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Saturday 8th February 2003

We noticed that Monty had been asleep for seven hours solid, which was very unusual for him. When he did eventually wake up, he was very crochetty and was hissing and snarling at all the other cats. This was very unlike him. When Lee went to pick him up and Monty went for him, we knew something was very wrong. I rang the vet at Marshall and Till in Derby immediately who told us to bring him down straight away.

After a thorough examination of Monty, the vet diagnosed a dislocated knee cap, which was causing Monty a lot of pain. The vet managed to relocate the knee cap and was prepared for us to take Monty home and see how he got on. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on which way you look at it. the knee cap slipped again whilst we were there and the vet decided to keep Monty in, saying he needed an operation on his knee joint. How the vet explained it, is that the knee cap on a cat sits in a 'V' shape. On Monty, the 'V' is more like a shallow 'U' and so the knee cap keeps slipping out. To correct it, the vet needed to cut a deeper 'V' in the joint and possibly move some ligaments.

So, on Saturday night, we waved goodby to Monty until Monday evening.

Monday 10th February 2003

We were able to see Monty today. He was still in a lot of pain but was receiving treatment for it. The vet had wanted to do the operation today but couldn't get hold of me. How guilty do I feel. Monty was in a pen so he couldn't move about much but was crying and meowing. It was heartbreaking but we knew he was in the best place.

Tuesday 11th February 2003

I went to see Monty in the evening. One of the nurses brought him up to a consultation room. He seemed happy enough, meowing and purring and jumping about. He had some of the treats I had brought him and had a big love off his mummy. I was very sad when it was time to go and saw Monty's big, greeny-yellow eyes looking beseechingly at me. It broke my heart but as Lee later said, the operation was for the best.

Wednesday 12th February 2003

Morning - Monty went in for his operation this morning.

1400hrs - I rang the vet to see how Monty was. The operation went well and he was just coming round from the anaestetic. I am to ring at four o'clock.

1600hrs - I spoke to a nurse at the vet's and she said Monty was doing fine. He is under sedation whilst he's coming round from the anaestetic. I am waiting for the vet to phone to tell me about the operation.

1715hrs - The vet has rang. The operation definitely went well. The groove in the bone was not cut deeper because it was deep enough but the joint was aligned properly so the vet has inserted some pins. Whilst Monty was under anaestetic, the vet looked at the other leg and found that it was also bad but is not going to do anything about it until, if and when, it goes. Monty can't come home for another four or five days but we might be able to see him tomorrow. Phew.

Thursday 13th February 2003

I was able to go and see Monty for the first time today since his operation. I was expecting the worst, with him depressed and not eating but the staff at the vet's were very pleased with his progress. When he saw me, his face lit up and he started purring and fussing. I gave him lots of big strokes and talked to him and purred some more. Then he had a bite to eat then settled for some more fuss. The whole of his left back leg is shaved and it looks like it should belong on a Sphinx cat. There are about nine stitches around the knee joint. Monty is doing so well, he might be allowed home for the weekend, as long as he is kept confined :-)

Friday 14th February 2003

We turned up at the vet's with the cat basket to bring Monty home for the weekend, all prepared with the cage ready for him at home. I knew that something was wrong with the way one of the nurses glanced at the basket, as if to say, what have you brought that for? My suspicions were confirmed when we were taken through and told that Monty would be staying at the vet's for the weekend. He was not as comfortable as yesterday and was in more pain. The vet said that he should stay until at least Monday and then see how he was then.

I agreed that he wasn't as comfortable as yesterday. He didn't get up and walk about his pen like he did before and he hissed a few times. Monty did have some treats to eat and some tuna, though, which was good.

We left the vet's with the instruction to ring on Monday morning after the vet had done his rounds.

Monday 17th February 2003

Lee rang the vet this morning who told him that Monty was comfortable and might be able to come home. He said he would let us know more after he had done his afternoon rounds. We awaited the phone call with baited breath. When it came, we were very disappointed to find that Monty wouldn't be coming home after all. The vet wasn't pleased with his progress and, upon carrying out some x-rays, found the pins in Monty's leg to have moved. He has to have another operation to re-position the pins. The vet said he thinks they might have moved when Monty was coming round from his anaestetic the first time and thrashed around a bit. We made an appointment to visit him that afternoon.

When we got to the vet's, Monty was in his pen, looking out with big, greeny-yellow eyes. I called his name and he jumped up and started meowing. He sounded a bit hoarse and the veterinary nurse that he had been doing a lot of meowing in the night. He had a big fuss off Lee and I lots of times and purred like mad. He limped on his bad leg but he didn't hiss in pain like on Friday. I nearly cried when it was time to go because Monty looked so sad and lost. My poor baby, having to have another operation. Still, if it makes him better, it will be worth it.

We left after making arrangements to speak to the vet doing the operation first thing in the morning. Good, brave Montyma.

Tuesday 18th February 2003

Today was the day of Monty's second operation. The vet, Dr. Raymond, said it went well and that he is keeping Monty heavily sedated for a couple of days and the wound well bandaged. Because it is the second operation, it will take Monty longer to recover from it now. Lee and I have made the decision not to visit him until after the critical time when his pins have had time to settle. It is heartbreaking not going to see him but we think it's for the best, in case he gets too excited and dislodges something in his leg. The vet has also said that because of his sedation, if we did go to see him, Monty wouldn't know much about it anyway.

Friday 21st February 2003

Today, Monty didn't have to have any sedation and is doing well.

Sunday 23rd February 2003

I have spoken to the vet and Monty is well enough to be visited tomorrow!!!!

Monday 24th February 2003

We were nearly fit for bursting by the time Monty was ready to receive us. He looked absolutely wonderful when I laid my eyes on him. His coat was shining and his eyes sparkled. His ears pricked up when I called him and it was so fab to see him again, after a whole week. He had a big fuss and lots and lots of love.

Tuesday 25th February 2003

I came to see Monty again today. We had another big love fest with lots of paddypawing and slobber. The vet explained to me what had been done to Monty and he showed me the x-rays that had been done. He might have to do another operation on Monty; we'll have to see how he goes. I asked if we could bring him home and the vet said to see how he was tomorrow. I can't wait!

Wednesday 26th February 2003

We were able to bring Monty home!!!! The vet said he must be confined to his crate at all times except when he is having a cuddle on our lap. He is not allowed to walk free around the house. We set the crate up with a soft blanket, litter tray, water and food and installed him in it. Monty seems quite calm about being in the crate and hasn't made much of a fuss. He did want his litter tray taking out, though, so we have put newspaper in for emergencies and we just put the litter tray in every now and again for him to use if he wants to.

It's GREAT having him home. Our son.

Thursday 27th February 2003

Today, Lee bought Monty some posh catfood and he loves it! He can't get enough of it. He has spent most of today sleeping. I have cuddled him a few times but he got a bit uptight coz I couldn't let him go. He hasn't purred yet but the cats sometimes don't with me. I think it's because they know I love them so much and it scares them. Perhaps they just don't like me!!! Lee is going to cuddle Monty tomorrow and see if he can get him to purr. He may not feel like purring, though.

Friday 28th February 2003

Monty is doing well today. Lee had him purring as well, which was excellent. He is taking his tablets on pieces of ham and chicken and is enjoying posh catfood.