Erik update
Dec. 13th, 2005 01:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cellioErik saw the vet again this morning. While this practice seems to be very good in most ways, including having really friendly people, I find that they aren't doing a good job of setting my expectations correctly. Oh well.
I had thought that the feeding tube would be coming out today. No, the vet said -- probably Friday. This told me two new pieces of information: (1) another followup appointment in three days?, and (2) that might not be the last one (that "maybe"). Oh goodie.
They did, however, remove his stitches (staples, actually, I think), and they also took out the drain that they'd put in to clear up an abcess. The latter probably had a lot to do with his needing an unexpected-by-me dressing change Saturday morning. Actually, when I took him home Wednesday night they didn't tell me the drain was in there; it was only when he'd pulled part of the dressing off that I saw it (Friday). If they'd mentioned it, I would have asked about changing dressing myself and gone home with the correct supplies, or at least tried to.
But anyway, the good news is that Erik's appetite is coming back; yesterday he ate a can and a half of Fancy Feast (those are the little cans), which is the most I've seen him eat since he came home. (This is in addition to the feedings through the tube.) He's still not interested in dry food, and he picked at some Tender Vittles in a mostly-disinterested fashion but I think he ate some. But hey, canned food is better than nothing; I'll go out and buy some bigger cans.
I can also reduce the frequency of the feedings from 4/day to 3/day, as long as he keeps eating other food. I'm supposed to try to monitor that, which is easy at work (he's here with me again today) and pretty close to impossible at home. Yeah, I could isolate him with food and a litter box -- provided I don't mind non-stop yowling from both sides of that door. (Hey! You took away my freedom! The most important thing in the world right now is to be on the other side of that door, until you let me and I want to come back! :-) )
So I have an appointment first thing Friday morning, at which I hope the tube will come out. (Note to self: if it doesn't, ask them for more of the tube-compatable food.)
Erik is also getting more active. He still doesn't jump up on high things (like the counter where I fed him before this happened), but he is tackling lower targets like the bed. He doesn't jump so much as hop while pulling himself up with his front paws. This morning at the vet's I turned away for about two seconds and he jumped down from the exam table.
I had thought that the feeding tube would be coming out today. No, the vet said -- probably Friday. This told me two new pieces of information: (1) another followup appointment in three days?, and (2) that might not be the last one (that "maybe"). Oh goodie.
They did, however, remove his stitches (staples, actually, I think), and they also took out the drain that they'd put in to clear up an abcess. The latter probably had a lot to do with his needing an unexpected-by-me dressing change Saturday morning. Actually, when I took him home Wednesday night they didn't tell me the drain was in there; it was only when he'd pulled part of the dressing off that I saw it (Friday). If they'd mentioned it, I would have asked about changing dressing myself and gone home with the correct supplies, or at least tried to.
But anyway, the good news is that Erik's appetite is coming back; yesterday he ate a can and a half of Fancy Feast (those are the little cans), which is the most I've seen him eat since he came home. (This is in addition to the feedings through the tube.) He's still not interested in dry food, and he picked at some Tender Vittles in a mostly-disinterested fashion but I think he ate some. But hey, canned food is better than nothing; I'll go out and buy some bigger cans.
I can also reduce the frequency of the feedings from 4/day to 3/day, as long as he keeps eating other food. I'm supposed to try to monitor that, which is easy at work (he's here with me again today) and pretty close to impossible at home. Yeah, I could isolate him with food and a litter box -- provided I don't mind non-stop yowling from both sides of that door. (Hey! You took away my freedom! The most important thing in the world right now is to be on the other side of that door, until you let me and I want to come back! :-) )
So I have an appointment first thing Friday morning, at which I hope the tube will come out. (Note to self: if it doesn't, ask them for more of the tube-compatable food.)
Erik is also getting more active. He still doesn't jump up on high things (like the counter where I fed him before this happened), but he is tackling lower targets like the bed. He doesn't jump so much as hop while pulling himself up with his front paws. This morning at the vet's I turned away for about two seconds and he jumped down from the exam table.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 07:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 11:22 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 07:22 pm (UTC)Would changing how you talk with them make a difference? It sounds like they don't assume you want the information (and maybe other pet owners don't), but presumably asking for it directly would be fine with them.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 11:21 pm (UTC)Good point. I think I was thrown by my first encounter with them, where the surgeon was very up front about options, gave me information before I asked for it, and otherwise treated me like an intelligent consumer. I guess I got lulled into a false sense of complacency. :-)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 07:41 pm (UTC)Glad he's doing better, but sorry the vets aren't being detailed about some things.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 11:22 pm (UTC)How is Mikey doing after his surgery? Is he breathing better now?
(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-14 05:32 am (UTC)He seems to be breathing a lot better. H's been quite energetic after the surgery! Sometimes a bit too energetic. He wants to play all the time... I guess he's backlogged.
He still gets a bit winded sometimes, but man, what a difference!
It appears that he's nearly healed up. They said it wouldn't be too long a recovery.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 08:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 11:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 10:08 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 11:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 10:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-13 11:26 pm (UTC)He's been snuggling under the electric blanket for the last few nights, which is cute. This morning I had to dig him out and scoop him into the carrier; I think he would have happily stayed there all day. :-)