Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Lolarag on December 16, 2013, 15:51:05 PM
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Hello everyone,
I posted a few days ago about my cat Ragdoll who went missing. Well, she turned up Sunday in a very bad way - she'd been hit by a car. I rushed her to the vets and have been told that her jaw is broken, and although her pelvis box isn't broken, it still needs surgery. The biggest issue though is that she has suffered some nerve damage (she may have to have her tail amputated too) which is making her unable to urinate or poo on her own. I know it's a matter of giving it time but I just wanted to hear if anyone else had had a similar experience and whether the nerves eventually healed? I'm so worried about her, she's not even 2 years old. I want to give her every chance, if it was only the jaw and pelvis that were the problem it wouldn't be such a big thing (well it would) but they can be repaired. The good news is she is eating now, but I just need to know what are the odds of her ever getting better?
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I'm sorry to hear she has come back in such a bad way - I've no experience of this, has the vet given any indication of what you can expect?
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Oh what an awful thing to happen. :hug:
I don't have any similar experience I'm afraid, but do send you and Ragdoll my best wishes. Someone will be along any minute with some real advice.
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They can't really say for sure - it could heal and it might not. I just wonder what the success rate is, and what the best medication to give her is
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http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,26607.msg466641.html#msg466641
not sure if that helps??
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Oh hun I'm so pleased to hear your baby is back home .... but sorry to hear she has been involved in an RTA :(
I can't offer any advice I'm afraid (sadly my only experience of cats and cars did not have a good outcome and my baby never returned home :()
All I can say is cats are amazing healers .... as long as you are able to I would put off making any decisions and allow her time to recover. You may well find that once the sweling/bruising has gone down things will look brighter. :hug:
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Dawn, that is quite helpful, thank you - although I'm not sure which of those categories Ragdoll would fit under. What I don't understand too is why they won't operate on her pelvis before she starts urinating etc for herself - surely that would probably help things?
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I am so sorry that Ragdoll has been hurt like this and hope that the nerves are only temporarly hurt. :hug: :hug:
Is she at the vets being loked after?
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She is Gill, yes, but I've had a bit of an issue with my vets... They won't let me pay in instalments and I really can't afford that sort of money up front, so I've arranged to bring her to another vet tomorrow morning that will let me pay in instalments. It's very worrying, I wish I had a pot of gold. I just want her to get better.
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I think a second opinion is an excellent idea, not least because you may find there are alternative treatments for her pelvic injury than just surgery.
I have particular issues with one chain of vets whom I believe to be unethical in the way they work and charge, so do your homework and find a vet who is honest and recommended (I suggest you ask your local cat rescue for a recommendation here!) otherwise I know we have some members in the Brum area who would I'm sure be happy to recommend a good vet to you.
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Yes we have others in the brum area but if you have found a vet that will let you pay in installments thats is good.
My gut feeling says that if they will they know that they will have to be commited to you for some time so cannot afford to give bad care............hope they are also 24/7 vets with the appropriate night staff because a seriously ill cat needs to be stable in one place and not moved from pillar to post.
sending loads of good wishes for ragdoll :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
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We had a feral who was hit by a car and sustained damage to his tail and pelvis and had issues with number 1 and number 2 issues and he had his tail amputated and was on cage rest for 6 weeks in a large dog crate, if the cat is used to going out we got our vets to use compost in the litter box and this helped him go to the grit box not something he was used to
We also had another boy rebuilt with a full metal fixator set on the outside and he to used compost he has been left with a slight limp he was on cage rest for 12 weeks
It in our experience takes them about 3 days to go in the vets so to speak as they are out of their comfort zone and I know any of ours have done better after surgery at home and we adhere to the vets requests with strict cage rest and drugs required - the feral was diabetic so we had to manage that as well as cage rest for a very grumpy feral
good luck my 2 Raggies are laid back and this should help the healing and treatment process - my 2 are indoor/outdoor as well due to our rural location
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How awful for your Raggie to have turned up with such bad injuries! I do hope that recovery is quick and total. :hug: :hug:
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Thanks for all the replies everyone. I believe I'm with a reliable vet now, as I was recommended by a friend who has 12 cats (!) so she uses this vet a lot. I got a call from my vet not long and he sounded a lot more positive, saying she is eating now and is responding better to different pain relief (more perky, etc) The vets I'm taking her to is in Leicester but my vet is happy for her to travel and says she won't be in any discomfort.
Liz, am I right in assuming that those cats mentioned recovered their number 1 & 2 issues? If so, that's very encouraging!
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Yes both did and puppy training pads lining any cage for the cage rest are a godsend
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I too recommend puppy training pads, Ducha was on cage rest for about 6 weeks and I tried all sorts first with failure.
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Gill, did Ducha have problems with her bowel and bladder too?
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I wonder if anyone could give me advice regarding if I do get to bring her home and have to manually relieve her. I've got a general idea of how you relieve the bladder but how do you relieve the bowel? And when do you ever get the opportunity to see if your cat can do it by herself if you're always doing it for her? Any advice would be really appreciated - the vet I'm sending her to received Ragdoll's notes and x-rays from my current vote and according to my friend there's a high possibility that the vet will advise cage rest and manually relieving her.
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Its good you're thinking through these questions before you see the new vet. Now write them down on a pad and stick it in your handbag, ready to present them to the vet tomorrow.
He will answer them all, demonstrate exactly what to do and how often, and you can write the answers down on you pad so you miss nothing.
Meanwhile, keep another pad by your bedside so you can write down anything that occurs to you in the night, and hopefully you will sleep instead of worrying you'll forget by morning.
People here will know the answers to your questions, but isn't it better to let the vet lead your actions? Once you have a proper diagnosis, and you can talk to the professional instead of pre-judging what you may or may not need to do. Otherwise you're trying to second guess too many variables, and will just end up worrying yourself sick.
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I took her to the new vets today and she thought the situation was quite bad - She suggested we wait until Friday where I can either take her home or will have to put her to sleep.
I think it's honestly too soon for my vet to be writing her off - nerve damage takes a long time to heal and I want to give her a chance. Apparently she has no anal tone and according to some website she has a 50/50 chance of recovering after a 6 month period. She doesn't need an operation on her pelvis and requires cage rest only, her jaw is fractured and will need surgery eventually however I think they will put a wire in it for now. I found out that actually she hasn't eaten anything herself but she's been very eager to - seems like her jaw is just making it too difficult, so hopefully when they put the wire in she will be eating by herself. My previous vet is convinced that she will start eating when they put a wire in, and he thinks it will benefit her to come home, and he's heard of cats in her shape recovering so he was very encouraging.
My question more than anything is: after the 6 month period, if she doesn't regain her bladder and bowel faculties, but is still happy, should I still put her to sleep? Will it really give her a poor quality of life if she cannot do these functions herself.
It's such a tough situation and I pray that she will get better. Has anybody had a cat that has had such a poor prognosis and similar issues with bladder and bowel recovering? I really need to hear some encouraging news. She is so young, and was such a happy cat with a wonderful temperament before the accident. She also so pleased to see us today - I think it would really benefit her to come home. It will be so, so cruel and unfair if she can't recover from this. :(
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I took her to the new vets today and she thought the situation was quite bad - She suggested we wait until Friday where I can either take her home or will have to put her to sleep.
I think it's honestly too soon for my vet to be writing her off - nerve damage takes a long time to heal and I want to give her a chance. Apparently she has no anal tone and according to some website she has a 50/50 chance of recovering after a 6 month period. She doesn't need an operation on her pelvis and requires cage rest only, her jaw is fractured and will need surgery eventually however I think they will put a wire in it for now. I found out that actually she hasn't eaten anything herself but she's been very eager to - seems like her jaw is just making it too difficult, so hopefully when they put the wire in she will be eating by herself. My previous vet is convinced that she will start eating when they put a wire in, and he thinks it will benefit her to come home, and he's heard of cats in her shape recovering so he was very encouraging.
My question more than anything is: after the 6 month period, if she doesn't regain her bladder and bowel faculties, but is still happy, should I still put her to sleep? Will it really give her a poor quality of life if she cannot do these functions herself.
