Fingers crossed please
Discussion
My cat (Jenson) has ? been hit by a car, took him to the vet with blood all over his rear end. Vet took one look at him and said he couldn't deal with it and referred us to a specialist vet.
Drove him the 20 minutes to specialist who was brilliant. Cat was immediately given methadone and left to calm down whilst vet spoke in depth to me. He appears to have no feeling in his tail and extensive wounds to his rear end. He has lifted all his skin from around his anus right up to front legs, they need to see if it'll reseal itself on it's own. They also think he might have bladder damage but xrays are clear.
He's currently on augmentin, methadone and ketamine, bandaged from bum to front legs and going to need daily sedation for dressing changes. He has a catheter and will probably need his tail removing. They are holding off on that until they know how his wounds are healing.
The vet is a soft tissue specialist so hopefully in the best possible care, thank god he's insured although only up to £6000 when the vet reckons it could be up to £10,000 worst case.
Please keep all your fingers and toes crossed for Jenson to make a full recovery
Drove him the 20 minutes to specialist who was brilliant. Cat was immediately given methadone and left to calm down whilst vet spoke in depth to me. He appears to have no feeling in his tail and extensive wounds to his rear end. He has lifted all his skin from around his anus right up to front legs, they need to see if it'll reseal itself on it's own. They also think he might have bladder damage but xrays are clear.
He's currently on augmentin, methadone and ketamine, bandaged from bum to front legs and going to need daily sedation for dressing changes. He has a catheter and will probably need his tail removing. They are holding off on that until they know how his wounds are healing.
The vet is a soft tissue specialist so hopefully in the best possible care, thank god he's insured although only up to £6000 when the vet reckons it could be up to £10,000 worst case.
Please keep all your fingers and toes crossed for Jenson to make a full recovery
Thanks Bex was hoping you would appear, they did say the'd just discharged a cat after 3 months of wound care. I know he's in the best place for him and they seem to be doing a great job with him so far.
They have already called me this evening to give me an update and will call me tomorrow, they will call from home in the evening if I can't talk due to my shift work.
They have warned me that it all rests on his bladder, they feel his bowel is ok although the wound virtually extends into his anus. They say it could be 6 weeks before we knowabut his bladder, really don't think it's fair to have him housebound with some form of catheter in situ.
Money will determine his future by looks of thing and that really upsets me, wish I'd insured him with pet plan now fingers crossed £6K is enough
They have already called me this evening to give me an update and will call me tomorrow, they will call from home in the evening if I can't talk due to my shift work.
They have warned me that it all rests on his bladder, they feel his bowel is ok although the wound virtually extends into his anus. They say it could be 6 weeks before we knowabut his bladder, really don't think it's fair to have him housebound with some form of catheter in situ.
Money will determine his future by looks of thing and that really upsets me, wish I'd insured him with pet plan now
fingers crossed £6K is enoughThank you for all the positive thoughts. Jenson is still at the vets, he has been a little git and pulled off all his dressings so now they are trying another kind of dressing. He remains in good spirits and is allowing them to change his dressings without anaesthetic.
We need to allow the wounds to start healing and then they will be able to take the catheter out and see how his bladder is functioning. Fingers crossed his bladder is ok and then hopefully he will recover fully.
All the people at the vets are being brilliant, keeping me informed with everything. I am off to visit him tomorrow morning, hopefully he won't look too bad and it up for a little cuddle. He's still on ketamine and methadone (junkie cat) so is very comfortable.
We need to allow the wounds to start healing and then they will be able to take the catheter out and see how his bladder is functioning. Fingers crossed his bladder is ok and then hopefully he will recover fully.
All the people at the vets are being brilliant, keeping me informed with everything. I am off to visit him tomorrow morning, hopefully he won't look too bad and it up for a little cuddle. He's still on ketamine and methadone (junkie cat) so is very comfortable.
therealpigdog said:
Fingers crossed.
Sat in our vets now with one of the dogs who coughed up blood last night
Hope your doggie is ok and not causing you too many problems Sat in our vets now with one of the dogs who coughed up blood last night
Here is the poor little one today
The vets are pleased with how the wounds are going, no signs of infection or dead tissue. He's not eating at the moment although I managed to get a little bit of chicken in to him. If he doesn't start to eat he'll be tube fed.
They have reduced his sedation and pain relief to see if this is stopping him eating and also to encourage him to move around. He is getting frustrated with not being able to move and being prodded and poked.
I spent over an hour with him today, he happily laid on my lap and enjoyed a good stroke and chin rub. I think he's sore as every time I tried to move him he just hissed but didn't try and scratch me, they have clipped his claws which I guess is normal.
He had a little walk around the room but then gave up and laid down under the desk, he seemed reasonably happy but just fed up. I am going back tomorrow to see him but won't be able to go every day due to shifts and it being 20 miles away, will try and see him as much as I can though.
