I’m not sure who was more nervous about today’s trip to the vetinary clinic, the two Birmans or me. I know that they slept better than I did but I suspect that they were a good deal hungrier than me – with the prospect of not getting anything to eat until either late in the afternoon or, worse, early evening after I pick them up.

(Very) carefully drove to the clinic doing my best to avoid rapid acceleration or any sudden braking. I arranged the carriers so that the long axis of each was across the car and so that the kittens could each see each other and, I hoped, if there was an emergency situation, that there would be less chance that their heads or faces would be damaged on the grating of the carrier doors.

Given that Baz and Exo are both “indoor cats” (well, indoor kittens), they handled the outbound trip very well – about 20 minutes in the car and only three minor “enquiring” type meows from either of them. By the time they were in the waiting room they were both
interested in their surroundings (sticking paws through the front of the carriers and looking about) rather than appearing stressed or frightened… but I’m glad there were no other animals in the waiting room at the time – a big dog barking at, or just near, them may have quickly changed their outlook and experience.

I had put the two pet carriers out (and open) a few days before they were to be used which appears to have paid off. Birman curiousity being what it is, both Baz and Exo explored both of the carriers and seemed to enjoy playing in and with them. When it came time to
put them each into a carrier this morning, they both went in without any fuss or apparent concern. For what it is worth, these are plastic carriers with a chromed grill/door that can open to the left or right or be taken off altogether. I also put a small (soft) towel and one of their toys in with each of them. I labelled each of the carriers with the relevant Birmans’ name as neither of my Birmans has a collar or ID tag.

So what’s all the fuss?

As I type Baz and Exo are still with the Vet, if I haven’t heard anything beforehand, then, once I’ve finished the first draft, I’ll call the clinic to check on their wellbeing.

There are a number of things happening to both Birmans at the surgery today, specifically each is:
- to be given a pre-operative blood test,
- to be weighed,
- to have a check up – in general, but specifically their teeth (they are both still teething at the moment),
- to be micro-chipped, and
- to be neutered.

So I expect them to return (very) hungry, a little dopey/bewildered/stressed(?) and in some discomfort… given the circumstances, what kitten wouldn’t be?

Okay, I couldn’t wait any longer (I just called the surgery). Boys recovering well from surgery – but are still too sleepy to return home just yet. Weight fine – 3.3kg (Exo) and 3.1kg (Baz) – surprisingly little in it. Both, courtesy of the pre-op blood testing, apparently have raised liver enzyme counts (there will be a discussion with the vet when I go to collect the two brave Birman boys) but not to a level that requires medication – just monitoring. Perhaps Baz’s (near) all steak diet may need broadening a bit…

Whew, that’s a relief. I must confess to being a little concerned when asked to sign consent forms prior to leaving the kittens with the clinic. Signing off on “giving the practise permission to euthanase the animal in the event of operative or post-operative trauma” was a little confronting (that early on a Monday morning) and I couldn’t help wondering, perhaps somewhat uncharitably, if this was code for “slip of the knife”.

When it finally came time to collect the little champs, there was a very large crowd in the very small waiting room so, not surprisingly, they were running a “bit behind schedule”. I was in there for over an hour.

When I got the Birmans back home they were very unsteady on their feet and looked like they’d really been in the wars – blood stains on their front leg (blood test), on their necks (where the microchips went in) and, quite a lot of blood on their nether regions. They were very subdued and uncomfortable – presumably more so from the effects of the anesthetic given that the pain killing injection that they’d be given allegedly lasts for two days.

The resilience of the Birman! By midnight the boys were essentially “back to normal” (i.e. hungry, playful, mischievous, curious, interactive and did I mention hungry?). Neither of them thought much of the “electrolyte replacement” stuff that the vetinary nurse armed me with (they both appeared to prefer a bit of water from the shower basin to drinking the concoction).

Final point – and I’ll look at this subject in more detail in a subsequent offering – cost. For two male Birmans to spend a day (08:15 to 18:45) at the surgery and have the list (above) of “services” applied to them ended up costing £133.68 in total. So £66.84 per animal. Note that this price would apply whether they were Birmans, other pedigree kittens or just “normal” moggies. Obviously this is a “northern” price, I suspect the bill may have been a little larger if it was all being done in London…

Their next scheduled trip back to the vet will be in April – for a 3 month check on the liver enzymes – and then again in September for their annual “boosters” and a health and teeth check. Fingers crossed that no unscheduled trips are required…

Just need to sort out all the details for the microchip folk and it’s job done. That’s next on the agenda.

Ross

ps just checked and it was the six month anniversary of Baz and Exo’s birthday. Happy “half birthday” boys (and sorry that the “present” might not quite have been what you were hoping for )