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Our cat was recently paralyzed following a stupid preventable accident at home where he got spooked, jumped off a couch and landed wrong. Now he’s largely immobile. He can get around in short spurts using his front legs, but his hind legs and tail are limp. This has all occurred within the span of a week. Last Monday, 11/20, he was fine. He developed a slight limp on Tuesday, was clearly worse on Wednesday, and fully paralyzed by Thursday, which was Thanksgiving. Friday was when I returned to the initial vet we saw Wednesday for a follow up who recommended putting him down due to the time and potential cost for care, and we got the second opinion elsewhere within an hour that same day.
So the first vet immediately suggesting putting him down, and the second opinion vet offered more hope and said he might be able to bounce back and recover, but it would take a while. Anywhere from 4-12 weeks before showing any improvement. I’m going to do all I can within our means to save him if it’s possible. But I have concerns surrounding his bathroom needs, and potential pain I may be unaware of. Both offices ruled out “FATE” and neither feel it’s heart disease, heart failure, or a clot. Both feel it’s a slipped disc in his spine.
As a result of all this, he can’t use his litter box himself, and I need to learn how to “express” his urine and other end myself while searching for how we’ll be proceeding with his future care.
He’s been having urine incontinence the last few days, regularly leaking a bit when laying down (he’s always laying down now, but you get the point). I need to know if this is only possible or a thing when his bladder is uncomfortably full, or if it can happen regardless of the contents of his bladder, because I’ve found contrasting opinions. Some sources say it’s only leaking because it’s about to rupture and emergency care is needed, and other sources claim it can leak regardless of how much urine is in his bladder at any given time. It can leak when there’s a little or a lot. I don’t know what to put any stock in. I do know that shortly after expressing urine yesterday, we got a lot out….enough to make us think he must be empty or nearly empty, but shortly after he was still leaking a bit, which makes me think this is just something that we will have to deal with in general even if his bladder isn’t full.
The last thing I want is for it to rupture, and I’m finding removing / expressing his urine to be incredibly difficult. I’ve watched a dozen videos demonstrating it on youtube and read guides with photos featuring hand placement, and it’s just not coming easy or naturally at all. He’s a big boi….a little over 18lbs, so he’s a chonk. That’s making finding his bladder especially difficult.
I was able to successfully get a lot out yesterday, and he hasn’t had any water since. But he has had one of those treats that’s kind of like paste in a push up tube, and a small bowl of wet food. I know cats also develop urine from the liquid from their food.
I’m going to be “expressing” him at least once a day. I’ve been told it should be done up to three times a day, but I’m just not there yet, and he’s so uncomfortable I don’t want to put him through that more than necessary. When he drinks water it’s not all that much, maybe half an inch from a small bowl.
Lastly, I’m curious to know if he’s in more pain than I know or realize. We all know cats are great at hiding and masking pain, but at the same time they still do vocalize when they’re uncomfortable, or in distress. I can pick him up without him yowling or making noise, but he tends to complain the most when picking him up just to move him back onto a towel I’ve been keeping under him due to the incontinence.
I’ve read that when cats are in a fair amount of pain, they lose their appetite and stop drinking. Our guy is still doing both, and seems to enjoy both. He doesn’t randomly vocalize or cry or yowl. He’ll protest a bit when I shift him from spot to spot when changing towels, but that’s all.
Any help / thoughts / guidance / advice would be very much appreciate. And if anyone here can recommend a neurology clinic or hospital or other facility that treats cats without RAPING US FINANCIALLY that would be wonderful, because my God has this been frustrating. These people want upwards of 4k for an MRI. It’s positively unreal.
Thank you.
Hey I have a pet cat named haru who is acting strange lately. She have given birth two days ago to just one litter but she isn’t taking care of it rather than feeding and nursing her 4months kitten keeping them wram. If I moved the litter else where she immediately run and return it to it’s formal place she also try to grab her 4 months kittens to the place where she have given birth and if they don’t go there she run after them. Thank you. Has my cat gone insane
Hello,
I would guess that your cat is trying to tell you something. I would also guess it has something to do with being stressed out about having to take care of so many kittens. Why is she still with her fist litter and having a second? That’s too many mouths to have to worry about.
Do you have any resources available for spaying and neutering? I feel that these domestic pets are often trying to take care of so many babies they cannot relax and just be happy as a pet to keep you company.
