Hi All,
I live in Ireland where a paralysed cat would normally mean euthanasia. My little girl is a 9 year old lilac Burmese. She goes out as we live in the country (indoors at night, so also good house cat). She was shot on 11th June and I have spent last 2 months trying to help her. Only this Wednesday I was finally told what the significance of lack of deep pain perception was and that there is no hope for her to walk. Her rear legs have good reflexes and these actually seem to be getting stronger. She has a bit of a normal 'flick' in her tail now - originally she had no motion there at all. However we are now facing the choice of keeping going with her or having her put to sleep.
I wonder if anyone can offer any advice with the following issues in particular:
urination. She pees regularly (no control) - particularly when I am massaging her legs But this is now causing problems in itself. her very pale coloured coat is becoming badly discoloured in spite of the bath I give her every couple of days. Also - she is starting to lick her legs, causing wounding. The vet called it urine 'scalding' I think, but it seems to be a lick problem to me. Should she actually be wearing a diaper all the time? I bought some, but they get wet so fast in the night. Can anyone suggest a make of diaper that would keep the rest of her dry - mine are not really secure enough.
Also - do you think that one of those bags that have straps over the shoulders would protect her body enough from abrasions and allow her to go anywhere she wanted in the house and garden (she is always in a safe place so a dog can't get her) - she is actually very active but I have to watch the urine thing so closely. I have her on my bed in the evening (she drags herself there in her nappy) but it breaks my heart when I then have to take her down on her own (away from my other four cats) to spend the night in the kitchen.
Generally, I am just pretty devastated at the moment. It all seems like just to much, but I adore her and can't make the move to have her put to sleep at the moment. But what do you do when you want to go away or something? And the vet tells me her quality of life is poor - now I see her snoozing for hours in the sun in our garden and greeting me happily when I appear.
Are decent fitting nappies and one of those bags the answer? And how can I keep her cleaner? Sorry if this is confusing but I AM confused at the moment. My whole life just seems to have ground to a standstill while I worry and wonder what to do.
Any advice much appreciated.
CathyT
Advice re recently paralysed cat
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Dear Cathy,
I am so sorry that your cat was shot and is paralyzed now. I have a dog named Waffles who has had rear leg paralysis for 2 years due to a ruptured disk. He uses a cart and is a very happy dog.
The first thing that I want to say to you is that you know better then anybody what her quality of life is. Most of us here who have paralyzed animals can tell you that we have all been told that we would have to put our animals down. Vets can be very negative about this topic. Whether it is because they just don't have that much experience with paralyzed aniamls or they just assume that the people will not want to deal with the extra attention that these special needs animals need... who knows.
There are a number of people here who have paralyzed cats and they will surely respond to your post as soon as they check in. My dog Waffles is unable to use his bladder at all so I have to actually express his bladder a number of times a day. Check out the incontience and kidney problem forum on the main page. The first post says something like read this first. There is a lot of great info about diapers and expressing the bladder. If you could learn to express your cats bladder then that would probably cut down on the amount of leaking on her skin. Have you had your cat's urine tested at all for infection? It would probably be a good idea to do that as urinary tract infections can be a problem for paralyzed animals. Especially in the beginning when we don't know about expressing the bladder. I know that it is overwhelming right now but up until this point it sounds like you have been alone in this. We are here to help you and you can learn to manage this if you want. You do not have to put your cat down.
I am sorry at the moment I can't offer you some more concrete advise but I will leave that up to the experts on this board who have cats in your same situation. I just wanted to reply quickly to offer some words of encouragement as I am sure you are not getting that from your vet.
Keep checking back you will hear from other people soon. There is hope. BethT
I am so sorry that your cat was shot and is paralyzed now. I have a dog named Waffles who has had rear leg paralysis for 2 years due to a ruptured disk. He uses a cart and is a very happy dog.
