First, we want to thank everyone for your thoughts and well wishes. For those who have donated to help us pay Miyagi's medical bills, you have a very special place in our hearts. So here's an update on what's been going on the past few days around here.
As you know, Friday I woke up to Miyagi howling in pain and very sick. I monitored him for an hour to see if he would get better, and he didn't. I called our vet to try and get him in. Those of you who follow me on twitter may know how this story goes...the vet told me that I could make an appointment for Saturday or Monday. That wasn't going to happen. I could tell that he needed help immediately. They took my information down and told me that they would call me back after consulting with the doctor. Thankfully, they agreed to see him at 12:30. At that point it was 11:00. Waiting for that appointment time was HORRIBLE. He just kept pacing around the house in pain, howling and getting sick.
I packed him up in his crate, and off we went. The doctor couldn't feel anything wrong while examining his abdomen and told me he thought that Miyagi was either working on an epic hairball or ate a spider. He gave him some fluids and anti-nausea medication, and after paying the $86 bill, sent us on our way.
We got home and he wasn't getting better. The anti-nausea medication was obviously not working because Miyagi continued to get sick all afternoon. M came home from work and checked on Miyagi, who was laying under the coffee table (something he hardly ever does). M noticed that Miyagi had started to PROFUSELY drool. It was dripping from his mouth. That's when we made the decision that he needed to go to the Emergency vet.
We brought him in and he was so lethargic and in such obvious pain, it was heartbreaking. They examined him, then took him in the back to run blood tests and x-rays. The x-rays showed no obvious obstruction in his intestines, but because of the pattern of gas build up shown, the doctor couldn't rule out that there was something stuck in there. So they recommended we leave him there overnight to be on an IV, be monitored and re-x-rayed. We said goodbye to him and went home without him. Which killed me. I cried the whole way home.
The doctor called at 1:30 am to tell us that she had taken new x-rays and there seemed to be improvement, and that he hadn't vomited a single time since he had been admitted. Good news! I was able to sleep well.
In the morning I called for updates, they said he was doing much better, he had perked back up, he was being very vocal (which is normal for him), and he had started purring when people would come see him. Basically it sounded like he was back to his old self. But he still wouldn't eat, so they wanted to keep him longer to make sure he would eat and not get sick again. Around 3:00, he still wouldn't eat, so I brought some of his food from home over and visited with him. He was 100% himself, trying to climb out of his crate and on to my shoulder. He was ready to go home. But they needed to see him eat. So I left him there again. At 7:00pm, I was FINALLY allowed to come pick him up, I was so happy!
I brought him home, and took off his bandage, revealing his shaved leg where they had put in his IV.
Styles was happy to have his little brother back home.
And this morning, I woke up to Miyagi sleeping at the foot of the bed. Best sight ever!
There have been people who think we are INSANE for taking him to the Emergency vet and paying so much money to make sure he would be ok. But he's our BABY. He's not even 3 yet, he's got a long, happy life to live. And even though we can't afford his medical bill, there is no WAY we could just let him suffer and do nothing about it. It will take us a while to pay this off, and we are so thankful for those who have already offered help. We are thankful he didn't need surgery, but the bill for the overnight stay ended up being a little over $1000. Which is a lot of money for us, especially with me having been unemployed since March.
But eventually the bill will be paid off, and we will still have Miyagi here, which is what matters most <3
so glad to hear he is doing better. It's so scary, I made Doug go around and get all of the dogs plastic toys because I'm too paranoid now about a piece getting stuck in their intestines. So scary.
ReplyDeleteBut, I am glad that you're little family is back together.
Will the vet let you go on a payment plan? I wish we could help more.
xo
Bec
Thanks Beca, we went around and check all of our toys too. There was no payment plan...we had to put it all on a credit card. But eventually, we'll get it paid off :)
ReplyDeleteeeek to no payment plans. :( But I'm glad he was ok and that it did not require surgery.
ReplyDeleteMy cat had to have the shaved leg too and I swear it's STILL not grown in lol. Silly cat.
aw, poor miyagi! i totally understand spending large amounts of money to make your animal child well. i did the same for my mya cat's last year of life. she had liver failure so we made multiple trips to the vet and i had to give her IV treatments several times a day. i'm still paying those bills a year and a half later, but it was all totally worth it. you do what you have to for those you love. we've actually looked into pet insurance now that my other kitty is getting into her elder years, so we can be more financially prepared. i'm so glad your miyagi is home and better!!
ReplyDeleteWe will definitely be looking into pet insurance after this!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear Miyagi is feeling better! I had my now 8 year-old cat for a few weeks when he got sick very suddenly. Of course, it was the Easter weekend and the only place open was the Emergency Clinic. He ended up needing emergency surgery (collapsed intestine) and wow.. it wasn't cheap at all. But it was so worth it. Hopefully he's the most expensive cat I'll ever have.
ReplyDeletePurrs and hugs to Miyagi! I know exactly what you are talking about - my kitties are like my little babies too, and yes, though expensive, they will always get the care that they need.
ReplyDeleteso happy that your sweet kitty is OK!
ReplyDeleteaww how awful!! i'm so glad miyagi is okay!! i'm waiting for the next paycheck, but i will donate as soon as i get it!! hope you had a weekend full of non-stress, you've earned it!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much every one! He gave us quite a scare. All I can say is from now on we are going to have to be VIGILANT about the toys we give them and making sure little things that can get swallowed are not left laying around.
ReplyDeleteEek! Poor kitty! I'm so glad to hear that he is okay now! We had the expensive cat scare at the end of last year. My cat is maybe 23 or so and was diabetic for awhile and had so many problems related to that. She already has kidney and thyroid problems and is deaf, but is a trooper! Sending lots of positive vibes to Miyagi!!
ReplyDeletePoor guy. I'm so glad he's back to his normal self and feeling great. People think we're crazy at times too, but you do what you have to do for your little furry dudes and dudettes.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh that is sooo horrible! i am so sorry he had such a rough time :( if my cat was that bad i totally would have brought him in asap! i am so glad he is ok now, poor little guy! i'm off to buy a print from your shop right now, i hope it helps!
ReplyDeleteI came over from Jess's blog. My husband and I recently got a 6 year-old cat and already can't imagine our life without her!! I've donated and hope it helps!! I was totally in your shoes not too long ago being unemployed so I know how it feels. Good luck~
ReplyDeleteThanks you everyone so much for your support and generosity! As soon as I get a new job, I plan on paying forward all of the kindness that has been shown to us and Miyagi!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad he's doing better. :)
ReplyDelete