** cat who is veracious around feeding time help**
Hello! I have 3 cats that are patients there. I have had 2 cats, Blink and Havoc for about 5 years now. They are biological brothers. They have always shared everything and we never really had any problems with food or their weight.
About 2 months ago, we adopted a blind cat, Gemma who is about a year old. Her foster said that she would free feed her at her house and that she never really had any aggression with food. I’m not sure what happened because once we adopted her and brought her back here, she has became very veracious with her food. Our solution now is to feed her the dry food in a separate room (we feed her according to the package instructions) because if we do not, she will race through eating her food so she can start trying to eat the boys food as well.
With wet food, I monitor them and am constantly shooing her away so the boys can finish their food as she always inhales her food super quickly.
When we separate her, she will cry until we open the door and then she comes running full speed to the food bowl.
I’ve never really seen anything like it! She is so sweet and other than that there really is no issues I’m just looking for advice if there is anything I can do to make feeding time not so chaotic.
I want her to feel secure that she will always be fed but I can’t leave food out because I don’t want my other cats to eat hers.
I guess my question is, is this a behavior that can be changed or do we just work with it the way we are now? She seems to have a lot of anxiety around food and I’m sure being blind doesn’t help so I wasn’t sure what else we can do.
Thank you!
In all seriousness, get her bloodwork done. A cat that crazy about food might have a thyroid or other medical issue.
You’ll probably have to separate to feed for a long while yet. If she starts to calm down about it, maybe you’d be able to try feeding in like…a dog crate, perhaps. In the same room, so she can smell their food. It’s a good test while allowing them the ability to eat their own food peacefully.
You can also try bowls which only open for the right collar. Amazon sells them, but they are NOT cheap: https://www.amazon.com/Sure-Petcare-SureFlap-Selective-Automatic-Stress-Free/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=sr_1_17?crid=O9337BSZVCPE&keywords=cat%2Bautomatic%2Bopen%2Band%2Bclose%2Bbowls&qid=1695900727&sprefix=automatic%2Bopen%2Bcat%2B%2Caps%2C57&sr=8-17&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&th=1
I have those bowls that only open for the right cat. Expensive but so worth it…
One of mine needs to take medication twice a day but doesn’t take treats and both are very slow eaters. So I either had to seperate them the whole day, or she wasn’t getting her medication.
As Laura says, get her checked up and if everything is fine, maybe try feeding her more?
I have learned that kittens and young cats can eat as much as they want, so they can learn that there is always enough food. This way they get calmer with food later on. Also – young cats burn a lot of more energy than older ones. Some can eat more than double the recommended account and still not get fat.
Also maybe feed more wet food. It has more volume than dry food, while having less calories. this way she feels full faster. You can also add a bit of water for more volume. A friend of mine added special food cellulose for more volume for her cat.
Suspected IVDD: my 14 yr old Jack Russell has been experiencing some severe what looks to be muscle spasms. Took her into the vet and was told she may have joint pain or a neurological nerve pain. They sent me home with pain meds gabapentin, anti inflammatory carprofen and vitamin antinol to see if she got better. It was four days and she didn’t really seem to get better.
Then she seemed like she was developing some sort of serve cough. Took her back to the vet and they said she has some bacterial respiratory infection (also took X-rays) but I suspected kennel cough which they could not tell me 100% for sure, so was sent home with antibiotics. She is up on her vaccines and the only place she has been is at the vet because we don’t have any other dogs around us at home and haven’t been taking her for any walks due to her pain.
It’s been 5 days now and the cough is getting better. However, she is having muscle flares up everyday, multiple times a day. She is panting a lot and seems to be in a lot of pain. The meds don’t seem to be helping a whole lot.
She can still walk but is wobbly. Her legs tremble. I can see her legs are very stiff. Her back looks a little raised. She is still going to the bathroom on her own, but is wobbly.
I’ve put some paw grips on her feet since we have tile floors and some more rugs around the house. I’ve also tried to give her messages which she sometimes allowed me but she’s a Jack Russell and they have their own kind of personality.
What should I do? Any advice? I hate seeing her in so much pain.
Hello,
I think it sounds like you are worried and unsure about your pets condition. In cases like this I recommend two things:
1: ask your vet to help clarify and solidify your pets condition. Just explain that you are worried and want to make sure you are doing everything you can.