It's such a tough situation and I pray that she will get better. Has anybody had a cat that has had such a poor prognosis and similar issues with bladder and bowel recovering? I really need to hear some encouraging news. She is so young, and was such a happy cat with a wonderful temperament before the accident. She also so pleased to see us today - I think it would really benefit her to come home. It will be so, so cruel and unfair if she can't recover from this. :(
Oh hun .... only you will be able to answer the question of when is enough enough! You know you will make the right decision when and if it becomes necessary. For now I would take the advice of both vets and use the information to make your own informed choices. :hug:
One of our other members has recently been through some very tough times with one of her babies ... not the same condition but there were still times when she was considering the chance that she may have to make difficult decisions.
Remember we are all here for you :Luv2:
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Its about quality of life. If she hates being squeezed, washed and wiped, then life will be awful for her. If she's tolerant of this and you can commit to the three-four times daily (and nightly) routine of evacuating her, then you can do this and hope she improves.
I agree its too early to be "writing her off" but your vet is actually trying to make you realise that there may be no choice ultimately, and needs you to be aware that this is serious enough to weigh the balances very carefully.
I hope and pray she improves, and you get your lovely Ragdoll back, but please do consider the suffering she may be hiding. :'( :hug: :hug:
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If her pain can be stabilised then I want to give her as long as possible and treat her at home if I can. She's even started walking around at the vets the naughty girl!!
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They need to sort out her jaw asap so she can eat and pain manage her, I think walking around is very good sign. :hug:
There is a disabled cat now living in scotland who lost the use of both back legs.....help me someone with name please..........it was a cat on Cat Chat but we raised money for wheels for him because he could only pull himself along the ground
He had the most brilliant carer and eventually was adopted and went to live in Scotland .
He even has a fb page and never recovered the use of the back half of his body and his tail was not amputed. Indoors he used to where something like pampers with a hole cut out for his tail.
It must be about 5 years ago now.
When name is descovered there are long threads about him with pics, gorgeous cat.
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Cats name was Mikey of the Glen
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Awwww that's amazing! That's why I'm trying to stay positive - because it seems like there's so many 'miracle' stories involving cats. They're such strong creatures. I just spoke to the receptionist and apparently Ragdoll cleared a lot of food last night, WITHOUT having her jaw wired ;D ;D ;D I'm trying not to get too excited because I know she's not out of the woods yet but it seems like she's really trying to help herself. All I need now is for her to do a wee or poo by herself and I'll be absolutely over the moon! I'm so proud of my baby and how far she's come already! The vet is going to phone me later to talk to me but fingers crossed it's all looking good for her coming home!
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Cats name was Mikey of the Glen
Thank you Liz, he was just Mikey back then but became of the glen when he was adpted and thats the name of his fb page ;D
hope its good news from the vet :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Ragdoll update: The vet has informed me that she has regained some anal tone, she's been taken off a drip and is eating independently, and is generally showing a lot more positive signs. I hope the improvement in anal tone is a sign of things to come. The vet is advising that we take her home either Friday or Saturday now, she said it would be a shame to give up on her now considering she's responding so well. It's a big change of tune considering she told me yesterday that there really wasn't much hope.
What do people think? Should I get my hopes up?
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Yessssssssssssssssssss and she will feel so much better with you if you are not stressed :hug: :hug:
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That sounds, cautiously, optimistic! C'mon RagDoll, you can do it!
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I just want to throw caution to the wind and get happy but I know I can't!!! There's still a long way to go!
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There is a long way to go and what are they doing about her jaw?
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When I was 16 I had a cat that was hit by a car. He was badly injured and had brain damage. The vets said there wasn't much more they could do for him and suggested I take him home. Anyway it took hours of work for me, he was walking around in circles and didn't know where he was. He just knew my voice and always headed to me when I called. He never completely recovered but did have a good standard of life and lived till he was 16. I really think getting them home asap is important, they can feel relaxed in their own home to heal.
Good luck :hug:
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Good news! The vet called this morning and said she'd done a little poo! And she's been scratching and squatting in her litter tray! The nurse was encouraged I think as she wanted to phone the other nurses and vets that weren't there that day. A friend of mine was in the vets this morning too and apparently the news was the talk of the waiting room! They said she seems content and always wants fuss. She hasn't weed yet but they did say her bladder wasn't full, so they're just waiting to see if she will go by herself. I'm not sure what they're doing with her jaw yet - I know it will need to be operated on eventually but if she's eating well then it's not an emergency I don't think, though I might ask if they will wire her jaw before she comes home. She seems to be improving everyday so I just hope it carries on!
