3 Years Have Passed---What's new?

So last time I posted was in 2015, a lot has happened. Jumping in:

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    In this past year alone: I have been raising not only my 8 year old daughter but my one year old daughter, moved into a home after renting and staying at in-laws for a small chunk of my marriage and currently am pregnant with my third child--a boy! This year alone has definitely been a whirlwind. I joke that I've feel like I have been pregnant for two years which when you think about comfort, this year hasn't been my best.

     I remember when I was in high school I had this pregnant cat named Tibby and her stomach was like a basketball and I would roll her side to side, which she would meow in discomfort but in my defense it looked funny... and she couldn't do much to me because of her lethargic state. Now, I suppose the universe has finally gotten around to give me payback since that's pretty much how I move around.
SIDE NOTE: Something unfortunate that happened last year: I am no longer the proud owner of a cat, since she was aggressively playful, and we didn't know what to expect from her with a newborn, we decided it would be best if we re-homed her. We gave her up to be readopted but since she was ONLY comfortable around familiar faces, we have no idea if they kept her like they said they would or not. Which it hurts to say, but we are hopeful that she was re-homed because she was family and was a really great companion. Hopefully in the future we get to adopt again when these babies aren't so little and they understand how to properly treat animals.

    I'm on my 7th month and this little guy LOVES laying on my spine and using my stomach, diaphragm and hip bones as his personal punching bag. Braxton Hicks contractions have started this month and this week alone my entire family minus my oldest have gotten sinus infections/colds. Lucky them they get to use antibiotics and western medicine to help relieve their symptoms while this preggo is stuck drinking decaffeinated teas with honey and gargle salt water! Crossing fingers I get well before Thanksgiving, I'm looking forward to seeing family and enjoying my cheat day. Which knowing me I will probably be eating small portions and on the look out for healthy options since that's my thing now. Ugh why does food have to be so freakin' good and unhealthy at the same time!
    Any who, I want to start blogging again, but make it more frequent because my days consists of changing diapers, feedings and snacks, playing with a one year old, learning sign language for babies, ABC songs, lullabies with the occasional drop off and pick ups. I feel blessed to have everything I have but I'm definitely stressing about two babies under two and not enough adult time since my husband took a second job--thanks to surprise baby number three. So my kid meter is through the roof and I could really use an outlet that can put me within view of adult eyes even virtual eyes. So hopefully I hear from some of you soon!!
 

Spayed Cat After Effects

Hey Everyone,

I first and foremost want to apologize for not creating any content recently, just haven't felt inspired. However my daughter opened a side of me that made the creativity flood out of me. So hopefully I can continue writing on this thing. Let's see if I can make a set schedule and stick to it.

So today's post is going to be about my four month old cat/kitten who got spayed recently. I was really worried how the after effects of her surgery were going to turn out. I researched and some said their cats were friendlier and others distant or aggressive. I was looking into cones because there were warnings that the stitching will break off with too much licking. I was also looking for alternatives like stomach braces to cover the stitching. I was researching like nobody's business.

The day started out bright and early with a heavy thunder storm and lighting show that lasted hours from the night before. Harmony was laying on top of my pillow and as my alarm rang her soft paw and furry arm extended into my arm as if to say "Please, stay a bit longer!" Oh Harmony, you know the way to my heart. So after having an inner argument with myself on how guilty I felt that she was going to get cut and never have kittens in her life. I hesitantly got up and got ready. This photo was on the drive to the animal hospital and it is titled appropriately however I don't think she knew what was in store for her. We arrived around 8:50 a.m.

Arriving fairly early, it was a very somber wait as we waited to be called. The animal hospital informed us that she would be ready around 4 to 4:30 p.m. but to call around 3:30 p.m. for a phone checkup. We waited the whole day without her, hoping and praying her surgery was successful. I excitedly/nervously called at 3:30 p.m. and they told me she was awake and resting. What a relief to hear, however he informed to to wait until 4:30 p.m. to pick her up because they wanted to do further observation. During pick up they did not give us any harness or cone, just medicines that we acquired for her pain which totaled $25.00. This is her at home resting with stitches.

What was included in the instructions to take care of feline patient
1. COUGHING-May notice couching for next couple of days--which is normal due to small irritation in tube placed in throat from the endotracheal tube. If coughing seems excessive  or you are in any way concern, call office.
2. FOOD- Please keep animal confined until recovered completely. Restrict water and food intake to small palm size amounts or 1/3 of the normal ration for night. Normal feedings can continue tomorrow morning.
3. TEMPERATURE and APPEARANCE- because of anesthetic can lower their body temperature, keep them someplace warm and dry. Keep incision clean and dry. If any redness appears please call our office. Your pet has been surgically altered and you need to restrict her activity for the next 10-14 days. NO suture removal necessary.


So not being content with the information I received and continued research with the San Francisco SPCA ...here are some more things to look out for:
Monitoring Incision-The first several days after surgery are a critical monitoring period. There is no need to put hydrogen peroxide, soap or water, or first aid creams on incision. If discharge looks like pus it could be a sign of infection.  Things to keep on eye on are:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Discharge
• Lethargy
• Lack of Appetite
• Hiding
• Vomiting
• Bloody Diarrhea

Harmony was acting normal wanting to run and play was a little grumpy due to the restricted food and water (she couldn't eat after 9 p.m. the previous night). She attempted many times to lick her stitching and she still does but a lot less frequent. The stitching looks a little pink but I don't think it is anything to be alarmed about. Her diet has continued like normal and she is doing well.

The reason I'm writing this post is so if you have your animal spayed or neutered you have an idea what  happens and what to expect.

Thank you for reading :)