Had we realized Friday had been spayed just 2 days prior to being available we probably would not have adopted her. Still, it is important to demonstrate follow through and commitment to my kids (as well as simply following through on accepting responsibility) which is how this story should be considered.
The other day, just under a week of having our new kitten Friday in the house, I had her in my arms and noticed her underside was a bit rough looking. I turned her over and noticed she had not only a mess of… stuff on her belly, but a gaping hole. She wasn’t bleeding, but it was ugly.
I called our vet, which was closed. Their outgoing message offered up an emergency number, which I called which turned out to be a 24 hour emergency veterinarian service. After describing the situation, they said I do indeed need to have her seen.
Friday was already on antibiotics for an infected surgical site. When I initially took her to vet upon receiving her, one of the options I was given was to take her back to the Seattle Humane Society so as to have them either take her back or to administer better medical care. A few bucks for an antibiotic shot wasn’t a major inconvenience, and besides, I had taken responsibility for the kitten, so I declined to take her back.
Things had taken a turn for the worse apparently.
It appears the infection got so bad quickly enough to reopen the incision. She would need surgery, which necessitated an overnight stay. And a hefty price tag. Again I was offered the option of taking the feline back to Seattle Humane Society, and again I refused. I don’t say this to be a braggart, but to underscore the point of accepting the responsibility for something, especially when it is another life, however small it may be.
Friday’s overnight stay at the emergency veterinarian cost more than the Christmas presents for the 4 younger kids combined. There’s a new round of antibiotics which I have to administer and she has to be separated from the other cats completely for a couple of weeks until she is completely healed. And she has a bigger cone of shame.
We’ll be taking her back to our vet in a couple of days for a follow-up. Hopefully things will get better for the poor cat.