The first thing that I want to say to you is that you know better then anybody what her quality of life is. Most of us here who have paralyzed animals can tell you that we have all been told that we would have to put our animals down. Vets can be very negative about this topic. Whether it is because they just don't have that much experience with paralyzed aniamls or they just assume that the people will not want to deal with the extra attention that these special needs animals need... who knows.
There are a number of people here who have paralyzed cats and they will surely respond to your post as soon as they check in. My dog Waffles is unable to use his bladder at all so I have to actually express his bladder a number of times a day. Check out the incontience and kidney problem forum on the main page. The first post says something like read this first. There is a lot of great info about diapers and expressing the bladder. If you could learn to express your cats bladder then that would probably cut down on the amount of leaking on her skin. Have you had your cat's urine tested at all for infection? It would probably be a good idea to do that as urinary tract infections can be a problem for paralyzed animals. Especially in the beginning when we don't know about expressing the bladder. I know that it is overwhelming right now but up until this point it sounds like you have been alone in this. We are here to help you and you can learn to manage this if you want. You do not have to put your cat down.
I am sorry at the moment I can't offer you some more concrete advise but I will leave that up to the experts on this board who have cats in your same situation. I just wanted to reply quickly to offer some words of encouragement as I am sure you are not getting that from your vet.
Keep checking back you will hear from other people soon. There is hope. BethT
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Dear Beth,
Thanks so much for that. It was really appreciated. And yes, I do feel alone. My husband who also adores her (her name is Spice) is working out of the country at the moment and we have such tearful conversations about her. She is his favourite cat.
I will immediately look at the bladder/urine stuff you mentioned. She has actually had an infection already, so I became aware of this particular problem about 3 weeks ago. But I guess because she keeps peeing I haven't learnt how to express yet. When I mentioned it to one (of the four!) vets she has seen - my own, and usually a kind of saint - he said it was a very dangerous thing to do and I could easily rupture her bladder, so wouldn't show me. By reading things on here, I know now that I'll have to insist. But he FRIGHTENED me so I know now I'm going to be scared of hurting her.
Anyway - thanks so much, makes such a difference to think there's other people who have had similar experiences and are will to share them. People round me think I'm mad - for even having my animals in the house in the first place. That's Ireland for you. But sometimes I think that little cat has a better, wiser soul than my own.
Many thanks again,
Cathy
Thanks again
Thanks so much for that. It was really appreciated. And yes, I do feel alone. My husband who also adores her (her name is Spice) is working out of the country at the moment and we have such tearful conversations about her. She is his favourite cat.
I will immediately look at the bladder/urine stuff you mentioned. She has actually had an infection already, so I became aware of this particular problem about 3 weeks ago. But I guess because she keeps peeing I haven't learnt how to express yet. When I mentioned it to one (of the four!) vets she has seen - my own, and usually a kind of saint - he said it was a very dangerous thing to do and I could easily rupture her bladder, so wouldn't show me. By reading things on here, I know now that I'll have to insist. But he FRIGHTENED me so I know now I'm going to be scared of hurting her.
Anyway - thanks so much, makes such a difference to think there's other people who have had similar experiences and are will to share them. People round me think I'm mad - for even having my animals in the house in the first place. That's Ireland for you. But sometimes I think that little cat has a better, wiser soul than my own.
Many thanks again,
Cathy
Thanks again
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Dear Cathy,
I have a paralyzed dog, as do many others here, and Jean and Critters are just a few of the people who have paralyzed cats. Hopefully they will be here later. Both of their cats are incontinent, if I am correct. They express their cat's urine about 4 times per day and have done so for several months to several years.
We understand your frustration. Many of us had vets who told us to put our beloved pets to sleep before it was time. We all cried until we found some mutual support here. We're glad that you are here, too. Don't allow the vet to decide when there is no quality of life. YOU know best.
No one taught me to express my dog. I learned from reading the internet. It would be wonderful if a vet could teach/show you how to do it, but you can also teach yourself. Did you read the "how to express page"?
