Friday 23 March 2012

Poorly Joseph


You might have noticed that things have been a bit quiet here on the reading, reviewing and commenting front, it's because our cat Joseph has been a bit poorly and needing lots of TLC.  He came in from the garden about a week ago with what can only be described as a gash on his back leg - a large open wound that was clearly infected.  We think he caught it on a nail out somewhere as another cat couldn't make a wound like that, his muscle was exposed.

Anyway, this week has been busy with vet trips.  Unfortunately he couldn't have his wound stitched with such an infection so for the first part of the week he was on a very strong dose of painkillers and antibiotics and we had to clean the wound constantly, something he obviously did not enjoy!  Like all cats, he hates the cone he has to wear.  The first one we had to take back as he could still get at his injury and the second one (larger) means that he can't eat unaided and he even managed to loosen it enough to get it off whilst I was at work yesterday.

At the moment he has staples in the wound in the hope that it will heal.  I have a check up at the vets in the morning but I doubt it has healed enough to have the staples removed.    Fingers crossed it starts to heal properly soon as he is getting very frustrated with not being allowed out, relying on us to eat and not being able to clean himself.  He also can't stand us cleaning his wound and cries constantly when we do it, something that makes me feel horrible! As I type this, he is sulking by the back door!

It's really horrible when your pets are sick, isn't it?  It's not as though you can sit them down and explain why all the nasty stuff has to happen in order to make them better in the long-run.  I'm hoping that by the end of next week he will be healed enough to go back to his normal routine.

Do you have any pets?



36 comments:

  1. Awww it made me cry seeing him look so forlorn with his cone to wear. Cats are very independent as mine were (sadly no longer with us) and they hate being looked after under our terms and not their own.

    We have to make some decisions about our animals which are tough especially when we cannot discuss it with them.

    Hope Joseph is healing and back to normal self soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is definitely an adventurous type and with the spring weather would usually be out of doors. The good thing is that he doesn't seem to be in much pain considering the size of the wound. It's starting to heal up so I'm feeling hopeful :)

      Delete
  2. I'm so sorry about your cat! I hope he heals up soon and can be free of the cone and back to his old self.

    ReplyDelete
  3. sorry to hear & hope he gets better soon. I've a 12 week old pup.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We sort of wanted a puppy before we got Joseph (my husband is more of a dog person) but it wouldn't have been fair as we both work long hours. What breed is your dog?

      Delete
  4. Poor little guy. He's lucky he has people who love him. When my cat sam had his cone he would scoop up his cat food and let it slowly fall down to his mouth trying to eat. It was pretty funny.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are funny with the cones, aren't they? Joseph is now convinced it is part of his body and therefore grooms it frequently!

      Delete
  5. Poor kitty! I have a cat, too, and I would also feel terrible if he was injured. Hope Joseph recovers quickly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you :)
      The vet said things are starting to heal, we just need to give it time.

      Delete
  6. Poor Joseph! I hope the wound heels quickly and he can get back to his usual routine.

    I have a cat myself - she 20 years old and can look after herself very well anymore - I have to do most of her grooming for her (with a brush!) but it's actually a lot of work to keep her fur clean and tidy. I know why they spend so much time bathing themselves!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel, my parents' cat is 16, I was 10 when we got her. She has entered the 'grumpy old lady' stage of life and likes constant attention and will make her demands clear.

      I've been brushing Joseph whilst he has had his cone on - you are right that it's a lot of work and he absolutely can't stand it too.

      Delete
  7. Poor kitty. They always look so miserable in those things :(
    Wishing him a speedy recovery!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Trish. The vet thinks all he needs is time. I'm sure the day he gets released from the cone will be the happiest day of his life so far! :P

      Delete
  8. Oh no, Sam! That is so sad. I hope he heals quickly! One of our cats, Stevie, has skin issues and once had to wear the cone of shame for 3 months! He hated it! His sister, however, enjoyed it quite a bit, I do believe. I do hope he heals quickly and I'm sure he knows (despite not understanding the circumstances) that you guys adore him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Poor Stevie, I can't imagine what Joseph would be like if he had to wear a cone for that long. After our vet trip this morning I'm hoping that he will be able to have it taken off and the staples out next Saturday, which would be great.

