Wednesday, March 19, 2014

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!

9 comments:

LV said...

That is just too much of an ordeal for anyone to have to go through. You cannot trust any animal as you never when they will turn on you. Wishing you both better days ahead.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Your poor daughter!!! BAD KITTY :(
WOW, that is A LOT to go thru...happy to hear that she is getting the treatments that she needs and hope she is much better!
warmly,
deb

Curtains in My Tree said...

OMGosh
The cat needs to be captured and taken to the humane shelter to get treated and off the streets
I know that was a lot to got through but thankfully there was treatment for such a thing

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Your poor daughter! I am so sorry to hear what an ordeal she has had. Stray/Feral cats are so unpredictable! I am so careful when a stray comes around my house. Charlie doesn't like other cats! Big Hugs to all of you! What an ordeal!

Linda

Sarah ~ Magnolias Attic said...

Oh my, what an ordeal -- she was a real trooper! I hope she is feeling better. Also hope that the cat can be caught before it bites someone else -- rabies is definitely scary. I hope your cat isn't showing any signs.

Cherry Chick said...

Oh Sue...I'm so sorry that your family has experienced these major ordeal. It sounds really scary. I have broken up cats fights around my house and I will take note to keep my distance when doing so. I'm happy to hear that your daughter is on the mend.
Take care...

Rosie said...

So sorry to hear about that! Glad she got through it and is feeling better. Cat bites make you very sick! I know, it happened to me! Now I will NEVER own a cat! I am a DOG person 110%! Love my puppies <3
rosie

★Carol★ said...

OMG! I feel so bad for your daughter having to go through all of that. All she was doing was being nice to a kitty! It must have been a scary and exhausting time for the whole family. So glad she's ok now!

vivian said...

Your poor daughter! Id be careful letting your cat back out, he could get in another fight with that cat and it could bite him too. all the cats Ive had in the past were Indoor/outdoor cats and came and went as they wanted. but my figgy and frannie strickly inside unless I take them out on leashes... like an old catlady! Lol!
glad your daughter is ok.
xoxo
vivian