Tinkie update

[NOYFB]

I asked Ella to delete my last thread about Tinkie's update due to legal reasons, so I apologize if anyone was following it and feeling lost.

I wanted to take this time to let everyone know that Tinkie is doing GREAT!!! She is back to her old self and doesn't seem to even realize that she has a *disability*. She is 29 days post op and doesn't seem to be drooling as much anymore. The sore on the corner of her mouth is not red and inflamed anymore, but still appears a bit crusty. So, since she needs a new Rx for the HIlls t/d food, we have an appointment with Dr. Andy on Tuesday (big shout out to LAJennifer for recommending him!) and I'm going to have him take a look and see if it's anything we need to worry about.

Also...today we got a check from the Anti-Cruelty Society for her dental exam/surgery, etc. The letter that was included was very sweet and thanked us and admired us for our dedication to Tinkie. It also said that they were going to re-examine their practices related to exams, and dental exams specifically.

I feel like I'm getting a big dose of good Karma, and that feels good.

 

[Amys Bling]

Glad to hear there seems to be a happy ending to this terrible situation.

 

[Missy]

Thanks for the update and I'm so happy to hear she is doing well! Please give Tinkie a big hug and kiss from me!

 

[GemFever]

I'm so glad she is doing well! I noticed the old post was missing and was worried for a minute, but decided to wait patiently for an update, and I'm glad it's a good one!

 

[TC1987]

I'm glad that she's doing so well.

 

[Enerchi]

Yay Tinkie!! I'm so glad things are looking up for her!
(Sorry you weren't able to join us today at our gtg!)

 

[MissGotRocks]

Very glad to hear that she is doing so well!!!

 

[stargurl78]

Glad to hear she is doing well

 

[junebug17]

This is great news!! So glad to hear she is feeling good and doing well!

 

[LAJennifer]

Yay! So happy to hear she is back to her old self. That is such great news! Let us know how it goes at her appointment tomorrow with Dr. Andy.

 

[NOYFB]

Will definitely let you know how it goes with Dr. Andy tomorrow. And I will be sure to tell him that he came highly recommended.

 

[LAJennifer]

Will definitely let you know how it goes with Dr. Andy tomorrow. And I will be sure to tell him that he came highly recommended.

Yes. You can tell him that Wellington, the FIV+ cat from California, says he's fantastic!

 

[NOYFB]

Will definitely let you know how it goes with Dr. Andy tomorrow. And I will be sure to tell him that he came highly recommended.

Yes. You can tell him that Wellington, the FIV+ cat from California, says he's fantastic!

Will do! Thanks again for the recommendation! Tinkie thanks you, too!

 

[NOYFB]

Dr. Andy was great! His accent is quite thick, however, and I really had to pay attention to make sure I was understanding what he was saying. I told him that he came highly recommended and I swear he blushed! I had brought copies of all Tinkie's previous records and he said that Cat Hospital and VSC were top notch facilities. I explained to him that after what they did to Tinkie I did not believe so. He said he hadn't ever heard a story like ours before and was just as baffled as I was as to how 3 different vets misread the report.

He spent a lot of time examining Tinkie's mouth/jaw and she didn't seem to mind at all, which is unusual for her. We discussed the possibility of having to shave down her teeth now that they don't line up and are poking her on both the top and bottom, but decided to watch her for a little while, since she's only 5 weeks post op, to see if it becomes an issue. She doesn't seem to be in any pain, but it does look like it would be uncomfortable

Her weight is perfect (8 pounds) and he said to make sure she doesn't gain anymore. He also told me to "keep it simple", meaning if she's eating the t/d food, stick with it, don't change the type of litter, etc.

All in all it was a very positive visit and only cost me $35! Cat Hospital would have charged me at least $150 and probably recommended right then and there to file down her teeth, but oh, make sure we take lots of expensive labs first.... I'm so glad I'm not affiliated with them anymore. It makes me so when I think about how much money I've given them over the years. It also pisses me off that, when I first brought EQ in, back in November, the vet (Dr. Thompson, who I'd never seen before) never mentioned anything about alternative means to feed her. She hadn't been eating and this Dr. prescribed an appetite stimulant. When I asked "What happens if she still doesn't eat?" she simply said "Then she doesn't eat, and you should put her down". She never suggested syringe feeding (which I would have HAPPILY done, had I known about it - I only learned about with Tinkie) or a feeding tube (which I would have also considered if she would have been stable enough for the surgery - I didn't realize they could insert a feeding tube in a cat). When I think about how much pain EQ must have been in and knowing that there was a possibility of easing her pain, ensuring her nutrition and thereby keeping up her strength, I get so damn mad! These people should not be taking care of people's cherished pets.

Ok, rant over. I just had to get that off my chest.

 

[LAJennifer]

I'm very glad that you had a good experience with Dr. Andy. He really does have a special touch when handling cats - it is great that Tinkie allowed him to examine her so thoroughly. I chuckled when you mentioned that Tinkie shouldn't gain anymore weight - Dr. Andy is big on "weight management" and I get a lecture every time I go (he wants Wellington to lose 2 pounds, but it is so hard because of my other two cats).

Yay, for a $35 vet bill! Shocking, isn't it?

 

[JewelFreak]

Great to hear the good news!! It must feel like a ton off your shoulders to look at Tinkie & see her still being Tinkie. Gosh, for $35 & good care, I'll hop a plane to LA with my cat!

I just left a similar vet -- recommend the most invasive procedures, but first, a big list of expensive & scary (for the cat or dog) tests. Delighted to be away from those dopes -- and the same for you!!

--- Laurie

 

[NOYFB]

Gosh, for $35 & good care, I'll hop a plane to LA with my cat!

He's actually in Chicago Not sure if that would be a shorter or longer plane ride for ya, though.