2. Ask friends and family for help in finding a vet they trust and call them for a second opinion.
I would also ask about more pain management help, like robaxin or even something stronger, and make sure you are following the very strict cage rest guidelines. These guys just stay in a cage to rest for 6-8 weeks. They only go out for bathroom breaks.
Also you can follow dodgers list in facebook. They are helpful.
Good luck.
I’ve switched vets three different times in the last couple of years. Every time I go to the vet there is just really no real solution given other than meds and then come out with a minimum $300-500 or more bill. Tests look normal and basically just have to deal with the problem on my own. To me there are not many vets that are really trying to help or maybe they can’t help. (Have not done an MRI yet, it’s so expensive).
My dog also has a very stubborn personality. She wants to do what she wants to do. She doesn’t do well with crating. She can be aggressive at times and want to bite. Regardless of her pain, she wants to walk around and “be nosey.” She has to know what’s going on and what we are doing. She has to be around us at all times. I feel like I have to be stationary in order for her to relax. She only eats on her time and if she likes the food (changed food so many times due to refusing to eat). It gets hard with giving her meds when she’s so picky.
She is currently on Methocarbamol muscle relaxer and seems to help only for a couple of hours if that.
I’ve been trying to switch her from carprofen to prednisolone but vet said there should be a 3 day wash out period. I feel like I just can’t wait 3 days with her in so much pain without having an anti inflammatory.
I am lost and cry for her everyday.
My dog actually had a seizure tonight, so we took her to the emergency room. After some tests, it looks like she has low calcium which may have caused the seizure and the leg tremors and muscle spasms. The ER vet doesn’t think her symptoms are associated with IVDD. We are keeping her overnight at the ER while they are administering calcium. She is to be transferred to internal medicine tomorrow to find out the cause or more information. Any thoughts/advice?
What are signs of IVDD recovery in dogs?
My 13yr female beagle is 6wks from her injury and can now walk with rear sling support, but is still very wobbly with her rear right leg. What I don’t know is how to tell if there’s reason to believe she will walk on her own again or if this is the best she’ll be.
About seventeen days ago,our cat was bitten by another cat,she wasn’t treating as the same so we brought her to visit doctor the next day,
She had fever and had stopped eating,
They started antibiotics,we had vaccinated her about two months ago,so they decided that vaccination is not necessary,
After seven days she started to get worse,
And now we found an abscess in her waist,so they drained it and start another antibiotics and started cleaning the abscess with iodide and h2o2 3 percent,
She seemed to be better after two days,but stopped and again started getting worse so she doesn’t eat and hides from us ,we saw that while cleaning and washing the abscess area under the skin, is getting bigger,an right now after 10 days she is getting worse and worse,can you please give us some directions,please help her,she is in a very dangerous situation and our vet don’t know what to do،
Hello,
It sounds like a more aggressive approach might be warranted. I would ask the vet to consider doing blood work, culture the wound to look for the best antibiotic and hospitalization with iv fluids.
That would be my plan if this were my patient.
Best of luck.
Krista
Please respond fast I am not sure how long he hasMy cat pepper is a 2 and half year old male nurtured cat I am a 13 year old that tries his best to take care of him recently found out about his uti and don’t know what to do took him to a vet where we’re giving a bill of 500 dollars and pain killers for the cat we could also let him stay at the vet for 3k but our family can’t afford that and I don’t know how to help me cat if I ever loose him I will not be able to handle it
I’m so sorry to hear about your cat.
I’m not sure what your cat needs now? Please clarify your question.
Hi, where are you located? My cat has something wrong with her esophagus, I was told by the vet after I did (X-rays, blood work, urine exam and it was like $1000.00) that I have to go to a specialist and they said they need to put a camera to see what it is and that alone cost $2200.(they said that would be just to look at what is going on and does not include treatment.) I cannot afford it because I live alone. I have two cats and I’m just doing my best, (I just moved as a single young woman by myself with my 2 cats to a new state and just trying my best) if I had the money I would’ve definitely done it right now.
The vet gave me some thing to coat her esophagus(SUCRALFATE) to try to help but I don’t see a difference(she licks her food and coughs & it discourages her from eating but I know she wants to eat) and I don’t know what else to do. I feel so very helpless, I was wondering where you are located, maybe I can get her help,she really needs help right now. Her name is Penelope and I love her.
