Do I put him through the surgery or put him to sleep?

Whoops, I forgot about him not getting food after 10 pm... Guess I'll have to pop the news to mom last minute and hope she takes it okay.

Appointment is for 9 am Wedsneday morning, which is really cool because that's the day I was going to ask for. See? It's fate. I talked to one of the vet techs on the phone about the anesthesia question. I feel really really good about this now. He'll be back on his feet as soon as the fatigue wears off, probably by Thursday afternoon, and he can go back to wrestling the kitten as soon as he wants to after that. I love non-invasive surgery options! (Hydropropulsion is what it's called. I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget.)

I wanted to add that since mom was in such a good mood tonight, I went ahead and told her I scheduled Hans' appointment. It went over amazingly well. Once I told her I spoke with the vet about the concerns over Hans' age and any possible problems with anethesia, and that in every other aspect (aside from arthritis) he's extrodinarily healthy for his age, she really didn't seem to mind. I think the comparison between me having bought a computer monitor this past summer (before I got any of the cats) that was the same cost as Hans' life helped, too. (I feel guilty about spending that money, but at the time, I didn't have dependants. Man, I wish I could claim the cats when I file my taxes. Anyone know if vet bills are deductable? Ah well, wishful thinking.)

Of course, I lied about the cost...... I told her 250 instead of the estimated 500, but she never goes through my paperwork, and she trusts me. I only feel a little bad about lying, but it was the only way I could think to get her to agree to the surgery. I didn't want to have to fight her or go behind her back.

In fact, I think things are going to be good after he gets better. Mom said that she'll have to wait until next month, but would like to contribute a 100 dollars to the cost (which floored me). And she that once this problem is cleared up, "We have to talk to the vet about his arthritis, to see if there's a treatment."

I'm honestly beginning to wonder if the reason she was so dead-set against Hans from the moment I brought him home was because she's afraid of losing another cat, and didn't want to form a bond and be heartbroken if he were to pass away soon. I know that indoor cats have great chances of getting to 18 years, even to 20, without any major problems. But my mom has only had unfixed indoor/outdoor cats that passed away young from leading such a crazy life. And with Eby just dying without warning this past June at 9 years old, she was devistated, and still hasn't gotten over it. (Ebs was indoor only, and even the vets don't know what was wrong.) I don't think mom has had many good experiances with senior cats, and probably worse experiances with vets. Both my mom and grandparents said that as soon as a cat starts peeing in the house when it's old, the kindest thing you can do is put it to sleep, because that was what their vet had told them 25 years ago. I don't think they realize how far veternary medicine has come. (And it makes me even more determined to get my grades up and look into a vet tech program, even thought he closest one is an hour's drive.)

Just wanted to share the good news! I'll post again after the surgery on Wednesday to let you all know how he did.

Oh that's great news. Best of luck for the surgery!

I'm so glad your Mom is agreeable about the surgery! Yes, vet medicine has sure changed - my parents had the same ideas about pets when I was growing up, but now many of the things that formerly would have ended a cat's life early can be treated, thankfully.

Sending prayers for Hans

Thanks for the update

I'm glad things are going better around this, now you can concentrate on Hans, please do keep us posted.

Hans is home after surgery and doing great!

The vet finished up around 2 this afternoon and I took Hans home at 5. He's still groggy and he can't walk very well, but he is recovering nicely! (I feel horrible, but I can't help but laugh at him. He's growling, rubbing me, and listing so hard to one side or the other that he keeps walking in circles.) I was so scared at the vets because all he did was growl at me the entire way home. (I then discovered it was probably because he urinated on the blanket and towel that was in his carrier.) I though for sure that we were back at square one and Hans was going to hate me all over again.

The procedure cost about 410 dollars, which is almost a hundred dollars less than the original estimate. The vet said that it would have been taken less time and been easier to actually open Hans up to remove the stones, but with the hydropropulsion Hans will recover amazingly fast. They irrigated his bladder 6 times, and got all the stones out. Surprisingly, he's not bleeding from it.

He ate about half a can of his new special canned food around 8 o'clock after I gave him his pain meds. He's on Metacam, which in his case isn't really so much for the pain but instead for keeping the swelling down so he can urinate easier. (I'm allergic to the stuff and sneeze constantly, so I always make sure to feed them after or I can't go near them.)

