We went to see Maia in the veterinary hospital today. She was awake and alert and accepting of our petting – at least for a while. I could sense her desire to be left in peace toward the end of the visit. She purred and shoved her head into our open palms. She kneaded as well. All of these are self-soothing feline behaviors. Even dying cats purr, as you likely know.
She has an IV in her right front paw. Her left front paw has been shaved. Her abdominal incision staple line is clean and shows no inflammation. She tolerated our affections without protest.
This evening, the vet said that her blood percentage (hematocrit) had dropped from 32% (low normal) to 22% without evidence of internal hemorrhage. They’re going to monitor it to see whether she needs another transfusion or further surgical intervention. None of this probably makes sense to her except that she knows that she is hurt and needs to hide until she heals – lest she become prey for some larger predator.
I’m sympathetic; I too have felt that way from time to time.
