Conference misery::feline_v1

    Hi April,
    
    I am so glad that Lizzie was able to get back home after
    whatever happened to him!
    
    You might want to send a note to Janet Hyland (DELNI::HYLAND).
    Her cat fell off a balcony (won't be allowed on that balcony
    again!) and broke it's pelvis, and had orthopedic surgery.  I
    lent Janet a large cage for her cat during the recovery, so the
    cat wouldn't jump all around too soon and ruin the healing process.
    
    Good luck to you and to Lizzie!
    
    	Penelope

    I just rang the vet and he confirmed that Lizzie has a fractured
    pelvis.  The vet wants another vet to give a second opinion 
    before he can come home and they are going to try some massage 
    on him tomorrow morning to try and alleviate his problem with 
    going to the toilet.  I hope it works.  
    
    My problem now is that I need to get a cage.  Lizzie is not 
    allowed home until we can find a cage to keep him in for the
    next month.  Can anyone help with an old rabbit hutch or 
    a teachest - that is what the vet suggested.  I live in 
    Reading, UK.  

    I want him home as soon as possible.  I miss him already.
    
    April 

    I am sorry to hear about Lizzie.  
    
    Perhaps you could try putting a note in the "Great Britain" notes
    file about a suitable cage?  Or in the "Wanted" section of VTX?
    
    Where do you work?  I didn't realise there were any other readers
    of this notes file in Reading.

    I work in DECpark I between F6 and F7.  I think there are one or
    two others in Reading who also read this notes file.
    
    I will put a note in the wanted section of VTX tomorrow if I haven't
    managed to get a cage elsewhere.  However, I am DETERMINED to get
    something fixed up tonight so that Lizzie can come home tomorrow
    night if the vet gives the OK.  He's going to hate it being trapped
    in a box, but I know he'll be happier at home than with strangers.
    
    Does anyone have any experience of trapping an animal that loves
    to be free in a cage?!   I'm sure he'll never forgive us.
    
    April 

    Just make sure it is big enough so he's not cramped. Also
    remember cats like their litter away from the food.
    
    I had to cage one of mine but I used the big airline dog kennel
    for an average size cat. I got dispoable small litter boxes
    and used smaller bowls for water and food. 
    
    Also I took the cage at night into the bedroom with me.
    
    He knows that mom is trying to help him. I have a cat that
    once put 15 stiches in a vets arm but when he has been sick 
    he just sits there and takes his medicine with no claws.
    

    My ten year old cat was hit by a pick-up truck three years ago,
    and was caged, in my house, for almost two months.  Since she was
    so badly injured she didn't mind.  I was careful to keep it very
    clean, and since she couldn't use the litter pan for a month, it
    meant changing the blanket twice a day.  I used a large airline
    cage for her.  Try to borrow one if possible.  They are easy to
    clean and spacious.
    
    She has only one lingering behavior characteristic from her caging,
    and that is, during the period she was caged I would let her sit
    on my lap in the evening as long as possible, so she could have
    some contact.  She loved this "quality time", and three years later
    she still is on top of me unless I am standing up.  Good luck.

I'm sure Lizzie is uncomfortable enough he is thinking much less about
freedom than about being home and feeling safe.  I wouldn't worry about
being forgiven.  Cats, like children, may protest things that are good
for them, but they know you care and they always forgive.
Perhaps you can rent a crate or kennel?  Check with dog groomers in your
area...maybe they can find one you can borrow?    

    Do they have children's playpens in the UK?  That's what we used
    until Kev could build one (turn it upside down so it has a roof).
    There are also kid's play areas that you buy to take outside (unlike
    a playpen, they have no roof, just 4 sides).  They are wooden and
    look like child safety gates, but stretch about 6 foot around.
    
    Building a pen was easy and cheap and much larger than an airline
    cage.  We just used a staple gun (our neighbors) to secure chicken
    wire to 2X4 studs.  Kevin made a 4X4 or 5X5 foot wall, with no top.  
    That way I could reach into the pen to change litter, provide food or 
    give Tom 'pets'.  I even used to sit and read in Tommy's pen to keep 
    him company.
        
    After 3 weeks, we added a lid because by then Tom could stand (and
    we know jumping comes after standing!).  The lid can be either another
    piece of chicken wire (secured down WELL) or a large piece of plywood
    that is too heavy for him to push up.  The only warning is to make
    sure there are no rough edges of wire sticking out that can cut him.
    
    If you know anyone who bought a washing machine or other large
    appliance lately, ask them for the box and cut it down so the sides
    are 2 feet high or so.  Or run down to a local appliance store and ask
    for an empty box that size.  That will do for a start, but Lizzie won't
    be able to see you through the sides and it's not a good permanent solution.
        
