Fluffy needs an operation!

[HRHFluffy]

Not the news I was expecting.

Took my little girl this afternoon for blood tests for renal and thyroid. Last time it was a nightmare as she was so stressed and the vet couldn't do it. I talked to him about how to reduce the stress this time.

Whilst he was examining her before he ran the blood results, I asked him to check her teeth as I'd noticed very recently her occasionally pawing at her mouth and because of that I now prepare her food in the blender. He noticed that she has a hole in one of her molars . It's a good job I'd asked him to have a look. Anyway, he says it's got to come out. The alternative is that she'll be in pain and it will get worse.

She is at risk due to her kidneys, high blood pressure, leaky heart valve, severe heart murmur. When he rang me with the blood results he said that really I have no option.

Urea has gone down from 20.5 to 14.2, the creatinine has gone up from 154 to 180. Overall the vet says there isn't a great deal of worsening and still thinks it indicates more of a heart/circulatory condition. Thyroid is normal.

So I've booked her in for Tuesday April 29th. I am absolutely dreading it. He could have squeezed her in the thursday before that but he wanted to book her in when he's got more time to give to her. In the meantime I'm to give her lukewarm food and water.

Poor baby. She has so many health issues and this is the last news I wanted to hear. Am I doing the right thing? There is no alternative is there?

[hgale]

Oh Carol, I am so sorry to read this. I do hope Fluffy will be ok, I'm sending you both a big {{HUUUUUUG}}. I will be thinking of you both on 29 April.

[HRHFluffy]

Thanks so much Helen. Just knowing you'll be thinking of her means a lot!!

[Shelly and Dora]

Oh Carol.

I don't really know what to say.

Clearly it's HRH Fluffy & she is a strong, independent lady who just takes things in her stride. I would definitely be doing exactly what you are doing. 29th April is such a long time away. Is there no way the vet could get her in quicker? It's a long time to get yourself in a state over it.

You need to remember what a strong, positive and motivated little girl you have. Clearly the vet is saying that her bloods are more than manageable so it seems like he's saying 'why wouldn't you have this done?'.

It's not easy Carol and I know its going to be a worry to you but you don't want her to be in any pain; vet seems positive & we all know Fluff is a trouper.

((Hugs)) to you. Dora's sending a very lovely, gentle & heartfelt headbutt to Fluff xx

[HRHFluffy]

Thanks so much Shelly. I'm relieved to know that you would do the same.

You're so right when you say that Fluffy is strong. She absolutely must be to keep going with so many health problems. She's so very sweet and affectionate. She forgave me from the moment she got back home and has continued being her happy little purrry self. I adore her and would be lost without her.

I also thought the 29th was too far off but I want it to be that particular vet as he is the boss and is so kind and gentle. The first available slot was next Thursday but it would have been a tight squeeze. I know I will fret and worry from now til then. My main worry was how Fluffy would manage between now and her op and that is when he said that the pain is probably only intermittent at the moment when a piece of food has got stuck near the hole. The gum has actually grown over part of the tooth so is protecting it. I'll continue blending her food and heating it slightly for her.

Thanks for the hugs and tell Dora I will pass on her gentle head butt in person to Fluff xxx

[jan1957]

Oh Carol
That sweet girl, just not fair. If only we could take their pain.
Like Shelley I'd also go for the op. Eric had his teeth cleaned under general sometime ago. We also waited until the 'boss vet' Robyn was available and in my mind I felt more at ease.
I hope you'll be able to feel the same way too.
She does have an amazing amount of strength, as most really regal royals do!
I know that at the end of the day the worry is on your shoulders, but we'll be thinking of you and praying for you both xxx

[SarahT1 [PLLE]]

Oh, dearest Carol and Fluffy, I am so sorry you have to go through this . Poor baby girl. We shall all be holding our breath on 29th and waiting to hear from you. We love Fluff so much. I wish we could all be with you now to give you a hug. Please give Fluffy my warmest fusses and kisses and big love from Pepsi. Xx

[HRHFluffy]

Thanks Jan and Sarah

She is just so sweet and has no idea what is waiting for her on the 29th. She's in full swing with her "talking" to me at the moment. Every time I so much as look at her she talks to me. What a repertoire she has nowadays.

