We went to visit Maia in the veterinary hospital today. She still has a low-grade fever and is on antibiotics. She isn’t eating, but she now has an NG (nasogastric) tube through which she is receiving about 25% of her resting daily caloric requirement. She’s tolerating that well, and she will get increasing calories each day until she starts eating.
She has a protective cone around her neck. This device is usually called “The cone of shame.” However, the cone of shame generally has its open base extending forward from the neck. Maia’s protective cone has its open base facing toward her back. It is a reverse cone of shame. I think that this is appropriate for cats. A reverse cone of shame is properly called a cone of shamelessness.
Maia was alert and affectionate during our visit. She accepted our petting – responding with purring and head butts. Cats conceal their injuries, pain, and vulnerability as a protective behavior. Weakness communicates that one is fair game for predators. We humans are apex predators, of course, but we do not eat our young nor do we eat our non-human allies – at least not today.
In the images below, you can see that Maia has a nasogastric tube. The proximal end of the tube is secured to her nasal ala with a nylon suture. I’m sure that doesn’t feel very good. If she recovers and has a persistent wound at that site, I think that I may have to get her a diamond stud to wear in that nostril – not unlike the ones I see in foodies at the grocery store. She’ll be doing her part to “Keep Austin Weird.”
We had a nice visit, and we comforted one another this afternoon. We will visit again tomorrow. We hope that she starts eating soon. Your well wishes are all appreciated.