Mymblesdaughter - sounds like you did a fantastic job with him and he still had a good life :)
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Am so sorry to hear of your gorgeous girl's accident. It does look a lot more positive from the latest update, and am hoping once she's home with you, she'll begin to recover more rapidly and make good, steady progress.
Aw, little Mikey was inspirational. What a beautiful, courageous and good-natured little lad. Adding my positive good wishes for your baby's recovery too. :hug: :hug: :hug:
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All thisw is such good news and keep being positive :hug: :hug:
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Popping in to send big hugs to you both this morning and that today will bring even more improvement. :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Really hoping she continues to make good progress :hug: :hug:
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best of luck for your news today
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Fingers crossed Ragdoll continues to improve :hug:
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Good news again! She did a wee last night (albeit a little wee) but a wee nonetheless! She is having her tail amputated today and then coming home later on! Is this a sign that she will most likely make a full recovery???
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Why is her tail being amputated?
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Oh bless her ... I thought now she was weeig and pooing they wouldn't need to ampute her tail. I assume her tail is actually broken then?
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Yes - her tail is completely broken and she can't feel it so it will just be a hindrance to her dragging it along the floor.
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Thats the right decision then, very sad but she will do well just like Marys Bonnie :hug: :hug:
The op may cause a brief set back with her toiletting probs as anesthetics do this, so dont worry :hug: :hug:
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Yes I am prepared for that. I think she'll look quite cute without a tail! My little sister is devastated though, bless her. It makes me wonder though, if she's recovering her bowel and bladder so quickly, does she really have nerve damage? It seems to be healing very fast if it is.
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If she is weeing and pooing then I would say she probably doesn't have nerve damage and it was just swelling/bruising. I know you probably don't think so at the moment but she was very lucky to have got away with just a broken jaw and tail ... when it's a collision between cats and cars sadly cats don't usually come off so lightly.
Sending lots and lots of get well soon vibes from me and loads of gently headbutts from my furry purries xx
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my friends cat was hit by a car about 5 years ago, and broke his pelvis and damaged nerves, they ended up amputating his tail to see if it would help his bladder/bowel control but it didn't. He is still alive and well, doesn't need evacuating, but when he needs to wee, it just dribbles out and leaves a little trail same with number 2's, they just pop out as and when he needs to go! :naughty: but he is well in himself and has a good quality of life. Hope your Ragdoll gets home soon, seems like she is doing very well :)
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Thanks for all the replies everyone!
Ragdoll came home last night - the vet didn't tell us how to express because she assumed that she would wee by this morning, and if she didn't we were to take her to a vet more local to us. Well, she hasn't wee'd or pooed :( She's been squatting and scratching in her litter tray a lot but still nothing. She's eating really well (wet food), has drank a little, and in general seems perkier than even before the accident. I have a feeling she might be constipated, but does anyone know why she hasn't wee'd yet? Is it possible she might not even need to go yet? The vet expressed her at about 1 yesterday when she had the operation and by the time we picked her up at about 6 on the evening she still had nothing in her bladder. Is it a good sign that she's scratching and squatting in the litter tray? She's booked in to the vets for an hours time but I just wanted to see what people's opinions on here were.
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the scratching and squatting must mean she feels the urge to go, so that must mean the nerves are connected OK - if she can't go there must be some other kind of damage there, but - and I say this without any experience of such things - motor damage is surely better than nerve damage
good luck at the vets - it sounds as if there is plenty of hope she will make a full recovery in time
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They said she'd urinated and defecated at the vets... So I don't know what's up with her now unless it's an adverse effect caused by the op?
