Poor, poor bank account.
It's been one of those weeks around here. The kind of week that makes you wake up in the middle of the night and wonder when it'll all be over.
Damian's ear swelled up again. We had it drained twice and 10 days after the 2nd procedure to have his ear drained, it swelled up like a potato again. We went to the vet and were given three options:
1) Drain it again with no guarantee that it won't swell up for a 4th time.
2) Drain it again and put a tube in it for 10 days to aid in the drainage…with no guarantee that it won't swell up upon drain removal.
3) Do the oh-so-attractive (but not cheap) "quilting" surgery to fully open up his ear and fix the problem.
We chose option number 3. Keep in mind, we've already paid for option 1 a few times. Damian came home with a lampshade on his head and a purple bandage on his ear. He was miserable and doing that low cat yowl that lets you know he's not a happy camper. Within 30 seconds he had the bandage off and the goopy drain was free-flopping from his quilted ear.
He has to have the drain removed in 10 days and we have to make sure that the drain doesn't get plugged up with blood and goo. Are you jealous yet?
Then in 20 days he has to have the quilting sutures removed and he can get his lampshade off then too. I'm not sure if you're aware, but cats and lampshades don't do well together. He's miserable, walking backwards, not eating much and hiding. We have to keep him separate from the other cat, Darwin, and the kids and dog in case anyone decides to pick on him. So he's lonely too.
Lonely and goopy and very sorry for himself. And let's face it - his ear is downright gross to look at.
I took the lampshade off him for a few minutes last night so he could sit on my lap. He was so happy and flopped on me purring and acting sweet. Then he got up and ran around the house like a normal cat for a few minutes. As soon as he got a few feet away he scratched at his ear drain and now I'm worried he shook it loose. It looks raggy as all get out, so now I have something else to worry about.
It's going to be a long 20…I mean…18 days for us.
That's too bad. Maybe this will finally work for the kitty.
ReplyDeletepoor kitty :( Hope this procedure works!
ReplyDeletePoor pusstat! I hope he's feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteI just had to comment when I saw your pic of poor Damien! I hope he gets better soon. I have a cat called Suzy, & I know how much we cat lovers worry about our furry felines. By the way, really like your blog! I have been keeping chickens for a while now, & really get a lot of enjoyment out of them. I've just started a blog at hannzach.wordpress.com/ if you'd like to have a look.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Melanie.
Oh my gosh that is SOOOO freakin' SAD!!! I am a total cat lover, and hate to see your poor boy in such a sorry state. Hoping he heals REALLY fast and gets back to strutting his stuff real SOON.
ReplyDeletePoor kitty............and poor poor you! What an un-fun time ahead. You'll look back on this and laugh??
ReplyDeletePoor poor baby, and poor poor you. Can't the vet just keep him sedated for a month? That's GOT to be easier. Oh dear oh dear.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness....you have been through it with that cat...I sure hope this works, for all of your sakes!
ReplyDeleteAwww poor kitty. We had to have this done our cat a few years ago after trying everything else first. It did finally work but his ear was permanently disfigured and flopped down. But heck he was no longer in pain and actually looked kind of cute that way. I hope your kitty feels better soon! -Jackie
ReplyDeleteOh, that poor baby...and poor you (literally)! I hope the quilting works well for him. We had a dog who was bitten by a badger, and the entry wounds were at his jaw and the top of his head, and drainage tubes were inserted. We had to use giant q-tips to keep the tubes clear....Mr. H had to do it, I couldn't. I'm a real wuss when it comes to open wounds and blood.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me so sad that I can hardly stand it, but he's so very lucky to have a loving family with dollars in the budget for cat surgery. The photo of him on your lap without the lampshade makes me want to cry. Wish I could help you. Good thoughts going out to all of you.
ReplyDeletePoor Damien. Hope he heals very soon for both of your sakes!
ReplyDeleteGet well soon sweet kitty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words all. Damian is such a social cat and this ear thing is really throwing him for a loop. He's been so depressed being locked in our office so yesterday I felt sorry for him, de-lampshaded him and let him loose in the house. His ear has stopped gooping out of the end of the drain so I hope he'll do okay without the lampshade for awhile.
ReplyDeletePoor kitty. My Panther had that happen on both ears, at different times. So he now has two little, scrunched up "cauliflower" ears, but at least they haven't bothered him in ages and haven't filled up with fluid again. Best of luck to your kitty.
ReplyDeleteDear Damien's parents.
ReplyDeleteMy little cat Buddha (who is a sphynx) has this same issue now. please tell me how Damien ended up. I have had her ear drained 3 times - last time the bandage itself started causing her issues and the vet took it off...now its filling up AGAIN!
I don't want to put her through a nasty surgery and the vet said it might heal on its own....but she is uncomfortable and sad. and her ear is flopped and painful looking. Please help. any further info you could share would be great.
Thank you!