Patches, The Semi-Paralysed Cat (Alex Kam�s)

Hi Kah Yein,

I had the first home visit session with�Alex�and Patches today. The visit left me grateful and inspired that there are people like this young ladyAlex�who will respond to a call for help for a paralysed stray.

Alex�has been really conscientious and read up about paralysis and also the cage she set up for Patches had all the considerations for a paralysed animal. Little important points like raising the side of the cage where the cat was on so that the “floor” is level with the lip of the litter box so that Patches can just slide into the litter box rather than have to get over the lip of the litter box and risk hurting her spine more or not be able to lift herself over.

Even though Patches currently can’t use the litter box, it is a nice consideration. When�I got there I found Patches’ bladder was really distended. It indicated that she has loss some function of her bladder control and possibly her bowel control. I showed�Alex�how to express Patches bladder as that is the primary important issue to maintain proper function, even if it has to be assisted, for paralysed animals. It must have taken us a good 15 minutes or more to finally empty Patches’ bladder. She did seem a little more relaxed after that as the pressure building up in the full bladder would have subsided. in fact several times�while expressing her bladder, once she was more relaxed, she started grooming herself which is such a good sign to see. For now Patches will need help emptying her bladder.

Next we looked at urine burns. Fortunately Patches had been shaved at the vet to reduce the effects of urine burn as it’s not easy to clean the body surface completely of urine when it clings to the fur. This just reduces the chances of damage to the skin. Patches had very very mild urine scald and it looks like�Alex�is doing a good job. I did recommend that she clean the skin with salt water instead as that is most effective and not harmful.

Patches was a little constipated and�Alex�will try giving her some laxative for 2 days. Otherwise it seems like she did a good poo this morning before I got there.�Alex�said that she will try out giving home cooked food as she is now giving canned food to ensure that the stools do not get too hard and make it difficult for Patches to eliminate.

It’s really encouraging to see that Patches legs are kicking, even though at times it is not voluntary. She can sit up well and is eager to scramble away with her front legs. While sitting up, she makes kicking movements with her hind affected legs. It is certainly helpful that despite being a street cat, she was not the least bit hostile and only gave us a few grumbles when she was getting restless and made some attempts to struggle away. It’s�amazing to see how she behaves as if she’s disregarding her severe injury so easily. This is a lesson I often take from the animals I work with- they accept their disability with such simplicity in that they just go on and try and do what they can with what they have left. Humans often choose a more complicated path when faced with disability.

It seems that it has only been 2 weeks since her injury, according to the vet’s assessment and I recommended that we handle things slowly and patiently till we pass the 8 week mark when skeletal injuries are more stables�to avoid�more damage to the fragile spine. For now it’s conservative management and confinement.

Patches seems restless and sits up a lot in her confinement in her cage and shuffles her hind legs. There is a limit to how much we can restrict her for healing so confinement in a small cage is the only possibility for now.

Despite my concern that her spinal injury is still unstable, because she is quite active, we started with some light physiotherapy. This will ease her frustration and give her better circulation since her movement is so limited for cage rest and also ensure that her muscles do not get tight and locked in during this period.

Physio is all passive which means it does not require the animal to bear weight and stand so it;s all very gentle. also showed�Alex�how to massage Patches’ limbs and keep her muscles healthy as far as we can. All this is done with careful consideration that the spine is not stressed in any way and�Alex�has been advice to only do the physio routine if she is able to keep Patches quite and calm during physio session. Usually it takes a few sessions and the animal begins to understand what we are doing with them and they also start to feel the relaxing effects of the massage and some really fall asleep even before the sessions begin.

Alex�told me that her friend is helping to raise funds for Patches treatment. It’s touching to hear these people come together and put in their best effort towards a good outcome for Patches.�The friend who is helping�Alex�also went through her cat being paralysed after an accident and fractured pelvis.�This brave cat recovered and walked after 6 months of paralysis. That is a heartwarming story of dedication, commitment�and responsibility.

Patches is surrounded by so much positive energy that I’m sure it will all go towards her healing.

Best regards,

Lydia

Giving Patches a massage.

 

 

Patches looking calm after her bladder is no longer distended.

Kudos to Alex for rescuing and taking such good care of Patches!