    There is no way your vet can 'keep' your cat 'til he feels you have
    provided the proper cage.  That's crazy!  Lizzie is not going to
    want to move around for a while anyway, so you have time to get
    something together.  And Lizzie will heal much faster at home with
    your *special* attention, than being left overnight at a vets.
    
    Good luck - we're cheering for Lizzie!
    Janis

    Try calling a local animal shelter (or your vet) and asking where
    they buy their cages.  One important thing to note about this type
    of injury is that it can look initially like a cat has nerve damage,
    but the functioning can come back (slowly, it takes several months).
    There was a discussion about this, with lots of case histories,
    awhile ago;  I will search for it and insert a pointer.  So, even
    with the case of the tail (which is not your main concern, I know),
    you might want to wait and see for a while.
    
    I'm not sure about the differences in treatment for this type of
    injury between the UK and the U.S.  I know that surgery is difficult
    because the vet has to work in an area where there are nerves and
    so there is the possibility or further nerve damage.  One reason
    for surgery is that sometimes the pelvis is compressed inwards and
    will obstruct the intestines (or something), resulting in something
    called megacolon, which is bad news.  My Sweetie's vet sent him
    to a surgical specialist who used a new surgical technique (he
    described it as "spreading the pelvis apart like butterfly wings")
    to get some room in there without working near the nerves.  He is
    Dr. Gary Brown in Fremont, Calif.  I can get his phone number if
    your vet wants to talk to him and can't get the number from
    information.
                 
    Good luck.  Please let us know what is happening.
    

    re: .9	I meant that the pen we built was 4 or 5 feet around, 
    but it was only 2 feet tall, so I could easily reach in or climb
    in.  It had no bottom or top (until later).  We kept it in the 
    kitchen on the linoleum in case Tom had an 'accident', and there
    were plenty.  I put blankets on one half and his litter in the other
    corner.  But he couldn't use his litter for awhile anyway, so that
    was not an issue.

    I kept Sweetie's cage in the living room, with towels all over the
    bottom, and a layer of plastic between the cage bottom and the rug.
    It was a nicer place for him to be than the kitchen, and I slept
    in the living room while he was in the cage.
    
    The big note with lots of (good) case histories is 854 "Fractured
    Pelvis Wisdom?"
     

    Best wishes to you and Lizzie.  I hope everything turns out okay
    for you both.
    
    Cindy
    
    

    Thank you all for your kindness and support.  It means so much 
    to know that so many people care about Lizzie.  I have also 
    read the notes in the note file (I think it was no. 854) and
    it was good to read of so many success stories where cats have
    had a similar problem.
    
    I just rang the vet, but I'm afraid the news was not good.  They
    will not let Lizzie come home tonight as he is constipated and 
    cannot go of his own accord any more.  They have made him go 
    today by some means, but they want him to be able to manage on 
    his own before they let him return home.  The place where his
    pelvis is fractured is in a very difficult area and they cannot
    do any surgery or give him any sort of split to hold the bone 
    in the correct position.  They are feeding him special soft 
    food and giving him liquid parafin to help his constipation.
    
    We have now got a temporary box for Lizzie when he does come 
    home and my husband is going to make him a proper box as soon as
    possible.  It now seems that he will have to be confined for
    six weeks instead of a month and so I think we will try and 
    make something pretty sturdy and practical.  
    
    I'm so miserable that Lizzie cannot come home tonight.  I am 
    just so worried about him and I want to be able to look after
    him myself.  This is a real nightmare.
    
    You are all so kind - thank you.
    
    April 

    Maybe your vet is correct about not being able to do surgery, but
    I really urge that he call Dr. Brown to discuss this.  I know of
    several cats with pelvic injuries which regular vets had said couldn't
    be treated surgically, and Dr. Brown came up with a way to do the
    operation.  He's a surgical specialist on this problem.
    
    All our love to Lizzie.  Please let us know what's happening.
     

    I just rang the vet to see how Lizzie is today.
    
    They still do not know whether he can "go" normally or not.
    It seems that he has not eaten since we took him there on 
    Tuesday morning (that means he hasn't eaten since Sunday!)
    so they cannot tell whether his bowels etc. work - there is
    nothing for them to work on.  
    
    So, I can bring him home.  They think he is not eating 
    because he is homesick, so the answer is to bring him home
    and tempt him with all his favourite food and see if anything
    happens.
    
    I can hardly wait to go and get him.  I knew he must be missing
    me dreadfully and that is one of the things that has been really
    worrying me.  
    
    I'll let you know what happens when he is back home.
    
