I'm not sure what I'm looking for, but I'm so totally fed up and massively stressed about my stupid cat.
He's 10 months, been going outside for 2 months but no cat flap yet so he's only out for an hour or so at a time.
3 weeks ago he was limping, then hiding. I dragged him out from under the bed and took him to the emergency vet, who diagnosed a sprain.
5 days in I had a video call with the insurance vet who was happy with his progress. I wasn't though, as he was still limping a lot after a week. Vet x-ray showed a fracture and he had surgery a week ago.
He's on a cocktail of drugs to keep him calm, which don't seem to be working. He has to be crated for 6 weeks. This was originally the main cause of my stress, but it quickly got worse when he kept escaping the buster collar. He pulled the plaster off so I took him back early for a checkup. Vet wouldn't put another plaster on as it'd heal quicker without.
We're now a week post surgery. By some miracle the collar is now staying on, but he's managed to pull his stitches out and open the wound WITH THE COLLAR ON!!
Back at the emergency vet tonight and they couldn't staple or stitch without sedation (they tried), so he's back in tomorrow to be sedated a re-stitched. I can hear him crying and fighting to get out of the crate.
I have a friend proving great real life support (ex vet nurse), and I do feel awful for the stupid cat. But I just feel so low. I've had cats my whole life and this has totally thrown me. With hindsight I would not have got another cat. The stress of the situation is giving me headaches. I wish I could just fall asleep and wake up once its over. But will it ever be over?