Brulee's Unexpected Trip to the Vet

Brulee was scheduled to visit the vet in a few weeks for her annual checkup, but plans were changed yesterday morning when Mom Paula woke up.  Usually, Brulee comes running into the bedroom (if she's not there already) when Mom Paula wakes up to get a treat.  When Mom Paula woke up, Truffle was on the bed, but Brulee was nowhere to be found,.  Even when Mom Paula shook the treats and walked through the house, still no Brulee.  Mom Paula finally found her under one of the corner shelves beside the computer.  When Mom Paula pulled her out, Brulee was breathing hard and her fur was wet on her chest.  Mom Paula immediately put Brulee in her Sleepypod and called the vet.  The vet said to bring her right in.

Brulee in her red Sleepypod waiting to see the vet

By the time Mom Paula also gathered up Truffle and they got to the vet, Brulee was breathing from her mouth.  The vet tech took Brulee straight to the back of the hospital to check on her because they were so concerned about her breathing.  They took Mom Paula back to one of the cat examination rooms to wait.

Truffle waiting in her Sleepypod in the kitty examination room for Brulee's results

After several minutes (it felt like hours),  the vet tech came back in and said the vet wanted to get some chest x-rays because he didn't like the sound of her breathing.    Several minutes  passed again before Dr. Boyette (he was the first vet to see Brulee 5 years ago) in to talk to us.  Dr. Boyette said Brulee had a high temperature (104.9) and her breathing was labored.  He said the x-rays looked good to him, but they would need to be read by the radiologist.  Dr. Boyette also drew blood to check everything and said those results would be in by the afternoon.  He said they gave Brulee some IV fluids because he was concerned she wouldn't eat or drink with her fever.  He said Mom Paula could take her home and watch her and bring her back if the fever wasn't down.  Mom Paula asked if Brulee could stay the day so they could monitor her because Mom Paula had to complete a report at work. Mom Paula also asked if Dr. Boyette could take Truffle's temperature because Truffle's eyes began draining a couple of days ago.  Truffle's temperature was a little elevated, but not as high as Brulee's. Dr. Boyette said he was giving Brulee an antibiotic (the same as last fall) and Mom Paula asked if Truffle should be on it too and he said it would be a good idea.  They also talked about starting the girls on L-Lysine to see if it would help.  Truffle and Mom Paula went home, leaving Brulee at the vet for the day.

Brulee coming home from the vet

Mom Paula went to work and completed her report.  She then had about 7 proposals to read and evaluate and halfway through, she couldn't take it anymore (2:40 pm) so she called the vet to check on Brulee.  Dr. Boyette came to the phone and said her temperature had dropped from 104.9 to 103.9, which was an improvement.  He said the results of the x-rays showed everything within normal ranges.  While Mom Paula was talking to him, the results of the bloodwork came in and he happily told Mom Paula that everything looked good.  Mom Paula had a meeting to go to, but as soon as it was over at 4:00 pm, Mom Paula rushed (driving as safely as possible) to pick up her little girl.

Dr. Boyette came out to talk to Mom Paula about Brulee.  Dr. Boyette believes she has an upper respiratory infection (URI) and it could be herpes related since Truffle had a slightly elevated fever and draining eyes.  He said her temperature was now down to 103.3, but after a couple days of the antibiotic, she should be fine.  After paying the bill ($600+), Mom Paula took Brulee home.  On the way home, Brulee became a little stressed (usually she's relaxed in the car) and began breathing from her mouth again.  Mom Paula turned off the radio, unzipped the top of the Sleepypod, and petted Brulee for the 10 minute drive home.  If you look closely at the photo above, you can tell little Brulee wasn't feeling well.

Brulee sleeping off her fever and infection

Of course,Truffle became a little hissy when Brulee was let out of her Sleepypod because of the smells from being at the vet all day, but Mom Paula had put the pink Peggy blankie in the carrier to share smells.  Brulee did eat a little food and she slept the rest of the day.  Mom Paula had to give both of them the medication about 8:30 pm last night and neither was happy with her.  Truffle hid the rest of the night and Brulee slept in the hallway.  Mom Paula can still hear Brulee's raspy breathing, but we're purring she'll be okay  in a couple of days.  If Mom Paula didn't have a huge meeting at work today, she'd stay home.

Note about the Sleepypod and AAHA:  

This isn't a sponsored post, but I want to tell you how much I love this carrier.  It's so easy to get the girls inside and I know they are safe once they are strapped in with the seatbelt.  The vets love the Sleepypod because they can get to the girls easier and put them back inside with little hassle.  When the vet assistant brought Brulee back from the back yesterday afternoon, she said they had put the Sleepypod in the cage with Brulee and Brulee slept inside it the entire time.  This is a wonderful carrier and I highly recommend you get one, if possible.

We continue to be impressed with Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital (the vets, the vet techs and assistants, and the staff) and the fact that it is AAHA accredited makes us more comfortable.  Mom Paula won a $100 giftcard to spend at an AAHA accredited hospital and we want them to know it was put to good use yesterday.  Now to find that other $500+ to pay the bill...

Please continue those purrs for Brulee, Truffle, and Mom Paula.