On Friday, Spike coughed up a giant hairball (about 3cm).  She just about
collapsed afterward.  I had never even seen one before, so I wasn't sure
that was what it was.  I took her and the hairball to my local vet, who,
as usual, was not very helpful.  He gave me some mineral oil, and sent me
on my way.  Friday night she seemed to be doing fine, but on Saturday she
didn't seem well at all.  She wasn't eating, drinking or pooping, and
looked listless and dazed.  I hopped in the car and drove (raced) the hour
to NYC's Animal Medical Center, which I have to say, one more, is the
greatest place in the world.  There were some very sick animals waiting
ahead of us, so we had to wait over an hour to see a doctor.  He found that
she was dehydrated, but could not see any obstruction in the abdominal
x-ray.  He decided to give her some fluids, in the hope that the
obstruction would resolve itself with sufficient hydration, with surgery
left as the next option, if she did not improve.
 
I got a call at 4am, which stopped my heart momentarily.  It was the
surgeon, calling to tell me that they had operated and found a 2cm hairball
lodged in her small intestine.  They also biopsied her stomach, while they
were in there, just in case.  I could not believe they called me to give me
good news.  I don't think I would have slept at all last night otherwise.
I called at 9am to check on her, and she was doing well.  The doctor asked
if I wanted to visit her, and of course I did.  I drove the hour down there
again and spent about a half hour with her.  She was on some pretty heavy
pain medication, and was very out of it, but she perked up briefly when she
saw me, and then put her head in my hand and went back to sleep.  She
looked so very pathetic, with her entire belly shaved, and a ghastly and
surprisingly large incision, not to mention the little IV, but it was great
to see her.  They are going to continue her on the pain medication, fluids
and IV antibiotics, and hopefully I will be able to bring her home on
Tuesday.  The whole thing had been completely exhausting.  I just want to
bring her home, and cuddle her incessantly.
 
Had anyone else had an obstruction caused by a hairball?  It kills me,
because I am so careful about keeping rubber and foam away from my little
guys.  In fact you will never find a rubber band or eraser in my house, and
Styrofoam peanuts immediately go out to the curb.  So I guess Spike figured
she'd thwart my efforts by ingesting her own hair!  I guess I will have to
give more femalt to both of my guys in the future.  I have always given it
to them, but apparently not often enough for the little hair-eater.  What
amount does everyone recommend?  Once a week always seemed like too much to
me, but maybe not.
 
Well, I am going to try to get some sleep, so I can go visit again tomorrow.
This trip is starting to get really old.  Sorry for the long message.
 
Gail, Spot and Spike (Ouch!)
 
Join us for ICQ Ferret Chat at ICQ # 3536527
Reach me by ICQ.  My ICQ number is 10324485
Download ICQ at http://www.icq.com
Check out my web page at http://www.frontiernet.net/~ncc2893
[Posted in FML issue 2515]