Radiant as the Sun

This morning Destinie and I rushed Toshiya to see his vet in Brooklyn. After days of worrying over him I was more nervous about finding out what was wrong with him. Since he’s underwent Perineal Urethrostomy (P.U. surgery where they removed his penis and testicles in order to make his urethra larger) I was afraid that he had another intestinal obstruction. When the nurse called us we went into the room quietly until he asked me to tell him why we were back and I couldn’t shut up as I told him every single thing that I saw was wrong and different with Toshiya. He found him gorgeous until he told me to hold him while he tried to get his temperature. Of course my lovely cat decided he was going to his and swat at him. He then rushed into my arms (the cutest thing ever! Until the nurse walked out and he turned those hisses towards me when I touched his leg). 

When Dr. Mann finally came in he chuckled at my little rants on what was wrong and what I thought was wrong and he agreed with me. He took Toshiya’s temp and it was 104°! I knew he had a fever but I didn’t know it was that bad! And he was much warmer during the weekend. He immediately said they would run some tests but they would have to sedate him and then take care of the problem. So he sent us away for a few hours.

Destinie and I decided to try and go to an ihop we had passed by but when we got there it was closed… but there were people in there not eating… but they were in there.  o_O weirdest shit. I was sorta out of it so I kept spacing out when we were in Aeropostale while Destinie shopped. Finally Dr. Mann called me to tell me that it was not an obstruction but something different. Toshiya has cellulitis and he had to take care of it the best he could. Said he would talk to me in more detail when I pick him up in an hour. We got a hot dog and cheese fries across the street because I was going to pass out. I haven’t slept in two days and I hadn’t eaten all day. But when we were driving back to the clinic we saw a sushi place and stopped by to get something a bit more filling. 

Cellulitis is an inflammation involving the deep layers of the skin. Most cases are caused by animal bites or scratches (such as wounds inflicted during cat fights). Puncture wounds allow bacteria to become established beneath the epidermis. Infection can be prevented in many fresh wounds if proper care is taken within the first few hours.

The signs of skin cellulitis include pain (tenderness to pressure), warmth (it feels hotter than normal), firmness (it’s not as soft as it should be), and change in color (it appears redder than it should be). As the infection spreads from the wound into the lymphatic system, you may see red streaks in the skin and be able to feel enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, armpit, or neck.

The lymph node in Toshiya’s left hind leg was extremely infected. When we got back Dr. Mann took us downstairs to see the x-ray and explain a little more about what he did for Toshiya. So… the infection was pretty advanced and made his liver very enlarged but Dr. Mann believes this will resolve itself with the antibiotics he injected in him. In order to try and kill the infection Dr. Mann has to literally cut holes into Toshiya’s leg and inject antibiotics directly into the muscle through the holes. It’s not as morbid as I thought… though seeing him shaved with chunks of skin missing isn’t easy for me. But it’s better than watching him act weird. When he finally came to me he was meowing and basically being his usual self. He screamed and screamed until we got him into the car. I had to go in the back with him because he was shoving his head around like he wanted his funnel off and wanted to rip through the stroller, lol. 

Because my cat is a special I have to feed him by hand. He makes such a ridiculous mess trying (and failing horribly) to eat his food. Yes! He got home and wanted to eat! And this proud Mama wanted to cry (I did a lot of that today). He ate all his food and now my hands reek of cat food. In my rush I didn’t ask how long the funnel has to be on so I’ll have to email Dr. Mann and ask the questions that slipped my mind because I was just happy to see my baby acting like the little asshole that he is :)

So far the recovery is going well. He’s still limping but he isn’t as lethargic as before. He’s sleeping a lot but not that scary I had to poke him a couple times to make sure he’s breathing sleep. Still waiting on his bloodwork *crosses fingers* and further examination of his x-rays. This emergency was extremely expensive. But I have faith and I am more than blessed to be home with Toshiya sleeping on his favorite rug tonight. 

Thank you all for your well wishes, your prayers and your love. You all mean so much to me for understanding my love for my cat. He’s my baby with a bad attitude :) and more than anything many many many thanks to my lovely Destinie. Whom everyone in the clinic thinks is Mama #2, lmao. When we went to pick up Toshiya they called down with “Toshiya’s mom’s are here.” I almost died laughing when Destinie’s eyes bulged out of her head like “o_O WTF…” Without you making me laugh and looking out for Toshiya and I both I have no idea what I would have done today. I probably would have sat at the clinic sobbing while I waited. I’ve known you for less than two years and you are one of the most amazing friends I have ever met. Toshiya and I love you very much <3 

And how has your second day of the year been? As eventful as mine? lol.