Ok I am not a vet, but to expect and animal to recover from something this traumatic in a span of few days seems very unrealistic. He is eating and has made some improvement. I hope the little guy can prove the vet wrong.
I'm saddened but I'm not giving up on him! I'll post longer later I'm currently at an appointment but I don't want yall to worry! I'm not giving up on my boy!
There are sadly a LOT of vets out there that underestimate the lengths that one will go to in order to help a pet that truly does have a chance. Perhaps because so many just won't, or in some cases can't. But to not even offer the option to help? Now THAT saddens me.The vet we saw tonight said to put him to sleep and that he won't get better if he hasn't in a week. He feels pain in every leg and he said he isn't paralyzed it's called pareesus? Or something where he feels pain and stretches but the legs don't work. He also said the muscles in his back legs are already gone. definitely not what we wanted to hear. I'm feeling pretty bad about things now when I was feeling positive.
I just read this thread. I am glad you are not giving up. Muscles will atropy without use, but are there little exercises you can do with them? I have no experience with paralized cats, but I worked my dad through 2 strokes. I took time off work during his PT times and learned what I needed to work on and when he wasnt in PT I did the work. Well worth the effort to try. He is a beautiful kitten.I'm saddened but I'm not giving up on him! I'll post longer later I'm currently at an appointment but I don't want yall to worry! I'm not giving up on my boy!
Well I'm sorry you had such a negative vet telling you there is no chance and to pts.I'm saddened but I'm not giving up on him! I'll post longer later I'm currently at an appointment but I don't want yall to worry! I'm not giving up on my boy!
Paralysis of a leg often results from damage to the peripheral spinal nerves. Paralysis of a front leg is usually associated with injury to the nerve roots in the neck or shoulder, or injury to the radial, median, or ulnar nerve in the leg. Paralysis of a hind leg is usually associated with injury to the nerve roots in the lower back or tailbone, or the femoral, sciatic, peroneal, or tibial nerve in the leg. Spinal reflexes, pain sensation, and the condition of the muscles in the affected limb are evaluated to identify the location of the injury. The closer a nerve injury is to the muscle, the better the outlook for recovery, so it is important to determine the exact location of the injury. The ability or inability of the animal to flex the joint and bear weight on the leg, and the presence or absence of pain sensation and reflexes at various places in the leg, depend on the site of the nerve damage. Within a short period, muscles wither and lose mass because of the lost nerve connection. If an abnormal eye condition known as Horner's syndrome (pupil small, eyelid partially closed, and third eyelid elevated) is present on the same side of the body as a paralyzed front leg, then the nerve roots have been torn and the chances for recovery are minimal. Applying heat, performing massage, and stretching tendons should be done as directed to keep muscles, tendons, and joints of a paralyzed leg healthy while the nerve is regenerating. No specific therapy is available to help nerve regeneration. Acupuncture can help recovery. Look at all of the specialists who contributed this info. William B. Thomas, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology); Kyle G. Braund, BVSc, MVSc, PhD, FRCVS, DACVIM (Neurology); Cheryl L. Chrisman, DVM, MS, EDS, DACVIM (Neurology); Caroline N. Hahn, DVM, MSc, PhD, DECEIM, DECVN, MRCVS; Charles M. Hendrix, DVM, PhD; Karen R. Munana, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology); T. Mark Neer, DVM, DACVIM; Charles E. Rupprecht, VMD, MS, PhD; Robert Wylie, BVSc, QDA I've also read on several sites that hydrotherapy can be VERY helpful. Now, money is tight, so if he does not continue to improve slowly but surely like he is, I highly suggest one thing, it's called a myelogram. It's just x-rays, but with dye injected in to the spinal column which will show clearly if there has been spinal damage or not. If not, the nerves can repair themselves, but it can take time. Do your best to stay positive and focused, I have not changed my beliefs that he can recover. |
I would think a well nourished kitten would regenerate faster if they growing properly. Under 6 months is massive growth time.
Well I'm sorry you had such a negative vet telling you there is no chance and to pts.
I've dealt with vets like that before, once is all it takes and I never will go back.
So he actually gave kitten a full on exam and determined he is never going to recover? How did he come to this conclusion?
No mention that several things can cause temporary paralysis?
Pain on the spinal cord, neck, legs
Nerve and/or muscle inflammation
These are temporary. Spinal cord is not severed, he feels pain and reacts. He has improved just since you started this thread.
Read this, I know it's a bit complex but not bad.
Paralysis of a leg often results from damage to the peripheral spinal nerves. Paralysis of a front leg is usually associated with injury to the nerve roots in the neck or shoulder, or injury to the radial, median, or ulnar nerve in the leg. Paralysis of a hind leg is usually associated with injury to the nerve roots in the lower back or tailbone, or the femoral, sciatic, peroneal, or tibial nerve in the leg.
Spinal reflexes, pain sensation, and the condition of the muscles in the affected limb are evaluated to identify the location of the injury. The closer a nerve injury is to the muscle, the better the outlook for recovery, so it is important to determine the exact location of the injury. The ability or inability of the animal to flex the joint and bear weight on the leg, and the presence or absence of pain sensation and reflexes at various places in the leg, depend on the site of the nerve damage. Within a short period, muscles wither and lose mass because of the lost nerve connection.Nerves regenerate slowly (at the rate of about 1 inch per month), and full functional recovery depends on the condition of the nerve sheath and on the distance between the injury and the muscle where the nerve ends. Some nerve injuries can resolve after several weeks or months; however, when total nerve rupture occurs, surgical reattachment is required for regeneration.
If an abnormal eye condition known as Horner's syndrome (pupil small, eyelid partially closed, and third eyelid elevated) is present on the same side of the body as a paralyzed front leg, then the nerve roots have been torn and the chances for recovery are minimal.If Horner's syndrome is not present with front leg paralysis, the outlook for recovery is much better.
Applying heat, performing massage, and stretching tendons should be done as directed to keep muscles, tendons, and joints of a paralyzed leg healthy while the nerve is regenerating.
No specific therapy is available to help nerve regeneration. Acupuncture can help recovery.If voluntary movement, pain sensation, and spinal reflexes improve over 1 to 2 months, the outlook for recovery is good.
Look at all of the specialists who contributed this info.
William B. Thomas, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology); Kyle G. Braund, BVSc, MVSc, PhD, FRCVS, DACVIM (Neurology); Cheryl L. Chrisman, DVM, MS, EDS, DACVIM (Neurology); Caroline N. Hahn, DVM, MSc, PhD, DECEIM, DECVN, MRCVS; Charles M. Hendrix, DVM, PhD; Karen R. Munana, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology); T. Mark Neer, DVM, DACVIM; Charles E. Rupprecht, VMD, MS, PhD; Robert Wylie, BVSc, QDA
I've also read on several sites that hydrotherapy can be VERY helpful.
Now, money is tight, so if he does not continue to improve slowly but surely like he is, I highly suggest one thing, it's called a myelogram. It's just x-rays, but with dye injected in to the spinal column which will show clearly if there has been spinal damage or not.
If not, the nerves can repair themselves, but it can take time.
Do your best to stay positive and focused, I have not changed my beliefs that he can recover.
I absolutely agree, not an adult cat, his growth rate and repair rate should be much faster, excellent point!
I would think a well nourished kitten would regenerate faster if they growing properly. Under 6 months is massive growth time.
If the kitten continues to eat.
I absolutely agree, not an adult cat, his growth rate and repair rate should be much faster, excellent point!