Doc is in surgery

[Tina B and crew]

He suddenly got sick yesterday, vomiting and lethargic. He was fine in the morning, sick by lunch time. I knew something was wrong when he didn't greet me at the door, something he ALWAYS does. I took him into the vet for blood work and a check up and nothing immediate was found. His abdomen was tender but not horribly so. Anyway, brought him home (after fluids, antibiotic, and anti-nausea) and he showed no improvement over night. Much to my dismay I had discovered, last night, a pair of shoes on the floor and noticed part of the shoe string on one of them was chewed. About 5" in all. Whether that alone is causing the obstruction we don't know but a barium study this morning showed that nothing was moving out of the stomach at all. The vet just called and they are taking him into surgery. I will update you all when I hear something. I am heartsick, thinking this could be my fault. I have become very attached to that little guy even though he isn't "mine." My finances have taken a huge hit with all of Chunk's vet visits and this is something that we certainly can't afford, but thankfully my vet's office is working with us on that one. Never the less it is a stress I didn't need. Please keep Doc in your thoughts. He's such a sweet boy I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to him.

[Marty]

Sending prayers for a successful surgery and recovery....

[Tina B and crew]

Still waiting...not sure what time he actually went into surgery. When I talked to the vet he said within the next 15 minutes or so probably. That was at 12:15. I'm on pins and needles.

[Cleo]

Oh gosh Tina, I'm so sorry! I know the waiting on pins and needles all too well recently. Praying that Doc will be okay!!

Hang in there Doc, we love you!

[Tina B and crew]

He is out...has been for a while. Will update more later but no foreign body found...he dud have pyloric stenosis...now just kind of wait and see. thanks for the prayers!

[k9Karen]

Glad he made it through the surgery OK. Sending lots of good wishes and positive vibes your way!

[Tina B and crew]

Sorry my replies are kind of abbreviated. I am on my phone and typing lengthy replies isn't easy..Anyway, the vet is hoping the surgery will help with the stenosis but we won't know until he eats. If it doesn't I don't know what the next step could be but we will cross that bridge when we get there. I'm still heart sick. This guy has had such a rough life up until I took him in and he doesn't deserve to have to go through this.

[oconnorjoy]

Sending prayers for Doc...thank you so much for being there for him. Please let us know how he is.

[Traci]

If anyone wants to know, and on behalf of Tina because she's focusing hard on Doc right now and doesn't have a lot of time to post a lot, pyloric stenosis is rare in cats, and the exact cause is generally unknown. It is a narrowing of a canal that sort of connects the stomach to the lower intestine, and when there is a mechanical or congenital defect, it prevents total food digestion, and/or delaying in gastric emptying, this results in thickening, bacteria and even ulcerations can form, and if not treated promptly, it can be very very serious. In dogs, sometimes ingestion of foreign bodies can cause this, but it is not generally known if this occurs in cats, in those cases that are published, it is usually congenital or due to something internal that is interfering with the normal opening of the "canal". Doc didn't have a foreign body, so rest assured, Tina, none of this was your fault!

Tina saved Doc's life today. Hopefully the surgery corrected the problem, but we have to wait to see what more the vet comments on, aftercare and future followups etc.

Know we're thinking of you, Doc and Tina, and pulling hard for Doc, hang in there and let us know when you can, how Doc is doing. He's been very healthy, so chances are, he will be able to eat and digest properly. There are also meds available to aid with this if necessary.

HANG IN THERE!!

[Tambrey]

oh nooo....prayers for Doc and for Tina....hoping that surgery will prove to be successful....