Marthas big day,tomorrow

lovefive

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Its marthas big day tomorrow and Im really worried. I know deep down she'll be fine but that doesn't stop me from worrying like mad and feeling guilty for putting her through the operation. But I do know deep down its for the best and her happiness and comfort is what matters most to me.
 

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Oh best of luck Martha and Martha's dad!! It's so hard to send your little, furry loved one for a medical procedure. Not having human kids of my own, I always imagine that the feelings I have when I've had to take my cat for vet cats must be similar to what people have when having to endure their human children having to have a medical procedure: objectively, you know they will be in safe hands but emotionally, the worry and guilt of her being in pain or scared takes over any sort of objectivity! I'm not going to tell you not to worry because you love Martha so of course you are going to worry. My best advice is between now and then is to try to keep busy: play and cuddle with Martha, go buy her some special treats/toys to pamper her with after she is home and feeling better, make sure you have any supplies the vet thinks you may need for Martha when she gets home (you can call them and ask ahead of time) and while she is at the cat hospital do something for yourself that will keep you busy. When I have a lot of anxiety, I find that it helps me to write down the objective things that I know to be true so that my mind doesn't get too out of control. Somehow, the act of having to think of objective thoughts and write them down helps a little. Especially with medical stuff, I remind myself that these people are trained to and do these procedures every day and they are good at what they do.
This will all be behind you both soon! Will Martha spend the night after her procedure or can you bring her home the same day?
You really are doing the best thing for Martha's health and happiness for a variety of reasons. Martha will be well cared for and monitored by the staff. Every time I have to take my girl to the vet I am amazed at how compassionately the staff treats her. Anyone who works at such a place is a true animal lover.
I know none of what I tell you will make the worry any less but know that what you are feeling is normal: you love Martha and all of us here have felt similar feelings at one time or another.
Please let us know how Martha does and if you have any questions or concerns once she is home with you!

[emoji]10084[/emoji]️[emoji]10084[/emoji]️
 
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lovefive

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Many many thanks for lovely reply. Marthas in at 9.40 and I hope to pick her op around 5 the same day. She's having a pre check forst just to check everything is ok for the operation to go ahead. Yes I am very worried ,more so about the pre check as opposed to the operation as ive only had martha for a week or so , and she seems happy . Shes well fed and more importantly well loved soI just hope she'll pass the pre check and operation with flying colours. I have booked time of work so I can spend time with her
Anyway once again many thanks for your kind words of comfort and wisdom.
 

hellomisskitty

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Glad you'll be able to be off work and that Martha will be coming home same day. While you are waiting to go pick her up, go to a movie or do something else fun to keep yourself busy.
She's definitely going to a good place...sounds like they will check her out from tip to tail to make sure that it's safe for her to have the operation. Think of the pre-check as a good thing because you will be getting a thorough assessment of Martha's health that is going to be helpful in keeping her healthy for a lifetime. But I don't blame you, I would have all the same worries that you do. Martha is your baby and we don't think in rational terms when it comes to those we love.
It also may be helpful to make a list of questions you have about how to take care of Martha after the operation so that you don't forget to ask. And put making sure she is sent home with medication for pain on that list. Likely, that will be addressed in some way already but it's a good idea to make sure!
Again, please let us know how she does. I'll be keeping the two of you in my thoughts [emoji]10084[/emoji]️
 
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lovefive

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I rang the vets up on Friday as martha was in heat and was of her food. Id never seen like this before but the vet was lovely,she said that although martha is not in pain ,she will be in discomfort. She heard martha mew on the phone and straight away she knew what the problem was. But it scared me witless ,i know it sounds pathetic but I love her to bits and because she was with people previously that only wanted her for kittens to sell,it makes me more protective of her and more determined to give her the happy life she deserves
 
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hellomisskitty

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That does NOT sound pathetic!! I'm a complete wreck if I think something is wrong with my girl. I literally don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to her. I totally understand why you are so protective of her: my kitty was in an abusive home and then in a shelter for 9 months before I found her. I have vowed to give her the best rest of her life I can. As you get to know Martha better over time, you'll start to know what is normal behavior for her and what is not so you'll begin to worry less about something being wrong with her. Of course, when in doubt, always call the vet...better safe than sorry [emoji]128522[/emoji] It sounds like you have a really good vet for Martha, which is very important!
 
