12.3.14

Updates On Theo After Surgery

Theo's surgery on Friday was a success! Of course he is in pain and groggy, but he's awake and alive, which is everything we had hoped for. He even started purring when the vet patted him!

Theo during surgery. (The nerves in his left eye are dead).
The surgery was pretty tough, as the area around the injured eye was bruised and black. There were a lot of blood vessels in the area, and the vet team had to be extremely careful. They successfully removed Theo's left eyeball and stitched his eye socket up. They also found bruising around the eye, as well as inside the mouth and face, indicating that he suffered a hemorrhage. It was interesting how all the damage and injury was concentrated on his face, leaving the rest of his body unhurt.

Bruising



The Vet noted that the jawline fracture was in the joint area between the left and right jaw. This was a good thing, as it meant that it would heal on its own, although that would take a while. Since this means that he can't eat solid food, a feeding tube has been inserted into Theo's throat through the side of his neck so we can feed him mashed and liquid food. When he was fed with a small amount of food through the tube, he took it well and did not throw up.

After surgery
During the surgery, Theo was also neutered and ear-tipped.

He will be closely monitored for the next two days. Our concern now is that the septicemia from the eye might have entered his brain. If it had, we will know in one or two days when he starts having problems walking, with his head tilted to one side.



If there are no problems, he should be discharged by the end of this week.

The aftercare Theo requires at his foster home includes being tube-fed small meals 4-5 times a day for 2 to 3 weeks. He'll be put on a prescription diet from the clinic, and the food needs to be blended before being put into the tube.

We are in the midst of finalizing a foster home for sweet Theo.

We thank everyone who has provided him with financial aid. The road to recovery is a long one, but like all our other rescues, we will always be there for them.


If you wish to ADOPT Theo, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg. He is a local cat, estimated to be about 6 to 7 years old, sweet and affectionate.


Photographs courtesy of Dr Poh