Yesterday was Tywin’s surgery – he is now ball-less and flawless (neutered)!
Tywin is an outdoor cat that lives on our street – I am not sure if someone dumped him, if he is a stray, or if he is someone’s indoor/outdoor cat. But he was NOT fixed and he needed to be (in my opinion). I am counting the cost ($600+) of getting him neutered as my Christmas gift to myself.
I was anxious about Friday. Not about the appointment itself, but about getting him in the carrier, driving him there, and how scared he would be. I wanted to minimize his fear as much as possible.
I gave him two Gabapentin (with the vet’s approval) with his small breakfast, and didn’t have any issues getting him in the carrier, and he was quiet the whole way to the vet. Because he was drugged the hell up.
Everything went well – the vet’s office called in the late morning to let me know the exam went great and they were proceeding with the surgery. Then the vet himself called me after and said “I have some good news and bad news.” Er… okay? He told me surgery went well and Tywin is ball-less, but that he has FIV – feline immunodeficiency virus, similar to HIV in humans. FIV attacks the immune system, leaving the cat vulnerable to infections. In our minds, this explains why Tywin sometimes gets so skinny, has a loss in appetite, and had a horrible scary cough last month.
There is no cure for FIV, but FIV cats can live normal life spans if they survive the infections and don’t get feline leukemia virus (he does not have that). It’s only transmitted to other cats via deep bites. Ideally FIV cats live in single-cat households.
Poor little dude.
Tywin is not going to live inside with us, but he will convalesce in the downstairs bathroom for 10 days (then go back outside). I was also nervous about him wanting to get the hell out of the bathroom, but he seems chill and happy in there with his food, water, litter box, toys, and towels.
We will go in many times a day to hang out with him!
He’s just such a happy little dude. I wish he had a permanent inside home.
Bless you for taking care of Tywin! He is a very handsome gentleman.
Thank you! Isn’t he though? And he is so so sweet.
Did I ever tell you the story of how my SIL took a stray cat in to get neutered, put a collar on it, and then let it back out? She then got a call from someone asking why she put a collar on their cat. So, uh, if you’re trying to find out if it’s someone’s indoor/outdoor cat, that’s one way to do it.
I’m glad you’re taking care of Tywin. He clearly trusts you!
OMG, I don’t think so! Wow! Oops? I wonder if it was chipped. Tywin was not (but he is now).
Thanks, he does! He’s such a sweetie.
Tywin is a very lucky guy to have you as his fairy godmother!
Aww thanks Amy!
Tywin really lucked out by finding your home! I’m glad he was taken care of by such great cat parents. <3
Aww thanks!!!
Oh, so sorry about the FIV. Although, it doesn’t sound like you were planning to have him make the transition to living in with you and the other cats? I hope that he continues to do well outside, and that he also continues to come back to you for his regular check-ins (and eats).
You are good people. 🙂
Thank you! We were not planning on having him inside. But now we want to try harder to find him a good home. He is outside and doing well and staying close to the house now (phew).
Thank you <3