He will have to have his tail removed at some point but is not a priority at the moment and I'm guessing that will be done when his wounds are finally sutured.
Still have to wait to find out about his bladder damage which I'm finding is the hardest thing to deal with, am I putting him through all this just to find that his bladder control is damaged and that the best thing is to put him to sleep? Poor little mite, really hope I'm making the right choices for him.
The vets are pleased with how the wounds are going, no signs of infection or dead tissue. He's not eating at the moment although I managed to get a little bit of chicken in to him. If he doesn't start to eat he'll be tube fed.
They have reduced his sedation and pain relief to see if this is stopping him eating and also to encourage him to move around. He is getting frustrated with not being able to move and being prodded and poked.
I spent over an hour with him today, he happily laid on my lap and enjoyed a good stroke and chin rub. I think he's sore as every time I tried to move him he just hissed but didn't try and scratch me, they have clipped his claws which I guess is normal.
He had a little walk around the room but then gave up and laid down under the desk, he seemed reasonably happy but just fed up. I am going back tomorrow to see him but won't be able to go every day due to shifts and it being 20 miles away, will try and see him as much as I can though.
He will have to have his tail removed at some point but is not a priority at the moment and I'm guessing that will be done when his wounds are finally sutured.
Still have to wait to find out about his bladder damage which I'm finding is the hardest thing to deal with, am I putting him through all this just to find that his bladder control is damaged and that the best thing is to put him to sleep? Poor little mite, really hope I'm making the right choices for him.
bexVN said:
Please do not feel guilty about giving him a chance. Animals are just incredible when it comes to dealing with what life throws at them and if he is prepared to fight then let him. If things change and he starts to give up then you may need to think again. If after all this his bladder lets him down do not feel bad about your decisions. Life would be easier if we could see the future.
He's looking good in those pics (is he not on a drip at the mo?) tube feeding is a really good idea takes the worry out of making sure they're eating enough.
Thanks Bex, it's so hard trying to make these decisions when you're on your own. Am I right in thinking that the bladder issue is probably related to the fact he has the nerve damage to his tail?He's looking good in those pics (is he not on a drip at the mo?) tube feeding is a really good idea takes the worry out of making sure they're eating enough.
He did look much better than I thought he would, was glad to see him walking around for a little while. He is on a drip but it was disconnected so that I could have a proper cuddle with him. He was off it for about an hour, that was the most they wanted to leave it for.
They will tube feed him if he doesn't start eating over the next 24-48 hours but have changed his opiates to see if this encourages him to eat. They are wanting him to eat to aid the wound healing.
Really wish we could see the future
Thank you everyone for your words, means a lot to me. I'm much more used to dealing with humans in these situations and making decisions in their best interests than I am for cats.
I am going to take each day as it comes and see what happens, my aim for tomorrow is to hear he has eaten. The nurses do seem to be doing a great job with him and nothing seems too much trouble.
I'm sure I'll be on here regularly looking for advice and support so hope you all keep popping back
I am going to take each day as it comes and see what happens, my aim for tomorrow is to hear he has eaten. The nurses do seem to be doing a great job with him and nothing seems too much trouble.
I'm sure I'll be on here regularly looking for advice and support so hope you all keep popping back
Woohoo, his bladder works they had to remove his catheter last night as it had blocked and he went for a wee in his litter tray. Wounds are improving and discharge has virtually stopped.
He still hasn't eaten but I'm off there later to try and give him some chicken/ tuna.
So happy that it look like the little fella is going to be ok
they had to remove his catheter last night as it had blocked and he went for a wee in his litter tray. Wounds are improving and discharge has virtually stopped.He still hasn't eaten but I'm off there later to try and give him some chicken/ tuna.
So happy that it look like the little fella is going to be ok
Thank you for all the messages,
Jenson is still refusing to eat for the vets but has wolfed down a bowl of chicken and a bowl of tuna for me this afternoon, got to go back tomorrow to feed him again.
He's looking so much better, interested in what's going on and walking around. Has started grooming himself today and just seems much more relaxed, although obviously sore as he's still hissing when being handled.
He's had all the dressings left off today to ensure that he doesn't sit in his urine for hours. Saw the wounds properly today, they look horrible think the plan is to remove the tail in a few days and partially suture his wounds.
I'm hoping that I might get him home towards the end of next week, although he felt warm to me today so just hope he doesn't have an infection. Being moaned at by my family as this will mean I can't visit them over christmas as I don't think it'll be fair to leave him overnight
Jenson is still refusing to eat for the vets but has wolfed down a bowl of chicken and a bowl of tuna for me this afternoon, got to go back tomorrow to feed him again.
He's looking so much better, interested in what's going on and walking around. Has started grooming himself today and just seems much more relaxed, although obviously sore as he's still hissing when being handled.
