Waffles and his Mancat Cave - Plus a Katie Girl Dental Surgery Update

WAFFLES:  Welcome to my mancat cave, everybuddy. I've been hanging out in here on account of the Boss smells really bad. She smells like the vet on account of she had a bunch of dental surgery stuff last week. And Glogirly says I need to leave her alone until she feels better and doesn't stink. 

WAFFLES:  So here's my mancat cave. I've got windows for whiffies and bird TV and food dishes and my litter box and toys and stuff. I have my Sleepypod AND the Boss' Sleepypod too. 

WAFFLES:  But her pod still stinks like the vet.  

WAFFLES:  My mancat cave used to be Glogirly's office. And this used to be where she keeps her papers and stuff. 

WAFFLES:  But now it's my stage for when I sing my favorite songs.

WAFFLES:  And here's where I take my baths. Gotta make myself handsome for the ladies.

WAFFLES:  If I can figure out how to turn on the big computer, I can Facebook my girlfriends.

WAFFLES:  Someone's coming! Whoever it is doesn't smell like the vet. Maybe it's Glogirly coming to visit and get some of my Waffley handsomeness. 

Waffles and his girl during one of her visitations.

Katie-Girl Update
If you're friends with us on Facebook, you probably saw our post last Wednesday about Katie's dental surgery. Katie began showing signs of dental issues a couple of months ago when she was diagnosed with pancreatitis. We wanted to get that under control with the appropriate medications and monitor her progress through bloodwork in order to make sure she could be cleared for the dental procedure. It requires general anesthetic, and we needed to make sure she was heading into that with the least amount of risk possible. Katie will be turning 15 this May and any procedure of this magnitude calls for caution and care.

We're very happy to report everything went well and Katie is recovering nicely. It was pretty extensive though and she's still getting used to what probably feels like a completely different mouth. About a year ago, Katie had a few extractions, including three of her four canines. (her front fangs) Sadly she lost her only remaining fang, as well a number of other teeth.

Fortunately, cats are incredibly resilient and can easily adapt to even having no teeth. The only teeth that Katie has left now are her little corn teeth on top front, the ones that look like tiny baby teeth, and her lower back molars and premolars.

Waffles' Displacement Aggression
One of the most challenging aspects of Katie's surgery is the aftermath at home with Waffles. Waffles has always had a very hard time when either he or Katie come home from a vet visit. He'll hiss and growl at Katie, and in very extreme circumstances can even lash out at her. The stronger the vet smell, the more extreme his behavior is.

Katie still isn't feeling quite well enough to be thoroughly grooming herself, so she still smells like the hospital and all the medications. While she's recovering, Glogirly has sequestered Waffles into the office.

In an effort to help the situation, though much to Katie's disapproval, Glogirly gave her a bath yesterday. She's such a good girl and even though the last thing she probably wants EVER is a bath in our kitchen sink, Katie was very cooperative.

A Bath???!

Sweet Katie right after her bath. 

Once she was dry enough, Glogirly helped get her furs all sleek and beautiful again by brushing her. It must have felt good, because Katie couldn't get enough of the brushies.

Waffles will still likely spend a couple more nights in the office mancat cave, but we're very hopeful with some careful reintroduction time, life for the mountain cats and their girl will return to normal very soon.