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Thats the right decision then, very sad but she will do well just like Marys Bonnie :hug: :hug:
The op may cause a brief set back with her toiletting probs as anesthetics do this, so dont worry :hug: :hug:
I did warn you, some times it can take 2-3 days for them to use their trays again
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I know Gill, it's just that the vet said the operation shouldn't really effect her in that way. I took her to my local vets earlier and they seem to think she's still in quite a lot of pain and she seems a little constipated so that might be stopping her toileting. They've given me some stronger painkillers (apparently Metacam isn't too strong) and some Lactulose for her constipation, and hopefully her waterworks etc should get going in a couple of days time. Really praying that they do - no more vet trips (which seems to be really annoying her) and almost a certainty that she will get completely better!
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General anaesthetic almost always affected my cats toileting. Have a little patience now. Your stress levels are showing on here so it will also be likely to affect Ragdoll, try to relax and maybe her movements will follow naturally. :hug:
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I'll try to relax, it's just so hard not knowing what's going to happen :( I just want her to be well again.
Thanks again for all your help xxx
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Just a little update: Ragdoll has done a small poo :D And she's weed (though she missed the litter tray) I'm surprised she weed so quickly considering the vet expressed her earlier today. I'm sooo happy! Should I be happy??? I don't know! Is she out of the woods??
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I can't imagine how stressed you must be feeling after such an accident. It's so heart-breaking when our little ones are ill or injured.
It sounds like she's making progress and just needs more time to heal and recover from her ordeal.
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Lots of very sound advice already given. Hope you're taking some reassurance, and is good that she's week's and looked on her own. Shes been through a major trauma (as have you :hug: and now she needs time to heal. Take it one day at a time, and try not to pre-judge an outcome. Hard thing, I know. :hug:
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That's better :) she's been through a lot and she may have some psychological scars as well as her physical ones.
Losing her tail may unbalance her for a little while and of course she's still got her memories of what happened when she was hit, so be prepared for the long run and, as Sue wisely says, take one day at a time.
Softly, softly... :hug:
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Agree with the others and it needs to be a gentle slow process :hug: :hug:
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Thank you so much everyone for your support - you're helping me a lot more than you think!
So far today Ragdoll hasn't produced any more stools or urinated. I'm starting to panic now that she may have urinated only because she was trying to do a poo, but that doesn't make sense because she didn't urinate before she saw the vet yesterday and that's when her bladder was full - plus, it wasn't just a trickle. The only thing that's making me doubt she did a 'confirmed' wee is that when she did wee she was in the higher up 'poo' position, if you know what I mean? I still think she's very constipated, I've been giving her Lactulose since yesterday, does anyone know if it takes a while to kick in?
I am trying to stay positive, it's just very difficult. I can say without any doubt that this has been the worst week of my life.
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He nerve damage may be sending confusing signals to her brain, or it may just be there is bladder weakness yet. Please don't panic. Relax and allow nature to take its course. The lactulose will only shift what is in the bowel, if her digestion is slow at the moment it may take a while to work through.
Is she eating normally? Drinking normally? Sleeping ok?
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The night she came back (20th) she ate a lot, yesterday she ate a little and she hasn't eaten anything yet today - but she is sleeping a lot (I think it's because of the stronger painkillers) She's drinking quite a lot though. She's quite grumpy at the moment too but I think that's with giving her all these horrible medicines.
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In that case maybe there's not enough material in her gut to create another viable poo yet.
Painkillers are often the cause of constipation so keep on with the stated dose of lactulose but do let her rest and sleep, as this is the best healer for her.
Feed her on moist food, to keep the bowel hydrated. Grumpiness is often a sign of discomfort, and may not be a reaction to being messed about, so make her as comfortable as you can.
Have you heard of Zylkene? Its a natural milk based calmer that really helps with nervous or upset animals. If she's feeling stressed as a result of the numerous vet visits and meds, it might help her to cope.
Order direct from AnimedDirect, you just break the capsule and sprinkle over her food, it's tasteless so complete doddle to administer. I swear by it.
http://www.animeddirect.co.uk/zylkene-capsules-priced-per-tablet-75mg.html
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I just tried to express her but didn't have any success - but then she went to her box and did a little wee. She didn't cover it though and still did it in the poo squat position so I still don't know if it just came from her trying to poo. I also think she's grumpy because she wants to come out and walk around. You can tell she's absolutely desperate to poo because she keeps scratching and squatting a lot, but I don't think she can 'push' as well as she wants to.
