Update on Charlie

Well, it's been a rough week...that's for sure!  I'm so thankful it's Friday!

I actually got sick this week!  I rarely ever get sick.  The last few times I thought I might I was able to fight it off...NOT...this time, tho!  It started with a sore throat and QUICKLY advanced into a head cold.  It's been YEARS since my last head cold.  Even after the first day I was still in denial it was happening to me.  When a cold does sneak thru and grab me it seems to whack me hard!

I think - and HOPE - I'm on the upswing, now!  Anyhow...on to the REAL reason for this post.  CHARLIE.

Today I took him back to the vet for them to look at his tail.  There has been absolutely NO PROGRESS in the healing of his open sore.  The vet said the tail is the hardest to heal because there isn't much/any access skin to help with the healing progress.  I asked what caused it and he said it really could have been anything.  He's an indoor cat 100% of the time so it wasn't anything outside like him getting into anything or in a fight or accident.  Anyhow, 2 weeks ago they gave him antibiotics and steroids to help the healing process.  Since he's a fairly feral cat this was very tricky but both of the vets that saw him (a husband and wife team) were VERY patience with him (and with me!)  Yes!  I was a nervous wreck, too, because the last vet told us NOT to bring him in again unless it was a life or death situation.  NOT these two vets, mind you, but the vet that we dealt with prior!  These two are great with him.  Sure - Charlie's NOT an angel but they are ok with that.  They just approach him differently.  I'm grateful.  They classified it as a non-healing wound.  They were optimistic that these shots of antibiotics would at least help move things along but they didn't seem to touch it.  The only other option we have is to amputate his tail.  We have scheduled his surgery for the 28th.  It's NOT cheap.  But we are hoping he will recuperate nicely.  He's around 14 years old.  This concerns me.  With his age and all.  BUT...the vets said that once he's out of surgery they will work with the dissolving stitches which should not only help with his recovery team but also avoid more stress on him - avoiding a recheck.  Unfortunately, he will also have to wear a 'cone' for about 12 days or so.  If all goes well the first 12 days - he should do fine after that.  So - wish us luck!  I really don't know how this is going to go!  But I'm really not ready to lose another member of our family right now (then again - are we ever really ready?)  It was just last month we lost our precious Gabby.