The Weekend
posted on april 1, 2003, tag: me
We had one of those ridiculous packed-full-of-plans weekends. It ended up going pretty close to schedule, and by Sunday night at 12:30AM we had successfully visited MoMA and viewed the semi-interesting but extremely short Picasso/Matisse exhibit, enjoyed a spicy dinner with Katia's family, watched both Fargo (which I had already seen) and Bottle Rocket (which I had not), took all the laundry to the laundromat (and subsequently picked it up), and caught Dan Bern at the Bowery Ballroom. We aren't usually "make the most of the weekend" types, so it was nice to have a planned-out weekend for a change.
Unfortunately, since the day after bringing Oscar back from the neutering, he has been sick. His breathing was very rapid and raspy, and he refused to eat or drink any water. On top of that, he was extremely lethargic—barely moving at all. We had to take him back to the Vet, who told us it was probably just a cold (although I've been told from others that his lungs probably has fluid in them because of the surgery), and injected him with a loaded dose of antibiotics (I've also been told by others that the Vet did this because he knew Oscar's lungs were full of fluid and if he didn't give him antibiotics ASAP he could get pneumonia). He then proceeded to cram an IV needle into Oscar's side and squeezed in water, which created a large bubble underneath his skin. The Vet said he would absorb this water (and he did), but everyone I've told this to has had the same reaction: "What the fuck?" I've never seen a vet do this, and frankly I don't ever want to again. It was ridiculous.
They charged us fully for our visit (and for the antibiotics we've had to cram down Oscar's throat for the last few days), even though the problem was clearly caused by the surgery. Needless to say, we won't be returning to that place.
Oscar is getting better now, and eating a small bit. We usually have to feed him by hand, though—sometimes by smearing the food onto his leg so he licks it off, other times just by letting him lick it off our fingers—but he's starting to seem more interested in walking about. Hopefully by the end of the week he'll be back to 100%. In the meantime, Felix is completely back to normal, which includes running around crazy and doing all sorts of upside-down hangs from the scratching post.
Comments
There are 4 comments, comments are closed
Josh on 04/01/2003:
I really wanted to get up their to scope that and the Da Vinci exhibit. That didn't happen though and now I'm completely swamped with work. Very dissapointing.
Garrett on 04/01/2003:
Actually, Da Vinci was at The Met, but none the less. I didn't know you lived in the area—where?
Jeremy Osborn on 04/03/2003:
I've seen that iv bubble thing once, it was kinda weird to me too. Not to freak you out, but keep a close eye on Oscar. Our cat had a similar experience after surgery and it turned into a long ordeal for months afterwards. A different vet would be a good idea . . .
Jen on 04/18/2003:
I found your blog through your I Hate Verizon rants, I thought you'd be pleased to know. I happen to hate them, too. I am eagerly awaiting June, when my two-year cell phone contract expires. Have you ever seen the actual coverage map for their "America's Choice" plan? It's a big fucking hunk of Swiss cheese, and if you unknowingly stumble into a roam area (of which you would have no idea as they don't ever give you an accurate representation) it's 69 cents a minute.
I signed up when they had the "One Rate East" plan which covers Maine to most of Pennsylvania, with no roaming...I guess this was just too good because they quickly discontinued it and replaced it with their "Local DigitalChoice East" plan, which as you can see is infinitely shittier. (At the time I signed up, I lived in CT and traveled to NH, NY, PA, and ME to see family and friends, so needed something that covered all these areas. I've since moved back to ME and with their ridiculous plans and shoddy coverage, I can't call anywhere.)
Every time I see that "Enjoy island time, all the time" commercial I want to scream.
Anyway, moving on...
Press your vet for info about the water. It sounds like he was treating your cat for dehydration, which could be the cause and/or symptom of other problems. My mom had a cat with failed kidneys, and they had to give her an IV of saline solution on a nightly basis so she didn't die from blood toxins and dehydration. Something to think about.