Purrkins Is HOME

Surgery

Purrkins went in a day before surgery on July 26, 2016, to MSU surgery scheduled for the 27th. Purrkins ended up staying at MSU for three nights and four days.

I was able to visit Purrkins in the hospital. I was not sure that was a great idea after reading on the site that it’s not always recommended. So I talked to the Vet about that, and he said in his experience, when an animal is not acting themselves, it helps to have the owner come. So I listened to his advice and went to see Purrkins, which was rough!

Visiting Purrkins in the hospital

I was escorted back through the surgical area, NOT what I needed to see and then tucked back in there was the ICU unit. I scanned for Purrkins and did not see him. They had the cage covered, trying to help Purrkins get thru all the scary sounds. All the animals crying were enough for me to cringe. I cannot imagine that is good for the animals in recovery.  It was unsettling for me to hear!

Purrkins was heavily sedated. He never tried to move in the hospital and was peeing where he lay! It broke my heart, and I asked the Vet Student then are you sure we did the right thing? I felt terrible that it was not my Purrkins in the cage. He opened the cage and slid Purrkins closer so I could reach him. Purrkins scooched back to where he was right away. My heart just sank. I noticed that Purrkins had a tic (tremor) and asked if anyone had seen this? No, they had not. It was from the Fentanyl he was on. The student said that is something the parents notice more than they do. (always speak up!) They tweaked his meds.

I talked to Purrkins, I took all his favorite foods, and he would only lick one taste of baby food.  The Vet wanted to keep Purrkins yet another day, and he would try to get Purrkins up onto his 3 feet before he came home. They never did get him up on 3.

Ready to come home

When they told me Purrkins was ready to come home, I was relieved, glad, and nervous since he had not been on three yet! I talked to the Surgeon and the Vet student, and they gave me all my instructions for aftercare, incision care, meds he was on, and when I needed to provide the next dose.  Limited activity – He wants him restricted for two weeks, no steps, no jumping up and down from the bed. He said I could pick him up and put him down, allow him to eat & use the litter box.

He assured me once again we did the right thing, and he was sure I had what it took to get Purrkins thru this! ~ “You got this” he was more convinced than I was!

I told him about Tripawds, he was relieved we had support at home. He told me, “they do not get to see what happens after they leave.”

I could not have hand-picked anyone better to get us thru this! He called me several times a day with an update on Purrkins and he took the time to answer any questions.

Purrkins coming HOME

I got Purrkins home sat the carrier down, opened the door, and he bolted out face plant, up again, and another face plant!  He was in panic mode! It was his first attempt on three legs!! Excited to be home and scared and drugged! I was a wreck!! I did not expect that, and it ripped my guts out!

He flopped and flopped all over! Like a fish out of water! He was frantically flopping, and I was frantic watching. I had told myself repeatedly to stay calm and be strong. That went out the window the first few minutes of the flopping! I wanted to cry!

My heart breaks for him, and I question whether we did the right thing.

I do not think anyone can truly prepare you for that first day, the first hours home? It was heartbreaking and scary for me.

I put wee-wee pads all over the bed, laid him on the bed, and nope that wasn’t good; he wanted to go somewhere else.

Jumped in the window

Then he jumped into the window sill before I could even react. I supported his one side as he watched out the window, hoping he would see awe, yes, I am home (remember our instructions, no jumping, etc.)

Next, I placed him on a chair in front of the window; he lay there for a bit. Then he decided no, let’s go somewhere else. So I helped him to the floor and then let him go wherever he was trying to go, not far under the chair. He rested there for a while, then up again.

He went to the litter box, and I watched him try to use his missing limb. Purrkins was frustrated!  Nothing seemed to be working for him, so he surrendered in the litter box!

I helped him out of the litter, and he hobbled over to the open closet. That was the final resting spot.  I made a comfy makeshift bed in the closet for him.

He wasn’t sure what to do or where he wanted to go. I wasn’t sure what to do. I read so many blogs before this surgery. All the advice I read was to let them figure it out independently. I cheered Purrkins every move, even if it was a flop (while my heart sank). Then I saw Purrkins third eyelid starts to show? I called MSU they told me not to be concerned right now; if by 4:00 pm, the third eyelid is still showing to call back. So I decided to post on the forums too.

 My post to Tripawds forum

Help any suggestions, please.
Got Purrkins home, and is ok for his 3rd eyelid to be showing both of his eyes? I know he is drugged and past tired. He’s on Gabapentin and
Buprenorphine they gave him the dose before coming home. We called the vet student, and he isn’t concerned yet. If they are still showing by 4:00, he said to call him back.

Purrkins isn’t getting around good at all, hopping frantically. He managed to jump in the window!!! Unreal, he did that no problem. I helped him down. I was frantic! I’m not doing as well as I would like for him! I am a wreck and trying to calm myself to stop transferring to him.

Am I supposed to let him figure this out on his own? I mean, the getting around in the room? He keeps flopping all over, tearing my guts out! I am telling him he is doing great, glad he is attempting.
He ate some baby food for me and a few licks. He is finally tucked in the closet, so I have a minute to type. I will post a picture when I can.

Eventually, we both settled down

The good news is after Purrkins finally tucked in the closet and I posted, we both settled down, his third eyelid did go back in, and I did not need to call MSU back. Purrkins knew he was home, and he rolled on his back and started to purr. I knew then all was fine. No matter what was to come, we had this. Purrkins was in there; he was happy to be home, away from those scary sounds, even if he was minus a limb.

Purrkins was soaked in pee from not moving in the hospital, and not using a litter box, he just peed where he was.  I cleaned him up with a warm washcloth everywhere except his incision, thankfully that was all it took to get rid of the pungent pee odor. He was appreciative!

I think Purrkins was kept too long even if he was in excellent care. At one point, it caused more harm staying. He would have been better off recovering at home. It doesn’t matter; he is home now!

Our discharge instructions.