He's had all the dressings left off today to ensure that he doesn't sit in his urine for hours. Saw the wounds properly today, they look horrible
think the plan is to remove the tail in a few days and partially suture his wounds. I'm hoping that I might get him home towards the end of next week, although he felt warm to me today so just hope he doesn't have an infection. Being moaned at by my family as this will mean I can't visit them over christmas as I don't think it'll be fair to leave him overnight
ali_kat said:
Tried Tuna?
Pepi won't eat at the Vets either - it all smells wrong
If he does come home, can he not go to family with you?
He ate the tuna for me but won't eat for the nurses. They are happy with what he ate today and I'm going back tomorrow after work to try again. Only issue is with my shifts it's going to be difficult for me to go there over the weekend.Pepi won't eat at the Vets either - it all smells wrong
If he does come home, can he not go to family with you?
Not sure I could take him to my sisters as she has two cats and two very young children, she also lives 2-3 hours away. We will see what happens if and when he's discharged.
Little Update
He has begun to eat without me having to be there which is useful as I'm working nights this weekend and it would be difficult to see the little fella. I've been to see him every day for an hour since his accident and although he's loving his cuddles and chin tickles he just doesn't seem very interested. Would love to see him up and about rather than just lying there but guess he's just feeling sorry for himself.
He does seem to be getting a little sensation back in his tail, the tone is there for about 3 ins from his body. The vet is going to reassess him on Monday and decide how much tail needs removing.
I will see what he's like when he's finally discharged as to what I can do with him over christmas.
He has begun to eat without me having to be there which is useful as I'm working nights this weekend and it would be difficult to see the little fella. I've been to see him every day for an hour since his accident and although he's loving his cuddles and chin tickles he just doesn't seem very interested. Would love to see him up and about rather than just lying there but guess he's just feeling sorry for himself.
He does seem to be getting a little sensation back in his tail, the tone is there for about 3 ins from his body. The vet is going to reassess him on Monday and decide how much tail needs removing.
I will see what he's like when he's finally discharged as to what I can do with him over christmas.
Ali, I haven't spoken to the vet for a few days but will be speaking to them on Monday when they decide about his tail. I don't think they are worried about him as they have taken his cannula out and he's just on oral meds etc.
They have got Feliway diffusers all around the room and there's only one other cat in there with him, so unlikely to be stressed by other cat. I haven't taken any clothing in as he's being barrier nursed and I don't want to introduce any germs from my other cat.
I'm hoping when I see him on monday that he'll be much happier as he'll have been eating and hopefully have some energy.
The vet and the nurses have been great with me and Jenson, I have been allowed to visit whenever I've asked but it's always been during office hours. Sometimes I feel I'm there too much but they've never made me feel like I'm in the way.
They have got Feliway diffusers all around the room and there's only one other cat in there with him, so unlikely to be stressed by other cat. I haven't taken any clothing in as he's being barrier nursed and I don't want to introduce any germs from my other cat.
I'm hoping when I see him on monday that he'll be much happier as he'll have been eating and hopefully have some energy.
The vet and the nurses have been great with me and Jenson, I have been allowed to visit whenever I've asked but it's always been during office hours. Sometimes I feel I'm there too much but they've never made me feel like I'm in the way.
Jenson is still at the vets. He had the majority of his tail removed and wounds closed on Monday. Immediately after the surgery he was in much better spirits and started eating. The vet wasn't as happy as she had hoped about the surgery, feeling that the skin on the tail wasn't particularly healthy although it had seemed ok prior to surgery.
So today he went back to have his tail fully amputated and the fluid that had accumulated from the other wounds drained. He now has two drains under his skin and is being kept for a few more days.
He seems much happier and relaxed, every time I see him he's had another bit of fur removed for a cannula (poor thing will be bald soon). We are all hoping that he will discharged after the weekend.
The vets and nurses have been brilliant and they have offered to take Jenson back over christmas for me.
Any suggestions for a few little thank you presents? I know us nurses like hand cream, is this the same for vet nurses?
So today he went back to have his tail fully amputated and the fluid that had accumulated from the other wounds drained. He now has two drains under his skin and is being kept for a few more days.
He seems much happier and relaxed, every time I see him he's had another bit of fur removed for a cannula (poor thing will be bald soon). We are all hoping that he will discharged after the weekend.
The vets and nurses have been brilliant and they have offered to take Jenson back over christmas for me.
Any suggestions for a few little thank you presents? I know us nurses like hand cream, is this the same for vet nurses?
He's still not very active, considering he spends most of his time outside, when I'm at the vets he just curls up on my lap for an hour. Put him on the floor and he's straight back on my lap. Even in his cage (2 large cages joined together) he hardly moves.
Hope to have him home Monday or Tuesday, have decided on a fruit basket (we get fed up of chocolates in hospital) and some nice hand cream for the vet practice and a bunch of flowers for the nurse that has really helped him.
