- Joined
- Oct 21, 2014
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Hi there - I'm new. I have read sooo much lately that I think it's absolutely marvelous how so many gather together to talk/share/help - well, I guess this time I'd just like to reach out too. My cat is due for exploratory surgery. I'm nervous and scared for him. We have put it off for quite some time now, so I feel guilt over that too. I'll try not to make this too long. Almost 3 weeks ago my fur boy got sick, he stopped eating, and began hiding - we went to the vet, and he felt a small lump and figured he may have ingested something he couldn't pass, thus a blockage. He ordered a blood panel and that came back looking really good - a healthy cat. We briefly discussed surgery, but because our boy hadn't vomited again with the small amounts we did manage to co-hearse him with - he thought we could wait and see if he passes whatever he may have eaten (possible partial blockage?). There wasn't much change after that visit. So after a few trips back and forth so they could see him and x-rays - he was given sub-q fluids to treat mild dehydration and a laxative as he felt movement. After 2 doses it worked like a charm, and he had a poop. Things looked up after that - he was progressively getting back to himself for almost a week and a half, and even gained back 1 lbs. Then he vomited a full meal - and it's been nothing but down hill since, with more weight lost. At first I tried to nurse him back such as I did prior, but after a few days it was apparent he was starting to become worse off then the first time. I had to resort to syringe feedings. So back to the vet. Only this time, the doctor couldn't feel the lump he first felt. We decided to at least see where he was at and ordered an in-depth blood test to rule out FIV, FELV etc.. and of course I wanted to know if any of his organs were getting damaged by this horrible ordeal. The blood work came back today, and it was promising. His liver is fine, his kidneys are experiencing some mild stress, no diseases, his white cell count is up a bit plus his alkaline(?) level. The doctor was really surprised and happy to see his liver was good so maybe I helped after-all; I really hope so cause I've felt like a big failure having to force water and food. ugh. So it was decided he had to go in and take a look..... I feel so bad for him. Our vet is a really good doctor, and I do appreciate that he wasn't jumping the gun for surgery as he felt that was our last resort if he didn't get better. But I do feel guilty for letting this go on for so long, as in the end we are having to go through it now - maybe I should have just said do it the first time and he wouldn't have had to go through another bout of all this torment .. I am hoping this will be a standard procedure, maybe he ate a string? And there isn't any tissue damage etc. Has anyone gone through this, and do you have any tips or stories to share as to what I need or need to do when he comes home after surgery or what to expect. I hope he doesn't need tubes to eat and such. I pray he makes it through surgery too! I haven't slept much lately as I stay up to feed him, cuddle him, and in general I'm just sick with worry. Thanks for reading and letting me talk about this. By the way he is only 14 months old, and he's a Maine-coon x.