    April
    

    April, 
    
    Don't worry yet about Lizzie not eating.  Cats (and other animals)
    can go a l_o_n_g time without eating.  They DO, however, need water!
    Did the vet keep track of fluid intake?  You probably should monitor
    that when Lizzie comes home.  Is he able to urinate okay?  You might
    want to ask the vet about some of the things you should watch for,
    such as water intake and occasional moisture in the litter box (which
    would indicate his bladder isn't getting *too* full -- Lizzie's
    bladder, not the vet's  ;-)
    
    I'm sure you will ALL be much happier with Lizzie back home!
    
    	P

    I just went and got Lizzie from the vet.  I couldn't wait until
    tonight, so I took extra time for lunch and went straight away.
    
    I was told by the vet that Lizzie had urinated a little, but that
    I should monitor this and take him back tomorrow if he had not 
    gone again.  He also gave me some tablets and some liquid parafin
    to put into Lizzie's food to make it easier to pass solids.
    Whether Lizzie can pass solids is the vets main concern, but 
    they could not monitor this as he would not eat.  So, I was 
    told to take him home and watch things very carefully.  I have
    to take him back to the vet for a check on Saturday and, if he
    has not passed any solids by then, they will decide what to do
    next.
    
    Anyway, now for the good news.  When we got Lizzie home, I went
    and put a small amount of food in his bowl and also prepared a
    litter tray for him.  I decided to try to give him some food on
    a spoon and, to my delight, he gobbled it up and then tried to 
    stand to get to the food in the bowl - "I'm not a baby, I want 
    my food from a bowl, not a spoon!!!".  I moved his bowl so that
    he could easily reach it and he ate a very small amount - but 
    at least it was a good start.  I then put the litter tray right
    beside him and, joy of joys, he made a move towards it.  So, I
    helped get him into position and he used it (and for ages too!)
    I was overjoyed.
    
    We then put him in his temporary cage.  He was not pleased!  I
    could see him trying to work out how to escape, but I don't think
    he has the strength to do so.  We are going to have to build a 
    strong cage for him if he is going to stay in it for six weeks!
    That cat KNOWS how to get out of places.  He is the only cat 
    that I know who can open doors - something he has done since he
    was a tiny kitten!  And I mean doors that have been carefully
    clicked shut.  He worked out how door handles works and he jumps
    at them until the door opens.  I'm a bit worried about this cage 
    business - it is child's play to Lizzie.
    
    Anyway, we still have the major hurdle to get over - can he pass
    solids or not - but, apart from that, he seems to be on the road
    to recovery.
    
    I am so happy.  I'm just hoping and praying that the last problem
    will soon be resolved.  
    
    Thank you all for your help and good wishes.  You have made the
    past few days much easier for me to bear.
    
    April
    

    April,
    
    I am so Happy to hear that Lizzie is doing well.  He sounds like
    a very special cat (even though all cats are special).  Keep up
    informed of his recovery.  
    
    Holly
          

    I too am so happy to hear that Lizzie is eating. That would
    seem like a good sign. We will all keep our fingers crossed
    but eating and standing really do sound encouraging. Isn't
    it amazing what "home" and loving care can do.
    
    Pat
    

    Boy, this note is turning out very well.  Keep up the good work,
    April, and let us know what's happenning!
    
    anna
    

    When we got home from work last night, Lizzie had escaped from his
    cage!  Don't ask me how a cat that can't even stand up on his own
    managed to drag himself out of what we thought was a secure cage.
    I knew he wouldn't find it difficult to work out, but I really 
    didn't think he had the strength.  I should have guessed that 
    determination would do it!  My husband and I ran around the whole
    house in a panic looking for him and eventually looked in the most
    obvious place - there he was curled up asleep in his own little
    bed - happy at last!   He must have dragged himself along the 
    carpet with his front legs!
    
    I then tried to persuade him to eat some more - this time he 
    decided that he was a baby after all and wanted me to feed him on
    a spoon.  I have since fed him three more times using the spoon
    - he only eats a very small amount each time and it is hard for
    me to see my guzzle-guts like this, but I feel he is doing OK
    so long as he does at least eat something.  
    
    This morning he was left shut in a VERY secure cage.  This is 
    one that we have been lent.   Lizzie has already worked out 
    how the catch works and keeps trying to open it, but he will never
    manage it because I can hardly do it myself, it is so stiff.  If
    he does manage it, I will know he is a magic cat!  I have also 
    had the sense to put his own bedding in it this time, so that it
    feels more familiar.
    
    He has still not managed to pass any solids, but I keep hoping he
    will manage before his trip to the vet tomorrow.  Otherwise, they
    will have to give him another enema (sp?).
    
    Next progress report will be after the weekend.  Let's hope its
    good news.
    
    April
    
    P.S.  He lays in his bed looking very sad and sorry for himself,
          but he actually purred for me yesterday evening and this 
          morning.  What a wonderful sound!

    Big cuddles to Lizzie.  What a truly amazing cat.  (Gee, Mom, you should
    have known I wanted my own bed!)  It sounds so good that he is eating.
    Maybe it isn't surprising that he hasn't had a stool yet since he's
    only been eating for the last day, and nibbling at that.
    

    How's Lizzie doing?  I just caught up on his progress, after being
    away most of last week.
    
    Please let us know.  
    
    All the best,
    
    Helen.
    
    Incidentally, out of interest, who is your vet?

    Lizzie is now well on the road to recovery.
    
    By Saturday morning, he had still not passed any solids and so
    I was pretty fed up when we took him to the vet for his check-up.
    I thought that they would keep him in.  However, they gave him
    a mini-enema and said if it worked within half an hour we could
    take him home, otherwise he would have to stay for a full enema.
    Well, it worked.  The vet then gave us another mini-enema to use
    ourselves if he had not "gone" again by Monday.  
    
    However, he managed to go all by himself yesterday and my 
    husband and I were overjoyed.  I now know that he is going to 
    recover.  
    
    He has gained in strength a lot this weekend and is eating quite
    well - not as much as usual, but then he is being very inactive,
    so he probably does not need so much.  He is looking a lot 
    healthier now too.  He really has brightened up and is almost 
    like normal - he just can't move very much.  
    
    Anyway,  I'm really happy because I am now SURE that he will get
    better eventually.  
    
    Thank you all again for your support and good wishes.  Lizzie has
    many very good friends.
    
    April
    
    
    P.S. My vet is C.A. Berry is Caversham, Near Reading.

    What GREAT news.  I am so happy for both of you !!!
   
     Pat
    
    
    

 
    
    THAT'S WONDERFUL!!!  I have been SO worried about Lizzie ever since
    you put that first note in about him.  I am SO glad that he is doing
    much better.  Keep up the wonderful work, Lizzie!  We knew you'd
    pull through!!!
    
    Holly
    

    How are things going with Lizzie?
    

    Lizzie is much better now.  He yowls for his food like he used to
    and is nearly as heavy as he was before his accident.  He can also
    walk about OK and is quite capable of getting on and off chairs
    and beds, etc.  He just uses his front legs to drag himself up and
    when he gets down he jumps onto his front legs and lets his back
    legs come down very slowly, especially the one on the side that
    is damaged.   I try to stop him from jumping about, but it is 
    like trying to keep a two year old child still - impossible!
    
    He absolutely HATES his cage.  We keep him shut in it all night
    and all day whilst we are at work, but when we are at home we 
    let him out.  We keep a very close eye on him, but he is generally
    quite sensible and certainly doesn't rush about like he used to.
    He does sit by the window though and yowl to go out, especially
    when he sees the little cat from next door out there.  They really
    love each other and I know they miss each others company.  He also
    sits by his catflap and looks at it longingly, but he doesn't try
    to use it because he knows it is locked.  It has always astonished
    my husband and I that right from when we first installed the cat
    flap he has known when it was locked and doesn't try to use it.
    It's such a shame.  He loves his catflap.  When he saw my husband
    fit it he knew it was for him and kept jumping in and out the 
    hole whilst my husband was still making it!  He looked like a 
    little kid who had just been given his own front door key.
    
    It has been amazing how quickly he has recovered.  I think it is
    partly because he is still very young and he has always been very
    strong and healthy.  I know I am biased, but everyone has always
    commented on how beautiful he is and how healthy looking.  Even
    now, his coat gleams and shines.  
    
    It's back to the vet soon for a final check-up and I am hoping the
    vet will say he can stop going in his cage and be given the freedom
    of the house, although I DREAD to think what he will do when we
    are at work and he is not allowed to go outside and play with Max
    from next door.  Goodbye wallpaper, carpets, plants, etc. etc.
    
    Thank goodness cats have nine lives - Lizzie only has eight left
    now!  
    
    April 
    
    

    I'm so happy to hear about Lizzie.  I think it takes several weeks
    for bones to heal, so he may have to bear with the cage for a few
    more.  Wish you would join the picture exchange note, I'd love to see
    a picture of him!                                   
    

    I am so glad to hear he is getting better.  It brings a smile to
    my face when I read your notes.  I worried about him the weekend
    that was in doubt.  Isn't it great to watch the kids mend and get
    stronger every day.
    
    KEEP IT UP, LIZZIE!!
    
    Sys' mom - Linda
    

    How wonderful!!!  It is so nice to log in after vacation and hear
    such good news!  I am so glad that Lizzie is doing much better.
    
    Holly