*Sigh* really hope this lactulose kicks in soon..
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Stop panicking, relax and let things happen slowly.
If you are totally stressed she will be too.
Things will happen when her body is ready to let them happen. She will be able to go for about 3 without days without any action and you must be very careful trying to express cos that can do real damage if not done right.
if she is not eating much there will be very little waste products produced but she needs fluids.
make sure you know when your vet is open over christmas.
sorry being brief cos cursor on the run
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I know I shouldn't stress but I can't help it :( She's so miserable and I feel like there's nothing I can do to help her. Just gave her another dose of vetergesic and half of it went on me. I tried expressing her again earlier and there was a little bit so that makes me think there's nothing in there.
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I've noticed too that she keeps washing herself down there a lot, and I think when she does urine comes out then. Is that a good or bad sign?
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Can't help I'm afraid .... but just wanted top up the get well soon vibes :hug:
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Hi Lolarag - take it easy :)
she and you have had a terrible time and you are doing everything for her. in cases like these the only thing you NEED is a good vet and it looks like you have one so leave a bit of the worrying for them!
we have had cats that have had nerve damage leading to toileting problems from RTA so i'll tell you a bit about my experience although every case is different. bobbin our yard cat had a serious rta leading to a leg and tail amputation. she does use a litter tray but often leaks when she is sleeping as the 'message' is not strong enough to reach here when she is asleep. our vet wondered how she could feel anything down there from her x-ray so she is doing ok. we also have a kitten Humphrey born with a mutation that means he has no tail (hiss spit at manx breeders but sorry i have too!) the severe version of the mutation that leads to no tail also causes nerve damage and he is occasionally doubly incontinent although does get some message through but has lead to him spending most of his time playing in a litter tray!
things we have tried 1. propalin. it 'tightens' the tubes and has good results with incontinence in dogs, which is your problem. it is only licensed for use in dogs. your vet 'may' try it with your cat if she continues to be incontinent and he and you are happy with the risk of it being less tested in cats. it helped Bobbin a bit but she is so random with her accidents it was hard for us to tell exactly how helpful it was. our vet is very aware of current advances in medicines and is aware that if we could cure Bobbin its the difference between pottering around our centre and a 'proper' home, which is why she was very willing to try it. no-one wants to take on an incontinent cat
2. squeezing wiping etc! you can, if necessary, become an expert in emptying her bladders etc!. Once skilled you can empty her bladder twice a day which works with when you are at home. We find with Humphrey that he knows he needs to poo and goes to the litter tray but forgets/ doesnt feel its happening shortly after. so cleaning him up after is necessary. This it is quite a commitment (not so bad when you are a rescue with work experience students who what a real taste of working with animals! but actually quite a hard task when its just you)
she may heal completely, she may need a lot of care for the rest of her life or you and your vet may decide that the situation she is left in is not a good quality of life. it is difficult for us with bobbin and humpf - both are sweet and loving cats. so far they are managing but we are aware, especially with the youngster humpf that if he is dribbling urine and sleeping in poo he will be living with skin burns and infections. just now its not like that but if it gets that way we will be considering euthanasia but we will be doing it knowing we tried, we did what we thought was best for them and knowing that the blighters were loved.
i think its probably a good idea to let her heal, nurse her through this terrible experience and enjoy being with her now.
good luck :hug:
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Hi SamMewl - thank you for the reply!
Ragdoll isn't incontinent, it's more the opposite really. She is weeing but it's only a small amount at a time, my issue is that I don't know if she knows she's weeing because although she's doing it in the litter tray, I suspect she's doing it when she is trying to poo (as mentioned previously) She still hasn't pooed (apart from the small hard lump on Saturday) but I realise that when cats are constipated it can take a while. Nevertheless, I've booked her in the vets tomorrow morning (her birthday!) to see if she needs an enema or something to get her bowels going. When she was staying at my vets, I was told that she passed quite a few stools, so I can only really see constipation being the cause. I'm hoping once we get that sorted she'll be on the road to recovery. I'm also not sure whether I should be expressing her bladder. She urinates probably about twice a day but as it's such a small amount, I'm not sure if there's much left in the bladder. I know some cats can go for ages without weeing, or pass very little urine when they do so it's difficult to know. I have tried expressing her, and only managed to get a little trickle so I'm pretty sure her bladder was almost empty. I do find too that it helps her to after I've tried expressing her.
