Charlie's Surgery Day

Today Charlie will be in my heart and thoughts all day for today is the day he has surgery on his tail.  His tail will be removed today due to an unhealing wound underneath his tail that would not close.  This was pretty much the last thing we could do after the vet tried antibiotics and other things to heal the wound.  At this time the vets haven't found the reason for the wound.  He's a 100% indoor cat so it wasn't something that happened outside and he didn't 'get in to anything'.  It wasn't a wound that we saw him do to himself and we doubt one of the dogs had anything to do with it as they are rarely ever that close to each other.  It wasn't infected and he doesn't have parasites.

Since Charlie  has been quite feral his entire life - I'm concerned after his recovery time.  This will certainly be a challenge and I will keep you updated on the process and (hopefully) progress!  I'm also concerned because of his age.  He's roughly 14 years old.

The vet said they were going to do the inside/dissolvable stitches so we shouldn't have to bring him in more than we already have to.  He will also be on pain meds but they are giving us mashable ones to add to wet food.  At this time it's undetermined whether or not Charlie will tolerate a "cone" so that will also be a 'wait and see' situation.

Positive thoughts/prayers/vibes are greatly appreciated for Charlie during this time!

I will update you on the situation as I am able.

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.

Changed Cat Behavior

Since Gabby is no longer with us...Charlie is the sole cat in the Bliss Household.  When Dale and I first started dating we rescued him from extreme conditions and he's been with us ever since.  He's always been quite feral, tho.  When we adopted Gabby - he seemed to enjoy having her around.  They were polar opposites.  In the words of Paula Abdul "Opposites Attract".  In our house the cats followed suit as Dale and I are VERY different in MANY ways.  

I will say - Charlie has completely SURPRISED me in the last month.  He's been much more friendly, calmer, yet more active, social, and even sweet.  He's been greeting us when we go upstairs - which is where he pretty much 'lives'.  He has the run of the house - like the dogs - but the cats made their kingdom the 2nd floor long ago!  Our bathroom is on that floor as well as our Home Studio that Dale uses daily and my Craft Room.  He especially enjoys the Craft Room because of HIS Chair that's in there.

Earlier in his life I stopped giving him treats because he had "crystals" but it seems he's able to tolerate them YEARS after that battle...so...I started giving the cats treats again when we were trying to put weight on Gabby and have been giving him 1 a day since.  He LOVES them.  I think they make him feel 'special.'

I'm sad that he's the sole cat of the house.  But I'm happy that he seems to be coping ok.  I'm also happy that I am hearing more purring out of him lately.  He's become a bit more social and active - so that's good.  If he goes back to his feral-acting ways all I have to do is say "Treat" and he switches back to being sweet again!  I took this picture of him over the weekend.  He's looks so cute, doesn't he?