9/9 Jupiter

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Jamie & Jupiter

Jamie & Jupiter

Member Since 2013
Link to previous condo: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=104017

Called the vet today to get some of the questions answered, and other questions I will wait until we take Jupiter Thursday morning. (the post-op kind of questions)

Not only did Jupiter keep me up all night, climbing onto the coffee table... smacking his cone off things... and meowing.... but I also had a horrible cough this morning when I woke up! Took about a half dose of nyquil (which is all that was left in the bottle) and I tried going back to sleep... but Jupiter just wouldnt allow it! I cant say I mind... he just wanted to cuddle with his mommy, but its hard for him to cuddle with me with the cone on. My sweet sweet baby boy.

We decided where we wanted to put the crate and put it there... and after Dane gets back from the laundry mat I will put a sheet over the top of the crate... and there is already a blanket inside.



For those of you that read my condo 2 days ago, 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: 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?

Thank you everyone, for your continued support
 
Definitely take something that smells like mom for him to have while he's there. An old t-shirt that has been worn and not washed would be good.

A litter box with a low side for when he gets home. I saw a litter box with a little bit "cut out" on one side at WalMart today. Another option is to look in the area of the store where they have those plastic storage containers and find one that's fairly flat (like the ones you can slide under your bed to store clothes in) I saw one today that the edges were probably only 2-3" high and was huge
 
I would bring something that smells from you -- so start wearing a t-shirt so it's a bit smelly!

I would have baby food on hand in case there are appetite issues or tummy issues. Just like with people, each cat reacts differently to anesthesia and Jupe may not have much of an appetite -- or he could be ravenous. Make sure that he has quiet and a place where he feels safe. I mentioned yesterday, a low sided litterbox will also be helpful.
 
Jamie, I'm sorry you had a bad cough this morning. I hope you're feeling better tonight. I hope you can get some sleep tonight.

I agree, something with your smell on it to go with Jupiter to the vet is a good idea. Also, some of his food. You don't know what the vet might try to feed him. Insist they only feed the food you give them for him if he will be eating.

I think making sure you have any medications and syringes, etc. ready with notes on what doses and times to give them will help. It's a pain to have to try and figure those things out at the time you need to give the medicine.

Also, any extra bandages, etc. if you need to change the bandage after surgery.

Sending prayers for you, Dane and Jupiter.
 
I normally have him on my lap to and from the vet. Do you think I should not hold him on my lap on the way home? I am worried about him rubbing the stitches against me when he tries to move or anything... and dont want him to be hurting. But I know he likes it on my lap... I just wanna do what is better for him

I dont think it will need bandaged but I will make sure

Thank you all!!!

The closer the date of the surgery.... the more nervous I am getting


I dont have many FF appetizers left... (only 2) so I will send one with him and keep one here for him. I dont think he will eat there- I think he will be too scared. Also will take a few cans of his favorite foods.

Going to take a blanket and shirt with him.

I talked to vets office earlier today and they are calling a prescription in for him to our local pharmacy. They said give it to him wednesday night. they said its supposed to help him with nerve pain?
 
This might be kind of touchy-feely, but here goes:

* Stop saying the word "amputation". Instead, use words like "healing", "wellness", "move to health", stuff like that. Create a positive image of Jupiter in glowing health in your mind. Visualize that. He will pick up on that positive vibe, I mean vine, and it'll help everybody.

* The night before, spend the time that Jupe can't eat playing with him, stroking him, and remembering all the wonderful memories you have of him and thinking of the new ones to come. Tell him about them. Play some relaxing but upbeat music, like Vivaldi, or jazz standards.

* To distract you while he's at the vet, every time worry enters your mind, push it aside as you would a fog, and replace it with beams of love and healing towards your boy. Stand with your spine straight and let it flow through you, towards him.

I wish you every good thing,

Lara
 
bring the food and any treats you want him to eat while at the vet - be sure to label all the food with his name on it. this will ensure that when he is fed, the food decision is yours and not left up to the vet or the tech to decide - you keep control and continue to feed him the foods you want

if you add water or do anything else to the food - include that on the label - so they follow your instructions.

You may also want to make a list and print it of all the questions you want to ask of the vet, so you don't forget or have to remember whether or not you asked everything.

Also list any additional information you want them to know, in case you don't talk to the vet prior to procedure - include food instructions, your list of questions and anything else you want them to know - such as he likes to be brushed, here is his brush, please only brush his side or scratch his chin....whatever the loving things he likes....

be sure to ask vet for feeding syringes to take home in case you need them for after care.
 
Take any bedding you want him to have (note that it may be soiled and removed from his cage, and could also end up un their laundry system, so it might go missing).
Take his e-collar, unless they are supplying another one.
Take his food.
Take his medications (just the bottle with the label and enough pills to cover his stay). Leave the rest of your pills at home.
Take your list of questions.
Take your cell phone and charger.
Take a list of all his property, so you remember to pick it all up when you leave, along with any meds or prescriptions you have to leave with.

For travel in the car (especially on the way back if he feels sick): Extra newspaper, towels, etc for his cage. Paper towels, wet cloth, water, rubber gloves, garbage bags, anything else you might need if he is sick or soils himself during the ride.

Definitely - he must ride in the carrier.
If you let him out of the cage during transit (for cleaning only) ... never open the car door while the cat is out of the cage. Especially a cat who is scared, confused, or in pain. He may bolt if the door is opened.

I like Hillary's suggestion of the feeding syringe. Also ask for a can or two of a food like a/d or a recovery formula that is suitable for syringing.

The med for nerve pain .... possibly gabapentin.
 
Thank you everyone!

Also wanted to mention this again and forgot earlier
Copy/pasted from our previous condos and we still have more:

"Also, I have a bunch of extra coupons for the following things if anybody could use any of these coupons, please send me a message with your address and which you need so I can mail them out.

$1 off any 24 cans of Fancy Feast any variety expires 11/4/13 - lots more of these left!
$1 off any tidy cats cat litter 14lbs or more any variety expires 10/28/13 all out of these for now
$1 off any 4 Fancy Feast appetizers expires 10/28/13 - a few more left"
 
If you have a feliway plug in or spray that also may help. For cats that are not real hip on crates, I spray a little inside before traveling with them.

When I moved into the new house, Izzy was still in the hospital. So I had a feliway plug in in my room. Salem got to be in the house during the week Izzy was at the vet...with the feliway plugged in and Izzy came home from a long vet stay into a new house...and honestly the transition for both cats went amazingly well.

The dog had a harder time then the cats!
 
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