This new diet of his is running 40 dollars a month. If anyone knows where I can buy Eukanuba Moderate pH/O cheaper, please let me know. I'm paying 13 dollars for 12 cans, which I have a feeling really is a good price. I think I can only get it through my vet. It's a special formula specifically for cats who have had calcium oxalate stones.

I'm hoping that by tomorrow morning he'll be steady on his feet and I can let him out of the spare room. He sits at the door and growls so loud that we can hear him in the living room. I'd let him out now (he has no restrictions), but I just know he'll make a mad dash for the cellar steps and seriously hurt himself. (This is going to be a fun night sleeping. I'm across the hall from him, and he'll be banging on the door every two hours for attention. Sigh. At least it isn't that far of a walk.)

The only problem so far is Merlin hissing at Hans from under the door. Hans smells like the vet's office, and has some sort of alcohol/ medicinal scent to him, and I just know that's what Mer is afraid of. L.S. came barging into the spare room between my legs to say "Hi" to Hans a few times already, so I know they'll be fine together. I'm just glad I ended up with tomorrow off (my boss has the ability to read minds, I swear, because I didn't request it off) so I can monitor the cats and make sure everyone is doing okay.

If this post is nothing but a giant ramble, forgive me. I've been up since 6, and I can't think straight at the moment. I just had to pass on the good news that Hans is okay!

I am glad he is home and until he is fully alert, keep your other cat away from him. Hans smells funny and that can provoke an attack. Once he gets better, use vanilla extract under both kitty's noses to neutralize their scents. That will help-

I wish I could help you but prescription food is always more expensive but the good news is it is usually a temporary diet until the cat gets stronger and well and then another food less expensive can be used.

I am so glad all went well, and that he's home with you and can now recover and move on

I am so pleased it all went well. I know all too well that feeling of worry when they are being operated on and the anxiety for a few days afterwards that all is progressing as it should. You feel you want to treat them like a piece of heirloom china, when all they want is to rush about and feel at home again.

I'm so glad things went well for Hans!

that the procedure was successful. I wish Hans a speedy recovery.

Oh! A sad story with a happy ending right now!!!
I am so happy that your kitty is doing so well now. YOU are a good kitty mommy to attempt everything in your power to improve his quality of life! It is such a sad and difficult decision to have to decide their future, based on the wallet--but sadly enough, it is often the case like this. I did have to put my little Spikey down in August after much, much agonizing thought and consideration... He was in so much pain and was getting more and more aggressive with every passing day. He bit me and I ended up in the hospital with unexpected huge costs with that........ and he still was not improving, despite NUMEROUS vet visits and procedures and tests etc... It was so painful to put him down as he LOOKED so healthy and I loved him so, so much. He was only 22 months old when I had to have him put down. I found him abandoned at age 4 weeks, so I was my kitty's Mommy.
Rest in peace, my dearest Spike Kitty...
I think you did do the right thing, for YOUR situation, and every situation is so different.

Hans and I thank you all for your kind words and support!!!!!

I let him have full run of the house on Thrusday morning since he was back to normal and I was home to watch everyone. No fights, no gowling, just lots of nose sniffing! (I trust Mer completely and I know he wouldn't attack Hans.) He's eating good, and he's in amazing spirits. He actually spent all of Thursday following me around the house. I really love Metacam. Hans is high as a kite and is acting like a kitten. (The official title for the medicine is now Kitty Dope in our house.) He's even been taking the steps two at a time - which is amazing since he was having so much trouble walking up them before the surgery.

My worries now are that he only has 5 days worth of the pain medication, which was given to him to keep the swelling down more than to stop any pain. I have a gut feeling that when it wears off he'll get really really grumpy. I know I need to get him something for the arthritis, but guess what - my boss just cut everyone's hours at work. So now I have a maxed out credit card, and no way to pay it, on top of Hans needing more help. Sigh... Time to get a second job. Weeee. Hopefully the college is hiring students again and I can pick up a few hours between classes.

I love Hans and Mer and L.S., I really do, but there are times I want to bang my head against a wall and ask why I just had to have three cats.

Come over here some time and see what it is like to have ten-