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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Sammy-Joe's Vet Visit

Hi everyone! Sammy-Joe here! I read all of your comments, and thanks, everyone, for caring about me! I don't even feel like I am sick, but I know Mama has been very worried. 
Mama has been telling me that she was going to take me to a special doctor just for kitties. I was a little nervous about that! And it turns out, there was a good reason to be nervous!
First we had to stay there for ninety million years two hours because even though Mama asked the other vet to fax over my records, their fax machine was broken or something and the faxes weren't coming. We kept waiting and waiting. I heard other cats meowing all around me, and it was freaking me out! I used to live with other kitties when I was a kitten, but I haven't seen another cat in person for about 12 years! I know that's a little weird, but I just don't do kitty playdates. 
Then the nurse came in to take my temperature. At my usual vet, they use an ear thermometer, which isn't too bad. I usually just hide my head in Mama's armpit while they do it. But at this vet, they use a different kind of thermometer. 
THEY STUCK IT IN MY BUTT!!!!!!!!!
I got really angry then! It took two nurses to hold me down while they finished taking my temperature. I was trying to bite them. Mama got really nervous then, because they said, if I bit someone, I'd have to stay at the vet for rabies observation! Luckily I didn't manage to bite anyone. 
Then the evil meanies nurses went away for a while, and I had some time to explore the room. I walked around growling, the whole time. Mama really tried to help me calm down. She even put her coat on the floor for me to lay on! But I would have none of it. 
The real horror started when the veterinarian came in. My Mama picked me up so the doctor could look at me, but I just kept hissing and flapping my paws around, and when the doctor tried to hold me I jumped away. Then the mean nurses came back in. 
One of the nurses opened a cabinet to get something. I saw my chance! I jumped into the cabinet and tried to hide! The nurses were reaching in and trying to get me, and I was yowling and spitting and hissing and trying to bite them! When they managed to pick me up by trapping me under my carrier (I have a carrier that is more like a gym bag with screens for me to see and breathe out of) I was acting even crazier! I was so scared. I would have done anything just to get out of there. 
Then the worst thing happened. THEY PUT A MUZZLE ON ME! It went over my eyes and mouth and I couldn't even see. The two nurses were holding me down while the doctor looked at me. I was screaming through the muzzle, "Let me go! Let me go!" 
Mama was embarassed because I had never acted like that before at the other vet's office. Also she was upset that I was so afraid. Mama wanted to call it quits and take me home. But something even worster had happened. Somehow in all my freaking out, I cut my paw! The doctor couldn't get it to stop bleeding right away. It was only a little blood, but the doctor said he didn't want it to get infected. So he put medicine on it, and then he put a bandage on it! 
Finally they put me back in my carrier and took the muzzle off. I was so happy, I calmed down right away. But I didn't like the bandage. I kept shaking my paw and trying to flick it off. 
Now I am at home. I am llayiing in my kitty bed and hiding my bandaged paw from everyone. Mama wanted to take a picture of it, but I said no. (Maybe later, unless I figure out a way to get it off!) 
Next time Mama says she wants to take me to the vet, I am going to bite her nose!
Me in bed, hiding my paw from the camera
Note from Mama: Yep, all this is true. Sammy-Joe was acting like Satan's Spawn at the vet. He was even spitting at them! I really expected his head to spin around at any minute. I kept telling the vet and nurses, "He has never acted like this before!" I don't think they believed me. 
As for the outcome... because they never managed to get his medical records from the usual vet, they couldn't decipher his blood test results for me. But they did do a physical exam, and they found a mass in his belly. The vet thought it might be in his spleen. The good news is, if it is only in his spleen, he could get an operation and get the tumor (and possibly his spleen, which is rather useless anyways) removed. 
I really have to think about it, because besides it being expensive (I would pay every drop of money I have for him to get better, but I can't spend more than I actually earn, and I don't have a credit card) I'm worried about him being put under anesthesia for an operation. They also said he might have a heart murmur. I would be afraid that the anesthesia itself could kill him. Plus, the way he acted today for just a thermometer in his butt, I would hate to have to torture him with a full operation! 
If anyone has any input, I would really love to hear it. 
Thanks, as always, for all your comments! I have a job now that really isn't going so well, and sometimes when I come home I just can't force myself to do anything but sleep. (I'm on winter break now, so that's why I've been a little more energetic.) But I will definitely keep everyone posted on Sammy-Joe and the others. 
Love, 
Nicki

8 friendly visitors:

Frankie Furter and Ernie said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

OH Poor Sammy-Joe... what a horrid experience.
I think that you will be able to come up with the best solution by just re-reading this post.
No matter what you decide WE know it will be what is best for Sammy-Joe... Not what is easiest for YOU... but what is BEST for HIM.

Cara n Crew said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

oh, yow! Sammy-Joe, we're sorry you had such a rough time at the vets :( we didn't know there were kitty muzzles! we do give you a high paw for your fighting spirit :) We don't have any advice for your mom but know that she loves you and will do what is best for you. We have you and your mom in our prayers.

Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie

TimberLove said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

My little sisfur Isis had a muzzle the last time she was at the vet, she acts just the same way. It upsets pops but he always says it's for the good. We didn't know there were such things a kitteh muzzles either- it sounds pretty horrible. Love & prayers for strength for wooos & wisdom for your vet,

RA

Brian's Home Blog said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I only wish I knew what to tell you. Purrs and prayers are sure headed to Sammy-Joe from all of us.

The Daily Pip said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Our cat Sweet Pea used to act like this at the vet. Some vets can put them under lightly (not all the way) so they can be examined and not get stressed. They can even give them a little gas while they are still in their carrier.

These decisions are always so difficult, but I do believe that animals have ways of letting us know what is best for them - either way, I know you will make the right decision. Thinking of you!

The Island Cats said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I'm sorry Sammy-Joe had such a rough time at the vet. I'm sure most of it started because you had to wait so long before he actually saw the vet. 2 hours is a long time to wait, I don't know what you should do, but maybe next time, the wait won't be so long and he'll do better.

Zoey goes wild at the vet and they cannot examine her. The vet has to tranquilize her in order to do anything to her.

Island Cats' mom

Random Felines said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

yikes....we agree with the Island Cats - the wait may have done it (though Mozart is fine with our vet until he has to be held for something). Hopefully with a little more work they can figure out what is going on and you can get some help. (mom says she understands about the work and going home to do nothing....)

meowmeowmans said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Oh, we are so sorry it was such a traumatic experience for you both at the vet. We agree with the Island Cats, too ... Sammy-Joe may have been even more stressed out by having to wait so long.

We wish we knew what to tell you. Purrs and prayers for strength, and wisdom, for you and the vets.

Hugs.

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