There are many others here who learned to express their pet's urine to keep their pets healthy.
A paralyzed pet can also be happy. It is only the back half that doesn't work well; the brain works very well.
Dianne
I have a paralyzed dog, as do many others here, and Jean and Critters are just a few of the people who have paralyzed cats. Hopefully they will be here later. Both of their cats are incontinent, if I am correct. They express their cat's urine about 4 times per day and have done so for several months to several years.
We understand your frustration. Many of us had vets who told us to put our beloved pets to sleep before it was time. We all cried until we found some mutual support here. We're glad that you are here, too. Don't allow the vet to decide when there is no quality of life. YOU know best.
No one taught me to express my dog. I learned from reading the internet. It would be wonderful if a vet could teach/show you how to do it, but you can also teach yourself. Did you read the "how to express page"?
There are many others here who learned to express their pet's urine to keep their pets healthy.
A paralyzed pet can also be happy. It is only the back half that doesn't work well; the brain works very well.
Dianne
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Cathy,
One of my vets did tell me to be careful if Waffles bladder was every really full because it is possible to rupture the bladder but I don't think that it is something that happens very often especially if you are expressing the bladder multiple times a day. Once in a while when Waffles has been left for a little too long I can feel a really big bladder and then I am very careful how hard I press but knock wood I have never had a problem and to my knowledge I don't think anyone here has had an issue with their pet's bladder rupturing but I can understand why you are scared. Again , the cat people will be along at some point to give you some more advice. Just keep studying all the expressing info. Beth
One of my vets did tell me to be careful if Waffles bladder was every really full because it is possible to rupture the bladder but I don't think that it is something that happens very often especially if you are expressing the bladder multiple times a day. Once in a while when Waffles has been left for a little too long I can feel a really big bladder and then I am very careful how hard I press but knock wood I have never had a problem and to my knowledge I don't think anyone here has had an issue with their pet's bladder rupturing but I can understand why you are scared. Again , the cat people will be along at some point to give you some more advice. Just keep studying all the expressing info. Beth
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
I would agree with that. You always know rupture is POSSIBLE; it's also possible to get hit by a bus crossing the street. Unless the sphincter is really, really tight and/or the bladder overfull it shouldn't be much of an issue. Everybody I know has been warned, but I can't recall even hearing about anybody actually rupturing it by expressing.
Cathy, are you using critter or human diapers? I also suggest shaving her butt with clippers and using a barrier spray such as Cavilon, although I don't know if it's available in Ireland (I've seen the UK website, if that helps). Cavilon is by 3M, so it's pretty widely available (UK link http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/!ut/ ... FQEAAmqJNo!
it's also in Nextcare spray http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/e ... tingSpray/ .
My boy, Buddy, was a homeless child that was hit by a car Apr. 9. He got a spinal cord injury and was 100% paralyzed and 100% expressed. He now walks, poops, and pees on his own!!
http://www.handicappedpets.com/pics/buddy.htm
Cathy, are you using critter or human diapers? I also suggest shaving her butt with clippers and using a barrier spray such as Cavilon, although I don't know if it's available in Ireland (I've seen the UK website, if that helps). Cavilon is by 3M, so it's pretty widely available (UK link http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/!ut/ ... FQEAAmqJNo!
it's also in Nextcare spray http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/e ... tingSpray/ .
My boy, Buddy, was a homeless child that was hit by a car Apr. 9. He got a spinal cord injury and was 100% paralyzed and 100% expressed. He now walks, poops, and pees on his own!!
http://www.handicappedpets.com/pics/buddy.htm
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Hi!
Thanks to all for the great advice. Spice is in critter nappies, and I am not very pleased with them. They are very tiny - and really don't do the job adequately. I love the ones that your Buddy has, Critter - human ones? They look so large and 'containing' and snuggly! (and clean!!) Are they human? Maybe that's what I should be looking at (with a hole cut for the tail) - as well as one of those bags to protect her and against leaks.
