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Oh, the poor thing. You can try a warm washcloth in the interest of saving time - unless Albert prefers to smell like his own saliva. I had to do a lot of grooming at one point and it was understood, and a washcloth and small comb were accepted. Gypsy would lick the comb like Albert licks your finger.
He looks like he's really been through it and I hope you'll show us another picture after his stitches come out. It's time for him to have a break.
We tried the washcloth thing, he wasn't interested. We both prefer the licking finger thing, I think! I try to avoid the actual scab as I'm afraid we'd rip a stitch removing the scabs, so they're going to stay as is until Tuesday
He's really not as rough as the picture looks, he was caught mid-blink in the photo. He's actually quite bright eyed, and except for the stitches, the shaving, and ear sewn shut now, actually looks normal.
We got a call from Albert's oncologist (yes, his own oncologist) yesterday with some really good news! The biopsies they did on the tumor and the swollen lymph nodes both came back negative...no signs of cancer at all! So, when he returns for stitch removal, she won't need to see him.
Albert went and got his stitches removed today! His surgeon was very pleased with the results...eyes functioning normally, no facial "drooping", ear has evened out and perky...looks normal! Unless you look close, you can't tell anything was ever done!
The only "drawback" is that he developed quite the scab on the bottom lobe of his ear while healing and the wound opened up slightly when the doctor removed the scab and the stitches. He said it may heal normally, it may be a split lobe. If it drains a lot and doesn't seem to heal, he wants us to call him back and he'll suture it (I hope that isn't necessary).
So, much to his dismay, he needs to wear that stupid collar a few more days until the wound scabs over again (good, as long as it does not drain) and/or he develops some "real" skin over it.
All in all, we could not be happier
And, if any of you ever need some serious surgery for your kitties...we cannot recommend Blue Pearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital enough. They are quite a bit larger organization than I thought they were when we researched them prior to Albert's surgery.
They are by no means cheap, but in our opinion, we got what we paid for!
Right now, Albert is trotting through the house, tail straight up in the air, happier and more active than we've EVER seen him! I'll try to post some more pictures soon
Albert went and got his stitches removed today! His surgeon was very pleased with the results...eyes functioning normally, no facial "drooping", ear has evened out and perky...looks normal! Unless you look close, you can't tell anything was ever done!
The only "drawback" is that he developed quite the scab on the bottom lobe of his ear while healing and the wound opened up slightly when the doctor removed the scab and the stitches. He said it may heal normally, it may be a split lobe. If it drains a lot and doesn't seem to heal, he wants us to call him back and he'll suture it (I hope that isn't necessary).
So, much to his dismay, he needs to wear that stupid collar a few more days until the wound scabs over again (good, as long as it does not drain) and/or he develops some "real" skin over it.
All in all, we could not be happier
And, if any of you ever need some serious surgery for your kitties...we cannot recommend Blue Pearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital enough. They are quite a bit larger organization than I thought they were when we researched them prior to Albert's surgery.
They are by no means cheap, but in our opinion, we got what we paid for!
Right now, Albert is trotting through the house, tail straight up in the air, happier and more active than we've EVER seen him! I'll try to post some more pictures soon
What a great update! Blue Pearl banned elective declawing in 2020 along with VCA and Banfield, so that's another good thing about them.
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