Re: ot: Update on Antonio

[Nina]

Oh Elizabeth, that poor big sugar boy!  I'm hoping the steroid shot will ease the inflammation long enough to allow his poor bum to heal!  How about some soothing ointments or salves?  I did some research about anal gland removal surgery when I first found out my dog Vladimir suffers with impactions.  The things that can go wrong were pretty scary.  If that's the way you decide to go, I'd look for someone that has experience with this particular surgery.  I'm sure your regular vet won't be offended.  Anyone that gets that sort of reaction from Antonio has to be a very good human! I hope his poor little hinney feels better soon, Nina [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Poor little big Antonio.   Took him back today for his checkup - he looks like he's been hit in the butt by a missile.  Those glands are just so inflamed and his backside looks awful.  So red and irritated...draining -- we never missed a single dose of antibiotics but he looks so much worse than when I took him in last week  (although he seems to be feeling much better).   The vet didn't dare try to even express his glands or take his temp -- apparently Antonio has been scooting around in his spare time and that hasn't helped.  He gave Antonio a long-acting steroid shot and since we finished a week on Clavamox we're starting a week of Cefa-drops.    I asked the vet what I could do to make him more comfortable...told him I wanted to keep him clean but I don't want to irritate his already sensitive backside.  He said to just apply a cold compress from time to time.   We may have to have surgery.  They won't evaluate, however, until the inflammation calms down.   Antonio is such a big boy.  He's too big for any known cat carrier...and even though I bought him a dog carrier good for 35lbs - the handle broke off the first time I put him in and picked it up.  I just sling him over my shoulder and go.  So funny at the vet's today...typical comments from other patients are -- "OMG!  That's the biggest cat I've ever SEEN!"  yeah...he's a big baby....he's bigger than some people's children.  He's my baby though and I'm doing everything I can to take care of him.   Please say a prayer for my big boy, elizabeth