9/8 Jupiter- how can I make Jupe comfy after surgery

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Jamie & Jupiter

Jamie & Jupiter

Member Since 2013
Link to previous condo: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=103950


Well Deb&Spot and Dian&Wheezer are on their way here to bring the crate for Jupiter. (Thanks so much Deb and Dian!!!) We are borrowing the crate so we will have it for after Jupiters surgery.


"Jupiters activity will need to be restricted for 10 - 12 days. He can walk around during the day but no jumping. I have already decided that this is only going to be manageable if we can put him in a crate, because eventually at some point I will need a few hours of sleep and wont be able to sleep if I am worried about him getting stuck somewhere with the cone on, or worried about him jumping. So here is the plan : at night, we are going to put him in a large crate with his litter box. (Deb&Spot is going to lend us a large crate- Thanks Deb) During the day he will be allowed to walk around, but the cone will be kept on at all times."


For those of you that read my condo yesterday, skip ahead to the bottom of this post to the question in bold. For those of you who didnt, I copy/pasted below a new plan to help me worry less this week and instead prepare for Jupiters surgery.

"Going to focus on planning instead of worrying, can you all please help me with this?
Instead of focusing on all the unknowns and my worries regarding Jupiters amputation surgery I want to focus on planning and getting ready for his surgery. So each day I am going to pick one of the questions listed below and in that days condo, I would love any input and ideas regarding that days question. I really think this will help me get through each day until his surgery. If you could all help me focus my attention at the question at hand, I would really appreciate it. This way I will spend less time worrying and more time planning. I know this probably seems really silly, but I think it will be a good way to focus my energy on anything but constantly worrying.

These are not in order but I will pick one question a day to focus on and would love any input and ideas. Please only give ideas for that 1 question so I will have a question to focus on each day. :-D


1. Questions to ask the vet before and after surgery? Questions to ask the oncologist?
2. How to distract Jupiter the night before surgery? I know he is going to be miserable not being able to eat after 6pm and will be on the search for food.
3. Any ideas on how to make Jupiter more comfortable after surgery? Things I can do to spoil him even more & make him happy?
4. Any ideas of what I can do for the 24 hour period that Jupiter is at the vet for? I want to keep myself distracted as possible as I know I am going to be worried out of my mind that day.
5. A list of items to take to the vet with us & a list of items to have here and ready for when Jupiter comes home?
(and if you guys have any other ideas for topics that you think could be something for me to think about and plan - please feel free to let me know :-D )"

(If you have any input regarding any questions from a previous day which are the questions that are crossed out please feel free to add your advice or suggestions for those questions- but please dont answer the questions that are not crossed out and that are not todays, so I have a question for each day to keep focused on until the surgery)


So today’s question is: Any ideas on how to make Jupiter more comfortable after surgery? Things I can do to spoil him even more & make him happy?



Thank you everyone for your ideas and input yesterday. I appreciate all the help so so much!


Comforting vines and prayers for Jill. Fly free sweet Charlie
Continued comforting vines and prayers for Barb.
 
Re: 9/8 Jupiter

For #5. Sleep with a washcloth or small baby receiving blanket. When you take him to the hospital ask them to make sure Jup's little blankie is put in his cage with him. This will have your smell all over it and will help reassure him you were there. It's a reminder of home. I always do this when Izzy has had lenghthty stays at the vet clnic. I also send her baby with her. she has a stuff cat that smells like her/home that I always put in her crate when I anticipate her staying a while.

Have his area ready. When Izzy came home from the Vet on 7/1 after a week there and unable to walk. I set her up in a corner of my room. I put down puppy pads then her bolster bed (the kind for dog crates) and I put her heating pad (K&H one specifcally for pets so they don't get too hot) and a blanket on top of that. I also put her reflective heat pad/bed next to it so she could crawl on or off depending on how much warmth she needed. I also set up the dogs ex-pen so she was gated off from the dog and it kept her from wandering too far (not that she was mobile at that point!).

When she started getting more mobile I put the dog ramp up so she could get on the bed.
 
