Felix Goes to the ER

This picture was taken the night before Felix got sick but he must have been forming crystals in his urinary track while we took this picture. Do you remember a few years ago when Felix had to go to the ER because he had crystals in his urine? They determined he couldn't tolerate regular cat food and after that we put him on raw food. He has not had a single problem since then.

The last month has been hectic with the patio build, Rosie's visit, helicopter rides - all sorts of things! Well, when Jimmy was gone I didn't plan the animals food very well and ended up having to give them dry two times. Then this past week I did it again one time. Anyway, it was enough to tip his balance and he went right back to a blocked urinary tract. I feel so bad!

Yesterday we noticed he was uncomfortable and trying to pee but not being able to. He started getting more and more lethargic and uncomfortable. So last night at about 10:00 PM I took him to the ER. They had to keep him there over night. I picked him up at 6:30 this morning and took him to his regular vet at around 9:00. They said we are lucky we caught it early, that he probably wouldn't get as sick as last time. Last time it went to his kidneys and he almost died.

Felix hates, I mean loathes, the vet office. He associates it with the pain he felt when he was here for I think five days last time. He gets really quiet, low to the ground and all round freaked out. At the ER they labeled him a "caution" because of the low growls he leveled against the vet tech when they took his temperature!

At his home vet, they decided to put another kind of line in his vein that may be more comfortable. The doc said, "let me go help with that real fast and I will be right back." I hear them fussing with Felix from the room. I hear his growling, his yowling, getting deeper and louder and more un-cat sounding. Soon he sounds like he is being slowly tortured. They try again. No better luck. He makes sounds you have never heard before. Undulating, growling, screeching.

So the doc pops back in and is about to say something when you hear a loud hiss, growl, screech and some metal trays banging on the floor loudly. She says, "I better go help!"

When she comes back in she says, "Um, he's a little bit agitated right now and will NOT let us put that line in. Do you mind if we give him a mild sedative/pain reliever to make this a bit more comfortable for him?" By all means do! I know he needed it.

Tonight's update is that he is doing very well, hydrating, urinating normally and eating. They are very hopeful that he will come home tomorrow.

NO MORE DRY FOR FELIX!