Hope to have him home Monday or Tuesday, have decided on a fruit basket (we get fed up of chocolates in hospital) and some nice hand cream for the vet practice and a bunch of flowers for the nurse that has really helped him.
Simpo Two said:
Poor little fellow is taking a beating; two generals in a week. Wonder why the vet didn't take the whole tail off in one go if she was unhappy about it?
I think he's had 3 or 4 anaesthetics in 10 days they initially wanted to leave some tail as he had some feeling in the base of it. At end of first surgery the skin was dusky and after 2 days had started to break down so they had no option but to fully remove it. I prefer the way he looks with no tail to how he looked with part of his tail.Gaspode, thank you so much for the email means a lot to me
Ali, the vet seems determined to get him through this, I was battling lots of emotions yesterday as to whether we were doing the right thing for him but the vet and vet nurse both said they'd continue if it were their cats.
The vet knows my limit and she has said that they will try to reduce his hospitalisation fees to get him to the end. He seems so happy, eating, playing, loving his tummy rubs and purring like nothing had ever happened.
I just don't really know what happens if this doesn't work though, the vet has a back up plan to either leave and see if it sorts itself out although from experience she says this rarely works. The other option is to remove his last vertebrae and hope this puts less tension on the wound (sounds horrendous to me and expensive).
It would seem so unfair to put him down when he's so healthy and happy otherwise
Ali, the vet seems determined to get him through this, I was battling lots of emotions yesterday as to whether we were doing the right thing for him but the vet and vet nurse both said they'd continue if it were their cats.
The vet knows my limit and she has said that they will try to reduce his hospitalisation fees to get him to the end. He seems so happy, eating, playing, loving his tummy rubs and purring like nothing had ever happened.
I just don't really know what happens if this doesn't work though, the vet has a back up plan to either leave and see if it sorts itself out although from experience she says this rarely works. The other option is to remove his last vertebrae and hope this puts less tension on the wound (sounds horrendous to me and expensive).
It would seem so unfair to put him down when he's so healthy and happy otherwise
bexVN said:
I agree no vet or nurse worth their weight would advise this unless they truly believed. Alas we can't predict the future but stay positive and remember I have been where you are so know exactly what you are struggling with. Chin up
The vets and his main vet nurse are all very positive, they are not even thinking about not trying. The vet nurse is even coming in on her days off to see how he is doing. I really believe he is in the best hands possible. The senior vet is reviewing the costs tomorrow to see if the bill can be reduced enough to provide some extra money to play with.
Jenson is in good spirits today, not wanting to sit on my lap for cuddles anymore, more interested in climbing on to the units so he can look out the window. He has diarrhoea today (over use of lactulose) so had to be sedated to have his wounds cleaned. I'm not allowing myself to get excited about things,taking each day as it comes.
Thank you for all the emails I have received, they have meant a lot to me to know the support Jenson and I are getting from PH.
Change of plan.............He's home
He was getting so stressed at the vets today, being aggressive towards them to the point he's damaged his wound fighting them, that they felt the best thing for him was to send him home.
I'm a little apprehensive about him being home as I'm back to work tomorrow on 10 hour shifts but he is going to be crated whilst I'm out and they seem happy with this. He seemed really happy to be home until he realised the catflap was shut, having a funny 2 secs of running around the lounge and now hiding behind the sofa.
Monte (my other cat) is already hissing at me for bringing Jenson home. It's going to be fun keeping those two happy.
The vet has said if his wound breaks down then they will just wait and see what happens, reluctant to operate for a fourth time. They have discharged him from their care and back to my vet but I can call at any point. The bill has come in just under the limit (another reason I think he's been sent home).
Thank you to everyone for crossing their fingers and for all your beloved pets for crossing their paws, we still need them firmly crossed but here's hoping for a full recovery.
Thank you all again for your support, it has really helped xx
He was getting so stressed at the vets today, being aggressive towards them to the point he's damaged his wound fighting them, that they felt the best thing for him was to send him home.
I'm a little apprehensive about him being home as I'm back to work tomorrow on 10 hour shifts but he is going to be crated whilst I'm out and they seem happy with this. He seemed really happy to be home until he realised the catflap was shut, having a funny 2 secs of running around the lounge and now hiding behind the sofa.
Monte (my other cat) is already hissing at me for bringing Jenson home. It's going to be fun keeping those two happy.
The vet has said if his wound breaks down then they will just wait and see what happens, reluctant to operate for a fourth time. They have discharged him from their care and back to my vet but I can call at any point. The bill has come in just under the limit (another reason I think he's been sent home).
Thank you to everyone for crossing their fingers and for all your beloved pets for crossing their paws, we still need them firmly crossed but here's hoping for a full recovery.
Thank you all again for your support, it has really helped xx
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