I'll have a look at the Cavilon as well - I often order things from UK websites so should be ok - I have the website opened as we speak and will track it down - very good idea.
Thanks also for the bladder expressing info and the reassurance re the 'dangers' of doing it. I'll print out the info on the incontinence/kidney pages here and try and see if I can do it. In a way, I do it at the moment since I tickle her tummy, rub her legs and feet deliberately to get her to pee - anything that works! I'm sure sometimes what I'm doing is very slight, gentle pressure on her bladder. Maybe I'll have to go back to the vet and ask him to really show me if I find I'm not learning how to do it on my own.
As to Buddy - what a terrific cat! He looks so wonderfully healthy too, even in his nappies. I think that's what's getting me down about Spice. She was always a lovely cat, but recently she looks so much less pretty than she did (discolouration of her very pale fur with urine) and I'm sure (since she was always very proud and haughty, although loving too) that this will depress her slightly as well.
If I could just get her clean and able to go anywhere in the house she wanted (she's incredibly active), then I think that would work wonders for my morale AND, more importantly, for hers. She's always happier when she's outside on the grass, and part of that may be the cleanliness thing.
Did Buddy have deep pain perception when you first took him in? This seems to be the thing that makes the vets say Spice will never get well again. I had an operation all lined up for her on Wed this week with a spine specialist. We had been waiting weeks for it. I could have told him in advance that she had no deep pain percep. But we got in there (and paid a lot of money!!!) for him simply to say she was a hopeless case.
Anyway - all comments, from Beth, Diane, and Critters so much appreciated. I'm glad I found you all and your advice. If I can get Spice looking perky and clean like Buddy, will be so pleased,
CathyT
Thanks to all for the great advice. Spice is in critter nappies, and I am not very pleased with them. They are very tiny - and really don't do the job adequately. I love the ones that your Buddy has, Critter - human ones? They look so large and 'containing' and snuggly! (and clean!!) Are they human? Maybe that's what I should be looking at (with a hole cut for the tail) - as well as one of those bags to protect her and against leaks.
I'll have a look at the Cavilon as well - I often order things from UK websites so should be ok - I have the website opened as we speak and will track it down - very good idea.
Thanks also for the bladder expressing info and the reassurance re the 'dangers' of doing it. I'll print out the info on the incontinence/kidney pages here and try and see if I can do it. In a way, I do it at the moment since I tickle her tummy, rub her legs and feet deliberately to get her to pee - anything that works! I'm sure sometimes what I'm doing is very slight, gentle pressure on her bladder. Maybe I'll have to go back to the vet and ask him to really show me if I find I'm not learning how to do it on my own.
As to Buddy - what a terrific cat! He looks so wonderfully healthy too, even in his nappies. I think that's what's getting me down about Spice. She was always a lovely cat, but recently she looks so much less pretty than she did (discolouration of her very pale fur with urine) and I'm sure (since she was always very proud and haughty, although loving too) that this will depress her slightly as well.
If I could just get her clean and able to go anywhere in the house she wanted (she's incredibly active), then I think that would work wonders for my morale AND, more importantly, for hers. She's always happier when she's outside on the grass, and part of that may be the cleanliness thing.
Did Buddy have deep pain perception when you first took him in? This seems to be the thing that makes the vets say Spice will never get well again. I had an operation all lined up for her on Wed this week with a spine specialist. We had been waiting weeks for it. I could have told him in advance that she had no deep pain percep. But we got in there (and paid a lot of money!!!) for him simply to say she was a hopeless case.
Anyway - all comments, from Beth, Diane, and Critters so much appreciated. I'm glad I found you all and your advice. If I can get Spice looking perky and clean like Buddy, will be so pleased,
CathyT
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Indeed they are human diapers!! Those were size 2 and were too small. Have you seen the diaper page for ideas about sizes?
