Thank you! I'm being bad here posting while at work...tsk tsk. Always the rebel girl,  heheh. Thanks for the shoulder tip.  When I wrap the blanket and tuck him in he just kind of freezes now like "Oh crap...MORE medicine??" So I think he's starting to get used to being handled.  We never hurt him,  just aggravate him with meds lol. The trust is growing

The three paws and kitty with 3 paw prints I found searching out paw prints on Google.  I cut a paw print out of each and saved them.  I don't know if that's what got me in trouble but I'll let ya know as soon as I find out

Back to work before I get grounded,  lol

Jackie

Thank you! I noticed the signatures but wasn't sure where to go.  I will check it out!

Hi Gina!

This has been a rollercoaster ride for sure, hasn't it? The whole year that Huck was coming to visit us I never got to lay a finger on him. My heart told me that the look in his eyes was one that longed for connection but the wild side of him said no chance mama! This is the closest I ever got to him ( once after I hadn't seen him for a few days and hadn't given him food first, lol):

He was so funny, I had to drop the piece of food and then he would grab it, back off, munch it down, repeat...

He has never been outright aggressive for no reason. You have heard of fight or flight? My boy was gonna fly first! The only time I ever saw him stand up for himself was one afternoon, we had baby raccoons that came to visit. After I gave them food, along comes Huckleberry.  The raccoon popped his head up a couple of times between the house and the deck like he was going to try and take Huckles' food bowl, and after the third time or so Huckleberry turned around like lightning, smacked the kit across the head, and turned around to go back to eating. OMG I had tears in my eyes he was so funny.  The kit decided not to mess with him after that, good call 😉

Since then we have found that if he is facing the way I am, I place a small towel or blanket over him and slowly, but with purpose, lean over him and hug him, I can put the syringe all the way to the very side of his mouth. That encourages them to open their mouth. I try not to squirt too hard and just drizzle it in his mouth. It has been working and I talk to him the whole time. When I finish I pet him, talk to him, and slowly back away. Sometimes I don't even uncover him, I let him do that. Yesterday when I got to actually hold him, and he pushed his head into my chest, my eyes filled up 

When you took Rusty off the meds totally did he stop eating? Stop pooping and drinking? This is what is happening with Huck. I found a fish and gravy Fancy Feast tonight, mixed 1/8 cup of water in it and he started eating finally. Other than a little dry he did not eat, drink, or poop all day today and that was WITH these pain meds. I am trying to grasp a feel of what is normal, but my veterinary side says make sure he eats or he will be in big trouble. I don't want him getting hepatic lipidosis, just the thought of it makes me cringe. He seems more comfortable without those sharp staples in him but I can tell the incision is tender.  He is happier without staples so why not eat?? I think I am going to give him some gaba with this buprenorphine and see if this helps. Sorry, I am rambling.. day 2 back at work but my head has been with my little man all day.

Hugs,

Jackie

Thank you,  I got him to eat a can of fancy feast mixed with 1/8 cup of water and 1/8 teaspoon of Miralax . It was the only one i had with gravy.  I will stock up on it tomorrow. I should never ever have even smiled about medicating him,  grrr. I buttered his capsule,  went back upstairs with fresh food,  assumed the position,  but was off a little bit.. He spit it out,  I tried again twice more and he did the same, sigh.  He bit into the capsule,  I was waiting for Cujo foam to come out of his mouth but it didn't. I walked out,  growled,  composed myself and went back in apologizing.  He gave me his belly 🤤🤤  Huck has not had a collar.  I have tried to keep him well medicated to spite the crappy pain management they have here.  He went in for 2 extra  staples that I knew would be worthless,  that's the spot on his incision that's weeping now😲😲👹 I am hoping for Mt. Vesuvius poop piles in the next day or so.  His surgery was 12 days ago.  If I can finish the gaba (better than I did tonight), the 3 syringes of buprenorphine, I think we'll be ok. I will gravy,  broth,  and fancy feast him until he starts to come around.  His spirits are better than mine right now.  Oscar finally joined the party of his own free will. I'll attach a picture from my computer,  I can't get the copy going from the media to paste here on my cell. 

I think fluids may be a good idea if his fluid intake remains poor. He is not dehydrated yet which is good. I added more water to his wet food this morning and he ate a little but lapped up all the fluid. I am stopping after work to get some of those Fancy Feast broths. If I can get him turned around without sticking him that would be nice.  Last night was my final straw.. I do not think I will be contacting that doctor again. She probably does not want to call me, she may hear my Yankee spirit come through the phone to inform her of things she probably won't want to hear, lol.  Sorry, I am truly not a mean hearted person but I am very protective of those I love and be it person or animal I hate when medical care is mismanaged. 

I am moving forward with a positive attitude   If he needs more medical care I will open the proverbial "phone book" and see what I can see.  One of my co-workers recommended a vet that he likes a lot and he is a "crazy old cat man" lol.  

Oscar made it in the room yesterday all on his own. first he took the blankie off of Huck's mancave, then this