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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

1734.0. "Hector's tail - again!" by CHEFS::GOUGH () Mon Sep 05 1988 11:03

     As regular readers of this file will know, a couple of weeks ago
    Hector couldn't move his tail, and we thought it might be broken.
    It wasn't, just bitten and bruised. 
    
    Anyway, he finished his tablets, everything was fine, and we forgot
    about the tail again for a week.  Until last Friday.  When he was
    off colour, and the base of his tail was again swollen, and obviously
    painful.  So back to the vet.
    
    Vet (female, so she didn't get savaged!) recommended hot compresses
    held on the tail for at least five minutes at a stretch (!), and
    prescribed more antibiotics - seven days worth this time.  Cat returns
    home, takes tablets (no problem), and has hot compresses (rather
    more of a problem).  Tail goes down, cat feels better two days later,
    is now his usual self.  Still has five days tablets to go.
    
    The problem is that the hot compresses were designed to bring the
    abscess to a head and burst it.  This hasn't happened, the swelling
    has gone down again.
    
    When I think back, Hector had two abscesses in roughly the same
    place on his tail earlier this year (December/ February sort of
    time).  I am now inclined to believe that this is all one problem.
    I think there is a piece of tooth or something embedded in the tail,
    which flares up from time to time, and that the antibiotics are
    suppressing the infection, but not removing the cause.
    
    I intend to take Hekky back to the vet at the end of the week, and
    insist on an X-ray or something.
    
    Am I being totally neurotic?  Have any of you heard of similar cases?
     I don't like filling animals (or people) with antibiotics for weeks
    on end, and am now beginning to think that there is really some
    other problem.
    
    Before I make a fool of myself at the vet's, I would very much like
    to hear your comments.
    
    Helen.
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1734.1not so sillyIPG::KCAMPBELLwondering where summer wentMon Sep 05 1988 11:5827
    Helen,
    
    A similar thing happened to my cat, Georgie.  I put a note in this
    conference around the time it happened (February this year) but
    I'll briefly explain the saga again.
    
    He'd been in a fight and had a very sore paw, which made it very
    difficult for him to walk.  We took him to the vet, who said it
    was a bite and gave him a course of antibiotics.  The swelling and
    soreness went and within a few days he was fine.  Or so we thought.
    
    About two weeks later, the paw swelled up again and was obviously
    very painful as Georgie tried to bite me when I took a look.  This
    was definitely out of character as he's so soft and lovable.
    
    Off to the vet he went again, and the vet suggested an x-ray and
    said it could be a piece of tooth.  In the event it was, and he
    operated on Georgie's paw to remove it.  He said it was uncommon
    but did (as was proved!) happen sometimes.
    
    So, I should have Hector's tail checked out.  By the way, I work
    in Reading and could give you the name of this vet in Old Basing,
    Basingstoke if you want...
    
    Best of luck,
    
    Karen
1734.2Tale of a TailUBOHUB::HOOD_SMon Sep 05 1988 12:2522
    
    
    I should certainly get Hector's tail looked at - better safe than
    sorry is a good motto to remember regarding loved ones who are in
    any discomfort (furry ones or otherwise!!)
    
    Also, I believe the vet that Karen is talking about is Mr. Krasno.
    If it is, I can add my recommendation without hesitation.  He takes
    great care of both my cats, Dinky and Lulu and I have even taken
    injured hedgehogs and an exhausted pidgeon which was trying to get
    into the reception here at Wimgrove House one morning, to him.
    
    He treats all animals with great care and big or small, pedigree
    or tatty waif and stray they are all looked after and given the
    same attention.  He will also treat ANY injured wild animals found
    or road accident casualties free of charge and is, I think, an
    exceptionally kind vet.
    
    Good luck and Dinky & Lulu send their best wishes to Hector
    for a happy end to his "tail"!!!
    
    Sandy
1734.3You're right...IPG::KCAMPBELLwondering where summer wentMon Sep 05 1988 12:396
    ...it is Mr Krasno!  He's a great vet!
    
    Re: -1 ...wonder if we've "unwittingly" met with our furry friends
    in the surgery??
    
