This...I can handle

I think that is what Gigilo is thinking. This is not so bad.

Warning...TMI about to happen. Mark and I have been a little worried about Giggy...he hadn't pooped or peed in nearly 2 days. Now I don't know about you, but there ain't no way I could go two days without visiting the library. I decided to give a hunch a chance. I made a makeshift litter box out of an old giftbox. I lowered one side so Giggy wouldn't have to step over the lip. Wouldn't you know it...he saw that litter and made a bee line (or is that pee line) for it.

Once inside he took care of business. PHEW!

We have an appt at the vet on Monday morning for a followup. I'll keep you posted. But for now, I think it's safe to say Giggy is enjoying his new found inside house cat life.

They all took a spin...

When Giggy was scheduled to come home, I was able to borrow a really nice cage to keep him safe while he recovered in our house. Now you know if we MADE these cats get in this cage, they would have clawed us to shreds. But because it was THEIR idea...well you get the picture.

Fire in the HOLE!...err...ummmm...new woodstove!

We are uber excited. Yup...UBER!

Hanging in there...

Giggy came home from the hospital on Friday. We've been tube feeding him 6-8 times a day...which has been a challenge, but we are managing. He is tolerating everything so well. Such the great little patient. He is on pain meds now and seems happier. His healing is going to be slow. He had alot of trauma to his legs. But we are patient people...okay...Mark is patient. We already know I am not, so stop shaking your head.

Part of Gigilo's recovery requires that we put warm compresses on his legs to help with debridement and to facilitate the removal of exudate (translation...anything icky). (yes icky is a medical term...go ahead and look it up). Giggy enjoys the warm compress part. I mean really...who wouldn't? (Mark wants to know when it will be his turn)

The next picture is very graphic. If you have a weak stomach...stop reading now. I mean it...don't go any further. But, if you are interested in seeing just how extensive Gigilo's injuries are...the photo below the next paragraph will address that.

I feel a need to document this as I want to be able to look back (once he is all healed, healthy and happily running around our house) and see the amazing recovery with my own eyes. He really is a trooper.

The road to recovery

Last night Gigilo spent his first night home since he was attacked last Monday. I stayed on the couch and am happy to report Gigilo slept pretty well. Me, not so great. His snoring kept me awake!

We were a little concerned last night when he threw up most of his dinner. We decided to back off and give him time. That was a good plan. This morning we fed him and he was able to keep it down. Gigilo is now drinking water from his bowl on his own and has shown interest in the cat milk I have for him. We are hopeful that the next successful milestone will be Giggy eating on his own.

I am amazed by this little guy's fighting spirit. It would have been so easy for him to turn over and surrender to his predator. To give up. But he didn't. He fought and is proof that some things are worth the fight. I don't think I'd ever had imagined that a little barn cat could teach me a life lesson. But he has. And I am so happy we fought right along with him. The rewards far outweigh the price.

I'll post pictures in the next few days...I'm still trying to convince Giggy that his shave job is sexy.

Priceless!

Emergency Vet visit/stay - $778
Medical supplies - $337
Surgeries - $187

Having Gigilo home - PRICELESS!

Gigilo is still fighting...

I just got home from my visit with Gigilo in the hospital. (Mark visited with him this morning) He looked way better than I expected, so I didn't even have to use ONE tissue. He was very happy to see me...did his rolling around, biting my hand, headbutting me, purring SO LOUD. He definitely has fight in him. He was very alert and seems to have assumed the position of supervisor over all the wonderful staff at the hospital.

Mark spoke to our mobile vet again and she is going to look at his blood work again, but really did not think anything was out of line considering the trauma he suffered.

Gigilo is still not eating on his own, so if that has not changed by tomorrow they will put a esophageal tube in. While this sounds horrible, it will actually allow us to get him home sooner. I do think he will do better here at the farm with us. But first we need to be able to get food in him so we can medicate him.

After seeing him tonight we are still in the fight...he wants to live. And we want him to live. Please keep him in your prayers and keep sending that positive energy. We'll keep posting updates.