Friday, February 15, 2013

Friday-7:30am: Karma's home

Here I wasn't going to be posting this week--LOL!
What an ordeal! 
Karma didn't finally relax to be able to sleep until evening...
...but she's home.
Now we just have to get her well.
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I called in the morning and was really upset to find out that Karma never needed to stay overnight in the first place!  Those pee beads that the vet tech was talking about would not have worked for the culture--not sterile enough.  So Karma went through all that for nothing.  In the morning they had tried to take her out again, but she would stiffen up, become "fractious", and pee as soon as she laid eyes on them. So there was never enough left in her bladder to get a sample.  The girl said they were going to try again in the afternoon.  I told her that was pointless and wanted to talk to the vet.
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When the vet called me back I made it very clear that I was angry with her (keep in mind that I am a Minnesotan so this means I alternated raising my voice to being unable to even speak to her), with the complete breakdown of communication, the misinformation, her leaving me with someone who didn't even know Karma's case, her calling so late that we were already on our way over to pick Karma up, and that I never, ever would have left Karma there for what turns out was no reason at all.  She apologized several times and must have talked to me for 20-30 minutes until I was calmed down and politely conversational again.  
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We will not be able to get a clean sample.  Even if they tried to sedate her and use a catheter--she'd pee herself empty before they could get her on the table.  The "in-house" sample they did get showed that she did have less crystals in her urine than she had before so, because there was some improvement, the vet wanted to try keeping Karma on the same antibiotics for a month to see if that will work.  She is already having side effects from these and the other's are harsher.  She has probiotics to take every day to help with the diarrhea and some muscle relaxer to help with the spasms that make her feel like she has to pee all the time (which is causing her to suddenly squat and dribble in the carpet or the rugs and why she is hanging out a lot in the hallway close to her cat box).  
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It is quite possible that it was just a very bad day for everybody concerned.  You know, one of those days where everything that can go wrong does.  They did not charge me for keeping Karma overnight.  The vet sounded genuinely sorry.  
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At the end of the conversation the vet told me--you did warn us about her, but she was so good the first time and then when you were in the room with her...  
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I could tell it had been kind of a baffling shock...Karma going feral on them.
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Well, it had been a shock to us that Karma had been so very good the first two times.  Especially the second time--LOL!
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Dagan had already said we could pick Karma up over his lunch break, so I texted him.  Then a little while later he texted me that Leah had tried to go to work and he was going to go pick her up and bring her home, so we could go get Karma early.  (Poor Leah was feeling miserable--having trouble sleeping now that the coughing has started.)  We picked Leah up and dropped her off at home and headed for the vet clinic.
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We could hear Karma hissin' and spittin' and growlin' back there as soon as they went to pick her carrier up (which they'd placed open inside a larger cage so she felt safer).  They had given her a butt bath (Thank God!) and she was a damp ball of fury...until she realized I was there.  Then she went stressfully quiet...all the way home. 
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And she was SOOOO happy to be back home!!  
She even rubbed Dagan's leg.  ;)
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Karma's been quite lovey-dovey...but staring at the door a lot...and jumpy at sounds outside and in the hallway.  She seems a good deal calmer this morning.  In fact, she's lying right next to my laptop here on the desk--purring--and using the hard laptop as a pillow, like she does.  I'll be keeping a close eye on her.  Have pages to read from the vet. 
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I think of the boney, fearful but hopeful 3 month old kitten who came to me with parasites, terrible diarrhea, and a great fear of feet and hands (I'm sure she was kicked and beaten) who ate like she had never had enough food (but that could have been the parasites, too).  She trusted me, though.  As much as she could trust people.  She's always has had a fear of being stepped on and she still, at eight years old, has an automatic slight flinch of ears and eyes every time she sees my hand coming toward her to pet her head.  
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Karma immediately forgave me for abandoning her.
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I have (mostly) forgiven the clinic...and myself.  ;)
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This afternoon Dagan is coming back--but to pick me up.  [Karma will see he doesn't always come to get her--LOL!  Although she didn't seem to hold it against him.]  Dagan and I are going to go peek at cheap recliners for a couple hours.  So, I need to take a pain pill and go jump in the shower...but I wanted to let you know that Karma is back home, they never got the sample for the culture, but at least she's back on antibiotics and I hope and pray she'll be well in a month.  :)
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Thanks for every single prayer or kind thought.  You all have been so kind and caring.  Like having our very own angels scattered over this earth.  It means more to me than I can tell you.  :):)  
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I am still out of the cyber loop and not sure when I'll be posting again.  Depends on my back/body mostly.  Sooner than later, I hope.  Bless you!!
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"Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach."
Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes

27 comments:

Furry Bottoms said...

A damp ball of fury *snort-giggle* I remember those days. I am genuinely sorry for Karma. How traumatic. The vet-tech was obviously not qualified! I wonder if she even has a pet at home at all. Most people who work at a vet does, so they understand what its like but it doesn't sound like this tech did.

The one time I had to leave my old cat Oreo at the vet... another vet (not ours) fell in love with him and gave him all kinds of attention and they bonded. So I was relieved while he was there. It was much harder on ME than it was on Oreo!!

Now lets hope this round of antibiotics do the trick. Meow!!

GrandmaG said...

Positive thoughts coming your way. Pray all is well very soon.

Janie Junebug said...

I thank God that she's home, and I pray that the continued use of the antibiotics will work. I wish I could somehow swoop into Fargo and make everything better, but my magical powers do not extend quite that far.

