Tuesday, March 16, 2021

A Problematic Pollywog

Upon the kittens’ first visit to our local veterinary clinic, a doctor noted Polly’s right front paw has a toe that didn’t fully form beside the other extra. Of late I started calling it a pollywog. ~snort~ Sad to say, our Polly Esther started favoring that foot.
Don't you just want to tickle those toes?

The veterinarian stated it might become a problem. So I reached out in an email today. My hope is that perhaps discomfort stems not from the malformed toe so much as its claw. Stories abound about beloved pets dying due to miscalculated anesthesia. But I understand surgery will probably be required.

Besides, I never felt comfortable trimming claws, having tried exactly once with Luna back in her youth. Of course she’d been living on the streets until she chose me as her human in 1999, so her sensitivity makes sense. Valuable claws enabled her to defend and feed herself as well as the three kittens she birthed before we met.

Fast forward to 2021, and both these kittens are incredibly gentle with us. But I still can’t see myself trimming toenails, especially when Polly doesn’t like that foot handled. ~sigh~ We shall see. Adorable as I find all her toes, we want what’s best for her. Regular trips to a groomer for nail trimming doesn’t seem like fun for anyone.

Can you believe even unseen indoor cats sent my teenaged asthmatic self to the ER about once a year? Isn’t it a shame I re-homed Luna’s kittens before her presence led me to proper allergy meds? Or should I just be glad we had space to adopt Tilly and Jezebel in the intervening years?

-

24 comments:

  1. Oh my on the toe....bless little ones heart. I have always done Lily Bits nails, I have been doing Misty's but that is a chore. Mainly I wait till she falls asleep, then I do them. When she went to the vet for her first round of shots, my daughter came out to the car to get Chey (needed a test) and Misty. When she came back with them she was telling me what the doc said, then she laughed and said, "don't bring that helluon back till she learns manners"!!!! They tried to do her nails but she fought them, got one paw done. haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm wondering how it will go on Friday, as I scheduled an appointment. It might be much the same as for Misty River. ;)

      Delete
  2. Aw, so cute. You'll do what's right for her and that's the ticket.

    Have a fabulous day. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  3. Not a shame; there was more information needed, and you didn't get it until afterward. Please be kind to yourself.
    Before I pass from this life, I'm going to have a polydactyl cat! Petfinder.com used to have a way to search by polydactyl, but they removed it...darn it!
    To have twin cats with extra toes; HEAVEN!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are such a joy, and enlivening our precious Jezebel, too, despite her attempts to be a grumpy kitty.

      Delete
  4. I'm sure those kittens had wonderful homes. You found the kitties that were right for you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, don't dwell on the past, life is a learning process. Anesthesia always scares us too but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do for those sweeties!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I hope Polly won't need surgery. That is an adorable little foot. XO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me, too. She still has plenty of toes. LOL Just one too many, it seems.

      Delete
  7. Precious baby. I hope surgery is not required. At least not where ...never mind. That sentence was going to be stupid on my part. I hope that something other than surgery can happen. My fingers are crossed and Katie's toesies are too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't believe you could possibly be stupid. ~hugs~ Thanks for the kind words.

      Delete
  8. Sometimes the claw on an "extra" toe grows curved in and threatens to pierce the pad. Keeping it trimmed will eliminate that and not cost her any toes (this can happen with any odd extra toe or thumb.) You will probably get lots of tips on how to safely trim her claws, so she doesn't have to have surgery or a trip to the vet for the trim.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I use "the hanging method" for claw trimming but it really requires two people. One person holds the cat up off all its feet by the scruff while the other then quickly trims the claws

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, clever! Maybe my husband can help me. Thanks so much, my dear.

      Delete
  10. Don't worry, be happy! We will purray that Polly's problem with her foot can be resolved easily. Sending you purrs and strength

    ReplyDelete
  11. Don't you worry, Darla. The kitties surely are in safe hands. :-) Take care.
    PS: I have missed some of your past posts. Catching up with them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very kind. I sure enjoy your blog, my friend. Be well!

      Delete
  12. My mom has always done my claws and so far I haven't hurt her. Oh, I've been tempted, sure. I don't like my toes being touched. I think I might be learning that there's a treat involved after my nail clippings. Mom usually combines my nail care with combing, so I get a regular spa day. Hope y'all have a fantastic weekend.

    ReplyDelete

Hope you enjoyed stopping by and please drop a line. I love comments.

Any and all will be published upon approval. Thanks!