I think last night was a test.
I'd just managed to get LG into the bathroom to brush her teeth when Big Cat started making a godawful, pseudo-howling noise. This is a cat who barely ever vocalizes, so I was immediately on alert. Found her crouched in the hallway, drooling excessively, panting. Flashback to two dead cats from cardiomyopathy. IVF Kitten came up to her as if to say what the fuck? are you okay? Big Cat caught her breath and went downstairs, where she continued the same behavior. I told LG to get her shoes on and grab the cat carrier from the basement, and off we went to the university emergency animal clinic. LG doesn't remember, but the only other time we were there we were transporting a cat who died on our kitchen floor when she was two.
After about an hour and an examination, they suggested a chest x-ray, which would take a minimum of 20-30 minutes. I called a friend, another single mama, to see if she could pick up LG and take her home. Then I waited. And waited. On and off contractions, a missed Lovenox injection. Wondered if I should just pay the extra $300 to keep her there overnight, so I could get home and my friend could get home and put her own kid to bed.
In the end, Big Cat and I got home around 10:00, more than two hours after this adventure started. She was declared stable...and I spent half the night checking up on her.
We now have an appointment for a cardio workup for next Monday. I could have gotten her in today, but the only opening was the same time as my OB appointment. In the end, the need for an ultrasound won out. I just hope we don't have a repeat episode over the weekend, or we'll be back for emergency care.
Taking care of the five life forms who currently occupy Chez Gwinne is exhausting, I tell you.
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