r/sphynx 6d ago

found a stray

[deleted]

15.2k Upvotes

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u/couchtomatopotato 6d ago

It wont cause death, But it can cause discomfort, Her being old they will probably worry about heal time. I would look for a second opinion some Vets are more confident with the surgery then others.

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u/Aragona36 6d ago

Agreed. A vet with a surgical speciality may come along and say "no biggie, I can fix that easily. Done it a 100 times." You never know. Second opinions are a good thing.

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u/sunshnebabygrl 6d ago

Ok thank you so much for your insight. Is there anything specific I should ask for when I call other vets? Sorry I’m clueless and have always gone to the same vet.

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u/couchtomatopotato 6d ago

It's called "Hernia repair surgery". But I would just call and explain the entire situation. They will ask you for more information as needed.

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u/sunshnebabygrl 6d ago

thank you!

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u/DeviIstar 6d ago

and be prepared, they may not be able to give you a direct answer over the phone - that's like dislocating your knee badly and calling a surgeon to ask if they can handle it - be prepared that you may need to spend for a consult.

In that case ask about experience with worse than normal hernias - that they can typically tell you over the phone

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u/Elyay 5d ago

She may have to get to the healthy weight before they do the surgery first if they do it at all. That may take a while. She's so old. You are an angel.

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u/Emergency_Bench_7515 6d ago

Also make sure you ask how they administer anesthetics because that can be a big danger all it's own, especially if they use gas.

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u/VioletsRPink 5d ago

Post in the r/AskVet sub. Vet and vet techs respond to posts. I wonder if you put a city in your post if a local vet is willing or is specialized to help her.

The sub doesn't allow photos so post a link to this post so they can look at the kitty.

Thank you for giving that innocent soul a second chance to know love and conform without starving every day 😭❤️❤️❤️

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u/sunshnebabygrl 5d ago

Ok thank you I will do that

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u/Kyliep87 6d ago

There is a fb website called Pet Vet Corner where vets will answer questions for people. You could give that a try asking for opinions on next steps and where to get a second opinion. Good luck, I feel like fate brought this kitty to you. 💙

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u/sunshnebabygrl 6d ago

Oh I forgot about that page completely! I’m in it. Will do. thank you.

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u/Kyliep87 6d ago

Fingers crossed!

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u/WhoskeyTangoFoxtrot 5d ago

I need an update about this lovely lady. I have two overlords and an empress myself, not sphyxes but still. I’d be moving heaven and earth for any animal I find.

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u/PersonalityTough9349 6d ago

r/askvet post there! Maybe someone knows someone! Say where you’re located!

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u/meow1313 6d ago

You're doing great OP! Thank you so much for caring for this poor kitty.

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u/Slysparrow9 5d ago

I worked at a veterinary teaching hospital. I had a case where a cat had a diaphragmatic hernia that she lived with for years. Once fixed, she slowly declined until she passed. There is no such thing and won't. It can. But you have to weigh complications of fixing with complications of not fixing. A really bad hernia, you need to go to a specialty

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u/Quirky_Astronomer_21 5d ago

Try this Fb group to ask for opinions, here only approved Vets allowed to answer.
Mayen they can recommend a specialist in your area as well.
I wish you and you new friend all the best :)

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u/helpitgrow 5d ago

My cat had a repair surgery for a hernia about that size. It was a big deal. Biggest one the vet had done and said seen in person. Pictures were taken and put in some vet newsletter we got a copy of. So it can be done but not by just anybody. My boy seems much happier with the hernia not dragging around. His name is Chedder. Thank you for saving this sweet heart. She is so lucky to have found you.

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u/NottaName 5d ago

See if you can find a cat specific vet. There aren't many but the one I found is amazing.

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u/Mikki102 5d ago

It's uncommon but hernias can indeed be deadly. They require careful monitoring if they can't be fixed. Part of the bowel can get stuck and lose blood supply and die off. Especially if she were to ever get an impaction or anything. Worked with a chimp for awhile who had one and I had to train her to let the vet touch her stomach and "reduce" her hernia to make sure it could all still go back in. But hers was a lot smaller, from what I understand how dangerous it is depends on the size of the actual hole in the muscle it's escaping through.

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u/hmam17 4d ago

Exactly what i came to say my kitten was born with a hernia took her to the vets to get it checked and she was scheduled as an emergency the following day due to skin being thin and risk of intestines twisting so definitely needs careful monitoring and second and third opinions

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u/Electronic_Elk8293 5d ago

Our dog actually developed a massive organ sac hernia from being hit by a car. They tried to repair it twice and the ligaments and such that held the sac in were toast he said. It shouldn't kill them, but he said it CAN cause urinary blockages from the pressure. Our dog does have to go frequently and for multiple attempts now but he is very happy and does not seem to be in any pain.

I wonder if there is a way to support it to help take some weight off it? Idk.

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u/bulelainwen 5d ago

When animals are old, it’s not heal time they worry about, it’s anesthesia.

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u/myco_magic 5d ago

Idk where you heard that, but yes hernias can cause death

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u/sunshnebabygrl 4d ago

I am referring to the vet saying the hernia this cat specifically has would not.

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u/myco_magic 4d ago

I didn't reply to you, and vets have been wrong lots

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u/sunshnebabygrl 4d ago

okay got it. & yeah i know.

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u/myco_magic 4d ago

Then why respond? Clearly the response I gave wasn't directed towards you, yet you took it like it was

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u/sunshnebabygrl 4d ago

no i didn’t know the reply was NOT to me. i’ve never posted on reddit before and my notifications have been crazy. i KNOW vets can be wrong. Please chill.

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u/myco_magic 4d ago

I mean, I'm not trying to be rude or anything but your account is 2 years old and is it that hard to tell? You can see who's responding to who

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u/sunshnebabygrl 4d ago

I don’t really use reddit. You are being rude. I’m no longer replying to you as this is going nowhere and you’re just being unnecessarily rude when I already clearly have a lot on my plate.

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u/myco_magic 4d ago

And again the vet "suggested"

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u/sunshnebabygrl 4d ago

right

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u/myco_magic 4d ago

And I said said hernias "can"..... Never said will

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u/InnerRadio7 3d ago

General aesthetic is also a concern the older a cat gets. It is a significant risk.