Well, your good thoughts must be working because Mr. Mao is home! He is a tiny bit better, and The Vet thought Mao would do better at home than he would by himself at the clinic this weekend. The clinic is closed, but she would have gone in a few times to check on him, had we not been able to handle him at home. When we went to visit Mao at the clinic this morning, the Vet had mentioned that she had tried to get a prescription for him from one of the local hospitals, but it was a real hassle. The medication is one that is often used in chemo patients to control nausea. I immediately new what she was talking about and mentioned that I could run back to work and pick it up from the stock in the Recovery Room. So, I did.
She gave Mao the first dose, and a few hours later, he was able to tolerate some food without drooling and vomiting. She called me at 1pm with her idea. Would I be willing to take Mao home over the weekend with his pump, give him all his medications, and syringe-feed him every few hours? OF COURSE! She said that this was an unusual situation, that normally she would not send a sick animal home in this condition, but she felt that since I was a nurse, I would be able to handle Mao. (And, she would be able to give me a discount on his vet bill.)
So, today I find myself being a veterinarian assistant. I am familiar with the IV pump, and the IV medications. There was one IntraMuscular injection that I had to give and that was a bit strange in that I've never given a cat a needle before, but it worked out ok. I was able count his heartbeat with my stethoscope, and as luck would have it, I was able to use my dusty Fertility Thermometer for a good cause!
Mao is doing a little better, he even purred for a little bit this evening, which I'm taking as a very good sign. He is tolerating the syringe feeds, and although he does have a bit of a fever this evening, all in all I am cautiously optimistic that he is going to pull through this.
The Vet will be making a house call tomorrow morning to check in on him, and I think that she will be happy with his progress. He might need to go back to the clinic on Monday for a complete check up, but hopefully he is through the worst.
She gave Mao the first dose, and a few hours later, he was able to tolerate some food without drooling and vomiting. She called me at 1pm with her idea. Would I be willing to take Mao home over the weekend with his pump, give him all his medications, and syringe-feed him every few hours? OF COURSE! She said that this was an unusual situation, that normally she would not send a sick animal home in this condition, but she felt that since I was a nurse, I would be able to handle Mao. (And, she would be able to give me a discount on his vet bill.)
So, today I find myself being a veterinarian assistant. I am familiar with the IV pump, and the IV medications. There was one IntraMuscular injection that I had to give and that was a bit strange in that I've never given a cat a needle before, but it worked out ok. I was able count his heartbeat with my stethoscope, and as luck would have it, I was able to use my dusty Fertility Thermometer for a good cause!
Mao is doing a little better, he even purred for a little bit this evening, which I'm taking as a very good sign. He is tolerating the syringe feeds, and although he does have a bit of a fever this evening, all in all I am cautiously optimistic that he is going to pull through this.
The Vet will be making a house call tomorrow morning to check in on him, and I think that she will be happy with his progress. He might need to go back to the clinic on Monday for a complete check up, but hopefully he is through the worst.
9 comments:
I am glad to hear he is at home even if it might just be for the weekend. It might do him a lot of good to be in a place that he is comfortable and with people he knows. Being at the vet must be pretty stressful for a sick kitty.
Yeah for Mao being home. Hope he continues to improve quickly.
we are so happy to her that mao is better by now and was allowed to be at home for the weekend.
whishing you good luck for the following dayy and hoping that he is fully ecovering soon.
hugs'n'kisses
kashim&othello
I am so pleased to hear he is home with you. I know I don't have to tell you that cats are attached to their homes and owners so this will surely give him a boost.
Very pleased to hear that things are looking positive. Fingers still crossed and positive thoughts being sent your and Mr Mao's way!
Poor baby.....my prayers are with him....and you.
Pam
Glad he is doing a little better! He looks very comfy at home in his bed. Keep us up to date on his progress :)
Poor little guy! And poor you! I've had to nurse a sick pup before, and its just so frustrating because they can't tell you what's wrong. Thank goodness he didn't have to be all alone this weekend! Poor kitty...
Thank goodness for Mao that you have the medical background to help him and I know he is happier at home where everything is familiar.
I will keep both of you in my thoughts and hope for a steady recovery for Mao.
I'm so happy he's better. He's so lucky to have such a loving and talented mom and nurse to care for him. Hope he's back to his old self soon.
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