I'm glad you think it's the right thing to do. At least I've got some time to make an extra special fuss of her and give her lots of cuddles. I know it is a morbid thought .......... but if she didn't make it through the operation at least she would go in her sleep. Just upset myself now by thinking that. How they tug at our heartstrings.

Hugs and fusses gratefully received by me and HRH xxx

[Hazel]

Oh poor Fluff! Don't worry she'll be fine and your lovely vet wouldn't put her through it if he didn't think she really needed it. x

[HRHFluffy]

Thanks Hazel for your reassurance xx

I'm so glad that at last I've found a nice and gentle vet who I feel I can trust.

[Camdengirl]

You are definitely doing the right thing. Besides the fact she is clearly uncomfortable, left untreated, dental problems can cause all sorts of health issues, including heart and kidney disease. It is always worrying when our furries go under anaesthetic, particularly when they are older and/or not in perfect health, but in cats there is no other way to treat decayed teeth. My little lady Pip had a dental late last year, she is not a young cat, is hyper-t and has imperfect kidneys and a heart murmur, but she was fine. Often you find that a cat is perkier right after a dental than beforehand. You clearly trust your vet and I'm sure he will do all he can to make the procedure as easy on Fluffy as possible. Fusses to your furry girl.

[Jacks]

Oh Carol, poor little Fluff! Not news you wanted to hear, but positive that the vet is going to give her special attention for this op, which hopefully will not need too heavy a general anaesthetic, and if they can manage her heart condition adequately during the op she should recover quickly and well. It must be so uncomfortable for her. Sounds like she was an absolute STAR being so brave at the vets when she hates everything so (as would Sophie - it is a complete horror to her) and she has a few days to settle down and get over the experience before the op.

We are all thinking of you and rooting for precious darling Fluffy. Your (and her) sense of humour are priceless and I hope this will help to carry you through this difficult time x Gentle fusses to the dear girl xx

[MarkB]

Poor fluffy

I know it isn't ideal, but Clapton needed several dentals after he had been diagnosed with kidney disease (4 over 5 years) and didn't come to any harm.

I'm sure your vet will advise if it will help to give her fluids before and after the dental to help.

PS - The practice owner next door to me insists that Metcam doesn't harm kidneys. He said that my previous vet never should have advised taking Alice of daily metacam when she was diagnosed CRD as she would have been more comfortable (made me feel terrible as he said the arthritis was in her spine ) - he is a Dr with 40+ years experience.

Good luck with it all but I am sure your little girl will be fine

[greenkitty]

As others have said the vet wouldn't have suggested an op if he didn't think Fluffy was up to it, she'll feel heaps better once that tooth is out. It is nerve wracking but in my experience they're so much better afterwards. Good luck!

[HRHFluffy]

Thanks Sarah, Mark, Jackie and Julia for your thoughts. I do feel more reassured now that there is no alternative.

The vet sent through a copy of the results via email last night. He said again that the results reflect her heart disease and raised blood pressure rather than renal disease and therefore a renal diet is not required but a low salt diet is important.

So, would heart disease increase her drinking and weeing then? Because she does drink and wee more than she used to.

Does anyone know of any wet food that is low in salt?

Mark please don't feel terrible about the advice you were given about Alice. Vets give contradictory advice so often. I am sure that if I rang my vet up and asked him about whether metacam is harmful for a cat with CKD he would say yes it was. It is so diffictult and practically impossible to know who to believe nowadays.

Jackie thanks for the note about a sense of humour . It is essential in my house with such a regal lady to be slave to. Mind you, Fluffy might say exactly the same about me!!!

