Incontinent 5 mo. old kitten who is pissed about being here

[Diana R.]

I just adopted an incontinent 5 mo. old kitten who has back leg paralysis due to being hit by car. From what I understand he adored his former foster mother. He had been placed with another home that did not work out and went back to the foster home, who cannot keep because of allergies. When I got him yesterday, I was able to express him with no problem (I have been expressing my own cat Simon for almost 6 years); however, he seems scared and overwhelmed---hissing at my cats and me, except when I feed him. Is upset when I try to pick him up and tries to bite and scratch. Typically I would allow him his peace and quiet and to be left alone while he acclimates, which I think he will but he needs to be expressed everyday, 3 times a day. I do not want to battle with him every time. Any suggestions. Thanks Diana R.

[critters]

Hmm. That's a tough one. Maybe give him a treat before & after his expressing? Bribery usually greases the skids of cooperation beautifully. If he loved his foster mom THAT much, at least you know he CAN love. Is he in a room by himself? I always start newbies out that way so they can get used to me, then they get used to their sibs later.

[CarolC]

https://www.felinecrf.org/subcutaneous_ ... _peg_trick

This link shows how to clip multiple clothespins along the nape of the neck to simulate scruffing the cat. Some cats scruff better than others (you would know from vet tech training).

Something I did with Katie (dog) when I was having a problem with her trying to walk away while expressing (following spay surgery) was to express her with her front feet on a bar stool. There is no place to walk to when you are on a stool and it's a bit intimidating to be that high up. I put a puddle pad on the floor.

If you look at this picture Bendy provided for the wiki, it shows the cat is wearing a collar.

Do you have any kind of vinyl bib apron you could wear so he can't try to crawl up your front? I never trim claws on my cats, but this might be the time to make an exception (if you can do it).

I wish I could be of more help. I can just imagine. It is so cool that you took on this extra cat.

[SandyNY]

bless you! I wonder if you could express him while he is standing. Some cats just hate to be picked up when they are not injured. some cats hate to be picked up when injured ( I think it produces more fear) He is fine when you feed him= not picking him up. can you put chucks (pee pad) on the floor - call him over onto it or feed him on it - then express him standing? then if there are any accidents, no messed carpet!

[critters]

Did you ever hear that I had to scruff Buddy with my right hand, hold him on his back (well-padded), and express him with the left? Maybe something like that would work for your baby. I peed him into a baby diaper, kind of flopped it over his belly, because he was peeing like a fire hose at that point.

[Diana R.]

Thanks for the help on Harley. I did isolate him in a room by himself since he was upset by the other cats. When I took him to the vet on Friday he was a totally different cat. I express him in the room with a piddle pad on the floor and he seems manageable with that. He had alot of stool in his colon and the vet recommended merilax. I thought I was going to have to take him in for an enema but was able to work some of the stool out and he did poop some out. He also has a water filled sac on the right side of his genital area. The doctor at first wondered if it was a hernia, however, rads indicated there was nothing in there and when aspirated there was fluid. We were not sure what to make of that. His legs stick straight out underneath him and he pulls himself forward and scoots although he seems to lean more to the left side rather than the right. So I am not sure if it is trauma or irritation from that and whether he should be wearing something covering that. He will have that looked at again when he gets neutered next month. He seems to be adjusting fine now. Thanks again Diana

[critters]

The legs-out, kind of doll-style, bit is pretty typical for the more severe SCI kitty; Buddy did it all the time, and I thought it was cute.

You might want to try lactulose for the constipation; it's yummy, so there's no problem getting them to take it. It reminds me of corn syrup, with that same glue-like tendency if you let it get away from you!