Once More to the Hospital

Neville’s trip yesterday to the veterinary hospital was eventful. We arrived in plenty of time for the appointment, only to find that there was no appointment. It had been cancelled. Evidently, someone felt that because I was able to bring Nev in on Christmas Eve, I would not want to bring him in on the 29th. They were in error. I wanted to keep that appointment in case the old lion’s condition did not improve, which is exactly what was happening. I can understand why it was thought I may not want to keep the later appointment, but I should still have been consulted.

Even so, the Nevsky was fitted in. The hospital more than made up for their faux pas, since Nev needed quite a few things done and he was there for almost an hour, until after closing time. His regular doctor examined him.

The abscess on Neville’s chin had grown larger over the weekend, partly no doubt to the fact that I stopped giving him his anti-biotics. The abscess was lanced, and a great deal of unpleasant contents came out. Neville was then given an injection of anti-biotics. I refused that option on the 24th, as I thought the oral liquid would be preferable. If it hadn’t made him throw up, it would have been. The trouble with the injection, the medicine from which endures for a fortnight, is that if there is an unwanted side-effect, it cannot be undone. However, the doctor also gave Nev an injection of Cerenia to suppress nausea that might arise from the anti-biotic. I have some of that on hand for possible use later.

The veterinary also looked in Neville’s mouth and could not see any internal cause of the abscess, such as a broken or emerging tooth. My old man has few teeth left, but another abscess was caused a few years ago by a tooth that had not been extracted during a dental surgery. It was determined that his mouth is in good condition, and that a simple scratch - origin unknown - caused an infection.

Neville was also given some fluids, as he was dehydrated.

Once home, his chin’s swelling continued to leak through the evening. This morning, it is still noticeable, but is about four fifths smaller than it was; the lancing and the anti-biotic will hopefully do a number on it. He was given a cone, of course, to prevent scratching, but upon observation throughout the evening, I saw Neville not bother the site once. His main concern was snoozing. This morning, there was no sign that he had been scratching the reduced swelling, so I left the cone off. He may scratch as the site starts to heal, of course, but if he wore the cone, he would find it impossible to climb into a litter-box (even the unhooded ones that he habitually uses) and would likely not be able to eat or drink. It’s a risk, but I think it had to be taken.

That is where my oldster is now. The abscess is greatly reduced and is being attacked by the anti-biotic. He is receiving probiotics to counter the likely renewed softening of his stools. He is still eating and drinking, and making his slow way to the litter-boxes when necessary. I am glad I took him to the veterinary yesterday, and am optimistic about the immediate future.