[JulieandBarney]

Oh Carol, just logged back in here and saw this....I can only echo what everyone else is saying, Fluffy obviously needs this operation and your vet sounds like a good one and I am sure that without this op, then in time Fluffy would probably be in pain, so it's the right thing to do, though I understand completely your worry.....and in the long run Fluffy's best interests are at heart....thinking about you both and wishing you both well....xx

[HRHFluffy]

Thanks Julie for your well wishes. Yes it is going to be such a worrying time. I'm going to concentrate on keeping her happy as possible between now and the op. She's had a nice time out and about sitting in the sun today enjoying her little garden. Thinking of you too! Give Barney a tickle tummy from me (if you dare) xx

[Crewella]

((((hugs))))

As the others have said, I'm sure you're making the right decision for her, and that she'll feel a lot better for it in the long run. If it helps, all my original cats had dentals done at around 16/17 years (two had dodgy kidneys and Giddy had a heart murmur) and they all came though it fine.

It makes such a difference to have a vet that you have faith in, by the sound of it HRH will have the best of care. Me and my crew will all be sending positive vibes to you both. xx

*The Duchess of Fluffington will also be much better off without that manky tooth that must be spoiling her winning smile!*

[HRHFluffy]

Oh Helen you always make me laugh

Duchess of Fluffington . I like her new name!!

It is reassuring to know that your oldies came through fine.

I will be massively relieved after she's had it and is back home. I think I'll ask the vet if one of the nurses can give her a good brush and clip her nails while she's under.

Please give fusses to your gang from me and Fluffy and a special BIG cuddle for the gorgeous Daz xx

[Shelly and Dora]

I'm loving 'the Duchess of Fluffington'. It feels very fitting for gorgeous Fluff xx

[HRHFluffy]

Yes I quite like it too Shelly

I think I'll start calling her Duchess from now on.

[Crewella]

I'm afraid all my lot labour under the weight of several nicknames!

[lilynmitz]

So sorry to hear Fluffy needs a dental Carol. Lily's not in the greatest shape for an old girl, but when she had her lump removed last month, the vet did a dental while she was under, and I have to say she's so much brighter now. Sometimes we can't realise how uncomfortable these things make them feel. You're doing the right thing, as this must be very painful for her, and there is always a risk of secondary infections from tooth decay. She's a tough little puss, she stands as good a chance as any in her position for a positive outcome. Just like you, I was very hesitant about putting Lily through her op, given all her problems, but she's a fighter and is still with us!

[HRHFluffy]

Ah thanks Anna. I remember the dilemma with little Lily. She has done so well hasn't she and I really hope she continues to do so.

Thanks for your reassurances. I know deep down that I have no option. Like you say Fluffy will be in pain with this tooth decay. Even if she isn't so much now, it will only get worse. I will just be so relieved once it is over and she is home where I can look after her. Give Lily lots of fusses from me.

[hgale]

Thinking of you both today, Carol and Fluff! I'm sure everything will be fine.

{{Hugs}} and {{Fuss}}

[HRHFluffy]

Ah thanks so much Helen. That means a lot. Just waiting for our lift to the vets. Will update later.

[SarahT1 [PLLE]]

We're all with you in our hearts today, dear Carol and precious HRH Fluffington. Xxx

[JulieandBarney]

Thinking of you and Fluffy today Carol...lots of fusses to you both, hope all goes well, let us know how you get on...everything crossed here....xx

[HRHFluffy]

Thanks so much Sarah and Julie xx

Just got back now from dropping little girl off. She's going to be looked after by a very kind nurse which is a relief. Met her and had a chat about my concerns. Fluffy will be closely monitored. I feel confident that she is in good hands. If only she knew how many people love and care for her.

They will ring around lunch time to let me know how she is. It's going to be an anxious wait.

[HRHFluffy]

I've just heard from the vet. Fluffy has made it through the operation. Huge relief!!! So the worst bit is hopefully over.

She's had two extractions and is now on a drip in recovery.

I'm collecting her at 4.20 this afternoon.

Just want her home so I can look after her. She's normally pretty hard work after an anaesthetic. Wanting to run everywhere and then bumping into things as she wobbles around. I will be so relieved to have her back safe and sound that I'll be only too pleased to spend my evening following her from room to room.