Jellicle Georgie and the Tooth Fairy
The last couple days have been emotionally taxing. Unknown to us, “Georgio”, our straight eared Scottish Fold cat, had developed dental problems. Those of you with pets will identify with how you feel when they have health issues.
We noticed a change in his mood a few days earlier but failed to connect the dots. By Sunday, he’d become solitary and lethargic and we knew something was wrong. Our vet agreed to see him right away, determined that he had some dental problems and scheduled him for surgery yesterday.
To make a long story short, he had five teeth extracted - his four canines and one other - a big payoff from the tooth fairy who, it turns out, is a feline herself (but that’s another story). Poor little guy, he must have been miserable. The vet gave us some oral pain medication we’ll squirt in his mouth every morning and some antibiotics we’ll give him for three of four days. Assuming he eats, drinks his water and uses his litter box, he’ll just need a follow-up exam in a week or so.
It’s amazing how these magical, jellicle little creatures, like children, become such a big part of our lives, a part of us, and when they hurt, so do we.
We’ll worry all week.
Doug
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I am so sorry to hear about your sick kitty! It sounds like he got some fast care so I bet he will be just fine. If he is an older kitty, dental problems come with age. It is a part of becoming geriatric. Keep him indoors more since he won't be able to bite as easlily to defend himself. Soft cat food may help while he recovers.
Thanks Karen!
Our cats are "indoors only". Both are declawed and neither has ever lived outdoors.
Both eat dry catfood but the vet gave us some a/d soft food for Georgie while he recovers from his surgery. He slept at the foot of out bed last night, so he must be feeling a little better already.
Thanks for your input and concern. It's appreciated!
Doug
Our best wishes to "Georgio" for a speedy recovery! We have always had animals (dogs and cats) so we know how you feel. It will be alright, we feel it!
Damn, 5 teeth, sounds serious! Hope he is better soon!
Poor George!
I bet it's all Gracie's fault. She probably punched him in the mouth when nobody was looking.
Sorry the furry son is under the weather Doug, I can most certainly relate with my Duke. When he had his surgery, I think I had more trauma about it than HE did!
Our prayers are with him!
Thanks Goomba! I remember Duke's surgery and know that he recovered just fine, so we have our fingers crossed.
Doug
I have every confidence that 'Georgie' will recover and be his usual jellicle self before you know it. Keep faith.
The poor guy doesn't look too happy in the photo.
Get well soon, Georgio! (Is he an Italian kitty?)
What is a jellicle cat?
"There's a man over there with a look of surprise,
As much as to say, "Well now how about that!"
Do I actually see with my own very eyes
A man who's not heard of a Jellicle cat?
What's a Jellicle cat? What's a Jellicle cat?"
(From "Cats", the musical)
'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats' is a set of whimsical poems by T. S. Eliot:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Possum%27s_Book_of_Practical_Cats
Andrew Lloyd Webber made a musical based on the book called 'Cats':
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats_%28musical%29
Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts for Georgie. He seems to be returning to his usual self, although he's become wary of me since I am the deliverer of bad tasting meds and the one who loads him into his carrier and transports him to the vet where all form of bad things happen. Our fingers are still crossed...
And no, Heather, he's not Italian (despite a slight accent). "Georgio" was part of his given name when he was born and registered. His original owner may have been Italian (maybe that explains the accent) and we kept it since it paired so well with "Gracie", our other cat.
Sara and James, thanks for the links to explain "jellicle". "Cats" was one of our all time favorite musicals. If you haven't already and get a chance to see it, by all means do!