Abigail went to the vet last week to be de-sexed. I really should have read up a bit on what this operation involved - I was a bit horrified initially when the vet explained it was a full hysterectomy. I said worriedly, “Oh, when will she be back to normal, up and about?” and was told the afternoon after the operation. “They’re not like people, you know.” I convinced myself that I was being a bit silly fretting over what was obviously not a very big deal.
When I picked Abi up, as she butted her head anxiously against the door of her carrier and wailed loudly at me, the vet told me that I would have to keep her quiet and away from Horace for 10 days “at the least”. I gaped at the impracticalities of this. “We don’t want her stomach to fall out or anything!” she said gaily. “Yes,” I said grimly. “Ha ha.”
I watched Abi anxiously when I got her home, batting Horace away as he tried to lick her ears. The day after the operation, she obviously felt back to normal, galloping merrily around, and trying to climb up every piece of furniture in sight. I checked her stitches every 5 minutes, and tried, unsuccessfully, to calm her down. “You know she doesn’t understand you,” said the Prince after I had carefully explained to the cat that she was supposed to be keeping quiet, and could she possibly not stalk and tackle her brother stomach-first?
The stitches seem to be holding together well so far, and they appear healthy and uninfected, so I am not worrying too much. I have ignored the directive about Horace, as they are miserable without each other, and he is very gentle (even when she is leaping at him and landing on his head). I decided that happy and boisterous was probably better for her health than being alone and miserable. (Now that I’ve said that, all the stitches will go and fall out to teach me not to be so certain of myself.)
3 Comments
18 March, 2008 at 11:05 pm
*knocks on wood*, *throws salt over shoulder*, *kisses her school ring*.
Your cat’s safe now.
19 March, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Animals recover very quickly from surgeries, it’s amazing. I remember years ago when my mum had her two heeler doggies (brother and sister) de-sexed, and was told to keep them both quiet and don’t let the stitches get wet. We had quite a big property then and as soon as they were inside the back gate they both took off for a run and jumped straight into a big puddle/small lake left over from the previous night’s rain. My mum fretted for about 2 seconds and promptly gave up - “Bah, they’re fine.”
21 March, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Don’t worry about them falling out, she’ll start chewing on them the minute they itch. I love Vets’ advice, it never relates to the animal’s home environment and their ability to manipulate sensitive owners. Go with the flow, the cats are going to do this to you for the rest of their lives.
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