Love,
Janie

Flat Creek Farm said...

Sending prayers for Karma.. have had similar problems with some of my beloved fuzzballs in the past. It's tough! Praying she beats it! Goooo Karma :) ♥ -Tammy

Shelly said...

Poor Karma, and poor you! But so very glad she is home now- praying the recovery continues.

TexWisGirl said...

i know you're relieved to have her back home. i'd say this was as hard or harder on you than on her...

Dana said...

I'm so happy she's home. Continued prayers for her healing—and yours. :)

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear she's back home!!

Beth said...

Sweet Karma, I am glad she is home with you. Hugs and prayers for you both.

Sally Wessely said...

I've been MIA and missed seeing you. So sorry you both have been through this. I hope all's well wih you both soon.

Cindy Lane said...

Things slowly returning to a state of calm - sending those thoughts your way. Stay strong, both of you!

Serena Lewis said...

It seems I've missed a few posts as the last one I read was where Karma seemed to be improving. I'm so sorry to hear that the poor thing took a turn for the worse. I'm praying she recovers soon. It must be such a worry for you. I would have been upset about the vet stay too and all the hassles they put Karma through unnecessarily. :(

I do hope you find a suitable recliner soon. Take care and grab as much rest as you can.

Thinking of you and Karma and sending healing vibes to both of you. Love and hugs ~ xo

Far Side of Fifty said...

So glad she is at home with you. Sounds like a terrible couple of days for you both. It is too bad they couldn't get a sample for the culture...I will hope and pray that the antibiotic for 30 days works.
I am glad you got some satisfaction from talking to the Vet..but it sounds like they had no idea what they were doing or who they were dealing with. Poor Karma. Poor you..sending good thoughts your way:)

Dave said...

Seems like Karma will soon be on the mend. I can understand your concern for your loved companion Rita - Dave

Queenie Jeannie said...

What a nightmare!! I'm so sorry to hear about all the troubles you've had with the vet! Poor Karma!!!! And it sounds like it was so avoidable too! Hugs!!!

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

It sounds like quite an ordeal for everyone involved! Happy that Karma is back home now where she feels comfortable and safe. Hope you are feeling better soon, Rita.

DJan said...

I am so glad she's home, and that they won't charge you for the overnight stay. I know how much you two love each other, and I'm hoping she will be well after this next bout of antibiotics. It was good to hear the news is positive. It's awful to be sick!

AliceKay said...

Sending positive thoughts and hopeful prayers for both you and Karma. *hugs*

Dee said...

Dear Rita, I am sending up a big prayer of thanks to the Universe. And I've asked Dulcy and all the cats with whom I've lived who are now watching over me to watch over Karma and you. That would be Bartleby, Laz, Jeremiah, Pam, Noah, Elisa Doolittle, Tybalt, and Raissa.
I trust they will help Karma...and you too. Peace.

ChicagoLady said...

I'm so glad Karma is back home, again. Hoping she's over this infection quickly.

Marianne (Mare) Baker Ball said...

Oh my, what a mess for Karma. Such a long ordeal. Glad she is home and feeling better. Prayers for your back to improve. I can' relate!

Hilary said...

I just read through Karma's ordeal. How distressing for all of you. All four (two long gone and two present) cats have had issues with UTIs. Be thankful that Karma is female as it's far more risky for a male. My vet has put my guys on a prescription weight control duet though one of them is not exceptionally large and the other one is skinny. He feels it's the best option for cats with UTI issues. The brand is Royal Canin and can only be purchased at a veterinary clinic.. unlike other varieties of their foods. I give them the dry food and always pour about a quarter to a third of a cup of water over it to ensure that they get their liquids. They lick it off before eating. I ran out of food once, and changed their diet for a few days and that was a big mistake. As long as they stay on this food and the additional water, they do very well. I hope Karma is on the mend as I type.

Unknown said...

Arctostaphylos uva ursi is a ground cover that grows abundantly in the Pacific Northwest. I became aware of uva ursi when it was prescribed as an alternative to my now ex in the early 70’s by the VA as an alternative to his blood pressure medication (because of side effects). I read up on it and educated myself about it.
Fast forward 10 years and I had run out of money to care for my cat’s urinary tract infection many hundreds of dollars. I looked at my cat dying on the floor. I went to the local herb store (Radiance, Olympia) bought some Uva Ursi and administered it to my cat. Within six hours his urinary tract started clearing and he was peeing.
Initially I administered it by tea. Big chance I took because here was a cat whose bladder was full up. Because of the chronic nature of cystitis I administered it several times after that until I changed his diet. I subsequently ground the leaves, stuffed emptied gelatin capsules full, smeared bacon grease on them and shoved them down Ike’s throat.
A heads up about Uva Ursi. It is a diuretic. That means along with everything else it does flush your system completely. It is not advised to take this more than two days in a row. Because you are flushing everything out of your system including other good things like potasium, etc.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Thinking about you and Karma..hope you are doing okay this week:)

Serena Lewis said...

Thinking of you, Rita, and hoping all is well. xx

Neesie said...

Oh what a traumatic time you've all been having. Poor Karma, but it's good to know she's now home and having lots of special tender love and care.
I'm hoping that the antibiotics do the trick. 'Meow' to you Karma ^..^
You take care too Rita ;D
xoxo

Intense Guy said...

Trouble with giving someone a piece of your mind is that soon you have very little left...

Poor kitty... I hope she rests soundly and peacefully.