Pookie: How we care for our paralyzed cat

We filmed how we care for our paralyzed cat, Pookie, in the hope of helping people around the world who need to know. Pookie lives a happy and complete life!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• cat
• paralyzed cat
• cat wagon
• cat wheels
• cat cart
• invalid cat
• crippled cat
• cat care
• miracle
• Pookie

[ArletteNL]

continued: I wonder why he can't poop on his own. There are of course cat laxative creams. But the worse thing is if he is in pain. You have to determine if his pain is getting less every day. It's all about his quality of life. I am truly sorry to hear all this. What a nightmare you are all going through. I wish you all the luck in the world.

[ArletteNL]

This is dreadful. He must be going through hell. You and your neighbors too. Expressing his bladder is very very simple, once someone shows you how to. You lie your cat on his side, by your sink, lift his tail or attach his tail with a hair clip, then put one hand under him and one over him, feel for the bladder, and apply pressure. If that works, then we won't pee on the floor and won't need a diaper. We do it three times a day. But having to put him in warm water to help him poop sounds bad.

[Sweetheartmanda]

But I took him home for a day to spend with him before I would put him down it's been 2days I haven't took him back. My neighbors want to take him, care for him. What is your opinion? He still eats, sleeps, he seems like he's in pain but I feel it's only because it was recent and it's still "healing". My neighbors want to take him to their doctor. Should I give him time to adjust? Was your cat confused at first about what happened to him? Did he struggle at first?

[ArletteNL]

@Sweetheartmanda Your neighbors sound like amazingly kind & caring people, as you do. I wish you could get a 2nd vet's opinion. If the pellets cannot be removed from the spine, and if it will cause permanent pain and suffering, that's one thing. But if he will soon stop feeling discomfort, that's completely different. Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing this. His appetite is a great sign though. Why not wait it out a bit and see how he does? Is it necessary for you to express his bladder?

[Sweetheartmanda]

Recently 2 days ago, I found my cat the was missing for 4 days. He was under the house and I called to him and he wouldnt come. I had to go under the house to rescue him. Took him to the vet, The doctor said he was probably hit by a car and had to take X-rays. They called me later that day and said he was shot by a bb pallet(metal) gun. He was hit through the side which entered his spine and is not paralyzed in the hind legs. I really don't want to put him down but the doctors say I should...

[ArletteNL]

@Sweetheartmanda It is deeply shocking to read that people would sadistically shoot your cat. How awful.. I am really sorry for what you are both going through. I can only guess that if he is in pain, that must mean that he has feelings, and that can be good...that there is a chance for recovery... but it could also mean permanent suffering. I wish I could tell you. Our Pookie had no feeling from the very beginning because he was instantly paralyzed from severing his spinal chord in the fall.

[Sweetheartmanda]

Well he urinates a lot, I don't really know how to do his bladder like you do. Last night I had to put in half way in a warm bath to get his poop to get out... It's a lot of work my neighbors actually just gave him back to me a few minutes ago crying saying they took him to doctor and they cannot fix him. The bullet cannot be removed its in his spine. I don't know what to do...

[ArletteNL]

@felicianomiko I agree with you completely. When you love someone, it doesn't feel like time or effort. We are so grateful that Pookie pulled through - he gives us so much joy. Thank you for your letter. Nice to know that there are others who agree. Arlette

[ArletteNL]

@dobbins2550 Thank you very much for your kind words. Pookie makes it easy to us to be the way we are. Pookie is a furry bundle of love and affection. Arlette

[ArletteNL]

Hi, so sorry to hear about the car accident... I don't know which supplement you are referring to.

Pookie was not allowed to move the first six weeks after his surgery. Our surgeon told us to keep him in a cage until then. When we let him out, six weeks later, he started to drag his hind legs, the way he does now. His front legs have always worked. What did your vet tell you? Good luck and keep us posted, if possible. Again, so sorry to hear about this terrible accident. Arlette