As the vet put it, LM is back to her “spicy” self so it was time to send her home!
LM is in our spare bedroom that we use for an office while she recovers and to keep her away from the other two cats. It’s a pretty small room, but there is a desk that we can’t move or stop her from jumping on, so we have a playpen to put her in during the night etc. The playpen is not popular.
I don’t know what I expected, but I am surprised at how well she’s hopping around on three legs. She’s fast too! She still falls on her face a lot, but I know that will get better. I put her in her playpen while I did some work at the nearby desk and she sat and yowled at me to let her out. When I didn’t let her out, she stood on both her back legs and used her remaining leg to try and paw at the top cover of the playpen! I’m not sure how this old lady has so much energy and strength after all of this.
She’s on both gabapentin and buprenorphine for pain and clavamox to prevent infection. The buprenorphine is put directly on the inside of her ear! LM knows what a syringe is and knows that whatever comes out of it usually tastes like crap, so the fewer syringes we have to use, the better.
The incision…wow. Everyone was right when they said that nothing prepares you for the sight of the incision. To protect it, we’re using the dreaded cone of shame. This is not working out well. We tried a soft cone, but it hits the top of the incision, so we’re using the plastic one that the vet sent home. For some reason, every time I put the plastic cone on, she decides to eat and check out her litter tray, but ends up falling face first into both with the cone and getting litter and food stuck to the edge. I think we need to try a recovery suit.
Here she is in all her scruffy, post-surgery glory:
Incredible to see that she has so much energy! It’s a really amazing thing. I’m going through a similar situation with my youngest kitty, but it is his back leg. They really don’t prepare you for the first time you see the incision, you are absolutely correct there. It seems like she has adjusted very quickly to it though and I can’t wait for more updates on her progress!!!
Welcome home Little Miss!
Sounds like LM is doing very well this early on. Yeah, face plants happen as they’re figuring things out.
Had to chuckle at her tenacity and determination to try and get out of her playpen😊 That’s a good attitude to have to help,power through recovery.
I think one reason the incision can be somewhat of a ahock to some is because so much fur is shaved. Not used to seeing our critters so bald!
You’re doing an excellent job of care taking LM.👏👏
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Ohhhh LM! You sweet girl. I’m sorry you have to wear that cone. It’s not furever though! Get well soon you little hot tamale!