Things didn't go very well

[rosiespark]

There were four lead pellets, not three. The two surface ones were removed without any trouble, but the vet was unable to physically locate the third one, which is lodged somewhere below the jaw. This in spite of a further two x-rays and more than two hours on the operating table. The problem is that the persistent infection seems to be linked to this third pellet. The fourth one is in the muscle below the third vertebra, and can be left where it is without causing her any problems.

I stayed and watched the operation, which was probably a mistake. I think I would have been okay if things had gone smoothly, but watching the vet's efforts fail and slowly losing hope that it was going to turn out well was very upsetting. Afterwards I sat in the car and cried, before calming down enough to drive home. I have to take her to the vet again tomorrow afternoon - now I'm going to take her upstairs with me, still in the catbox till she comes round properly, and try and get some much needed sleep. Maybe things will look brighter in the morning.

Comments

[dargie.livejournal.com]

Oh sweetie, it's so hard. But think of it this way, perhaps there'll be some improvement, and maybe later they can go back and find that last pellet. Things like that do sometimes work out.

I had a bad feeling all along, even when she seemed better. I told Glinda that it wasn't over. But now suddenly I feel better about it, I don't know why. Give her a kiss for me and tell her to be strong. She's loved by a lot of people she's never even met. *g*

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

There are actually three pellets left - there were five in all. Two of them are not causing any problems - one on the shoulder and one in the neck. But that elusive one in the jaw is rather more worrying. I got confused about how many there actually were, mainly because the vet and her assistant kept having detailed technical discussions in German during the operation. I got occasional summaries in English, but I didn't want to distract them by asking for a translation every few minutes.

Hope you're right about things taking a turn for the better. I'll just go and deliver your kiss, and tell her about the Pixel Fan Club. ;D

[dargie.livejournal.com]

I've seen them pull through some of the strangest things. And my grandfather lived with a bullet in him for thirty or forty years. These things can work out. You tell her that I asked Caddy to put it out on the kitty ethernet that she needs some strong feline magic, and he purred which I'll take as a yes.

[semyaza.livejournal.com]

I suppose there's no chance that the third pellet will work it's way out, or at least into a position where it can be located? It's so damn tough having pets, because often it's the unexpected that happens and turns your life upside down. I've had my share of that in the past. There should be very stiff penalties for people who injure animals, since the pain goes way beyond what the animal itself suffers. It's so gratuitously cruel.

I'll be thinking of you both.