The vet just called and said Bandit is out of surgery and she's already up
and walking around the cage (and swiping at everyone who comes to check on
her).  She also said she found another area of burn on her shoulder and
removed that as well as the burn on her back.  The belly wound was healed
enough for her to take out all those stainless steel stitches (which were
due to come out next Wednesday, so she healed quicker than expected).
Because of where the new wounds were, on the back and shoulder, she was able
to use subQ stitches except for 3 outside stitches where the vet wanted some
extra strength at a "pull point" in the skin.  She said that she might not
even have to wear the e-collar unless I'm going to be out of the house for a
while.

The vet also checked Bandit's BUN again and it's 24.9, so that's *VERY*
good.  She said that Bandit's red blood cell count is a bit low, but that's
to be expected since every time she takes off skin Bandit loses some blood
and at her age she doesn't replace it as quickly as a younger cat would.
Bandit will just have to have lots of goodies to build her strength up
again.  ;>  I was also concerned that Bandit had not had a bowel movement,
so the vet checked that too and said it wasn't impacted so she didn't need
an enema, just some lactone in her treats.

I asked the vet about reporting the defective heating "bags" and she said
yes, she reported it to the surgeon who recommended it, the manufacturer,
the FDA, and all the vet internet boards that's she's on.  She also told me
that they had another case like Bandit's about a week afterwards (but before
I found Bandit's burn so they did not yet know about the bags).  So she's
really "hot" on the issue of these bags.  I even felt a bit bad for the vet
because when she was on the phone she said, "You know, we try to find the
best procedures to treat our patients and give them the best possible care.
We want to help cats with all the knowledge and latest technology available,
and when that ends up hurting a patient that makes my stomach tie up in
knots."  I could tell she was sincere, not just trying to placate me.  She
really cares about cats and she feels terrible that Bandit got hurt.  I hate
that it had to happen to my baby, but things like this happen and at least,
so far, Bandit is recovering from her ordeal.

So, I'm going to pick up my baby in 3 1/2 hours and she'll continue to be
spoiled rotten.  She won't have to have any more hydrotherapy, and she'll
only need one more dose of antibiotics, so that will make her happy.  She
still has pain medicine left for the next few days so I'll be able to keep
her comfortable.

Thank you for all the purrs and good wishes, I really appreciate your
support through this trying time.

--
Hugs,

CatNipped
http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/