THE TROUBLE WITH CATS

Last Thursday night, the 13th, Katherine (my 21-yr-old) heard a cat outside and went to check it out. There was a black and white one having a stare-down with one of ours. (This b+w has been around off and on for some months; don't know if it's a pet or feral) Our cat came in and Katherine said the b+w was making funny sounds - I'm guessing typical male cat sounds. It came over to her, rubbing against her and stuff so she patted it - it turned and bit her, through her faux-suede coat and all! Four puncture wounds on the wrist, the two from the top teeth were deep in there.

The next morning she was in a lot of pain and the top/back of her hand were beginning to swell. So we went to see the doctor. He said they don't keep rabies meds in their office so he sent us down the street to the ER. Poor K was all crying and stressing from her anxiety and everything. 

What they did was give her an iv of ampicillin, a drip of morphine, three shots/needles of rabies stuff then, lastly, a needle of antibiotic directly in the skin at the puncture sites - four times and moving the needle around sideways under the skin to spread it around!

(And poor Becky (16) was with us and had to just sit and make the best of it for four hours!) 

We had to go back to the ER at 1:00 a.m. as K had a temp of 101. They gave her another iv for the infection. Got home at 4:00 a.m., went back at 11:00, Friday, for another infusion. Back that night at 8:00 for more. I was sooo tired! Thank goodness the hospital is in the next town!

Had to go back every morning and night for antibiotic infusions - four and a half days worth. Infections are inconvenient, if nothing else! 

Final Chapter: After the 4-1/2 days of going to the hospital twice a day for half-hour infusions (i.v.) of antibiotics, we only have two more visits to complete the rabies vaccines. What an ordeal! Katherine was such a trooper, and all the nurses showed her extra love because she was up front about her anxiety. The doctor that saw her each morning took a special liking to her and spent time talking to her about her art work, college, self confidence - she was awesome!