Bama update

[lalicopa]

I took 'Bama to the vet this morning. Her eyes are most definitely infected, but the problem is more likely her teeth. She needs them cleaned and a lot of them pulled. She has lost a pound since May (and she only started out at 9.8 pounds). I have ointment for her eyes and we're going back on Monday. They also took blood today to see if she's up for having the dentistry performed. So, Monday, if all is well, we'll schedule that. The vet also told me that because she's 12 1/2, that there are no guarantees with the surgery, but he doesn't anticipate a problem. They didn't tell me that over the summer when I had Kibbles' teeth cleaned, and she's only a bit younger. It was also a different doctor in the practice, so that could be it too.

I gave her a jar of baby food when we got home and some turkey breast this evening. I feel guilty that I haven't been a good enough momma to her. Before I had kids, she was my baby. I took her everywhere and talked to her and treated her like a person. After kids, she's a dog. A dog that is neurotic and barks and pees on the floor. So my talking to her usually consists of "Oh, Bama!" or "Shut up, Bama!" and now I'm feeling like total shit about it.

I gave her a lot of TLC today, but I just feel bad. Like I cheated her somehow.

I got her when she was ten weeks old and I was 24 living in my first apartment alone. She was a 2 1/2 pound powder puff. I paid for her myself. It was a big responsibility at the time, and she was so easy to train (she used to be paper trained) and she has always been whip smart.

Comments

[webhill.livejournal.com]

A couple of comments.

1. there are never any guarantees in surgery and I do not know any veterinarian who has been in practice >10 years who has never had an apparently healthy, young patient die unexpectedly. Actually yesterday evening Michael and I stopped by my office so that he could look at some of the networking stuff that my boss was the only one to understand, and while we were there the other doc came out of an exam room looking pale and holding a chart out in front of her and said 'um, this cat can't be billed for an appointment, it died before I did anything.' And you know, usually, cats coming in for an annual exam do not die before you touch them! (though this particular one may have been ill and the owner never noticed, I don't know, I just know it was in for an annual, not a sick visit).

2. age is not a disease. If there is normal kidney, liver, and cardiovascular function, there's no reason to assume her risk of anesthetic complications are any higher than anyone else's. Commonly there IS some degree of organ compromise as we age, and therefore we see more complications in older patients. But on an individual level, she may not really be at any real increased risk, or she may, you have to see what her bloodwork looks like, and what the exam findings are on the day of the procedure.

Good luck. I've seen cats go from seeming old and decrepit and miserable to kittenlike sprites after having rotten teeth extracted.

[lalicopa.livejournal.com]

When we did it with Kibbles, the shih tzu, she was so happy after we fixed her teeth. Hopefully Bama will have the same response.

She had some crazy liver function show up in her blood so that's why we always held off on the dental. They said that in malteses it was common for liver problems, so I did my research and it was just some freak thing, she never had symptoms.

So...we'll see.

Thanks for replying.

[intravenous.livejournal.com]

I always feel guilty about having to keep Weenie at my moms most of the time.

[freshgroundfemm.livejournal.com]

aw, poor little girl.

If you are up for it, you might try feeding her a raw diet, which can help a lot with older animal issues. You can make it yourself or buy it frozen (like little hamburger patties). My homeopathic vet has some good recipes here: http://www.charlesloopsdvm.com/nutrition.htm

[tellinellen.livejournal.com]

oh honey! i hope she is feeling better soon and is good to go for the dentistry. *hugs*