The Continuing Kitteh Saga

Cosmo came home from the vet this afternoon strung out on morphine and pissed off.

The vet ended up taking out four teeth--two that were good and rotten, and another two tiny ones in the front that had somehow gotten broken years ago.  I had no idea he had broken teeth, much less how they got that way; Cos has been an indoor cat his whole life, so I can only assume he was chewing on the doorknob or something equally brilliant.  He does have a tendency to bonk his head on the coffee table when jumping down from the sofa, so who knows?

He tested negative for FLK and FIV, thank the gods, and the rest of his teeth are in fine shape.  I just fed him a bit of his usual gooshyfood, which he went after with more gusto than I've seen him eat in a week or better.  His pupils are still hugely dilated and he keeps listing to starboard, but you would too if you'd been gassed and had your mouth sawed in half.  He's also apparently paranoid, like a good little stoner--every time a bird chirps or the air conditioner clicks on he freaks out.

Funny thing--apparently his ability to morph into a lizard beast and wriggle free of captivity isn't just my problem.  He was so difficult to keep still that the vet couldn't get the IV in him, so they had to put him in a tank and gas him, then stick him.  For some reason the mental image tickles me.  The poor critter also has two bald rings around his front legs where they shaved him to put in the IV and monitors--he looks like he's wearing some kind of strange shoe/pants combination.  Behold the half-conscious post-op pic for proof.

Provided there are no complications, including him barfing up the gooshyfood he just inhaled, and after another week of antibiotics (and two days of pain meds), he should be in fine fettle in 10-14 days at the outside. 

Incidentally, I asked the vet tech why amoxicillin for cats is banana-flavored, and he informed me that Clavamax is actually human medication usually given to children, that just happens to be the same dosage and concentration as what a cat needs.  So there's one mystery solved, although having had liquid medication most of my life (I had problems swallowing pills until my late teens) I can testify that banana flavored medicine is never, ever a good thing, no matter what species you are.

At any rate, the bulk of the ordeal seems to be over with, and again I want to thank everyone for their prayers and energy.  I continue to be amazed and touched at the support we've gotten.

For those who donated money:  I have in mind a small token of appreciation for you.  If you're interested, please email me a snail mail address as well as the name you go by (one you would have something signed to, for example, if we were to meet), and sometime during April you should get a small but sincere surprise in your mailbox. 

Addresses should be sent to diannesylvan at gmail dot com.

Comments

[Amy]

Glad to hear Cosmo is doing well!

[Beth]

Our McMurphy -- who looks strikingly similar to Cosmo -- had an undiagnosed illness last fall that resulted in a wholelottamoney to find out what wasn't wrong with him. He too hated the IV so much that he had to be gassed, and had shaved *wings* on his sides for all the ultrasounds they did on lungs and heart that have only recently filled in. We empathize completely with both of you and wish Cosmo a quick, easy recovery at home.

[Kitsune]

Glad to hear the kitten is doing fine. I'm sure besides being incredibly pissed off about the whole ordeal he's just fine.
There is this wonderful product called "C.E.T. aquadent" that helps keeps cat's teeth clean between regular dentals and it's way easier than trying to brush their teeth!Ask your vet about it.

[Inanna]

I'm so glad to hear that Cosmo is doing well and expected to make a full recovery! He looks adorable.

[mariele]

Woof! Woof! In Dog that means "Wow that's brilliant!

[rica]

Poor baby!! He does look zonked in that picture. I'm so glad he's home again (not as much as you & he are, though, I know). What a relief that his test results came back negative. I'm sure he'll be in fine fettle and raising cain again before you know it.

Welcome home, Cosmo!

[Jax]

Oh, I'm glad he's getting better. What a handsome critter he is.

[lactose intolerant lisa]

Poor kitty...but I'm so glad he's okay! I'll continue to send healing energy. :)

[angela]

Awww Cosmo! He looks like he wants to cuss you out but he's so drunk he can only slur! Glad to hear the procedure went well, he'll be back in shape in no time.

[Racu]

Humble thanks to Goddess and all who sent energy of one kind or another to Le Cos. He is a super kitteh and I'm so glad he's getting better. If he'll eat kibble at all, that'll help his toofies, too...when he's all healed, of course. All my kitties (Cessna-19, Guillaume-13 today!, Sasha-the Elfin Cat from Hell, and Valentino-the World's Greatest Lovah!) send love <3<3<3

[Danmara]

Aww he's adorable!!!

Great news! Glad it went well! :)

[Mel]

Just glad to hear it wasn't anything awful and that he's doing well. :)

[Jackie]

I'm so happy to hear that your fuzz baby is okay! I read your blogs wic-religiously ;) although I've never commented before. I recently and suddenly lost my hamster and shortly after that my cat had a deep, gaping, nasty, infected, gland burt issue. I was already devestated over my Munchie's death and didn't know how I would deal with another. He ended up healing quickly and he's back to his normal, completely neurotic, sweet self again. They're just animals to some people but to others they're like fuzzy soulmates. I would probably pay more for my cat's health care than my own. Sometimes they feel like they're all you've got.
Again, I'm so happy that he's ok and you have your cat back.

[Jane]

Glad it went well, I hope he recovers quickly. But I have to wonder why they don't come up with cat flavors, yet. It's been seven years since our Merlin had to have the same medicine, and he simply shudders every time anyone has a banana. Which is amazing, since he is the ultimate mooch . . . grapes, tomato, popcorn, chili, you name it, he wants it.

[Veleda Spakona]

I'm so glad Cosmo is on the mend. I do hope he recovers quickly.

I really liked banana medicine when I was little. I still have trouble swallowing pills.