25 August 2006

Oscar's Home!

Yes, I brought my boy home from hospital today!! Although he hates the car, he was certainly glad to be home. To make sure he prowled around, checked everything out, used his litter box, had something to eat and drink and was happy. So there you go...

The staff at the Park Ridge Animal Hospital were absolutely wonderful. Their dedicated care ensured Oscar lived and I have nothing but gratitude and admiration for how they looked after him and, of course, the other animals that were patients there. Oscar did the right thing and gave them a box of yummy chocolates for looking after him so well.

I will take some photos of him with his new hairstyle and post them shortly.

Ok, to answer some questions. He had his coat clipped to check that there were no more ticks. His coat was so thick and of course, he had that big mane around his neck, so it would have been hard to find any ticks that may have been lurking, even after the tick bath. The paralysis tick is exactly why it is named. He couldn't walk, couldn't breath properly and couldn't swallow because all the muscles were paralysed. His voice was just a whispery wheeze. To be quite honest, I'm amazed he survived considering that, as a cat, he is not a big animal.

I've have had a real education on paralysis tick this week and Oscar is not quite out of the woods yet. He has to be kept quiet, kept away from direct heat, his eating watched carefully as, if the swallow reflex is not working 100%, the food could go into the lungs causing pneumonia. He is not allowed to go outside for about seven days either, which means he has to use a litter box, which does nothing for him, but he'll get over it.

At last I will be able to sleep properly now. All this week, I've been waking up because I couldn't feel Oscar's weight on the bed and even if he doesn't sleep on the bed tonight, I know he's home.
Isn't it amazing how our pets affect our lives - I've been through an emotional mill this week, thanks to Oscar!

I'm off to have a glass of wine to celebrate his homecoming. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and interest in my boy.

Love, hugs and blessings to every one of you.

Robyn

7 comments:

TJ said...

I'm so glad to hear your companion is home!!!
I'm sure he will soak up the extra attention for sure!!
:-D

Miss Pink Ponsonby said...

Good Gracious! My internet goes down for a week, and everything goes to hell in a handbasket! I'm playing catch-up on reading everyone's blogs and I see you've left me a comment so I pop on over only to discover that heavenly, lion-maned and regal boy Oscar has had a near-death experience! THANK GOD for 9 Lives! Ticks are horrid! We have what's called "Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick Fever" that nearly kills humans much less little kitties. SO glad he is on the mend! How traumatic for everyone!

Carole Burant said...

What wonderful news to read...welcome home Oscar:-) He certainly is very lucky to be alive after what he went through...I had never heard about those kind of ticks but now I'm more educated on them thanks to you! Hopefully he will have no more setbacks and will be 100% real soon!! Hugs xoxo

Merle said...

Hi Robyn ~ Glad to hear that Oscar has recovered after his ordeal and that you both survived it.
Thanks for your comments. I don't
watch Today Tonight as I prefer ACA
on Ch9.There seems to be so many shows about how to raise kids these days and the parents just spoil them, maybe to make up for time not spent guiding them. Enough, I guess we all do what we think is best. Take care Robyn.Cheers, Merle.

Granny said...

Enjoy your weekend and give Oscar an extra pat or two from me. Brave kitty.

rel said...

Robyn,
I'm happy that Oscar has rejoined you, and now all is right with the world.
Worry can be such a drain on us. Hope you can take some time this weekend to recharge.
rel

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Oh, I am soooo pleased he is home and well again. It must have been a very worrying time for you ... I know how stressed I get when my cat is unwell.
Hugs to you and Oscar.
Take care, Meow