I also expressed him into a diaper, which lessened the chance that pee would come back on him because they were SO much more absorbent than towels, pee pads, or anything else I tried.
You might need any or all of these pages from the incontinence bb. http://www.handicappedpets.com/help/vie ... php?t=5784
They say Buddy had deep pain from the start, but I don't know. I wasn't there, and I find it really hard to believe.
I also expressed him into a diaper, which lessened the chance that pee would come back on him because they were SO much more absorbent than towels, pee pads, or anything else I tried.
You might need any or all of these pages from the incontinence bb. http://www.handicappedpets.com/help/vie ... php?t=5784
They say Buddy had deep pain from the start, but I don't know. I wasn't there, and I find it really hard to believe.
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Cathy:
I have a cat named Simon who has paralyzed back legs. He is incontinent. He had severe congenital deformities. He sits/leans on the right side with his back legs (that look like they are on backwards) sticking out and he pulls himself along. I express his bladder at least three times a day. I think because your cat is older three times a day would be sufficient. Once you get the hang of it, it is pretty easy and as already posted, there are sites on this website that can give you directions on that. I sit Simon on the edge of the bathroom sink with a towel underneath him and his back legs over the sink. I spread his legs and hold his tail off to the side. The bladder is between the legs and it's like trying to hold a balloon. You want to apply gentle but steady pressure. You can feel it deflating or getting smaller. Simon will squirm when I am doing this and he has to defecate. Otherwise he is very good and even purrs. Simon who is 4 years old so far has not had any urinary tract infections. You need to have this checked periodically since these guys are prone to that. He also does not leak out since I express his bladder several times a day. He does not wear diapers and poops on the floor and I clean up after him. He never has had irritation on his side where he drags himself along. Animals are better than people at adapting to their paralysis. Contrary to what your vet said these guys can have an excellent quality of life if they have a guardian who is willing to take care of them. Spice is not suffering with her paralysis. I am very sorry that this happened to Spice but it sounds like you love your cat very much and want what is best for her. Simon was my first really handicapped animal and I feel so blessed that I have him. I know you will do what is best for Spice but please consider that she can have a good quality of life and would want to stay with you as long as she can. Diana R.
I have a cat named Simon who has paralyzed back legs. He is incontinent. He had severe congenital deformities. He sits/leans on the right side with his back legs (that look like they are on backwards) sticking out and he pulls himself along. I express his bladder at least three times a day. I think because your cat is older three times a day would be sufficient. Once you get the hang of it, it is pretty easy and as already posted, there are sites on this website that can give you directions on that. I sit Simon on the edge of the bathroom sink with a towel underneath him and his back legs over the sink. I spread his legs and hold his tail off to the side. The bladder is between the legs and it's like trying to hold a balloon. You want to apply gentle but steady pressure. You can feel it deflating or getting smaller. Simon will squirm when I am doing this and he has to defecate. Otherwise he is very good and even purrs. Simon who is 4 years old so far has not had any urinary tract infections. You need to have this checked periodically since these guys are prone to that. He also does not leak out since I express his bladder several times a day. He does not wear diapers and poops on the floor and I clean up after him. He never has had irritation on his side where he drags himself along. Animals are better than people at adapting to their paralysis. Contrary to what your vet said these guys can have an excellent quality of life if they have a guardian who is willing to take care of them. Spice is not suffering with her paralysis. I am very sorry that this happened to Spice but it sounds like you love your cat very much and want what is best for her. Simon was my first really handicapped animal and I feel so blessed that I have him. I know you will do what is best for Spice but please consider that she can have a good quality of life and would want to stay with you as long as she can. Diana R.
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Hi Diana,
Thanks so much for your reply. I have been trying to take action today on the wonderful advice given to me. I contacted my vet (my normal vet, not spinal specialist) and went to see the one who was pessimistic when she was first injured. I asked him to show me how to express her bladder. He was terrific. I don't know yet if I can do it myself. We were working on it this afternoon and will try again before I go to bed. To be honest, I feel like I can't even find her bladder at the moment and am very nervous. But I tell myself to be very gentle and not to give up. She seems to have been ok with the small releases I have given her to date after her infection two weeks ago. I will keep trying and fall back on those little manipulations if I am getting too nervous. I also got some new (huggies newborn) diapers today which means she is asleep on my bed just now. Plus a hairdryer and some antiseptic ointment. So I feel that, today at least, I have done my best. I really treasure this little cat - although I always said I had no favourites amongst my five, and she is actually my husband's favourite - and will do my best for her, one day at a time.
It's good to have so much support here, since one of my two vets frightened me so much about the expressing thing. I am sure I will learn in the end. And my (pessimistic - make that realistic!! - but lovely) vet actually said to me on my way out - you are on the right track. Given that I booked him to come and put her to sleep on Wednesday, this gave me great courage. Thanks all for your comments and your helpful/beautiful./inspiring stories,
Cathy
Thanks so much for your reply. I have been trying to take action today on the wonderful advice given to me. I contacted my vet (my normal vet, not spinal specialist) and went to see the one who was pessimistic when she was first injured. I asked him to show me how to express her bladder. He was terrific. I don't know yet if I can do it myself. We were working on it this afternoon and will try again before I go to bed. To be honest, I feel like I can't even find her bladder at the moment and am very nervous. But I tell myself to be very gentle and not to give up. She seems to have been ok with the small releases I have given her to date after her infection two weeks ago. I will keep trying and fall back on those little manipulations if I am getting too nervous. I also got some new (huggies newborn) diapers today which means she is asleep on my bed just now. Plus a hairdryer and some antiseptic ointment. So I feel that, today at least, I have done my best. I really treasure this little cat - although I always said I had no favourites amongst my five, and she is actually my husband's favourite - and will do my best for her, one day at a time.
It's good to have so much support here, since one of my two vets frightened me so much about the expressing thing. I am sure I will learn in the end. And my (pessimistic - make that realistic!! - but lovely) vet actually said to me on my way out - you are on the right track. Given that I booked him to come and put her to sleep on Wednesday, this gave me great courage. Thanks all for your comments and your helpful/beautiful./inspiring stories,
Cathy
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Oh Cathy,
I was so touched that your vet told you that you were "on the right track". Sometimes vets give up easily because they think YOU won't keep up the day-to-day maintenance necessary to keep a pet healthy.
I keep our doxie alive partly for my husband. It is his favorite pet (of our 5), and he is very grateful that I do it for him. The work does become an easier routine with time. There are good and bad days, but urine expression becomes so routine that I can't remember what my life was like before Schnitzel's spinal injury.
I'm including a link that shows an xray of a full cat bladder so you can identify its location. It won't take long before you are more of an expert than your vet.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_ca ... tails.html
I was so touched that your vet told you that you were "on the right track". Sometimes vets give up easily because they think YOU won't keep up the day-to-day maintenance necessary to keep a pet healthy.
I keep our doxie alive partly for my husband. It is his favorite pet (of our 5), and he is very grateful that I do it for him. The work does become an easier routine with time. There are good and bad days, but urine expression becomes so routine that I can't remember what my life was like before Schnitzel's spinal injury.
I'm including a link that shows an xray of a full cat bladder so you can identify its location. It won't take long before you are more of an expert than your vet.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_ca ... tails.html
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
But on the other hand, the BEST thing anybody told me was that it takes more pressure than you'd think, and I found it true as well.But I tell myself to be very gentle
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Hi - thanks for that, I found the xray with the flashing bladder really useful. I really just wasn't sure how big the bladder was, I think, and this gives me a better idea. She was harder work with the regular manipulation to get rid of a little urine every hour or so that I was doing originally than I think she will be when I express her bladder properly. The vet emptied her bladder at two pm yesterday and I did it incompletely and inefficiently at 5pm and then at 12midnight (I did it in stages because I was trying to work out what to do, and he told me if her bladder was very full, then it was a little riskier). I think this was her first dry night in ages which was very cheering and just shows how effective the expressing really is (she has two little sores which I am worried could develop into ulcers - am using antiseptic ointment - tea tree cream)
Now I have to go out and do it again (having relieved her a little bit already this morning) and am very nervous indeed.
Anyway. Will keep trying. Thanks for the advice!
Now I have to go out and do it again (having relieved her a little bit already this morning) and am very nervous indeed.
Anyway. Will keep trying. Thanks for the advice!
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Hi Cathy T.
After reading the posts it is evident how much you care for Spice. Wow, you have already cared for her for 2 months since her injury.
I have a cat named Jaime. Actually she is more like my child. In September of 1998, I found her dragging herself along the highway she had been hit by a car. I stopped the car and picked her up and raced her to the vet. My vet as well as the Emergency Vet recommended that she be euthanized because they said it was wrong to put her through a lifetime of paralysis. Well, Cathy they were wrong. As mentioned previously, if your cat has a caregiver who will care for them then there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Vets are just afraid that the owner does not have the committment necessary to provide care for a disabled pet.
Jaime never did improve after I found her but she is a very happy and content kitty. Jaime is still paralyzed and I still express her bladder and bowel. Like you, it took me months to become proficient at expressing her. At first, I was so stressed. I would dread expressing her and become so stressed. However, with time and lots of practice I did learn to express her and it is just something that I do 4 times a day.
When I was first learning to express her I happened to rub her lower leg and she peed on my hand. This technique was how I got by until I learned to express her. I would just rub her genitals with a wet cloth kinda like a mother cat licks a neonate to stimulate them to potty. You might try this until you become more proficient at expressing.
I spent weeks at the vet learning to express Jaime's bladder. Finally, I was able to locate her bladder but then I couldn't express her in a standing position because I have small hands and could not support her weight and express her at the same time. As a result, I learned to express her on her side.(I think this information is on the expressing page.) For us this was a god send because she was impossible to express like the vets instructed me. Plus, Jaime has a very tight urinary spincter and has the ability to relax or tighten her bladder spincter at will.
As a result, I lie her in her side and pet her and talk to her to calm her before expressing her. She especially likes to be brushed and this helps as well. Cathy petting and talking would help to calm you as well. Spice can sense when you are stressed and will tighten up and make it more difficult.
Cathy just think of learning to express Spice's bladder as a new skill that you are learning. You didn't learn to drive in one afternoon and you won't learn to express Spice in even a few days. It will take time but you have the committment and YOU CAN DO IT. I would suggest that you set up appointments with the vet every day this week and have him work with you. Also, by doing this he can express her bladder really good that one time and keep her from getting too full.
Thank you for caring so much about Spice. You will get better at expressing and Spice's coat will be beautiful again. It is obvious that she will improve as far as the urine leaking because of the fact that she was dry last night.
Please don't hesitate to ask questions we are here for you. We want you to succeed. We were all at one time where you are now. In a few weeks to months you will say "Hey this isn't so difficult." You will get to that point Cathy. I guarantee you will never regret your decision to save her. Your relationship with her will be one that will have such a positive and meaningful impact on your life. Hang in there. /Jean
After reading the posts it is evident how much you care for Spice. Wow, you have already cared for her for 2 months since her injury.
I have a cat named Jaime. Actually she is more like my child. In September of 1998, I found her dragging herself along the highway she had been hit by a car. I stopped the car and picked her up and raced her to the vet. My vet as well as the Emergency Vet recommended that she be euthanized because they said it was wrong to put her through a lifetime of paralysis. Well, Cathy they were wrong. As mentioned previously, if your cat has a caregiver who will care for them then there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Vets are just afraid that the owner does not have the committment necessary to provide care for a disabled pet.
