“Muggles Update”

Dr. Steve just called and I have to say that after talking with him, we both came out with a better understanding not only of our relationship, but also about the complexity of cats.

This might go long, so bear with me. Here it goes-

Steve said that left alone, Muggles temperature resolves on it’s own. He found this out because when she was in the cage and only getting her temp checked a few times, it was within normal range. BUT when they took her out, did films, did some poking and prodding- it shot up into the 104 range almost immediately!

So he did a little experiment and allowed her to run around the surgical room while there were girls in there doing their chores. They put a cardboard box in there for her to hide in and when she was hiding- her temp was normal. But when more people came into the room (not paying any attention to her) she started exhibiting the signs I was seeing here at the house: trembling, moaning, anxious, pawing…So they took her temp to find out it was in the higher than it should be range. They returned her back to isolation in her cage and checked her an hour later- her temp was coming down on its own without meds, fluids et al. Took her back out into the surgical room, let her loose and her temp soared.

So she is the type of cat, I haven’t had yet. She has PTSD to the point that it physically manifests itself as an illness. The x-rays were normal, the manipulation he did of her joints were normal- she is just a very timid kitty and sensitive and will have to be placed very carefully into a home as a “special needs” kitty. All the cats and kittens here have some form of PTSD but she is the first one who doesn’t exhibit it by behavior, but by her health suddenly going downhill.

She will be home Monday, and we have a newly insulated cat enclosure just waiting for her to occupy it. She will have peace and quiet as we removed the screen door and put in a solid door and the windows can be blocked if need be.

He also apologized for snapping at me as I apologized for snapping at him, and he admitted he was taken aback when I told him the donation that would have paid off the bill in full had fallen through. Right now the bill stands at $2,648.88 it has been knocked down by $350.00. I told him, I will pay it down as soon as I can, as often as I can and I had no intention of stiffing him for the money. He said he trusts me and then that remark just opened us up to just talking about our business relationship., the work that I do, the role he has to maintain at his clinic (the techs were wondering why he was going to put down a cat that showed no signs of being ill) and the respect he has for me and he hopes I have return respect for him- which I do.

So as Rocky reminded me and convicted me at the same time 🙂 – I did say I was letting go and letting God, but then when God stepped in and took hold of the reins- I pulled back and said- wait a minute, she is suffering, put her to sleep. Thank God, Dr. Steve was also listening to God at the same time a little bit closer than I was and I am humbled by this whole experience and relieved that Muggles is really okay and will be home on either Monday or Tuesday.

5 thoughts on ““Muggles Update”

  1. An interesting experience, to say the least. I’m glad the air has been cleared between you and your vet. He seems to have been good for you and your cats so far; it looks like he will continue to be. Maybe Muggles will decompress on her own at your place to the point that she will be able to interact a bit more normally.

    As for the doctor being taken aback by the loss of your donation, I expect you could have topped his reaction with your own. It is very discouraging when an expectation falls through. It’s much better never to have had the expectation in the first place. But when someone makes a promise, you tend to believe it. Why not?

    Please keep us updated on Muggles. As they say, knowing what’s wrong is half the battle. Now for the other half…

  2. Wow. This is the first time I’ve heard of this type of reaction from a kitty! I’m so glad you have a better understanding of her needs – and can fulfill them.

  3. I will not put kitties on Prozac. Never had a good experience with that drug. We will help Muggles in other ways and hopefully get her into the right home as soon as possible.

  4. My cat spiked a fever once at our old vet — not really high, but still enough for them to postpone her dental cleaning. She was fine when I got her home and thankfully hasn’t done it since. There just must be something about stress that can cause it to happen.

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