Sunday, May 17, 2015

A lesson I have to keep learning

Abbey on her stool under the window.

We got some upsetting news about Abbey this past week.
She was set to have her spay done on Tuesday. I dropped her off at the vet’s office on the way to work.
The vet called me that afternoon and told me that they were unable to take her blood for the pre-anesthesia blood work until they had sedated her. They had her prepped for surgery when they got her blood results back. They weren’t going spay her that day.
Both her white cell count and her red cell count were lower than normal.

Some background: The day after we adopted her, we took Abbey to the vet for a check-up. She tested negative for feline leukemia and FIV. We were given a kit to get a stool sample to check for worms.
We didn’t get the sample to the vet’s until the week before her surgery, and she tested positive for worms. So we picked up medicine and give it to her for the prescribed three days, to be repeated in three weeks and six weeks.
We had not seen any signs of worms, and we keep Abbey inside all the time. But we don’t know where she was before she went to the shelter, and she stayed in the shelter for four months.
I feel so bad for not getting the sample into the vet’s sooner.

When the vet called me about her blood work, she said she didn’t think it was time to worry (easier said than done!). Abbey appeared to be healthy. The vaccinations she received the day after adoption could have caused the numbers to go down, but usually that resolved after a couple of weeks. She said parasites and infection could also cause the low numbers.
So her advice was to give her another dewormer, a different medicine that covered more types of parasites. She also gave us a vitamin supplement with iron to give her. We’ll retest her blood in a month. If the numbers are still low, we’ll retest her for feline leukemia and FIV in case she got a false negative the first time.

Abbey seems to feel good. She plays hard. She gained point 4 pounds in the three weeks from her adoption to spay day. She has not shown any signs of illness. The vet said it was fine to have her out with Chase Bird as long as neither showed signs of illness.

I did what I usually do when I get worried about a health problem with my cats or Larry—I started Googling. I know it’s a way to cope, a way to feel like I have some control over the situation.
But really, other than giving Abbey her meds and watching her, I have no control over the situation. It’s a wait and see situation until we retest her blood.
I wonder sometimes why I have to keep learning this lesson that we never can know for sure that all is well, that life throws curves all the time. But I’m not having to learn the lesson any more than anyone else. We all have lives that throw us curves. I just happen to have a disorder—OCD—that make it particularly difficult to deal with uncertainty.
So we’ll deal with what it is, if it’s anything more than an infection of parasites. And we are enjoying Abbey so much. She is a sweetie and so funny. She likes to follow Chase Bird around. Sometimes he is OK with that, sometimes he runs away, and she chases after him.

I love Chase Bird and Abbey and taking care of them. I’m enjoying that every day.

17 comments:

  1. she is in good, loving hands in a wonderful home. she will be okay, no matter what the news. so glad she has gained 4 pounds! that's awesome! i hope the worming will help and no FIV will be detected.

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  2. She is lucky she found a home that will care for her health like you! She looks so sweet in the pictures. I hope the worming helps her feel better.

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  3. That poor, sweet baby! Give her a hug for me. And hugs to you, too.

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  4. Chances are that all is well with Abbey. Ah, but that uncertainty! You'll get through whatever comes your way, Tina. Glad to hear you are enjoying her!

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  5. Awww, poor baby! And poor you! *hugs* I hope everything turns out well with Abbey.

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  6. When I saw that photo of Abbey at the top, it reminded me of Gypsy. Don't know if you saw my Gypsy post this past weekend with lots of pix remembering my sweet boy, but it startled me.

    Worms can be pesky little critters. I will think positive thoughts that Abbey is dealing with a particularly stubborn bunch of worms. Possibly, the dewormer hadn't had enough time to do its thing. As long as she is playing, eating and happy, that's good news. I know it's hard to stay off Google but try. It mostly can just scare you! I know -- I do the same thing!

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  7. i was thinking about you today and i see i missed this entry!! she is home and i am sure she is feeling the love!!!

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  8. Hi Tina! I've missed you! I always love reading your posts. I love how conscious you are of your feelings. I can certainly relate to what you say. Hope everything goes well for Abbey. So glad you are enjoying her.

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  9. I hope everything goes well for Abbey, she is very photogenic isn't she. Your job sounds like it is going to be fun and interesting, I imagine you've got your teeth into the 'meat and potatoes' by now. big hugs Lynn

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  10. She is well loved and taken care of- you are a good fur-mom. Don't worry too much- I bet she will be just fine.

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  11. I hope Abbey is doing well. Just wanted to say hi, and I hope everything is ok with you too.

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  12. Bringing along OCD has been included in our A Sunday Drive for this week. Be assured that we hope this helps to point even more visitors in your direction.

    http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-sunday-drive.html

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  13. Miss your posts! Hope all is well.

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  14. I miss your updates, I hope you are well!!

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  15. Hi, I am so glad to have found you! Your blog looks so interesting. I am your new follower.
    I love your precious cat. I am sure your baby will be well, especially with a dear mom like you.
    I am also an animal lover, a cat lover, of course. I've got so many cats in my lifetime.
    Now, I've got only 2. My other cats crossed to the Rainbow Bridge due to old age or illness.
    I really love to interact with animal lovers like yourself. So, we may stay in touch, if you wish.
    God bless you! Greetings from Starry.

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  16. Hello, just checking in. I hope all is well!

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  17. Oh the "what if's:-( " I hope Abbey feels better soon and you both can chase those what if's away together and enjoy good times.

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