Aggie Update: 3 Days Post Surgery

orange tabby kitten with cone

Aggie had her surgery and it couldn’t have happened without all the generous and loving and kind and empathetic people who donated to her Go Fund Me account. I don’t have the words really to express my gratitude and the feelings in my heart. I cried for days after consulting with Aggie’s vet and confirming her femoral break. I cried more when I got the estimate from the surgeon. On a complete whim (and because several friends and my son suggested) I started the Go Fund Me. I really thought it was a long shot.

The afternoon (last Friday) that I started the fundraiser I watched in awe as the donations came in. I cried some more…well a lot more. I couldn’t believe so many people donated. Friends. Clients. Family. Strangers. I still sit here in awe that we reached the goal in 22 hours. 22 hours!!!! And I don’t know how to thank everyone properly.

Late Monday afternoon I took Aggie in to Dr. Bradley’s office in Manassas. We had a long consult about the surgery and what it consisted of and what Aggie’s prognosis and healing would be like. He was very thorough and kind and answered all my questions.

Early Tuesday morning Dr. Bradley performed a Femoral Head Ostectomy or FHO on Aggie. He basically went in and removed the femoral head (where it was broken off in the hip socket) and the neck of the femur. He said that the bone had started to break apart so he had to also remove all the little broken off bone pieces and fragments. His words “it got rough in there”. Then he stitched her back up. Apparently her body will form a false joint with scar tissue and muscle. Pretty incredible!

I picked Aggie up Wednesday afternoon and was very happy to have her back with me. Everyone at the surgical center was sorry to see her leave and kept joking that they couldn’t find her. Apparently she turned on the charm for them…purring and meowing for attention. We left with post-op X-rays, the piece of bone they had removed, and pain meds for her.

Now that Aggie is home she has to be separated from her brother for 2 weeks. This is quite agonizing for everyone! Archie cries from the other side of the door at night (as he’s used to sleeping with me) and Aggie cries when no one is in the bedroom with her. But after two weeks they can be together again…as long as they’re not playing too rough. Dr. Bradley said to let her do basically whatever she wants to do on her own. If she wants to walk around…let her as it will build up the muscle and scar tissue faster.

So…she’s up and walking…well limping…but being such a good sport! Better than I would be post femoral surgery!

kitten portrait black and whiteorange tabby kitten with coneI am absolutely amazed to see that her skin is actually striped orange!!!!!!! This is so crazy to me. And she just looks silly…with her foot still having fur.fho surgery on kitten
Archie is not happy being left out!kitten paw under doorAnd they play through the door.fho surgery on kittenfho surgery on kittenorange tabby kitten with conefho surgical scar on kitten

1 comment

  1. I am crying here while I sit at my computer reading this. What a blessing that little Aggie could get the surgery she needs so that she can still be with you.

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