TJ and the bright red string

TJ is at the vet clinic tonight, under observation.  Actually, his poop is under observation, and we’re hoping that a two foot long piece of red elasticized string will make an appearance.  I was feeding the foster kittens their bottles this morning, and TJ was on the floor next to me, playing with one of those “fishing pole” toys.  When I realized he was chewing on the string of the toy and not the feathered end, I went to take it away from him and voila, no string.  I know the toy had been intact earlier that morning, and I scoured the bathroom looking for the string, but couldn’t find it anywhere.  I stupidly called the vet’s office to find out if string-eating was a big deal, and we were told to bring TJ in immediately so they could try to get him to pass the string.  If he didn’t, they suggested emergency surgery.  I wish I hadn’t asked.  I wish I’d just thought, “oh, TJ ate string, I’d better make sure I see that in his poop, and I’d better watch him to make sure that he doesn’t stop eating or start vomiting”.  I could have done that myself, because it’s common sense.  Instead, I asked for an expert opinion, and then I was obligated to take TJ into the vet, pay for the office visit, pay for the overnight stay, and pay for whatever meds he’s been given, when he’ll probably just poop the string out the same way he could have at home.  Sheesh.

To top it off, a few minute after TJ ate string, Derek came sauntering by with a big reddish glob on his thigh.  Did he sit in something?  No, the doofus got himself bitten in the leg, again, by one of the other cats.  I think he was bitten by Jackson yesterday.  There’s one puncture mark that I’ve tried to keep open and bleeding, but it wants to close.  It doesn’t seem too deep, but it’s hard to tell.  Derek should really be put on Clavamox right now so the bite doesn’t get infected, but that means another office visit, plus antibiotics, and the whole thing will cost about $100.  We’re already spending about $60 per week feeding them—don’t they realize that at some point, they need to start making a contribution around here?

All of this throws a damper on my desire to take Carlo in for a checkup and perhaps some tests.  He’s barely grown at all since last week… I think he’s gained three-tens of an ounce, and that’s it.  We call him our little hamster boy.  He’s the size of one of those teddy bear hamsters (but he’s much sweeter).  Through discussions with some vets and vet techs online, we think Carlo might have a case of cerebellar hypoplasia.  That’s better than a liver shunt problem, for sure.  He’ll need extra supportive care, and he may always be small and unsteady, but he should have a normal lifespan.  Eventually I’ll have some bloodwork done on him, just to make sure his liver is fine as well.  I’ll try to upload Carlo and Bunny’s five week photos tomorrow.

Posted by Leigh-Ann on 04/28 at 01:13 AM

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  1. The problems start when that string gets caught in the intestine and doesn’t pass consistently along the length of the string. It can bind in one spot and telescope the intestine or cause a twist that cuts off circulation or worse.

    I’ll be hoping that it really is nothing to worry about. Good luck.

    Posted by Georg  on  04/28  at  03:21 AM

  2. Damn TJ. Doesn’t he know he’s my favorite of all your lovely kitties. He needs not to do such things.

    Poor Carlo. At least he’s with you and Flippy, getting the best of the best care. All kitties should be 1/2 as lucky.

    Posted by Diana  on  04/28  at  09:30 AM

  3. I certainly hope that he passes the string.  As you know, string foreign bodies can be deadly.  The worst part of it all is that intestinal tissues can die at an alarmingly fast rate. 

    I’m glad you took him in.  Let us know how it “all comes out”.

    later…

    Posted by It's me, T.J.  on  04/28  at  09:48 AM

  4. Better safe than sorry, an anyway, do you REALLY want to be searchin fur that string? Yur payin sumone else to crush TJ’s poop wif a fork. But it sure is inconsiderate of the pets to get into so much trouble. Purrs to Carlo an Bunny an TJ an Derek an anyone else on the injured list!

    Posted by Victor Tabbycat  on  04/28  at  07:46 PM
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