Hi All,
On Saturday, when I returned from a pet health center visit with my five month old feral kitten Sasha (she has a really bad upper respirtory infection), as I was climbing up the stairs she fell/jumped over the railing and landed on the floor. She probably fell almost eight or nine feet. I think that she would have been ok, but on the way down, she must have hit her head on the railing for the next landing, because she cried out louder than i have ever heard from any cat. After the fall I noticed that her front paws flared out for bit, and she was totally unresponsive. I thought that she had died. She didn't make any noise or anything and was limp like a ragdoll. She had a bowel movement while still on the floor. Her eyes remained shut and there was nothing that I could do to make her respond or to make her move her have any reflex movement with her paws. That night I put her bed in my bed so that I could monitor her. After several hours, she began to open one eye and cried out any time I touched or moved her.
I would have taken her to the vet to receive emergency care, but I knew that it would be costly even at the "low cost pet clinic", and I really didn't/don't have it, and I don't have insurance for her. So everything is out of pocket. As of today (Tuesday), she has very limited mobility. She can stand up and walk a few steps, but ultimately ends up just zoning out like an addict and sort of "falls into herself", as if she can't support herself whether standing or seated. I thought that her back was broken, but the fact that she can walk gives me some hope. Her appetite is great, but she seems to have lost the coordination it takes to eat her food, and now requires my assistance. I have to hold up the bowl to her face and she eats that way (this has led to a concern that she may have some visual problems - her pupils also don't seem to respond to light- they appear to remain wide open). I am concerned that she may now have some form of cerebal palsy. It seems as if she must have suffered a seizure, stroke, etc., from the blow and I am really at my wits end. I just wish that I knew what is wrong with her. She pretty much stays in the same spot that I leave her in when I leave for work. (Note: she doesn't (or rather hasn't) used the litterbox on her own since the fall. She will pee when I put her in the box, but she hasn't pooped, even when I put her in the box and walk away for few minutes. She just sits there and eventually leans on the box, and begins crying out for me to take her out).
I haven't been able to find anything online, and that is why I am turning to forums for any feedback or links that anyone may have.
I have a follow up appointment scheduled on Saturday the first of December(payday for me is Friday), so that they can see how she is doing with her respitory infection, and to now ask that they examine her for this. Saturday seems like a lifetime away, but I really have no choice!!!!
I am so sorry for the long post. I am all cried out, financially broke, mentally and heartbroken and just looking for some type of feedback, advice, ideas, etc. I know that my cat is likely permanently disabled, and that I will likely not be able to continue with her care if she will need any extensive medical attention. Last night she was panting so frantically (like a dog) with her mouth open, that I thought that she would certainly not make it through the night, but she eventually stopped, and went to sleep.
ANY advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Laylah
On Saturday, when I returned from a pet health center visit with my five month old feral kitten Sasha (she has a really bad upper respirtory infection), as I was climbing up the stairs she fell/jumped over the railing and landed on the floor. She probably fell almost eight or nine feet. I think that she would have been ok, but on the way down, she must have hit her head on the railing for the next landing, because she cried out louder than i have ever heard from any cat. After the fall I noticed that her front paws flared out for bit, and she was totally unresponsive. I thought that she had died. She didn't make any noise or anything and was limp like a ragdoll. She had a bowel movement while still on the floor. Her eyes remained shut and there was nothing that I could do to make her respond or to make her move her have any reflex movement with her paws. That night I put her bed in my bed so that I could monitor her. After several hours, she began to open one eye and cried out any time I touched or moved her.
I would have taken her to the vet to receive emergency care, but I knew that it would be costly even at the "low cost pet clinic", and I really didn't/don't have it, and I don't have insurance for her. So everything is out of pocket. As of today (Tuesday), she has very limited mobility. She can stand up and walk a few steps, but ultimately ends up just zoning out like an addict and sort of "falls into herself", as if she can't support herself whether standing or seated. I thought that her back was broken, but the fact that she can walk gives me some hope. Her appetite is great, but she seems to have lost the coordination it takes to eat her food, and now requires my assistance. I have to hold up the bowl to her face and she eats that way (this has led to a concern that she may have some visual problems - her pupils also don't seem to respond to light- they appear to remain wide open). I am concerned that she may now have some form of cerebal palsy. It seems as if she must have suffered a seizure, stroke, etc., from the blow and I am really at my wits end. I just wish that I knew what is wrong with her. She pretty much stays in the same spot that I leave her in when I leave for work. (Note: she doesn't (or rather hasn't) used the litterbox on her own since the fall. She will pee when I put her in the box, but she hasn't pooped, even when I put her in the box and walk away for few minutes. She just sits there and eventually leans on the box, and begins crying out for me to take her out).
I haven't been able to find anything online, and that is why I am turning to forums for any feedback or links that anyone may have.
I have a follow up appointment scheduled on Saturday the first of December(payday for me is Friday), so that they can see how she is doing with her respitory infection, and to now ask that they examine her for this. Saturday seems like a lifetime away, but I really have no choice!!!!
I am so sorry for the long post. I am all cried out, financially broke, mentally and heartbroken and just looking for some type of feedback, advice, ideas, etc. I know that my cat is likely permanently disabled, and that I will likely not be able to continue with her care if she will need any extensive medical attention. Last night she was panting so frantically (like a dog) with her mouth open, that I thought that she would certainly not make it through the night, but she eventually stopped, and went to sleep.
ANY advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Laylah
