Nov 23: Zerla update

Up too late, so will make this quick. Fortunately in later tomorrow and in the office.

Zerla got worse last night, her walking went downhill, she was in a lot of pain. She purred and purred when I pet her, I spent as much time as my back could take sitting on a pillow on the floor, even checked e-mail with the laptop on the chair! But whenever I touched her knee she whimpered, couldn't bear any weight. I was also concerned that she hadn't used the litter box since coming back on Saturday evening.

Didn't want to panic, made sure she was comfortable overnight, but she was no better this morning. Loaded her up and started to vet, which is my old one, so about 45 mins away. Arranged for coverage in the office, which was made easier by a light schedule for the morning and a cancellation on the doc's schedule so he could do the stress echo.

Turns out she is severely constipated with stool through the entire colon, not uncommon after anesthesia and morphine. She will need IV fluid and enemas (which it is worth paying someone else to do!). But worse is that one of the three pins used to repair her knee came out, so was rubbing against the bone, which is why she was in so much pain. She will have to be operated on again tomorrow morning, although they assure me that it will be quick and not involved.

Even my poor kitty can't have an uncomplicated surgery!

Thanks for all the concern, Laurie