Broken Hip, Orthopedic Surgery Tomorrow

[John Popp]

Thanks so much! I am forever grateful that I had these extra eyes and ears to express my sorrow, frustration and hurt to. It's certainly been a journey and I can't express my thanks enough.

As for tearing the house apart, yep that was what I was greeted with this evening. The mail has teeth marks in it, my keyboard was dragged about 20' from my computer and Chongo had managed to release a sequestered Pixie.

I'm incredibly happy that things are back to normal, just wish Trish was home to bask in the glory.

 

[Patti]

Oh happy days!!! I'm so excited for you and Chongo, but I'm sure not nearly as thrilled as you, and especially Chongo is!!!

 

[John Popp]

Took the crate down today as Chongo had no interest in sleeping in his bed there, just wanted to give him a comfort zone in getting readjusted. He has also exited his convalescing home carrying 4 extra pounds and 4 ounces. He is also displaying more athleticism than before his injury and reaching new levels of what items designated for human use or enjoyment are now solely there for his enjoyment.

Definitely causing me to freak a bit as 5 days ago he was pretty much restricted to being floor bound, on a short lead and any "normal" activities were verboten. Seems like his crazed leaps up the wall are about a foot higher than they used to be and I have yet to see anything he used to do give him pause. I constantly find myself saying "calm down buddy" or even worse talking to myself "I guess I'm going to need to move that". Distracting him with a feather wand only works for a bit unless it's well off the ground which is the behavior I want to avoid in the interim.

I guess it's all to be expected, just a little nervous and certainly wish Trish was back to help defray a little bit of Chongo's enthusiasm regarding his release.

Somewhere RascalDad is laughing to himself, watching his pride bounce off the walls and swinging from the chandelier.

 

[ambiente18]

I'm so happy to hear that Chongo feels great... He is such a beautiful cat, and I'm sure he'll be fine

 

[SV Dad]

Somewhere RascalDad is laughing to himself, watching his pride bounce off the walls and swinging from the chandelier.

rotflmao!!!!! Oh man! Tears in my eyes. If I didn't know better, I would say you have just described Mayhem. Yeah, you can only distract him for a few moments. I was trying to warn you about tearing the house apart. Everything I had read about Chongo gave me indications he is Mayhem's doppelganger. There is a reason he is called Mayhem. I think we have to call Dale and Holly to let them know a peculiar trait is showing up in Comando's kittens! (hummmm... maybe they know... not letting that info out.) Trust me, he will be your best buddy. Despite his antics he is a wonderful cat. Chongo will be the same.

 

[John Popp]

Oh he's for sure awesome, charms everyone he meets, never in the least bit stand offish but there is pure trouble running through his veins. Mayhem would have been a suitable name as well, just that we found ourselves saying "uh oh" all the time as he doesn't have an ounce of fear. Then of course, recalling my youth I remembered always yelling "uh oh Chongo" when we would swing on a rope, jump into a pile of leaves or be climbing a tree.

Anyway here's a video of Danger Island and Chongo's debut in the mini series. No need to watch much of it, as soon as Chongo appears you'll understand how the shoe fits.

 

[SV Dad]

.... as he doesn't have an ounce of fear.

Bingo. Precisely. Right on the money.

 

[Jacq]

I am so happy for you and Chongo. Let the games begin!!!! :- D

 

[John Popp]

OK, my last post on this topic.

It's been 10 days since Chongo's release and Radiograph appointment. As mentioned he was released with a clean bill of health. His supposed rehab was to last 5 weeks and he seemed good to go within 5 hours if not minutes.

He is currently pretty much back to his normal self and we are no longer alarmed with his acrobatics. He runs, jumps and flies probably better than before his surgery, and if anything he seems to find more ways to entertain himself without intervention.

The crate is gone, as well as some of the accruements that we left hanging around for his transition. He's a little easier on the other cats, although it doesn't seem to last long. Just enough time to gain their trust and then makes the effort to destroy it.

He's definitely still an awkward teenager, at one moment showing his tremendous athletic prowess and then in the next moment misses so badly you go online to search for cat helmets. Totally like Pee Wee Herman wiping out his bike then claiming "I meant to do that".

Best of all, his interaction with us has become more than just playtime with what he seems to believe are his litter mates. It's not all just a quest for rough and tumble play, but moments where he is happy to just hang out and be sweet purring kitten. Of course that can change in a heartbeat without any provocation and then it's game on.

So thanks again for all the well wishes and help coping through all of this. I could write a guide for how to deal with this but I hope no one else ever needs to. If I were to pinpoint one aspect of his post surgery care that aided with his recovery it was being close to him every moment we were home. Sleeping on the floor was no picnic nor being awakened every 2 to 3 hours, but the kitten that emerged was every bit the happy confident kitten that was crated 8 weeks prior.

 

[SV Dad]

This has been an emotional roller coaster for you and Chongo. And it worked out well in the end. And I expected Chongo to start hanging out with you. It's the way of the Comando boys. He will greet you at the door. He will follow you everywhere. He will help you fix things in addition to supervising everything. And I'm fairly sure he will communicate things you need to know around the house (things that are amiss). Amazing cats!
Unfortunately, something like this will happen again to someone else, and this thread will be a good reference, support, and guide to the best outcome. Thanks for sharing your experience.

And the games have begun, Jacq! There are some posts out there describing them! I have two brothers to this cat, John is soooo right when he says "there is pure trouble running through his veins."