My email is sheenar2265@gmail.com
Hello,
I do not have an endoscope. These are typically only found at a specialty office.
Has your vet taken an X-ray? At my clinic we sue them and forward them to a radiologist. They are often able to give a diagnosis.
We are in northern Maryland. Jarrettsville Veterinary Center
Babybear had his 2nd blockage which now the cost is 1,600 I live in Vero beach Florida and these vets are notorious for charging you as much as they can .
Unfortunately it’s gotten me to the point of having to make A difficult decision you see? I adopted baby bear from the pound and I had no idea that male cats were prone. To this urinary blockage.
I only make a little bit of money and if I don’t find Somebody that can treat him for a fair amount of Money. I will have to give him up when I first brought him in. It was 8 o’clock at night and they took a minute and they charge me. I think the first cost was like, almost $300. Just to look at, um, no, no, give me some pills and sent me home. Then at 12 midnight, he just. Started laboring and I had to bring him back. And that was another $600. Which day just put a calendar in relieved to urine? And set me home with some more pain. Medicine and an anti inflammator a month later, it happened again. And I took them to my vet. Thinking that it was going to be a lot more reasonable. Well, that’s not the case at the end of the day. She took a minute, she. You know how to know how to add it to? She, I guess relieved Tim and then church me. I think it was 760 dolland the only medication she gave me was antibiotics which I had to pay for on top of that this has become a real heartbreaking situation. I need help, I need a good vet. I live in Vero Beach, Florida. Help me, I’m baby bear.
Hello,
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. Unfortunately, once a kitty has a blockage, we typically see it reoccur in some cases. I would highly suggest that you talk to your vet about a PU surgery (Perineal urethrostomy). It is a surgical method for alleviating a urethral obstruction. We also always recommend switching your cat to a veterinary recommended Urinary diet for the rest of your kitty friends life.
Hope this helps some!
To add to my original response, I would talk to your vet about fluids and pain meds to do at home. Also, if your kitty will eat wet food, We highly suggest it over dry.
have him on science diet dry he will not eat wet food got him back after they unblocked him could not afford 2days for iv they want to charge me 2000$ to 3000 for that I paid 800$ first time it happened and 760$ this time he’s on antibiotics for 15 days and gabapentin at night I live in southeast Florida I cannot find anyone that is not out of control with cost either I fly to you for PU I know you in jerettville MD I called your office yesterday to see if can set up a consultation over the phone please I love him I don’t want take him back to rescue I work at CVS low income but I will spend my savings to get this done .
When I found you on utube I was relieved somebody arm and leg and compassion please call I work mon I’m off today and tomorrow anytime mon before 1pm hopefully he will not block again.
He’s a sweet boy
I have never had a male when I rescued him if I were to know a out this problem .
Please help I don’t want to take him back.
Hello,
Your cat and this issue are not uncommon. I hear about cases like yours all the time.
As we try to figure out a plan for you and your kitty I will need your help in providing as much information as possible on what was done, where and how much it cost.
There is a storyline section where all of this can be added. My hope is to find a way to help everyone in your predicament. And I cannot possibly do every cat and every pu surgery.
So let’s start with the immediate. Your cat needs fluids. And we need to try to figure out how to get your cat off dry food. You can do rhis by gradually adding wet food under or around dry food. And if you are struggling with getting wet food in go to a prescription urinary diet.
Also ask your vet (and you really need a good vet) to show you how to give sq fluids at home. I have my cleints do it daily for days or weeks. The hope is that we flush the bladder with them.
I also lean heavily on pain meds. Ask your vet about gabapentin or buprinex. I use Pred for weeks.
Ask for help on social media to find someone locally who can do a pu surgery affordably. You can try the vet school also.
When I started out I had clients go through the rescue so I was doing the surgery for the rescue and not the client. It allowed me to cut costs and get these cats treated with minimal liability and expense.
My point is that I don’t give up. I hope you don’t either. I will help but we have to figure this out for cats everywhere.
Krista
Hello,
I’m sorry to hear about your kitty. I really feel like this is best managed by trying to find someone locally who can help you monitor the size of your cats bladder and show you how to safely empty it. Also I think it is helpful to provide a place where he can rest to see if the injury improves. Have you asked your vet if they know of someone who has experience with this? Or reach out on social media or through a local rescue.
I hope he is feeling better soon Good luck.