      He is a spoiled thing, he knows we love him :)

      Delete
  9. Oh dear, poor Joseph! I hope he will get better very quickly and can take that horrible cone off. I know how much our cats have hated wearing them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think any cat likes them. It's the not being able to groom himself that's really bothering him, I think. Fingers crossed the wound heals quickly.

      Delete
  10. Aw, I'm sorry he's sick. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Luckily he's been a lot better in himself these past few days, at first he slept all the time, which was completely out of character. He's starting to heal too :)

      Delete
  11. Aww I hope your cat starts feeling better and healing <3 My dog has been really sick the last few weeks and the vet doesn't really know what's wrong. Kind of trial by error at the moment, so I know exactly how you're feeling. Dog is my #1 priority right now and blogging/reading has fallen by the wayside. Your cat, while he looks super pitiful in that photo, also looks adorable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear about your dog Kelly, it must be frustrating not knowing what the problem is - at least with Joseph it was very obvious. I hope that they manage to figure out things soon.

      Delete
  12. I've been away from blogging for a while and returned to read your post this morning. I do hope Joseph is soon healed up - he looks so like our pet, Gino.
    Gino is also being treated by the vet and is staying over as he has had a major operation to save one of his front legs. We found him with a limp leg and after xray the vet found that someone in the neighbourhood had shot him with an airgun and broken the bones by the armpit. We are shocked that this has happened and we hope that we can do the best for our much loved pet, especially with his after care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't get over that someone would do that to a cat - I get that some people don't like cats but that is completely despicable. I hope Gino does well after his surgery, he's lucky to have owners who will do all they can to keep him comfortable and happy.

      Delete
  13. I hope Joseph gets well quickly. Feel sorry for him. I have a cat named Boots. I will share Joseph's story with her. Seriously, I hope he improves quickly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Boots is a cute name - is she a black cat with white socks?
      He is improving, it's just going to take time to completely heal. He is a lot more like himself again, which is a good thing.

      Delete
  14. Oh, poor Joseph! Our greyhound, Zelda, has finally recovered from last January's paw injury. She had to wear that dreaded Elizabethan collar for nearly 2 months. I hope Joseph heals quickly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, poor Zelda, I can't imagine she enjoyed that for 2 months! It must have been a nasty injury, I'm glad she is completely healed now.

      The vet thinks the staples might be able to be removed next Saturday, which would be great. Things seem to be healing well.

      Delete
  15. Poor poor Joseph!! Cats especially are not the best patients...dogs are bad enough but cats let you know how miserable they are...and loudly sometimes. I've thankfully never had to use the cone on one of our cats...I can only imagine the turmoil :( Hope he progresses quickly :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is definitely not a good patient! He doesn't cry loudly but has a tiny little whimper that makes both of us feel bad. I also have a few nasty scratches from when we've had to clean the wound and he has lashed out where it's been painful. He seems to be healing well, the vet thinks we might be able to have the staples removed next week :)

      Delete
  16. I'm so sorry for Joseph. Wishing him a speedy recovery. Growing up, we had a cat hit by a car who survived with a broken leg and went through a convalescent period. It's hard to watch pets suffer. Unfortunately I'm now so allergic to all furry/hairy animals that we are petless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It must have been horrible to have a cat with a broken leg. Joseph was very lucky his muscle/tendons weren't damaged as the wound was very deep. It's a shame you're allergic to furry animals - my Nan is too and she has a tortoise that she has had for almost 50 years now, he's a wonderful companion.

      Delete
  17. How sad - poor little guy! Our cat, Calla, looks quite similar to Joseph. I hope he gets a good report from the vet and doesn't hold his confinement against you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think as far as cats go, he is common looking (but still cute of course!). The vet was pleased with how things are going and we might be able to have the staples removed next Sat, which would be a great sign.

      Delete
  18. Oh, the poor kitty. They do not like when their routines are broken. Hope he mends quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  19. So sorry to hear that you and Joseph are going through such an exhausting experience. He is a gorgeous cat, and even though he is sulky and complaining now, he will thank you later for taking such loving care of him! Wishing you both the best ~
    Beth :-)

    ReplyDelete