The joys of pet ownership

Malfoy has an ingrown claw on one of his extra toes. Looks like a visit to the Place of Screams is in the cards for him....

Malfoy's Excellent Adventure

The ingrown claw looked really bad this morning, so after Una and I tried (and failed) to take care of the problem ourselves, I stuffed him into the carrier and took him to the emergency vet. Ninety minutes and $202 later, I learned the following:

1. He weighs less than Siren. Considering how he steals her food, this was a major surprise. I guess him running around like an idiot being more active than she is must be a factor as well.

2. He is otherwise perfectly healthy.

3. The claw had grown completely around and into his foot, so it had be completely removed. He is now on antibiotics (fun!) and must have his foot soaked a couple of times ago (even more fun!).

4. He must wear an Elizabethan collar for the next few days. How I am supposed to accomplish *this* without clubbing him into a stupor is beyond me. He wouldn't allow the vet to put it on him at the office, and slipped out of it *twice* since I got him home at 2:00. Right now he's under the bed, sulking, while my knees bleed from being clawed through my clothes.

Note: the clothes are intact. I am not. ?????

5. He is "neurologically and mentally appropriate."

Yes, you read that right. According to the examination report, he is "mentally appropriate."

Malfoy-the-cat, who is too dumb to kill a katydid, is "mentally appropriate."

Riiiiight.




I am now headed to Petco in quest of a collar that the little demon might tolerate. If anyone is interested in a used, not particularly intelligent flamepoint Siamese mix, I'm open to offers....

Malfoy update

I managed to get him to hold still long enough to give him his first dose of antibiotics (liquid, since there's no way I'd ever get a pill down his throat). I also used a compress on his foot. Fortunately it doesn't look like he worried at it, so I'm *cautiously* going to let him go collarless tonight since I really enjoy having a face.

If I didn't love him I'd club him like a seal.