    Karen
1734.4Confirms my suspicions ..CHEFS::GOUGHMon Sep 05 1988 13:0315
    Thank you for your replies.  The story of Georgie's paw sounds very
    much like the story of Hector's tail, and makes me feel even more
    inclined to get it x-rayed.  It is definitely the same injury that
    has swollen up again; Hector has not been fighting since the first
    time, and has been shut in after dark since the original injury.
    
    Mr Krasno sounds like a good vet.  Unfortunately, Old Basing is
    miles away from me, I live in Stoke Row north of Reading.  My vets
    are Morrish & Stafford in Sonning Common, and I have used them for
    quite a few years with no complaints.  However, it is a group practice,
    which means that I have seen three different vets in my last three
    visits.  If I don't get anywhere with them, I may take him to Mr
    De Ban in Henley for a second opinion.
    
    Helen.
1734.5CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Tue Sep 06 1988 00:444
    Please keep us informed about Hector.  P.S. can't you request a
    specific vet when you make an appointment at a group practice? 
    You can in the states.
    
1734.6Progress reportCHEFS::GOUGHTue Sep 06 1988 10:1835
    Not really, because it's not an appointment system.  You just go
    along in surgery hours - which is good in a way - my cats are not
    too good at keeping appointments! (see below).
    
    Anyway, I was all set to take Hector back last night.  Went home
    early - no Hector.  Hunted everywhere - no Hector.  Was beginning
    to worry - still no Hector.  At ten past seven, in strolls Hector.
    Somebody called?  You wanted me?  Where's my supper?  Oh, the vet's
    closed now has it, what a shame!
    
    So off to the vet we went this morning (hence late for work again,
    my boss (not a cat person) will shortly lose patience).  Anyway,
    we saw the Chief Vet today.  He examined Hector very thoroughly,
    pulled his tail and back legs here, there and everywhere, and got
    thoroughly sworn at by the vet shredder.  
    
    He has said that it is possible there is a bit of something in there,
    but because of the position (base of the tail) it would be dangerous
    to start digging around, and might do more harm than good.  What
    is more likely is that there is a seat of infection within the tail
    protected by scar tissue.  This scar tissue forms to prevent the
    infection spreading, but also prevents the antibiotics reaching
    it.  So Hector now has another week's course of antibiotics - a
    fortnight in all - to try and kill the infection once and for all.
    If I am not happy with him, I should take him back (which I will
    of course).  And I can stop the hot compresses.  Hurray!
    
    Hekky is now perfectly all right in himself, eating properly, playing,
    no temperature, etc.  So I'll wait and see if this cures it.
    
    Helen.
    
    PS  Have just had a phone call from the stables to say that my pony
    is lame and the vet is on his way - ever felt that you're keeping
    a vet in business??
1734.7$$$GLINKA::GREENETue Sep 06 1988 12:237
    re: .6 and "keeping the vet in business"
    
    Sounds all too familiar.  I sometimes "joke" that I should 
    have DEC send every other paycheck direct to the vet rather
    than the bank!
    	
    	Pennie
1734.8$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$EDUC8::TRACHMANE.T.'s ZhivagoCats....DTN: 264-8298Tue Sep 06 1988 17:264
    Ha, I have sent all four of Dr. Brody's kids to college AND grad
    school!  groan.....
    
    E.T.
1734.9perils of owning cats!IPG::KCAMPBELLwe're having a heatwave...Wed Sep 07 1988 11:2812
    re:.6
    
    You're not alone!  Georgie :
    
    a)  usually manages to disappear when it's time for him to 
        go into his carrying basket for the vet's or the cattery!
    
    b)  costs us a fortune in vet bills! As it was he who adopted
        us, we swear he must have been thrown out of his previous
        home for costing too much in vet fees!!!  
    
    Karen
1734.10worth the trip...SHAPES::TAYLORSSharon, Dillan & Sammie in UKThu Sep 08 1988 11:5718
    
    re.9
    
    Hi Karen, glad to hear Georgie came home.  
    
    ****
    
    Helen, I think you ought to visit one of our vets in Basingstoke,
    I know it is a long way but it would be worth it to see one specific
    (and recommended) vet.  I take Dillan and Sammie to a vet in Bounty
    road in B/stoke called Mr Foster...he (I think) now owns the practice
    and his speciality is cats.
    
    After all anyone that can cure Key Gaskell syndrome is a hero in
    my books....still cost me a fortune though, but it was worth it!!
    
    Sharon