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lovefive

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Yes the vet is vets4pets part of pets at home. Im getting her micro chipped as well
 

hellomisskitty

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Great plan to get her micro-chipped!
You are already such a great cat dad [emoji]10084[/emoji]️ Martha is a lucky girl to have you looking after her.
 
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lovefive

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And Im lucky to have her too [emoji]128159[/emoji]
 
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lovefive

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Well ive just come back from putting her in at the vets. The vet said she was lovely and a good healthy weight ( martha, not the vet) lol. Im so pleased the vet thinks Martha healthy and she knows martha is looked after and loved. They will call me later so now its the waiting game [emoji]128528[/emoji]
 

hellomisskitty

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All excellent news. This will all be over soon and you will have your girl home with you [emoji]128062[/emoji][emoji]128062[/emoji].
Keep us posted!
 
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lovefive

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As ever many thanks. They called at 12, the operation went well and they will call me when shes ready to go home. The flat seems so empty without her here.
 

hellomisskitty

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Oh yay!!! So happy to hear that the operation is over...best news[emoji]128516[/emoji] I'm glad they called you with an update.
Isn't funny how empty things feel with them gone?? She should be ready to come home soon though and then you can give her lots of love and pampering [emoji]128571[/emoji]
Remember to make sure she is sent home with some sort of pain medication just to make sure you are able to keep Martha comfortable. She may not need it but it's good to have something on hand, if needed. The vet will send you home with instructions on how to care for her but the forum is here to help, if you run into anything that concerns you!
 
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lovefive

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Got martha back, she has a neck brace which is making her very unhappy. Its on for 10 days , I just feel so guilty for seeing her so uncomfortable but I know deep down its for the best. I just hope shes not angry at me or it will put martha off me.
 

hellomisskitty

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Oh I'm so happy Martha is back with you! I promise that none of this will change how Martha feels about you [emoji]10084[/emoji]️ Regarding the brace: keep an eye on her and if she is really struggling with it (unable to eat, drink, use the litter box...the basics), call the vet. Typically, the cones are used to keep kitties from licking the stitches but it's more important that they eat etc. so they may have you remove it and keep an eye out that she's not licking the incision site. My girl had a scratch on her eye and she was to wear a cone for several days but she was literally paralyzed with fear over it....wouldn't eat, wouldn't drink, wouldn't move.... In this case, my vet said to take it off as it was doing more harm than good. If you search the forum, you will find other post spay/neuter threads where people safely removed the cone earlier than they were instructed. But as always, it's good to partner with your vet!
How is she doing otherwise?

How are you doing? I'm sure it has been a tough day for you as well.
 

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I have heard of people using a newborns onesie tshirt instead of the cone for keeping her from licking. my cats hated the cone and yes she froze up and didn't walk around because the cone kept hanging up on everything she walked by.
 
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lovefive

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Yes ,Martha obviously is very unhappy with her cone , I dont have a onesie , i am tempted to take the cone of but im really worried she'll lick the stitches and then she'll get her wound infected. I hate it that shes uncomfortable. She has to the cone on for 10 days in order for the wound to heal.
 

stephanietx

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I've never been sent home with a cone for any of my post-spay girls.  I'd go ahead and take it off so everyone will feel much better.  If she starts licking excessively, then you can put it back on.  She will lick it some because it doesn't smell like her, but after than, she should be okay. 
 
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lovefive

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Many thanks,
Ive taken it of and she has been licking her wound but shes supervised as im always watching her, but ive tried to put the cone back on but she hisses because shes obviously not very happy. I thought of two thing's to do,
A, either try to make some sort of patch/bandage to cover the stiches but then I think the wound needs to help heal the stiches /wound.
B, I will have to put the cone back on at night as I can't watch her at night. I can't seem to reattach the cone so I will have to tape it back together at night. Shes back in to the vet on Wednesday. I just want martha to be happy. I know a few days of discomfort for her will be worth it in the end but I just feel so guilty seeing her unhappy
 
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