Fingers crossed please

[bexVN]

Hi sorry too hear he's still having issues. Has your own vet seen his wound recently (when did a vet last see him?)

Some movement is ok but it's the jumping that needs avoiding.

Honey is excellent (medical grade manuka honey) but it will need covering to work.

What is the wound tissue like under the breakdown, is it healthy pink or a not so healthy yellowy pink. Does it bleed?

Some breakdown is acceptable but there has to be healthy tissue as well.

[K77 CTR]

bexVN said:

Hi sorry too hear he's still having issues. Has your own vet seen his wound recently (when did a vet last see him?)

Some movement is ok but it's the jumping that needs avoiding.

Honey is excellent (medical grade manuka honey) but it will need covering to work.

What is the wound tissue like under the breakdown, is it healthy pink or a not so healthy yellowy pink. Does it bleed?

Some breakdown is acceptable but there has to be healthy tissue as well.

My own vet saw him this afternoon and I spoke to the specialist vet earlier. The specialist was the one to suggest honey and my vet said he thinks it'd work. He did suggest I get some from Sainsbury but I asked him to order me the correct stuff in as advised by the other vet.

I really don't know how I can cover it as it is around his bum and any dressing I put on is likely to get covered in faeces. I did try sticking some silicon dressing and gauze over it tonight which stayed for an hour or so before he pulled it off, I need to find a way to bandage it or buy him some nappies maybe.

The wound bed looks pink and healthy, when you say yellow do you mean sloughy (if so, then no it's not sloughy). It has bled slightly today but I think that's more from the scab coming off.

I have an appointment in a week to take him back, he's still on antibiotics and I can take him back to specialists if needed. They are very reluctant to operate for a fourth time, so I think I need to persevere with the honey.

He is so much happier being out of the crate and shows no interest in jumping (am guessing that might be down to him having no tail now)

[bexVN]

Some bleeding is good, no slough tissue good, healthy tissue bed good. So all in all positive.

There are dressing techniques that may work but certainly not easy, even getting the honey in for a short time (and covered) will help.

You are right to ask for medical honey as it is filtered and gamma ray sterilised and high grade (higher than 12 factor).

Any chance of a close up photo of the area you are trying to cover.

Could your vets just sedate him slightly to try and apply a dressing?

Sorry for all the questions and suggestions!

[K77 CTR]

Don't worry about the questions, I'm happy that you are trying to help me

Here is a picture of the wound (best I could get) I am putting the link up rather than the picture, hope it works

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu110/kazzy_200...

I'm going to try and dress the wound tomorrow once I get the honey (they have ordered it for me) so any suggestions will help. I will speak to the specialist vet over next few days if it's getting worse

[bexVN]

There could be ways to dress that wound. Is it too the right of his anus as you look at the wound?

[K77 CTR]

The open bit is to the right of his anus, the bit that remains sutured is to the left of it. It seems to have worsened since the honey has been put on it, but I'm guessing that's due to the scab being lifted.

Any suggestions for how I can dress it would be appreciated, I've got access to most human dressings/ bandages

Edited by K77 CTR on Wednesday 28th December 22:34

[bexVN]

Honey debrides tissue and can make wounds look worse but it is cleaning it.

[K77 CTR]

Thanks, have been looking online and see pets at home do pooch pants, wondering if I could adapt these to allow him to pass urine, but not sure how I could allow him to have his bowels open. These would allow a dressing to be held in place though

[bexVN]

I've pm'd you (just realised I've put your user name as the subject title!)

[lazy_b]

bexVN said:

...
Some movement is ok but it's the jumping that needs avoiding.
...

Many years ago my sister (who was a primary school teacher) volunteered drew the short straw to look after the school's ducklings during the Easter holidays. They were housed in an indoor run, about six to eight feet long and tapering to a height of about two feet. A few years later the run was invaluable when one of her cats lost an argument with a car and suffered a broken pelvis: enough room to move around without any risk of jumping. The cat made a full recovery.

[K77 CTR]

Lazy_b I can't crate him any more, he's so unhappy in there and I'm sure it's putting lots of pressure on the wound. He's not cried once since he's been out not even when I've left the room for a while. He's currently laid on sofa fully stretched out on his back.

Bex, I've replied to email but completely understand that you've probably gone to bed

[bexVN]

I am now (tried to get phone to link but not working.) I'll reply tom am

[purrfect]

K77, still thinking of you both and crossing everything. So glad he liked the lik-e-licks - I knew he would.
I've put pic up of my little feline under "It's Caturday..." so you and Jenson can have a look!
Hope the honey and your care is working. I'm sure it is.

[K77 CTR]

Bex, it sort of worked although as he has no tail it keeps slipping. Am wondering if that vet tape stuff (the sticky bandage) would work better. He's not bothered by it and am glad that it is covered but think I'll be redressing it frequently throughout the day unless I can stop it slipping, as it's getting in the way when he uses his litter tray.

Purrfect, he loves the lick-e-lix stuff and he gave a big meow at your picture on the caturday thread. That's a gorgeous looking cat you've got there.

I'm so grateful for all the support I've been given on here

[SPR2]

Are you able to put elastic round the legs similar to how the dog coats have them to keep the rear end down?ie.attach elastic in front and behind the hind leg.
BTW he is a beautiful cat and I hope he will soon be better.

[bexVN]

Yes using a sticky material would be fine. There are lots of possible materials to use. Just sorting toddler out then can give suggestions via pm. Would avoid elastic unless can get the tension spot on.

Edited by bexVN on Thursday 29th December 20:35

[purrfect]

How is he now? I was wondering - is he wearing a plastic collar thing to stop him licking the wound? I know they hate those collars but if it stops him from chewing it. Poor little thing - that wound looks uncomfortable and he is so brave.

Thanks for the comment about my pic. Jenson is such a handsome boy too. I am willing his wound to heal but of course it is a slow process.

[K77 CTR]

He's had a collar on since the accident, it's a much nicer one than the buster collar and he's not fussed by it all, although he's beginning to be able to work around it.

I should know it's a long process being a nurse but I just want it to be better overnight. Want him to be back doing what cats should do, rather than just lying on the sofa 24/7.

My other cat doesn't like it either, as he's being completely ignored as he's shut out of the lounge.

[ali_kat]

How's Jensen doing Karen?

[K77 CTR]

ali_kat said:

How's Jensen doing Karen?

Not great Ali, his wound has opened more and the stump of his tail is now protruding through the wound he is off to the vet in the morning as I am really unhappy with the way it's looking. The vet didn't seem too worried about it, as I assumed they'd want to see him asap this morning.