happened.

I knew she was stupid; I didn't know she was THAT stupid.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Maybe she already knows...
Was this the same cat who hurt herself? You and your poor beasties...
Feel better soon, Alpha Cat.

[Eireann]

Yes, this is the same kitty who took a fall on Monday.

When the vet examined her, he noted that she looked fine. No discharge from eyes or mouth, for example. He looked inside her mouth, and I could see that she doesn't have gingivitis. He palpated her abdomen, held her up so only her hind legs were touching the table and watched her "walk", and did all sorts of other things.

She provided both of us with proof of her abilities when she jumped off the table (at least three feet high) and looked for an easy exit.

I was absolutely petrified that when I came in, the vet would say that something terrible was wrong and she wouldn't survive. I'm still shaking over it.

Other Kitty followed me into the kitchen earlier and watched me. Then I saw her looking at the door, waiting for Alpha Kitty to come in. So, she does realize someone's not here.

God, I HATE leaving my baby at the vet's. She hates it SO much.

[Kara]

:hugs: for you and for kitty. Also crossing fingers, toes, and eyes.

[Seshat]

Big, big hugs.

I once took a kitty to the vet & had him not survive. Vet took him home with her overnight, expecting to be able to bring him back in the morning for a particular exam. None of us - vet included - expected him to die. Unfortunately, he did.

Fortunately, it was in the arms of someone who cared, and tried her best for him.


Should the worst happen, remember that. Remember that you are doing your best for her, and that she is with people who care.

[MoonCat]

I hope she's better soon! Praying for ya!

[Eireann]

She's been there for a little more than 24 hours, now. Nobody has called me, which would have happened if an emergency had occurred, or if they had found something abnormal. The vet mentioned me picking her up in the evening, but he didn't say when. If I don't hear anything by 5 p.m., I'm heading out there anyway.

[MaggieTheCat]

Call and ask if you're worried (which I'm sure you are)...when Pluto spent the night at the vet, we got like 5 phone calls from them in 24 hours. None were emergencies, nothing was even abnormal (based on what was wrong with him and what their treatment was) but the vets knew we were worried and kept us updated regardless.

Been thinking of you and your kitty. Hope he gets better soon. *hugs and cookies*

[Eireann]

UPDATE:

The vet just called. No diarrhea, no vomiting since she was admitted yesterday. They've given her antibiotics. She's being rehydrated. The vet told me that there were two options. One, he could do a bone-marrow test, which involves putting her under general anesthesia. Two, they could start giving her corticosteroids.

He did tell me that if she has some kind of infectious disease, the corticosteroids could cause bleeding. The key words, for me, are "if" and "could". I told him I chose this option, because I'm worried about general anesthesia. Having made that decision, he told me that they'll start her on the medication today, which means keeping her there another day to make sure that no adverse reactions are experienced.

They're feeding her by hand, right now, and she's letting them. This surprises me; the vet (the main vet, not the one who's treating her now) said to me a few years ago, "She hates us."

I asked the vet how she is doing emotionally. "She is calm," he told me. "I am surprised at how brave she is."

I have to bring her in AGAIN on Monday for more blood tests. I wish I had a way of bringing in just a blood sample, rather than my kitty.

[draggar]

Animals can tell when someone is trying to help them sometimes.

I'm glad she's doing better, too.