Herschel
Does my life revolve around animals? Yes, four-legged and two-legged. On Monday last week, it was Herschel’s turn to spend a day with the vets. He arrived at 8:45 and had four teeth extracted. By half past three in the afternoon he was home again, and very pleased to be in his normal surroundings. He rubbed all round the dogs, purring loudly. We were told that he had been a very good boy and let the veterinary staff do all they had to do without fuss.
Two days later he was due to have a routine check to make sure everything was healing properly, but in the morning he was not very interested in his breakfast and was only persuaded to eat it with the addition of some chicken broth. He licked up the liquid very readily, but still left the meat, so his appointment was brought forward. The vet could find nothing wrong but felt he must be in pain, so prescribed some pain-killers for him. She gave him one before he came home and he was a very happy boy. We thought he might be a bit high on the drug as he was charging around the house, and we wondered if he would ever settle down to sleep that night.
The prescription was for a minute amount of liquid to be squirted into his throat, where it would be absorbed through the mucous membrane. Cats don’t take kindly to having things sprayed anywhere near them, let alone into their mouths. To add insult to the process, the medicine obviously tasted foul. Even worse was the fact that it had to be administered three times a day.
Herschel is a very forgiving cat. He struggles to get away when he senses what is about to happen. but never scratches or bites. A quick scruffing and the job is soon done, the pain is alleviated and peace is restored. He is now eating normally again. Long may it last!
Yesterday, when Charlie (9) and Jack (6) were with us for the day, both Herschel and Jellicoe received an extraordinary amount of attention. To Charlie’s delight, Herschel went to sleep on his lap and remained there for a long time. This served a double purpose. Sleep is good for healing and recovery, and Charlie was where we could see him and not able to slope off to nick more trifle!
Poor Hershel! Hopefully he feels better after having the teeth removed. Zoey had 7 done last year, her breath was horrible!
ReplyDeleteThe breath is the kicker to action! 😳
DeleteAaw, poor Herschel, having teeth extracted and then suffer the unpleasantness of medication three times a day. But what a good cat he sounds!
ReplyDeleteI often wonder how come humans have invented so much amd even managed to travel to the Moon and back, but still have not created medicine that our pets take willingly and easily.
If it's pills they will take those wrapped in cheese or meat. I must say that dogs are generally easier to medicate than cats. Cats are so cautious about anything unusual, as their digestion is not as robust as a dog's system.
DeletePlus most cats are less submissive to their humans than dogs.
DeleteFor cats I found the best way was to break up the pill and put it in a bit of their favourite wet food, but leave it a minute to absorb some juices and be much less detectable to the cat.
DeleteHerschel on babysitting duty. Literally.
ReplyDeleteQuite so!
DeletePoor Herschel...Glad he was getting the extra attention. we all want this especially when we feel bad.
ReplyDeleteThat's very true.
DeleteI've tasted that liquid pain reliever and it tastes horrible. I never give anything to Precious without a taste test, lol. Hopefully Hershel is well on the way to total recovery. 4 at one time, that's a lot to recover from.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's almost a week now, so his gums should be hardening nicely.
DeletePoor Herschel, but glad things sounds like they're improving for him.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed that there are no further bumps in the road as we head towards holiday closures. Emergency visits are expensive £££!
DeleteThat's good, Herschel is eating again and feeling more like himself.
ReplyDeleteYes, we are relieved, but still crossing our fingers - much good may that do!
DeleteNicking trifle is a trifling misdemeanour.
ReplyDeleteNot quite so trifling when a child is hyped up on too much sugar! It's not my problem, I know, but I feel (slightly) guilty if I have been responsible for it. 😳
DeleteI had a great chuckle at the cat holding down Charlie, both were happy and so were you. love it... so glad Herschel is feeling better. I do hate when our pets are in pain and they can''t say what is wrong
ReplyDeleteI think veterinary surgeons have to be really astute at reading animal body language - much cleverer than doctors.
DeletePoor Herschel, but it sounds like things are improving for him.
ReplyDeleteAww a nice visit from Charlie and Jack, and it did make me smile to read your last few words about Herschel going to sleep on Charlie's lap resulting in no endeavors to "nick more trifle" :)
Hope you've had a lovely weekend ... mine has been a good one.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. I'm glad you've had an enjoyable weekend. The afterglow lasts quite a while.
DeleteMy pup Bounce can relate to Herschel's teeth extraction. A month ago Bounce had 4 teeth pulled. He is 14 so the vet said this will be his last tooth extraction; the anesthesia gets more dangerous as our pets get older.
ReplyDeletePoor Herschel! Four extractions must have been quite painful. I'm glad he's starting to feel better.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
It's a week ago today, so he should be back to normal now. 🐈😺
DeleteThe above comment about Bounce that says anonymous is from me. Bounce recently had 4 teeth pulled so he relates to Herschel's teeth extraction. Terra
ReplyDeletePoor boy - I hope he's fully recovered now. Dogs really play up the pathos, don't they?
DeleteOh gosh poor dear Hershel. He does sound to have the loveliest nature Janice. I hate it when the vets give me anything to administer to the cats - except pouring it on their fur, I can manage this much. I am sure mine sense it & head for the hills the minute the packet comes out of the cupboard. I hope he continues to feel much better the darling boy. xx
ReplyDeleteDogs are so much more forgiving than cats, but even so, our two put up with a lot, really, and have lovely temperaments.
DeleteI have little luck administering medicine to cats, unless I can mix it into wet food.
ReplyDeletePoor Herschel. I hope he's feeling better soon
ReplyDeleteThank you. I think he is.
DeletePoor Herschel. Teeth problems are the worst. I'm glad the medicine makes him feel better. Lucky Charlie!
ReplyDeleteCharlie was so delighted he could barely breathe.
DeleteI don't want to every try to medicate a cat again.
ReplyDeleteHappy memories and the scars to prove it??
DeleteHerschel is a great name :)
ReplyDeleteHe's a great cat!
DeletePoor Herschel! xxx
ReplyDeleteI do hope he feels better soon! He sounds like a lovely cat.
ReplyDeleteHe's a lovely boy and very affectionate.
DeleteGlad Herschel is feeling better after those tooth extractions. Sounds like the medication did the trick, along with some family love and attention.
ReplyDeleteYes, he's back to normal now, thank goodness. 🐕
ReplyDeleteI bet Charlie was honoured! I am glad that Herschel is improving- it's always worrying when they are off their food! I used to dread having to give medication to cats! I had to look after a friend's cat and I used to have to pin it between my legs, open its mouth and then hold it shut to ensure the medication was swallowed and not spat out!
ReplyDelete