Update on Miranda Rat Face

[Bertha Venation]

She went in this morning to have the bandage changed on her foot - it is broken, but she has a cut there and they're changing it frequently so they can check for infection. No infection there.

The doctor checked the cuts & stitches on her chest and tummy and found a pocket of infection there. It's been drained and they've put her on a second antibiotic and they're keeping her until late Wednesday.

We're really worried about this kitty.

[blogslut]

1. Good vibes for your kitty

May the sweet baby be well.

[Pool Hall Ace]

2. Hang in there, Miranda Rat Face!

Yard by yard it's hard; inch by inch it's a cinch. :hug:

[NJmaverick]

3. I wish both of you the best of luck

and Mirdanda Rat Face a speedy recovery

[myrna minx]

4. My best thoughts and vibes to you and Miranda.

:hug:

[LynzM]

5. Good thoughts coming your way, Bertha...

:hug: for you and for her...

[Bertha Venation]

12. Thank you, Lynz

:hug:

[Captain Hilts]

6. Little Skeezix and I will be thinking of your kitty. nt

[Bertha Venation]

18. Thank you, Captain Hilts

Please give Little Skeezix a little squeeze for me.

[Dogtown]

7. Infection in cats is quite common

Apparently wounds heal quickly at the surface in these animals, often trapping septic material within the wound.

A generally healthy animal responds well to antibiotics though and I'm pretty confident Miranda will heal nicely with all the aftercare she's receiving.

I'll offer sugar and rum to the Loa 'Tonio for a fast recovery.

We need a kitty-hug smiley....
:hug:
for Miranda.

[Bertha Venation]

13. Sugar and rum? Loa 'Tonio?

? :)

[Dogtown]

14. I don't subscribe to any organized religion

but of those I'm familiar with, the passion and flavor of Haitian Vodon (Vodou, Voodoo, etc) is intriguing.

Sugar/rum/tobacco are sacraments. The "Loa" of the Vodon pantheon are roughly equivalent to Catholic saints and the religion has accepted that similarity as a way to explain their role to non-initiates. In fact, several catholic saints have been inducted into the pantheon because their Christian aspects mirror the Loa they represent.

"Voodoo" is in fact a Creole/New Orleans corruption of the original Bantu word.

[Bertha Venation]

15. Ah. Seems the subject was treated fairly in one of my favorite movies

"Major League." One of the players practiced voodoo and offered his "god," Jobu, rum.

So. Does one just offer the rum or can one drink it. In the movie, it was very bad to steal Jobu's rum...

Sounds like I'm not taking you seriously, but I am - it is interesting.

[Dogtown]

17. Like all sophisticated religions

There are rituals and procedures in place.

The Loa you are interested in beseeching must 1st be "called", this requires several steps including the drawing of ritual diagrams that are associated with that Loa. Specific dances to specific drum rhythms are also used. The offering is then made. Each Loa has specific colors and favored gifts it prefers, such as a specific type of meat. Almost all, even the female aspects, will accept common "luxury" items such as rum, sugar, tobacco, candy, or gunpowder.

"Jobu" in that film represents one possible Loa. There are many actual Loa, to my recollection, Jobu is not real. However, different sects (depending on the locale in Africa where the followers originated in Africa before the diaspora, name the various Loa differently, so it may well be accurate.

The ceremonies in the film are truncated and not at all similar to actually rites.

It would be the highest sacrilege to steal an offering, but that is often done anyway. Usually to placate a more powerful Loa. Vodon reflects many polytheistic faiths in that the Loa can be over-ruled, or even tricked by humans. Many Loa won't respect a practitioner that grovels too much.

There is no omnipotent deity beside Gran Met, and he is aloof and unapproachable; hence, the Loa as intermediaries.


Many vodon practitioners are also Christian, they see no contradiction.

In Cuba (and Miami), Santeria is a rough equivalent. Mexico and Central American countries have belief systems that are similar, too, each further flavored by local tradition and indigenous faiths.

[Flaxbee]

8. Thanks for the update, Bertha -- I'm sure Miranda will be just

fine. Cats usually have incredible immune systems - she'll kick that infection out in a few days, especially with all the love and care she's getting from you and the vet.

:hug: She'll be fine. No worries (not too many, anyway).

[ThomCat]

9. My best vibes for Rat Face.

:hug:

That's a whole lot of healing that has to happen, and I bet none of you are going to be happy about it until it's all over. I hope it goes well.

[Bertha Venation]

10. Thank you, ThomCat

I hope you're well today. :hug:

[Arkansas Granny]

11. I'm sure that with all the love and good care you're giving her that everything will be just fine.

Hang in there, Miranda Rat Face.

[Gormy Cuss]

16. I hope the next update about her is a report that she's back to her ole Rat Face self.

Poor kitty.

[Taverner]

19. Hugs and kisses to kitty

[Rob H.]

20. Healing vibes for Miranda

Here's hoping she'll be feeling spunky soon. :hug:

[latebloomer]

21. Healing vibes to Miranda

Hope this round does the trick!

[DeepBlueC]

22. Miranda will pull through

But what about that broken foot. I'm thinking they may not be able to set a cat's foot so will it affect her walking after the bones have knit? Or can they stabilize a kitty foot?

[Bertha Venation]

25. They have a splint on it.

They would've put a cast on it but for the cut. They can take the splint off every couple of days to check on the wound, make sure it's not infected. So far, so good.

She can put a little weight on it, so it must not hurt too badly. But it's bound and splinted very well.

[Kajsa]

23. Good vibes and thoughts going out for Miranda!

Hang in there, Bertha.

I know how we worry about them.

:hug:

[foxfeet]

24. I wish her peace, healing and protection from all harm.

Poor baby.