My furry girl is a predominately indoor cat, as is her brother. Both are 15. She's going through a rough time. She swelled up like a balloon so rushed to the vet. They syringed out air from her abdomen. She looked like a chubby little thing but at least wasn't quite so inflated. She was 3.5 kg but 6 months earlier she was dropped to 3 and this visit, she was 2.7. They prescribed steroids to try and give her energy and an appetite.
A couple of days earlier, I noticed her left little finger was swollen and sticking out at a weird angle. Assuming it was broken, I wasn't sure what to do as they can't exactly splint a digit that small.
I mentioned it in a check up visit 2 days later and they told me to keep an eye on it. They asked me to come back in a couple of days.
3 days later, I was back again (3rd visit in a week!). She had reinflated so they x-rayed her and withdrew more air. Nothing worrying on the X-ray but the lovely vet x-rayed her paw as well as antibiotics hadn't worked and was getting infected. At this point, the vet came in, looking VERY confused. Her nail and bone had disappeared. 🤯 That was the word she used! Eh?! How can you just lose a bone?! There was no blood. Nothing on the floor. But the bone wasn't there. More, stronger antibiotics and a limping cat.
Following day (Sunday) I rang the emergency vet for advice. My little pussy had a pussy foot 😿. He recommended bathing it, weaning her off the steroids and book a 4th appointment. Wasn't worried that she was in the litter tray with it etc. First mention of amputation from him. I'd already asked if it would be an option.
4th appointment cleaned and bathed it, checked her weight - down to 2.6, stopped steroids and told me to feed her kitten food.
5th appointment today (not including emergency vet!) More antibiotics. Weight now 2.8. But I will be getting a phone call on Monday to discuss what's next. The vet wants to speak to one of the partners to discuss whether to amputate the whole digit! General anaesthetic at 15 🙀
She's hopping everywhere, bless her. Today I was given a cone of shame to try. Oh boy, the look of disgust!
Thank god I have pet insurance. Over £700 so far plus probable surgical costs with overnight stays. I just feel so sorry for her ðŸ˜