Monday, August 31, 2009

Post-Beach Letdown

Ugh.

We snuck away to the beach for one last hurrah before TD heads back to Not-Quite-Dutchmanlandia on Saturday. Needless to say, this has me very upset (the departure, not the beach). We've had a lovely 4 months of living like an average married couple...together! And I always get highly maudlin when it's time to give that up. But it's the same old tune coming from me...

Almost the second we got back, I was sitting on the couch and Furball #2 attempted to hoist her ancient girth up onto the back of the sofa and she slipped. The next thing I know, she's yelping and flopping around trying to walk - her back right leg wasn't working properly! So, I freaked and took her into the Emergency Vet Clinic. 5 long hours and $346 later, we find out that - thank god - the leg isn't broken and that she probably has some kind of soft tissue damage. It's likely just a bad sprain. So, we get *expensive* meds to give her to manage the pain and bundle her home. She's favoring it quite a bit - limping around the house...but she's okay. She probably has some early arthritis - the vet kept calling her an "Old Girl", which irritated me. She's only 11! That's advanced middle age!

Sitting in the Emergency clinic was no fun. Being in a mixed-species space reminds me that dogs are most often favored by vets. Not that I don't love me some dogs! But cats tend to be second class citizens in a mixed-practice in my opinion.

But, that odyssey completed I'm now back and ready to teach this week. Well, actually, I'm not ready to teach - and I haven't finished revisions on my last chapter yet. So, that's what I'll be doing today.

9 comments:

Phul Devi said...

I hear you on the dog favoritism. I really respect and trust my vet, but her heart is really with the dogs over the cats.

This Ro(a)mantic Life said...

Thinking of you as you approach that next leg of commuting and hoping you'll have lots and lots of visits to keep you both going through it as best you can.

Glad that Furball #2 did not break any bones. Here's to a speedy recovery.

Thoroughly Educated said...

Good thoughts to Furball #2 for her recovery, but shame on her for freaking you out! Glad she didn't tear anything.

Sisyphus said...

Poor cat! Poor MedWo! Keep your chin up and just push through the next bit of time; it will all get better (or at least subside into a manageable routine).

Good Enough Woman said...

I'm sending get well vibes for Furball #2. And I'm my sympathy and best wishes for you as you prepare to send off TD. I hope a visit shines in the near future.

And, teaching? Bah . . .

Kidding. You'll be great!

Dame Eleanor Hull said...

Poor Furball #2! The thundering horde around here send their best wishes . . . so long as she's not competing for their food. My good wishes are unrestrained.

Flavia said...

Poor Furball!

Glad it wasn't (or doesn't seem to be) anything too serious, but wish it wasn't hitting your pocketbook as though it were. . .

What Now? said...

Oh my goodness, what a rough few days. Poor MW! When will you see TD next?

Best wishes to Furball #2 on her recovery, and best wishes to you in bearing up under the strain of the absence from your beloved.

Dr. Virago said...

Poor Furball and MW! Long strokes to Furball and hugs to you!

I definitely had a vet in LA who prefered dogs. It was most clear when I had to put my cat to sleep and not a single person from the vet to the tech offered so much as a Kleenex in response to my blubbering.

But now that I have a dog, here in Rust Belt, I go to practice with more than one vet, and I know that my friends who also go there with their cat love the doctor that they have and we love the one we have. But they're a fancy schmancy place that also takes interns from the state vet school and does exotic animals, as well, so there's something for everyone. If you're thinking of changing vets, if you can't find a cat-specific practice, look for a multi-veterinarian practice.