The good news is they found nothing during Gracie’s surgery. The bad news is they found nothing.
The vet is running bloodwork again because she didn’t like the color of the liver. But Gracie’s a little overweight, and the fat deposits affect the liver color.
Last night when I visited, Gracie vomited several times. I told the vet and said it seems that Gracie vomits when she’s anxious. She said she’d noticed that, too. So I asked her if she could drug Gracie out of her anxiety, and maybe it would get her out of the habit of vomiting when she’s upset. She’s always been a bit neurotic and high-strung.
So that’s where we are now: Recovering from exploratory surgery and then getting put on anti-anxiety drugs. The bloodwork will come back this afternoon, and if it shows nothing unusual, Gracie will spend her weekend at the vet’s in what I hope will be a drugged, but calm, stupor.
Update: Nothing. There is nothing visible or chemical or physical that is causing the vomiting. The bloodwork came back mostly normal, and the vet and I had a conversation. She’s worried about the liver because Gracie has had no food for a week. They’re going to give Gracie some time to recover from the stomach surgery and then try feeding her tomorrow on soft food. They’re also going to keep her somewhat sedated. She’s going to spend the weekend at the vet’s, and we’ll see what happens. It’s better there than home. I have a busy weekend planned (one of my first students’ Bat Mitzvah), and I don’t trust Tig not to bother her.
I’ll be spending Sunday afternoon getting my room ready to be Gracie’s recovery center.
I read about Gracie on Laurence Simon’s site. I’m thinking of you and and your lovely Gracie. We have 5 feline fur-kids and are completely neurotic pet parents. I’m hoping for good news for you. {{{{hug}}}}
Wow. It just doesn’t seem to end, does it.
BUT, the important thing is Gracie is okay, they didn’t find anything bad.
I think the anti-anxiety drugs are an excellent idea. Glad you thought of it.
Poor sweet little baby, she has been through it.
Thank you for keeping all us worried cat bloggers updated. We are all of us so close to our kitties, and when one gets sick, we all can’t help but worry and react.
Sometimes no news is good news. Gracie is still in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy and complete recovery.
Those of us who live with Animal Companions know how hard it is on us when our little friends take ill. The good thing is, we’re there to provide medical help, comfort, and love.
Sometimes test results and even surgery results are so frustrating, but if prayers, positive thoughts, {{hugs}}, crossed fingers, etc., can help, you are surely getting lots of them.
We’re still praying for Gracie.
Marilynn, Grace, Audace, and Ruse
Still thinking about you and Gracie. So what’s going to happen now?
Well, the good news is that she didn’t die in surgery and that there are still diagnostic procedures they can run. There is still hope.
We’re still praying for Gracie. Hope the anti-anxiety meds work for her well!! We’re here in Richmond too, if there’s anything we can do — catsit or anything, let me know.
~~ Robyn
Hang in there. We are all thinking of you and praying for Gracie to come home safe and well.
My kitties and I were at the prayer circle last night for Gracie. I’m so happy to hear the good news! I had a kitty once who had similar symptoms and it felt as though he had a lump in his stomach. It turns out that his blockage was poop, and an enema (yuk) took care of all his problems. We’re continuing to pray for your sweet Gracie to be completely healthy.
Imshin, see the update on this post.
Robyn, thanks. Don’t need anything yet.
Meryl
We are still holding you and Gracie in our thoughts and prayers. As frustrating as this is, at least you know a lot was eliminated by the events that have happened. I hope Gracie has a very quiet weekend and that they get some nurishment in her and she relaxes. I can understand how hard that would be, she is bewildered about what is going on and just doesn’t feel good. But, we will continue to think positive thoughts that she will be home with you very soon and recover and be your little girl again.
R Dey gonna giv Gracie sum liqwid by IV??
One uv my step-sibbies dey took a pill ta keep frum bein tummy sick and it helped a lot.
Weze still purrayin.
Katie.
=^..^=
Glad things are still mostly okay – My vet recommended meat babyfood for my kitty that had upchuck/hairball/blockage problems. Very easy on the tummy, but pricey. Still sending out prayers!
Best wishes to you and Gracie, Meryl.
Ongoing prayers for Gracie’s healing and well-being from me and my three kitties. Sounds like the vet will be able to keep her comfortable and rested over the weekend, which should help.
Even though most of my veterinary experiences involve dogs, I believe much of it is relevant to cats as well.
So…if they prescribe Amitriptyline for anxiety (it is also used in cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which could have been what the licking was about), be sure to shop around. At one local pharmacy it was costing us around $50 per month; then we went to Costco and it is $12 for two months’ worth.
If, however, the vomiting is caused by something else (upset stomach due to dietary problems or allergies, etc.), then reglan(brand name) or metoclopramide (generic) can help. That will be available directly from the vet.
On the other hand, we have had one chronic vomiter in the house for years (by a remarkable coincidence, her name is also Gracie), and she gets either pepcid ac (also available from Costco in the generic form for pennies per pill) or Pepto Bismol (not as cheap), and it seems to keep it under control. “They” wanted to do extensive testing on her as well, but the testing really wouldn’t have changed the treatment, so we declined. That was seven years ago.
Oh, and when we switched her to a lower-carb (no grain) diet, that seemed to help a lot. Probably not as much of a change from a cat’s normal diet as it would be for a dog eating dried dog food (almost all of which is made with grain of one kind or another), but just food for thought. So to speak.
Well, I am glad that they found nothing serious, I just hope that Gracie feels better and makes a full recovery!
YAY! we think that’s more GOOD news than bad. nice to know she’ll pass a restful weekend. we musta cooked up some really good kitty mojo for her at the purrayer circle last night. HT’s ideas are very sound, as are the others presented (especially the price-shopping for drugs)! hope that you & the vet in concert will enable miss gracie to have several long & happy, healthy lives for years yet! mazel tov!
I’ve been shopping around for drugs for a long time. I was self-paying until this summer, when I finally landed a job with a temp agency that gives its people decent benefits. But thanks for the tips.
I have a bottle of generic Valium that I never gave her that the vet may decide I should use. I’m going to wait and see what happens over the weekend.
I think I’m also going to ask them if they want to update their website or maybe get a newsletter. Maybe I can barter for my bill.
Meryl and Gracie, La Fluffita and I are thinking of you.
Awww, poor Gracie. I hope that some rest and special treat foods help her. (Baby food — chicken in broth — seems to be popular, as is lox. Because vet bills aren’t high enough.)