Well I’m now feeling much better.. not sure JJ is as he hates the vets but we tried to keep him calm and he behaved very well. So proud of him.
Thank you all so much for your support and advice. It helps so much to know we are not alone and reassuring that it is all normal at this stage.
The vet checked his wound and says it’s healing perfectly. He’s not concerned in any way and said as long as he moves to eat, drink and use the toilet this is fine. I asked about the weird swelling – he says this is normal and just a collection of fluid which will be reabsorbed. So that is one thing off my mind.
I told him about the episodes as I warned him to be careful getting him out. He said with some strong confidence this isn’t phantom limb as it would develop later (not sure I trust that) and it’s unlikely to be pain. He said its more likely to be a reaction to the drugs making him a bit crazy. Only time will tell. I didn’t ask about gabepentin …. can’t spell it. But will next time or if it continues to seem like and issue in the next day or so. I know it is used for nerve pain as my partner takes it for his nerve damage after a failed spinal fusion. He was very happy with JJ and has booked him in for next Thursday to have his stitches out.
So in response to some comments rather than replying I thought I’d put the updates here.
Eating – he’s getting up to eat after some encouragement which is great to see.
Drinking – he wasn’t drinking, so I switched out his water bowl for his fountain as this is what he usually drink from. He hasn’t been drinking from it. This is a worry so I’ve switched out his preferred food (biscuits) for wet food to make sure he doesn’t get dehydrated. I’ve also used a syringe to give him some water.. he seemed to like this! He has me wrapped around his little finger.
Bathroom….
JJ is using the litter tray but he isn’t doing too well with it.
Number 1’s … he usually stands up on the side of the litter tray but can’t do this in the one he has as it’s low sided. I did originally have his usual one for him but he was struggling to get in and out so I’ve swapped it for a low sided cardboard box. I felt like s genius as I recycled an old jigsaw box lid! What happens now though is he stands and just sits in it. Ends up covered in cat litter and I have to clean him up. Any tips on best cat litter for recovery? I started with Sillica because that’s what he usually has and it’s soft but he fell face first into it and I didn’t want him ingesting any so I swapped. All I had was clay clumping kind but it’s not much better, he ends up caked in clay because he sits in it. I though maybe a newspaper one would be better.
No.2s – he has managed these but only three tiny ones and it’s as though they pop out without him knowing. First was on the way home from vets day after surgery, and once each day. Only one made it into litter box. They are tiny and like rock’s. Sorry.. I can’t believe I’m talking about his toilet habits to the whole world. I’m sorry JJ.. its a good job he cant read! Anyway he is very obviously constipated. I know this will be his pain meds so not over concerned.
Pain Meds
He’s on Buprecare which I believe is Buprenorphine – a 0.4ml dosage every 8 hours. This works well as it means he’s covered all day and night.
He’s also on Metacam which is an anti inflammatory. He has this once per day and it must be taken with food. It’s a 0.5ml dose … it was 0.6 before the op so I assume he has lost weight… obviously his leg! He weighed 6kg before surgery as he is a very large cat, not fat, just muscular.
I am however mindful we need to watch his weight going forwards so it doesn’t put strain on his remaining 3 legs. I’ve even thought of a cat wheel, but no idea if he would ever be able to do this. It’s a long way off anyway.
I think that was all the questions. We are home now. He’s sleeping. Let’s hope for a peaceful, pain free night.
Glad to hear you are feeling better and JJ had a good visit! Did they tell you , you could use warm packs on his incision? The hospital did ice on Purrkins for 3 days and then instructed us to use warm packs 2-3 X a day. A wet wash cloth put in a baggie and in the micro for 15 seconds. Make sure and test the warmth on your wrist or face first. Purrkins enjoyed his warm packs. Just a thought you might try. But do put in a baggie. If you at all suspect or get worried just call the Vet right back ok! That is what we pay them for. Everything else sounds great ! As for the litter, just my opinion only – but this is the worst time to switch JJ litter. Most kitties have had enough change after surgery. What JJ is used to is what I would stay with. If he gets litter on him, just wipe him off. As for talking about pee and poop here that is normal for us so do not hesitate we talk about anything here ok;)
Hoping for a peaceful painfree night for you all!
p.s. Great job on blog we are now seeing all your updates👏🏻
Hahaha I switched from using my phone to post to my iPad and I can now see how it all works. Still getting my confuddled brain around it all though… I am sleep deprived so I blame this and not my uselessness with technology (I can’t admit that as I’m a test manager for software!! 🙂
Thanks for the tip, I will try this. I’m willing to try anything to help him. If you told me sitting in a bathtub of baked beans would make him feel better I’d go sit in one!
With the litter it wasn’t so much that it was on him, as it doesn’t stick, but it was more initially that he face planted into it and got some in his mouth. I think it is poisonous if ingested… not that it says it on the bag. But I was pretty sure it is, so changed it immediately. The last thing he needs is to be poisoned. I might stick with what he has now as he’s managing, it’s just the mess which isn’t great for him. He hates having it stuck to him. I am happy to keep on cleaning him up after he uses it.
The other weird thing he does is that once he’s in there he wants to lay back down in there and I have to persuade him back out. I freak out thinking his wound is going to get infected. Looking st it though, non of the wound comes into contact even if he is laid down. It’s just odd. I don’t know if it’s because he doesn’t want to move anymore or I’m wondering if he is trying to poo but in a completely unusual position. Next time I might just not stress so much about him being laid there and leave him a little while and see if he moves without me having to get involved.
Here is a article on a Silica litter that is not toxic!
http://amazon.tripawds.com/2017/03/13/post-amputation-cat-litter/
I can tell you that JJ laying in box is normal! He is tired after going , he will regain his strength and that will change I promise!
I would just help him out if he lays down. (thats just me) Purrkins did the same thing. You can most certainly leave him and see too! Go with your gut instinct on everything ok! I guarantee you if you do that you are right! All our kitties are different in personality and recovery . We do what works for our own animal . No right or wrong ! Hope JJ loves his warm compresses!
Now stay out of the baked bean tub ok😉
We are here if you need anything just shout ok!
We will watch for you updates!
Hugs Holly & Purrkins
You may also just want to try pee pads at first and make a three sided “bumper” so he THINKS it is a litter box and then spread just a tiny bit of litter so that he THINKS it is a litter box. And, generally, my vets have shared that it is usually SEVEN days before # 2 happens so JJ is obviously doing well! So happy to hear the vet agrees and that next week he gets his stitches out!
So glad you feel a bit more reassured!
And…all things considering, JJ is doing pretty much as well as can be expected. In other words, fairly normal!
PLEASE make sure you take care of yourself! This is an intense and stressful time, but it DOES GET BETTER, slowly but surely!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
I’m just catching up with JJ. My cat Mona was CRAZY on buprenophine. She would escape from her room and race around the house, up the stairs, pee in a corner then fall asleep. On day 4, she crashed through a wood screen door to the outside and I couldn’t find her for over 24 hours. She was only on Metacam after that and we both relaxed more and things got better.
I did try Yesterdays News for Mona’s litter but she didn’t like it and chose to pee in my desk drawer. Although I loved nursing her I’m sure glad those days are over. You’re doing a great job and it will get better.
Mona loved me grooming her with a damp warm facecloth. She also loved the wet kitten food the vet sent home with her.
Your cats are beautiful!
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona