The case of the haunted cat

Well, more like the inhabited cat. I had to take her to the vet for the first time in many a year. She's probably 10 years old? Carrie, do you remember?

And here's the story: I noticed a round wound near her left back leg. Odd, because when cats fight, a round wound is not what they leave behind; more like a torn ear or scratch. I thought maybe a stray bb shot?

I took her to the first vet that would take her which was the Alpine Animal Hospital in Hood River. After a little wait he took a look at her.

"Well, you certainly can't blame another cat for this one. It's a critter," Dr. Foss said.

He explained to me that while this particular kind of parasite called Cuterebra (look it up at your own risk-think Star Trek: Wrath of Kahn bug in the ear kind of gross) was rare in cats, it was seen commonly in rats and mice and VOLES and MOLES. We have our culprit. So I asked what we do now and he said he would take it out.

"It's alive in there," he explained.  While it doesn't eat, it creates massive pockets of infection. "You can actually see it move."

"Ohh, gross! Can I see it?" I asked. Come on, how often do I get a chance to see something like that? It was gross/cool.

"So it's not hurting her?" I asked.

It was hurting her. After picking her up, the Doc said she probably had it in there a lot longer than she had let on. They kept Grey and removed the little worm dude. She is shaved and stitched and she has a drain in her side for at least 10 days.

I love my kitty. She's been around longer than my husband. I was really worried about her. I know how scared she was staying some place strange with all kinds of strange smells. She may be a tiger to a vole, but she's a timid little thing most of the time.

She is staying in the basement because the drain is doing its job and I have a feeling whatever comes out will be easier to clean off concrete than carpet. I'm need to give her meds and a warm compress twice a day. But there is a problem.

THE SMELL

It is the worst smell EVER. Even with Vicks inside my nose I can smell it. How in the heck am I supposed to take care of her??? I am seriously worried I am going to throw up on her! How do I deal with this??? For 2 weeks!!!!

I love my cat. I love my cat. I love my cat. I love my cat.....

PS-I also love my husband who is helping take care of her while I attempt to quietly heave over my shoulder.