My Pippin is sick.

Originally Posted by Devlyn

Mr Pippin has surprised me again. I pulled the top of his cat crate so I could feed him (he had put his head at the opposite end to the gate) and he ate a little. Then I wiped him down with a warm wash cloth. He hasn't been able to clean himself too well since he got home. He responded by getting up, stretching, and started to clean himself. He wasn't impressed with me watching him, so I sat down at my desk and he came over to me, rubbed his head against my hand and hopped ono the chair beside me, then got up on the desk! He sniffed around a little at my cup (he always drinks out of them) then laid down and went to sleep all stretched out, not in his angry huddled pose.

Apparently, some of that food has gotten processed and he's got a little more energy.

Feeling better,
Dev

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Oh, that is good news! I hope this pattern continues.

Originally Posted by SnowLeop

Oh, that is good news!

I hope this pattern continues.

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Me too! While he's in such an undignified posture, I took the opportunity to get a shot of his incision. I love how his stripes are mottled on his skin.

I know! Isn't it interesting to see the colors of their skin match their fur patterns? That does look like a pretty big incision -- I'm glad Pippin was able to get that surgery, though. You saved his life! Please keep us updated on his progress.

Pippin took his first drink by himself since Friday.
He got a good dose of water and I'm so proud of him! I don't have to worry so much about him dehydrating now! Yay Pippers!
Now I just have to get him to eat.
SnowLeop: Thanks for all your kind words and your interest. It is a pretty long incision, about 8" I think. Of course, Pippin is a big cat. He's athletically fit at 15 lbs. Real long and lanky.
My vet, who also operated on Merry (the surgery he didn't make it through) for the same issue (thread) was determined that he would leave no blockage behind and opened up the intestines in three different areas to make sure he missed nothing.
I <3 my vet.

Dev

Devlyn, I'm sure this has been incredibly traumatic for you, especially since Merry went through something similar and didn't make it through the surgery. Was Merry an older cat?

Despite the incision, I have to say that Pippin does look like a healthy cat. I'm glad he's started to drink on his own, too!

Merry was just over a year old when he died. The actual cause of death was eating thread. He ate so much that it got tangled in his intestines and mangled them. The vet worked on him for 3+ hours and had finished. As Merry was waking up, he just couldn't take it, I guess, and died.
Prior to that, though, he had been ill with an undiagnosed illness for 8 months. I suppose the kinder thing might have been to just have him put to sleep, but I couldn't bear the thought of not trying at least to save him. So, long story short, he was already in a weakened state before the blockage. He was probably 5 lbs at that point, on a frame that would have been healthy at 12-15lbs.
I was mostly worried, when Pippin started vomiting, that he had the same illness as Merry. They were from the same litter and Merry's vomiting came on in a similar, unexpected manner.
Pippin was in much better shape when he got ill than Merry was, but he has lost a lot of weight very quickly. I think he'll be fine, but there's never any guarantees.

Dev

Originally Posted by SnowLeop

Devlyn, I'm sure this has been incredibly traumatic for you, especially since Merry went through something similar and didn't make it through the surgery. Was Merry an older cat?

Despite the incision, I have to say that Pippin does look like a healthy cat. I'm glad he's started to drink on his own, too!

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You and Pip are (and have been) in my prayers....

hugs to you both (more gently for Pip).

Best-
Michele

I am sorry he is sick! I hope they can figure out what is wrong soon and get him all healed up. Poor thing.

Pippin was much more active last night. Instead of hiding in his crate, he was laying in the hall, on my bedroom floor, in other rooms, etc all night. When I got up this morning, he was under the bed, but wasn't hiding. I got his morning assist feeding ready and brought it to him, as soon as I started squirting food in his mouth, he showed interest and started licking at it as it came out. The food that fell on the floor he licked up.
He got up, then, and started walking around a bit, even followed me downstairs. He ate some canned food on his own (he hates the Hill's even though I tell him the doctor wants him to eat it) and chilled in one of his usual spots near the kitchen.
I was planning on taking him to work with me, but with his improvements overnight, I'm going to just check in with him a few times today and make sure he is getting food. While he's eating some on his own, it's still not enough, so I'm assist feeding to make sure he builds up his strength.
He's also started grooming himself, rather awkwardly with his huge incision, but just seems more content and "normal".
I'm feeling so much better. Maybe, I'll start to eat soon too!

Dev

Wonderful news, but don't let your guard down. He can still slip back into not wanting to eat- Good luck with him!

Pippers is still doing great. I went home to feed him, and he snuggled with me for 3 hours! Good thing I'm my own boss or I would have been fired.
Dev

Oh, I'm so HAPPY that Pippin is doing so well. Please keep giving us updates so we can keep tabs on him too!!

When I got home from work, I settled down with Pippin to make sure he would eat some more, and he bypassed me and headed for the regular food dish and started chomping down on the "crackers". He had some canned Friskies then settled down for a bath.
He's been uber affectionate too, and much more like himself, only slower and stiffer and less chatty.
Pippin can be a real rascal. He'll start doing something he *knows* I don't like. Then he'll stare at me and let out little mews until I pay attention. He is so silly.
Well that's about it for today. Lots of cuddling and little worry. It's a nice change.
Dev

Fantastic, Pippin!

Pippin is starting to act more like his old self, only a little more cuddlier right now. He's starting to do bratty and silly things and is starting to fill back out.
I'm so relieved that I didn't lose him. Mind you, I'm still watching him like a hawk to make sure he doesn't backslide.
Pippin wants to thank everyone for all your well wishes, prayers, advice and for comforting his Mommy while he was sick.

Dev

Pippin,

We are so proud of you for being such a brave boy and we are so happy you are recovering!! Since you have been so affectionate lately, anyway, maybe you can give your mommy some headbutts and purrs from us!

Love,

Molly and Penelope

Devlyn -- I'm so happy to hear the good news! Keep it coming!!! --Colleen

I good news

just saw this thread - but glad Pippin's okay!

I'm glad to hear Pippen is doing so much better!

So glad he's on the mend, you've both had such a trauma. Bet that was the most expensive bit of string you've ever come across! Still, he's recovering that's the main thing.