Cat watch: Day 3

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Very little change. Had a slight moment of hope this morning when cat tried to lift it's back leg to scratch ears but hasn't done it since. Still fights getting the medicine (liquid in a syringe so if anyone has any idea how to do this better PLEASE HELP). She did go to the bathroom... she pooped in my bed (I'm not mad) and she's peed on herself a few times. I am going to get baby wipes because I can't keep on giving her a bath. I don't think she has any feeling in her hind quarters, didn't even protest to getting wet.

I feel this is cruel to her. I don't know what I'm going to do if I don't see improvement in a week. She is feisty and purrs and stuff, but it must be so frustrating for her to be trapped. She can drag herself, but can't jump or get over the lowest of obstacles in her way. She pees on herself and doesn't have the ability to use the litter box. This is by far the hardest most gut wrenching decision of my life. She's there, but she has no quality of life. I'm praying for improvement, but how long do I keep the cat paralyzed. There are no signs of trauma, no diabities. It's just her brain decided not to use her back legs. I can't fix it. I feel worthless. I am at the end of myself.

I did write some today. But it's a token effort.

Signed... terrified in Tampa.

Comments

stroke

Sound like your cat had a stroke which could cause paralysis and from what I read is treatable. steroids is one of the treatments for it.

Hugs,
Jenna From FL
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Cats and Dogs

Can and do recover from strokes because there brains are less specialized in sections There is a good chance if it was a stroke her brain can rewire its self around the damaged area.
If it is nerve damage to the legs there is the possibility to build a trailing type of wheel chair that supports the rear legs, and allow the front legs to propel the fur baby forward. I have seen this used on small dogs.

With those with open eyes the world reads like a book

celtgirl_0.gif

I had something similar happen to my favorite kitty.

Katie, you are not useless. It is hard for us to watch helplessly when our babies hurt, but we are only human. We can't perform miracles, though we can certainly pray for them.

If she's still purring and still has some feistiness about her, her quality of life isn't shot. We all have to take the good times with the bad -- whether we have fur or not. From what you are describing, it sounds like she wants to keep going.

If it is a stroke, it should resolve itself at least somewhat. My cat started to get better for a while. I would probably still have her if she had decided to stay inside.

For the medicine, try mixing a little bit in with some hamburger. If the medicine isn't too obnoxious tasting, she'll gulp it dow. If it works with a little bit, go ahead and give her the whole dose.

Your cat is just trying to keep all 9 lives.

So she's not healed immediately, but has all of nine lives intact.
On a serious note. There are lots of things cat can do to cause injury. Sometimes injury does not manifest itself for years.
Also try to get second opinion and don't rush into things. Check the vet before visiting - some are very good and professional, but just hate cats.
And from my life: when my cat was 12 she got ill and we brought her to the vet clinic. We were told that she has not more than a week to live and vets offered to put her to sleep or perform surgery with little hope for success. We refused that "kind" offer and decided to let her live whatever left in peace.
And we were extremely sad when she died ... 6+ years later just before her 19-th birthday.
Best wishes to your cat and you!

Not sure the baby wipes are a good idea

Or at least rinse her off with a damp paper or cloth towel after.

Many baby wipes have mineral oil or other moisturizers in them that if you cat were to like might not be good for her.

I understand wanting to sanitize her fur. But I would remove any residue the wipe leaves.

So sorry.

BTW is the medicine flavored?

Our 18 plus year old girl cat gets a special exteamly diluted asprin solution via a tiny syringe once every three days to prevent strokes.

It is chicken flavored and she has never spit it out..

Or can the medicine be given with food? If so the old trick of soaking her favoite treats in it would work.

Also if you cuddle with her. Brush her or whatever she likes that makes her relax? Then she may be more receptive to the medicine.

Hell we've had to give pills to several cats and it can be done usually. Just need to figure out the trick that works for the particular cat.

John in Wauwatosa

P.S, I assume she has been x-rayed so the possioblity of a badly pinched/brused/broken spine has been ruled out.

John in Wauwatosa

Please take your precious

kitty to the vet. I know how you feel about her. I have been the companion of many pets that have blessed me. Now, they are up in Heaven, waiting for me.

    Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine