Ozzie the Maine Coon is known for his charm, fluffy good looks, and loyal fanbase on Facebook. But recently, he faced not one, but two serious medical challenges that put his resilience (and our surgical skills) to the test.

The First Emergency Visit

Ozzie first came to our ER after 24 hours of persistent vomiting. Dr. Laura Lowe performed abdominal radiographs, revealing a suspicious small, round object lodged in his intestines.

He was hospitalized overnight on IV fluids to stabilize him, then transferred the next morning to surgical veterinarian, Dr. Kara Berke. An abdominal ultrasound confirmed the worst: the object was causing a full intestinal obstruction and would not pass on its own.

First Surgery: Removing the Obstruction

Ozzie was transferred to surgeon Dr. Patti Sura, who performed an enterotomy to remove the culprit, a small metal object. Surgery was a success, and Ozzie was able to go home the next day to begin his recovery.

A Setback: Septic Abdomen and a Second Emergency

Unfortunately, Ozzie’s recovery took an unexpected turn. A few weeks later, he developed signs of a septic abdomen, a potentially life-threatening complication. Upon re-examination, we discovered that his previous intestinal surgical site had formed an adhesion to his body wall, which led to a muscular abscess.

Second Surgery: Fighting Infection

Once again, Dr. Patti Sura stepped in. The second surgery involved:

• Resection of the affected intestinal segment

• Debridement of the infected tissue

• Placement of a surgical drain to help remove infection and promote healing

Thanks to rapid intervention and aggressive treatment, Ozzie’s condition stabilized, and his healing could finally begin in earnest.

Recovery and Resilience

Ozzie’s journey wasn’t easy, but his strong will, attentive family, and the coordinated work of our emergency and surgical teams made all the difference. After careful monitoring, pain management, and supportive care, Ozzie was able to return home once more, this time with a clean bill of health.

What Ozzie’s Story Teaches Us

• Act quickly with vomiting or GI symptoms

  – 24 hours can make the difference between medical and surgical intervention.

• Post-op monitoring is critical

  – Complications can arise days after an initial procedure.

• Teamwork saves lives

  – Coordinated care between emergency, diagnostic, and surgical teams provided Ozzie with seamless treatment.

Life After Surgery

Today, Ozzie is back to his favorite activities: ruling from his cat tree, enjoying “catppuccinos” at Starbucks, and posing for his loyal Facebook fans. His story is a reminder that even when recovery gets complicated, the right care can lead to a happy ending.

Follow Ozzie the Maine Coon on Facebook for recovery updates, adorable photos, and a front-row seat to his fluffy adventures.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EmyCT76ok/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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