It's such a difficult time. I never thought I'd ever be so worried about faeces and urine!
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Hi everyone, just a little update on Ragdoll.
She is pooing fine now, and she urinates very often but not very much at a time. I know she's consciously weeing but is it normal for her not to completely empty her bladder? I still express her bladder occasionally.
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wonderful to hear she is doing so well, after all your worries about her
probably her bladder is still a bit sensitive, so she feels the urge to wee even when she doesn't really need to - though one of mine has always done several small wees a day, without having any health problems, so I think it can be just one of those things which vary from cat to cat
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Hi,
So pleased Ragdoll is weeing and poohing again. Fingers crossed she will continue with her improvement. Is the little patient up to anymore photos yet?
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I'm so pleased too :D It's such a relief! Kay, it's not that she thinks she needs to wee and there's nothing there, she wees a lot, but when I express her there's still quite a lot of wee in her bladder, so it's like she can't completely empty it yet. I just wondered if it was worrying that she wasn't completely relieving herself.
She has been up to some photos :D She's really a very happy cat, surprising considering what she's been through
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:Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:
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She's a beauty :Luv2:! I'm so glad she is doing well :briggin:
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:Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:
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What a gorgeous girl :Luv: :Luv: So glad she is improving :hug: :hug:
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Really pleased to read the updates on this gorgeous girl. May she continue to make good and steady improvement in the weeks ahead. :hug: :hug:
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Thank you everyone - you're all so lovely! :Luv2:
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Hello everyone again!
Ragdoll is doing well, but I'm still concerned that she goes to the toilet frequently, and still does not completely empty her bladder by herself. I told the vets this and they think she's just going more often because she's extra sensitive, and to not be concerned as long as she is continent. However, I did a little research on the internet and found a condition called urethral sphincter hypertonus, which is described as this:
This happens when the muscles that relax to allow your cat to urinate don't relax. Your cat has to urinate, but they cannot relax the sphincter muscle that will allow them to go. In males, this can be a cause of urethral obstruction. In females, you may just see them going in and out of the litterbox frequently. There may not be any infection or inflammation present in the urine, but they can't fully empty their bladder when they are able to go, so they go much more frequently. This can also be caused by spinal nerve damage such as being hit by a car, or severe spondylosis of the spine, which is a type of arthritis of the spine.
The treatment for this consists of drugs to relax the urethral sphincter muscle, and in some cases, especially with spinal damage, drugs to increase the contractility of the bladder muscles. These are almost always lifetime treatments, if the urethral sphinter hypertonus is not temporary as a result of a UTI or urethral blockage.
All the symptoms sound exactly like her. I just wanted to ask if anyone has experienced this condition with their cats, and will she really need to be on drugs for the rest of her life if she does have this? And how much will the drugs cost? She is due to have her jaw examined again on February 18th, so I'm going to query this with the vets. Just very worried about how much it's all going to cost if they need to re-examine her and everything - I'm still paying off her other vet bills!
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Sorry think only vet cn anser this one.
However my uneducated guess would be that as long as she is able to use the tray how ever frequently and is continent then probably no drugs are needed
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Well, that's what my vets said initially without examining her - as long as she's going, she's fine! I can't help but worry though, what if she retains too much urine in her bladder?
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Cross that bridge if it happens :hug: :hug:
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I have left her for up to a week before without expressing her though and she's never overflowed and her bladder has never been excessively large (I don't think) Sorry - just can't help worrying!
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:hug: :hug: You're bound to b worried, it's only natural, but gently does it. It's still relatively early days and her body is still healing from what has been an emormous trauma. I think its better simply to continue to monitor her, and not to intervene unless it's absolutely necessary.
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:hug: :hug: You're bound to b worried, it's only natural, but gently does it. It's still relatively early days and her body is still healing from what has been an emormous trauma. I think its better simply to continue to monitor her, and not to intervene unless it's absolutely necessary.
Totally agree :hug: