Update on Karen the Shelter Cat

[Nicolemorgan]

Karen had an OK night, I was reading the letter the Dr sent home (I didn't get to chat with her when we picked Karen up). Karen had a lot of dead tissue around her gums and on her tongue that they had to remove and has a mouth full of sutures. She's uncomfortable but still wants loving and cuddles... She's lucky I love her so much because having a cat drooling and sneezing blood on you is less than desirable!

She's on oral pain meds, I gave her a dose before I left for work this morning. I offered a tiny amount of wet food but she's not interested yet. I'll have my husband try again this afternoon since he's home today.

Now that I can see just how much of a nasty infected mouth she had, I'm excited to see if this will finally clear up the nasal discharge and crud she always has in her sinuses.

I feel so bad for her! But I'm glad she'll be feeling better soon.

Awh, poor girl. But you are right, with all that removed and cleaned up, I am sure she will be like a different cat once she is healed up. You have her such a great home, and care about her so much, it's amazing to see that.
Many hugs to you and Karen, and sending lots of healing vibes her way!

 

[GoldHazel]

@Carmen Lucia how is Karen doing today? I hope she can eat something with all the pain she is experiencing today. I'm sure that the most pain will be today and tomorrow it will begin to subside.

 

[Carmen Lucia]

I talked to my husband at lunch, she drank some water and used the litter box but still wasn't interested in eating. Hopefully tonight before her afternoon meds she'll take a few bites. I can only imagine how she's feeling, this was more of an oral surgery than a straight forward dental. I'll be home from work in a few hours and I'll post another update later on with any progress

 

[Catzzzmeow]

You can always try baby food. Get the beef. Be sure it only contains beef and water and not onion or garlic. It would be very soft and you can finger feed if necessary. I hope she feels better soon.

Patti

 

[GoldHazel]

I talked to my husband at lunch, she drank some water and used the litter box but still wasn't interested in eating. Hopefully tonight before her afternoon meds she'll take a few bites. I can only imagine how she's feeling, this was more of an oral surgery than a straight forward dental. I'll be home from work in a few hours and I'll post another update later on with any progress

@Carmen Lucia I don't blame Karen for not wanting to eat today But like I told you yesterday afternoon, you can certainly try the human baby food (meats only, no spices such as the dangerous ones for cats: onion & garlic). It's soft and has an interesting smell compared to her every day cat food.

Today has to be very painful for her though. Hopefully tomorrow she will come around a bit.

 

[Carmen Lucia]

I just got home from work, Karen was sleeping on the couch and was so excited to see me! She's up, walking around and used the litter box today.

I offered her some food and she was eager to eat but became frustrated after a few bites and ran away. I think she got confused when it hurt to eat. I'm going to run to the store and get baby food, I can at least add water to that and make it easier for her to lap up rather than eat.

 

[GoldHazel]

I just got home from work, Karen was sleeping on the couch and was so excited to see me! She's up, walking around and used the litter box today.

I offered her some food and she was eager to eat but became frustrated after a few bites and ran away. I think she got confused when it hurt to eat. I'm going to run to the store and get baby food, I can at least add water to that and make it easier for her to lap up rather than eat.

@Carmen Lucia absolutely add water, cold water though. You don't want bleeding to begin again and the cold water will actually feel better in her mouth right now.

 

[NinaGato]

@Carmen Lucia
Good Idea with the watered down baby food. I will have to keep that in my book of recovery foods.
Glad to hear her spirits are up. Hopefully her hunger will over come her pain and she will chow down. Keeping you in my thoughts

 

[Carmen Lucia]

She looks bad here... But trust me, it's an improvement. Her tongue hangs out now... I'm hoping once she heals up a bit it'll go back in.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Oh sweet baby. Every day should start getting better.

 

[GoldHazel]

She looks bad here... But trust me, it's an improvement. Her tongue hangs out now... I'm hoping once she heals up a bit it'll go back in.

@Carmen Lucia aww, poor Karen. Feel all better soon, Sweetie. There is a possibility that her tongue will stick out a bit because she is missing so many teeth. But hopefully that won't happen.

 

[Carmen Lucia]

Baby food was a hit! Still. But frustrating for her but at least it's something in her stomach with the pain meds. Maybe once those kick in she'll eat a bit more❤️

Thank you everyone for all your support, I feel like we all rescued Karen and are on this journey together. We all want the best for this little sweetie.

 

[GoldHazel]

Baby food was a hit! Still. But frustrating for her but at least it's something in her stomach with the pain meds. Maybe once those kick in she'll eat a bit more❤️

Thank you everyone for all your support, I feel like we all rescued Karen and are on this journey together. We all want the best for this little sweetie.

@Carmen Lucia I'm smiling because I basically feel that way about Karen. She deserves the best and you are a great mommy to her.

As the pain meds kick in and as her gums begin to heal, she will be able to eat her regular food. Baby food is great right now, it's necessary, so no worries.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

So happy to hear the baby food is working. You can slowly add a bit of wet cat food to the baby food while she heals and eventually she will be back on her normal food. Go Karen.

Patti

 

[Yoda mom]

@Carmen Lucia , Awh... ((Hugs)))
The lair is a special place for the journeys we share together...
(I have a special place in my heart for "rescues" ... There is just something extraordinary in giving your heart n home to those in need - thank you for being her angel

((( speedy recovery kisses sent)))))

 

[Nicolemorgan]

So happy that the baby food is working. Karen is such a strong girl and has such a wonderful family taking care of her. Plus we are all here for support too!!

Sending many healing hugs!

 

[Carmen Lucia]

Well I spoke too soon... Other than the few laps of baby food she took last night we're back on a hunger strike. I'll try again tonight, if by tomorrow she's still not able to eat or drink I'll take her in for some fluids. I don't want her to get dehydrated and from what I can tell she hasn't touched her water either. Generally she drinks an entire bowl a day. Poor Karen.

 

[GoldHazel]

Well I spoke too soon... Other than the few laps of baby food she took last night we're back on a hunger strike. I'll try again tonight, if by tomorrow she's still not able to eat or drink I'll take her in for some fluids. I don't want her to get dehydrated and from what I can tell she hasn't touched her water either. Generally she drinks an entire bowl a day. Poor Karen.

@Carmen Lucia oh that's not good that Karen isn't even drinking water. Does she feel feverish to you? Maybe you can buy a can of kitten milk for her to drink?

 

[NinaGato]

@Carmen Lucia
It is good you are on top of her habits. Hope the hunger strike comes to an end. If she has been on this long probably good she get some fluids and vitamin B anyway. Keeping you in my thoughts and hoping for improvement. Give that sweetheart a kiss for me

 

[Carmen Lucia]

So upon further investigation this is what I figured out:

The sutures in her mouth are rubbing against her tongue and making her gag every time she tries to eat or drink. She immediately becomes agitated, paws at her face and runs to hide somewhere. Frustrating for both of us. I'm taking her in tomorrow for some fluids to keep her hydrated and hopefully she'll get used to the sutures enough to get some food down.

 

[Carmen Lucia]

She does look better today

 

[GoldHazel]

@Carmen Lucia do the sutures have to be removed or are they going to dissolve on their own? Maybe tomorrow the vet can trim any excess that hits her tongue?

 

[NinaGato]

@Carmen Lucia
Yes, she does look brighter eyed today!

 

[Carmen Lucia]

I woke up this morning to Karen covered in blood... I think she pulled a suture or something. We are on our way to the ER vet. More positive thoughts needed for today!! I'll keep you updated- I'm feeling pretty upset today

 

[GoldHazel]

I woke up this morning to Karen covered in blood... I think she pulled a suture or something. We are on our way to the ER vet. More positive thoughts needed for today!! I'll keep you updated- I'm feeling pretty upset today

@Carmen Lucia aww, that had to be very upsetting. She'll be ok, Carmen. Just a scary setback.