Jaime never did improve after I found her but she is a very happy and content kitty. Jaime is still paralyzed and I still express her bladder and bowel. Like you, it took me months to become proficient at expressing her. At first, I was so stressed. I would dread expressing her and become so stressed. However, with time and lots of practice I did learn to express her and it is just something that I do 4 times a day.
When I was first learning to express her I happened to rub her lower leg and she peed on my hand. This technique was how I got by until I learned to express her. I would just rub her genitals with a wet cloth kinda like a mother cat licks a neonate to stimulate them to potty. You might try this until you become more proficient at expressing.
I spent weeks at the vet learning to express Jaime's bladder. Finally, I was able to locate her bladder but then I couldn't express her in a standing position because I have small hands and could not support her weight and express her at the same time. As a result, I learned to express her on her side.(I think this information is on the expressing page.) For us this was a god send because she was impossible to express like the vets instructed me. Plus, Jaime has a very tight urinary spincter and has the ability to relax or tighten her bladder spincter at will.
As a result, I lie her in her side and pet her and talk to her to calm her before expressing her. She especially likes to be brushed and this helps as well. Cathy petting and talking would help to calm you as well. Spice can sense when you are stressed and will tighten up and make it more difficult.
Cathy just think of learning to express Spice's bladder as a new skill that you are learning. You didn't learn to drive in one afternoon and you won't learn to express Spice in even a few days. It will take time but you have the committment and YOU CAN DO IT. I would suggest that you set up appointments with the vet every day this week and have him work with you. Also, by doing this he can express her bladder really good that one time and keep her from getting too full.
Thank you for caring so much about Spice. You will get better at expressing and Spice's coat will be beautiful again. It is obvious that she will improve as far as the urine leaking because of the fact that she was dry last night.
Please don't hesitate to ask questions we are here for you. We want you to succeed. We were all at one time where you are now. In a few weeks to months you will say "Hey this isn't so difficult." You will get to that point Cathy. I guarantee you will never regret your decision to save her. Your relationship with her will be one that will have such a positive and meaningful impact on your life. Hang in there. /Jean
Re: Advice re recently paralysed cat
Thanks so much again all. Jean - your comments about expressing Jaime lieing on her side are really useful. I have another vet appointment this afternoon and I'll go in and show him the picture and your comments and ask him if we can learn to do it like that. She's much happier when she's lieing down against my knee or whatever. I have been doing those little manipulations (leg and genital) which you mention since I read your posting under the general bladder expression info. I discovered the leg worked when I was doing the rubbing for her muscles in an attempt to get her back on her feet when she was first paralysed.
I think you are right. I know there are many things about this which could change my life for the better. I have always been a very impatient person (a fact I'm all too aware of when trying to express bladder now). I took my cats' health for granted and, since I am a gardener, just adored having their company while I was working outside. Spice used to follow me wherever I went in the garden - she still does this to some extent although, since it happened, I have become more and more depressed and am not gardening at all any more - or doing any of the other things I like. I feel as paralysed as her. Anyway, hopefully something in me has changed. I feel more patient. Certainly more loving. Though the other cats get less attention and I shout at them quite a lot at the moment. Trying to change that too. Anyway, thanks so much again for the advice.
I think you are right. I know there are many things about this which could change my life for the better. I have always been a very impatient person (a fact I'm all too aware of when trying to express bladder now). I took my cats' health for granted and, since I am a gardener, just adored having their company while I was working outside. Spice used to follow me wherever I went in the garden - she still does this to some extent although, since it happened, I have become more and more depressed and am not gardening at all any more - or doing any of the other things I like. I feel as paralysed as her. Anyway, hopefully something in me has changed. I feel more patient. Certainly more loving. Though the other cats get less attention and I shout at them quite a lot at the moment. Trying to change that too. Anyway, thanks so much again for the advice.