Awful

[smokingboot]

I woke this morning knowing something was wrong; Ralik, our little tom cat, had not spent the better part of the dawn dancing on my head/attacking my feet/whinging for breakfast. I came downstairs and put food out for the kitties. He didn't come. Found him, took the food to him - he wouldn't touch it. He wouldn't move much either.

He's had cystitis, it's very common in young male cats apparently; 4 shots, two courses of antibiotics a course of feline cystaid later, and after seeming to get better, he suddenly squatted again, and nothing came out. Phoned the vet who said, 'Bring him in right NOW.' So I took the day off work and did.

His bladder is full, but he can't empty it cos of crystal deposits in his urine which have created a blockage. He is under general anaesthetic now, while they empty his bladder, take blood tests and put in a catheter; left even for 24 hours, a full-on block of this kind can cause the cat's system to be affected by toxins, which will result in a very sick kitty who's at risk even from surgery. We got him there before that happened.

Depending on what they find, he may need a special diet for the rest of his life, or a major op amputating his bladder and re-sorting his tubes so that he urinates out from behind rather than in front. That, apparently, is not cheap; today's consultation, op and resulting 2/4 days on a catheter will cost £175, and depending on what they find, the cost could go up to £250. The vets didn't bat an eye; I shudder to estimate the cost of an op even they consider expensive.

The other option is humane euthanasia.

This choice is far off in the future...there are so many things that could be wrong, so many easy ways to right things. I love my cat very much and don't want to lose him.

I can't think at all; it's a beautiful day, I could do some gardening. Or I might just be a bit wet and cry.

Comments

[thru-her-lens.livejournal.com]

*fingers tightly crossed*
My thoughts are with you and little Ralik

[smokingboot.livejournal.com]

Thank you for those crossed fingers, Trish. I really appreciate them.