BC
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At anchor Bahia Cumberland, Robinson Crusoe Island I have spent most of the day on board to keep an eye on BC and to await news
via email from BC’s veterinarian back in the US. We have him on some antibiotics
but Dr Reed clearly saw the need for an SQ drip. I had nothing suitable on board
so later in the day went ashore for a leg stretch and to see what assistance I
might find. I went to the post office to obtain a map of the island and as the
post master spoke reasonable English I explained my problem to him and asked him
whether there was a vet or someone else who might be able to help. He said there
was no vet on the island but I could go to the hospital with him, and then
grabbed hold of a tall young fellow walking past who spoke excellent English. He
explained my story to him. The young man's name was Allen, I later found out he
runs a diving team and is in charge of cleaning up the bay. (I will write more
of his activities another time. He very kindly took me up to the hospital where
we spoke with the nurse who agreed to have a look at Bob Cat to see if she could
give him an I.V. drip. Allen than walked back to where the dinghy was drawn up
on the stony beach with me and waited there while I went to fetch BC. With BC
ensconced placidly in his carry basket I rowed him ashore and Allen and I walked
back to the hospital where the nurse, Daniela, took him into her consulting
room. We laid him on her couch and she attempted to place a needle into a vein
into one of his forelegs, but not being an animal nurse was unsuccessful. She
tried three needles and both fore legs, while Allen held BC steady, shaved his
leg when needed and generally kept him calm. Daniela then tried to get BC to
drink some of the saline solution with the help of a syringe. But it became
increasingly clear to me that we were not really getting anywhere and were only
making BC, and me for that matter, very uncomfortable. I intervened and said
that I really think we need to let old BC go. Daniela was very understanding and
very kindly gave me some I.V. solution and a couple of syringes to take back to
the boat to see if I could get BC to drink some fluids. I have given him a
little already but really feel I am just dragging things out. I am so very sad
to see this beautiful old cat fading away. Peace my friend. All is well. Bob Cat: …. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Alexander Selkirk was landed on Isla Robinson Crusoe in 1705 and lived alone for 4 years before being rescued. Daniel Defoe based his classical story Robinson Crusoe on this episode. |