Re: 9/8 Jupiter

Hi Jamie,
I just want to say, you are doing so great for Jupiter, Jamie.
Your positive attitude and focusing on planning instead of worrying is wonderful, and is helping Jupiter feel less worried too.
Since Jupiter and you are so in tune, I think it will help him greatly if you keep calm and act as normal as possible like nothing is wrong after the surgery.
I think fussing too much may make a cat more nervous.
I think that if you act confidently like you know what you're doing will clam him down.
I will keep sending tons of vines and prayers to Jupiter.
 
Re: 9/8 Jupiter

Jamie, since you are getting the crate today, maybe you should put some of Jupiter's favorite things in it and let him check it out on his own. That way he can get used to it being there and hopefully that will make him more comfortable being in it when he comes home from the surgery. Maybe also put something that has your smell on it, like a t-shirt or something Jupiter likes to lay on, in it. I'm sure he'll want to check it out on his own like my cats do with the cat carrier if I leave it out.
 
Re: 9/8 Jupiter

Thanks for the visits today. I did get the crate today and we are going to wash it tomorrow. One of the civies hissed at the other kitty... I am thinking it possibly smells like another cat... which may make Jupiter uneasy as well. After we wash it tomorrow we are going to put it wherever we will keep it after surgery... and I will put a blanket on top of it and leave the door open so all the cats can get comfortable with it. :-D
 
All these are wonderful ideas, Jaime, & I agree you're doing a terrific job & kudos that you're putting all your excess energy to work! :thumbup

How about having some nice mellow music - classical or meditation type music in the room with Jupe?

Some people say that those bird / squirrel video's are very attention-grabbing for stay-at-home pets - I've never tried them, tho, so no direct feedback, just a thought. :?
 
His pain medication is going to be important post-op. I think that keeping the cage covered or partially covered with the blanket will give him some privacy from the other cats, and help him feel like he is in a safe place to sleep. If he will let you touch him, he may need some help steadying himself in the litter box, especially when he is defecating, until het gets the hang of it. Encourage him to eat small amounts of food. He may not be very hungry.
 
Depending on the size of the crate, you may want to get a smaller litter box and/or find one that has low sides. That will make it easier for Jupe to get in and out. You can always cut out a lower "entry" into a higher sided box. (Gizmo's breeder uses big, plastic storage bins as litter boxes and cuts out an entry, otherwise the cats would need to leap into the box.) Sometimes, even a plastic lid to a storage box may be sufficient if its deep enough.

I agree with Linda, effective pain management is important. It sounds like you now have a good vet that understands the importance of managing pain. Cats are pros at hiding their discomfort and there's no need for Jupe to be in pain.
 
Hi Jamie!

For #4: Get a good book at the library! If you want any recommendations, I can give you plenty. When I read, I get so engrossed in the story that my mind focuses completely on the story and nothing else :-D And perhaps take a nice bubble bath: Fill your tub up with generous bubbles, light some candles and shut the light off. Maybe bring that book in the tub with you. Or mediate. Or make a mental checklist of all the things you are thankful for; I personally need to do that more often. Last time I thought about it, I was amazed at just how much I've been blessed.
 
Thank you all for the visits. Jupiter does not like me to "watch" him when he is in litter box. He will let Dane be near him but not me! Weird, right? I was never able to get a urine ketone test because he wont go pee in front of me!If he seems to need help in the LB I will see if Dane can help him. I do like the idea of putting a blanket over the crate to give Jupiter some privacy. He likes hiding so I am hoping he will see this as a place to hide and wont be afraid of the crate... we'll see though.


thank you all!
 
How about some catnip post op? Depending on his general response to it, could be calming. Not good if he generally gets hyper from it though.

Wendy
 
Jamie, for #4 - cleaning always works for me. Make a plan to sort out some drawers and get completely engrossed in them - clean, pitch, sort. Or take something apart - like a fan, the stove, and get it all clean and new. Or, start making a list of all the things you never seem to be able to get to and start striking them off. Keep busy!

Sending prayers and hugs and will be watching patiently for your updates!

Bern
 
HI Jaime, Just checking in & wishing you & Jupe the best of luck- keep us posted - we'll be checking on you & sending support! :YMHUG:
 
I think Bern's idea is a good one. You seem like a list maker and an organizer.

When Ozy's BG gets low, and I am fretting, I clean the stove top. You will need a bigger project.
 
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