update on poor Krümel

[ratcreature]

It's bad news again. I brought him to the vet this morning, and the eye has gotten worse. They anesthetized him to examine it more closely and now think that it is likely an infection, but it also has now spread further and damaged the cornea. So they are going to operate and remove his eye tomorrow. I couldn't even take him home, because they told me that the damaged cornea is a sign that it could burst open and the eye leak out at any time (:::shudder::), which would make emergency surgery necessary, so they advised me to leave him with them so that they can monitor his condition and give him eyedrops and stuff in preparation for the op.

Obviously the thought that I might end up at home with a rat whose eye burst open overnight left me horrified and afraid, so I left Krümel in their care.

He probably thinks I abandoned him in an awful place with strangers and none of his pack to cuddle with either. He's never been really separated from me before, not since I got him with five weeks. I just hope he'll forgive me eventually, but knowing my luck something horrible would have happened had I taken him home, and I couldn't take that risk.

The operation itself will cost something around €130, and then there's going to be the bill for the anesthesia and exam today, the meds and monitoring, and the aftercare. Gah. My main worry is of course whether he'll be okay, but still, it'll easily be over €200 if not more, in addition to the €50 I paid Saturday that I'll have to scrounge up.

Anyway, maybe you could send good thoughts and health vibes in Krümel's direction, who's right now alone in a cage at my vet with an eye that they say is hurting him as well in addition to the possibility that it may bleed out, and doesn't understand why I abandoned him there, rather than taking him home and cuddling him as he recovered from the anesthesia. I just hope he'll make it okay, and that the operation tomorrow will go well.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/__marcelo/]

Ouch. How awful. Best of wishes for both of you.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. I'm so afraid for him. I just hope it's really just his eye and they can fix it without complications at least.

I often find myself wishing rats were sturdier. As individuals I mean, clearly as a species they are really robust what with their survival strategy to have as many young as possible as soon and as often as possible in addition to being fairly adaptable with food and surroundings and such. Unfortunately that doesn't help much when you are invested in a particular rat. *sigh*

[http://users.livejournal.com/__marcelo/]

*hugs* Must be very hard.

[gnatkip.livejournal.com]

Leaving them alone is such a lonely feeling, I know.

Thinking of him.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. And yeah, especially since he's not so good with strangers even under better circumstances, like in familiar surroundings, to begin with. So he has to be afraid, and it's not like you can explain to your pet why you have to abandon them. But since the alternative was that he might have his eye burst and bleed out without proper medical care at hand, clearly him being afraid, alone and uncomfortable for a day or two was the lesser evil.

[lazar-grrl.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. ::sends many positive vibes Krumel's way::

[ratcreature]

Thanks, he can definitely use them.

[secretrebel.livejournal.com]

Thinking of you both.

Scared as he may be, don't forget you're doing what's best for him. I know it hurts and makes you feel cruel, but you are honestly doing this so he can have the best possible care.

[ratcreature]

Yeah, I know that it is best for him, but I still just feel bad for him, because he can't understand what's going on.

[cereta.livejournal.com]

{{hugs}} Sending vibes, hon.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. Krümel can definitely use some luck.

[girlwithoutfear.livejournal.com]

Good vibes coming your way from me. You are doing the best thing for him. It was a good decision on your part, even though it may stress you both for now. Best to you both.

[ratcreature]

Thanks for the good thoughts.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bettina_/]

*hugs*

[ratcreature]

*hugs back*

[maxinemayer.livejournal.com]

Good vibes coming your way. Hope all turns out okay. Remember, this too shall pass. Love, mxm

[ratcreature]

Thanks.

[minnow1212.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. Crossables crossed for him and you.

[ratcreature]

Thanks. Krümel can use all extra luck.

[devildoll.livejournal.com]

Oh, no. I hope they can fix it and he'll be almost good as new (and can get a pirate patch!)

[ratcreature]

Yeah, I hope for no further complications too.

[purelyironic.livejournal.com]

That sounds so awful, poor Krümel. I'm sending as many positive vibes as possible to him (and you). *hugs*

[ratcreature]

Thanks. I didn't even know something like this could happen to an eye. I mean, on the inside without me seeing any injury.

[elynross.livejournal.com]

Oh, hon, I am *so* sorry, and you have all the good thoughts in the world! You did absolutely the right thing leaving him, I think, as hard as it was.