Things didn't go very well

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.

Things didn't go very well

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.