Indoor-Only Cats

Hi everyone!

I am looking to see if anyone has any experience with cats who have blood clots and lose function in their back legs. Evidently this is something that's not all that rare with cats.

Sunday night my cat "threw a clot" as the vet called it and hasn't been able to move his legs. We took him to the emergency vet where they gave him blood thinners, oxygen, and heat to try to get the circulation in his back legs. He's been in the animal hospital since Sunday night.

What's sad is that he was fine all day, and even now he's alert and purring, although the pain medications have made him a bit sluggish. He tries to walk but he can't support himself on his back legs. The vet says sometimes cats regain movement in a matter of days, weeks, or not at all -- we are just waiting to see what happens.

We will be bringing him home today --- does anyone have any advice on how to make life easy for him? How did you handle the litterbox situation?

I'm Blogging! http://eatveggiecookie.blogspot.com

Oh gosh, I'm sorry to hear that your cat (and you) are going through this. I have only a little experience with this -- it happened with my cat who passed away in '02 (it happened a couple of years before he passed away and had nothing to do with his death). He suddenly couldn't use his back legs properly, but he did regain the use of them within a couple of days and it never happened again. I honestly don't remember what we did about the litter box -- I wish I could help you out there, I believe he was at the vet for a large part of the time it was going on -- but I do remember that thankfully I wasn't working when it happened and I just stayed with him as much as possible.

I would probably set up a sanctuary room for your cat where everything he needs is right there. I wish I could be of more help, and I certainly hope this will be temporary and he will be able to use his legs again!

Hopefully others who have more experience will have some advice for you. I will keep your kitty in my prayers.

  

                                                  

  

                                    

  

    "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi

 

Oh, thanks for the reply!

He came home and is so much happier than he was in the hospital, but he's only got partial use of one leg. He's scooting around, though, and doesn't want to be left alone. It's so tough because I know he's old and won't live forever, but he's not acting like he's given up or isn't happy. We'll try helping him with food and the box and see how things go.

I'm Blogging! http://eatveggiecookie.blogspot.com

Oh, I bet he is much happier to be at home. Cats feel so much more secure in their familiar surroundings -- it's very important for their peace of mind, I think. I'm glad he is seeming in good spirits even with the issues he's having. Please keep us updated on how he's doing and I'll keep him in my prayers!

  

                                                  

  

                                    

  

    "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi

 

I've never had a cat with this condition but just wanted to let you know that I'm keeping your kitty in my prayers and sending healing thoughts your way.

Namaste,

Lynn