X-rays | Pussy Cats 3

“Best boy ever!” Those are the words Rusty’s dental hygienist wrote on her report for Rusty’s dental cleaning. Nicole carried Rusty out in his carrier to me in the waiting room. I was hoping that it went well.

Nicole was smiling from ear to ear. She was in love!! “I didn’t have to wrap him as I normally do with the other cats. He just stayed on my lap and I did whatever I needed to do in his mouth.”

My happiness was short-lived, however. She gave me the news that Rusty was having a problem with his other lower canine tooth. (The first one was removed last year.) She did temper that news by saying we could wait 6 months and then bring him in for X-rays and maybe the tooth could be saved by filling the bad part – it wasn’t at a point right now that made it a certainty of needing it pulled.

I told her I wanted to be proactive, and decided at that moment to bring him in after 3 months for those X-rays. When his tooth was removed last year, he suffered much pain (he was drooling and appeared very unhappy), and I had to bring him back for an injection to relieve his pain. He was much better after that injection took effect.

Nicole concluded the consultation by saying, “I would love to take him home.” And then she stuck her hand in the carrier, gave him a loving rub, ruffled his soft fur, and said, “He is amazing.”

Nicole also told me that Dr. Love (yes, that’s her real name) wanted him to be given an antibiotic at home to prevent any infection as a result of the cleaning since there was some decay in his canine. “OK, I said.” She asked, “Pill or liquid.” “Liquid.”

The vet tech came out with the bottle, saying, “It’s clindamycin.” I said, “Oh no. That won’t do. I tried giving it to him last year and it was impossible. I know it tastes very bitter, and it didn’t work out at all.” She said, “I could give him an injection.” I said that it would be much better.

So, little Rusty had his injection, which is supposed to last for 2 weeks. Good. Back home we went. He was very quiet on the way, all hunched up with his head crammed in the corner of the carrier. He always does that, as if he’s trying so hard to find a safe and comforting place.

Welcome home, Rusty. Romeo was on the other side of the door leading into the kitchen, when I came in from the garage into the laundry room, and was crying. I forgot to mention that Romeo was crying when I took Rusty into the laundry room and closed the door behind me. The two of them are buddies, and are great playmates.

Romeo couldn’t wait until I put down the carrier onto the kitchen floor. He was walking in front of me, going back and forth, impatient for me to put down Rusty’s carrier and let him out. It was difficult not to step on Romeo as I moved forward. You know how that is, if you have cats.

Finally, I was able to put Rusty’s carrier down. Before I let him out, I decided right then and there that this was a blog in the making. Got my camera and all the photos in this blog are a result.