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FRANKIE WEISS AND HER MAGIC by Daniel M Weiss
Gingivitis Rears It’s Ugly Head Frankie and Johnnie were now about one and a half years old. During that time, never was their health a concern, until one day, noticing Frankie would only take a half-hearted nibble at her usual food, I put it off as a normal aspect of a felines feeding habit. Sometimes, disregarding a food they enjoyed devouring in the past. But this went on for a number of days; she’d smell and walk away from her food tray. She was not eating. Her flanks showed a loss of weight. I was worried, what is wrong with this cat that looms so large in my daily thoughts and life? This was not a good happening! Calling Dr. Rothberg, I made an appointment for that afternoon. The pet carrier came out of the closet, Frankie went right inside and she regarded this carrier as a second home. Johnnie would run away and hide at its appearance. Johnnie deplored going to the Marlton Animal Hospital for her health checkups. Arriving at the Hospital, neither Frankie nor I were prepared for the diagnosis. We went into the examination room, opening the pet carrier Frankie would not leave, I helped take her out onto the steel examination table. Dr. Rothberg gently opened Frankie’s mouth, to her trained eye, the cause was apparent. The gums had a flaming reddish colour, an unforgiving indication of Gingivitis. She was afflicted with this curse. This is a disease common to both human and animal. It could be inherited, just as many other life-altering illnesses are. My Frankie as beautiful and blessed she is and was could lose her life. This was not an illness to take lightly. Many cat keepers would put a cat down, rather than spend the money necessary to arrest this inherited genetic disease. For me, there was no option. Frankie was part of my life. Two years prior, I lost my wife of thirty-nine years, now; I did not want to go through another tragedy in losing Frankie. Money had no value in my thoughts; Frankie and her survival came first. A call was immediately placed to an animal Dental Specialist in Bricktown, New Jersey. We made an appointment for the next morning to verify the diagnosis. Frankie and her Mr. Mom spent a sorry night, she not eating and I was not sleeping, if at all, fitfully. The “ring” of the word Specialist meant big bucks. However, to me, my beautiful and loving Frankie was priceless. The next morning, we drove to Bricktown, New Jersey, 65 miles from our home. Never did I dream what the future would hold for this feline so dear to my heart. The two of us were doomed to go through a lot of torment and suffering. If Frankie hurt, her Mr. Mom hurt right along with her. I cannot speak for Johnnie; she may not have understood what was taking place. Frankie was immediately taken into the examination room, I was told to wait in the reception area. Upon examination the diagnosis was confirmed. My poor dear Frankie had a serious case of Gingivitis. It would cost anywhere between $350.00 and $850.00, depending on the blood work, X-rays and other various tests to determine the best procedure in removing all the affected teeth and gum treatment. Frankie’s health was excellent otherwise. I had not driven 65 miles just to hear the bad news; I told Dr. Fiorito to go ahead, to do what was best in this case. I felt sick and hurt for Frankie knowing the trauma she was to undergo. The procedure would take a few hours. Hours that would find me on pins and needles and anxious to know that my beautiful Calico had survived this unexpected and torturous ordeal. Time weighed heavily on my hands, while having a few cups of coffee; in trying to read magazines, comprehending the printed word was difficult. I was in no mood to read things that meant nothing to me. Frankie, her surgery and future health were foremost in my mind. Finally, two hours and ten minutes later Dr. Fiorito came out to speak to me. Frankie, like the true champion I think she is, came through her surgery in great style. Seven teeth were removed, some gum suturing and she was resting comfortably as the anaesthesia wore off. Dr. Fiorito told me the attendant would take me in to see Frankie in a little while. The doctor gave me instructions and a number of prescriptions were written for tablets that had to be crushed and mixed with her food. Finally, the attendant came to take me into the operating room to see my little Calico. As I entered, Frankie looked up at me, surprisingly, she did not look any the worse for what she had gone through the past few hours. Nearing the table I tried to touch her head, she started licking my extended fingers. My heart felt good; I knew whatever the cost, it was worth it. My beautiful little feline, even with what she had just gone through showed her love for me. I was given a bill for some $708 and change. It was dated 11/10/98. More than the money, she’d be Frankie, once again. The cat I learned to love and who changed my lonely life, as a widower, was ready to go back to her home, minus seven teeth and with suturing in her gums Putting the pet carrier on the table, Frankie willingly went right inside; could it be this little Calico knew her ordeal was over and she was going home? Frankie, in the carrier, sat quietly as I talked to her in a soothing voice on the drive home. Every so often, I put my finger through the carrier openings and Frankie would raise her pretty head and lick my finger. Arriving home, I opened the carrier door, Frankie came out, quickly looked at Johnnie who greeted us as we entered and went into the kitchen to her food tray. Poor dear, though she had gone through such a traumatic episode only a few hours earlier the pangs of hunger took over and she ate a little from her food tray. Don’t cats know they are supposed to hurt? I marvelled at her need for food. What human would want to eat after undergoing such an involved surgical procedure? Felines, I can only assume are more tolerant of pain than us mere mortals. After all, millions of years taught them survival skills humans do not possess. I dread to think what would have become of Frankie had she not undergone the treatment for Gingivitis. Happily, we were home and past the ordeal of having her affected teeth removed. A few months later, taking Frankie in for a health check-up, Dr. Rothberg gave me the good news that Frankie had regained her lost weight. I now thought we’d be family living happily ever after. This was not to be. To read the next chapter of Frankie Weiss and her Magic please click here: |
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