
I'm sure Rupert figured out somehow that I was leaving town for San Jose tomorrow and wouldn't be back for a week. Thus, he decided to self-destruct in a spectacular fashion and put us through a harrying trip to the emergency clinic.
The cause? Symptoms similar to his last urinary trouble, but this time with complete blockage, which can be deadly in a matter of hours. He was trying to pee but couldn't at all, even at the prodding and palpitating of the ER doctor. We gave them permission to give him a catheter to check for blockage and the results came back positive-- completely blocked.
The vet returned with an estimate for overnight treatment ranging on the low end from $533 to an exorbitant $1,132. I'll be the first to admit that when faced with veterinary bills of this magnitude the question "is it worth it?" has crossed my mind. The answer, always, is "of course." So I was prepared to plunk down my credit card as a deposit, say goodbye, and roll with the punches. After I had a nervous breakdown in the car. But when the doctor went to fetch Rupert so I could kiss him farewell, she returned with the jubilant news that he'd urinated everywhere, all over the vet tech. Hurrah!
So we returned home with our cat and only $330 in veterinary charges... and the newly accepted knowledge that if we want our defective pet to remain healthy, we must continue to feed him shitty-ass ash-laced Science Diet c/d, FOREVER, rather than adding even the smallest amount of his Innova kibble. Thanks, "holistic" catfood, for throwing off the pH balance of my feline. I bought you to replace ass-tastic Science Diet, and now you've chained my cat to it forever. WUNDERBAR.
The cat is happily doped on painkillers and waddling about with a plum-sized lump on his left leg where the vet gave him subcutaneous fluids. I'm sure he'll be fine and I can afford to take care of him, I just wish he'd stop doing this right when I'm about to leave for a week.
I'll be in San Jose for Search Engine Strategies until next Friday, learning the tricks and tools of the trade, networking, and partying every night with Yahoo!, Ask, Google, et al. Will blog if I'm able. :)
Posted on August 05, 2006 @ 11:39 PM | 8 comments
Comments:
If you meet a young Google intern named Eugene, tell him hello for me. :)
Oh, and will write soon regarding upcoming visit-- family is making planning complicated, as usual.
By inkandpen, at 8:29 AM, August 06, 2006
Glad the cat is good. We had a similar problem years ago with one of our cats. Had to take a medication as it had crystals in it's urine.
By running42k, at 8:43 AM, August 06, 2006
I'll be in San Jose for a few days next week checking out th io/isea thing. Maybe I'll see you there!
By bre, at 10:05 AM, August 06, 2006
Duuuuuupeeeeeeert! Damn crystals, we had some problems like this with Jeeves too. It is an awful and dangerous condition that is supposed to decrease in frequency with age. I'm glad it was only $330? But ouch, still ouch. Scritch teh kittay for me!
By Rachel, at 6:48 AM, August 07, 2006
We too have to feed our kitty Hills food after the "better stuff" gave her a recurring irritable bowel syndrome.
Loverly. Glad rupert is OK now!
By Lazy Lightning, at 7:55 PM, August 07, 2006
I find myself wondering if 'natural' foods do better mimic the foods that cats eat in the wild. In the wild...where their life expectency is much much much shorter. *grumble*
By , at 8:38 PM, August 07, 2006
I'm certain that it depends on the cat, when the food is introduced, that cats' previous diet, etc. I have noticed that a lot of cats have sensitive dietary needs, ours included, and we have fed them everything from dry food to raw rabbit.
By Rachel, at 9:54 AM, August 08, 2006
awwwwwe. Rupert is so cute and I'm glad his troubles are over. (sorry for your nervous breakdown, though - gah!) At least he peed! yay!
btw, I found you via Lazy Lightning and decided to say hi because your cat is cute and I'm hoping Rupert's troubles that make both him and you miserable are over :)
By little sister, at 4:09 AM, August 14, 2006










