Ally is injured! Need prayers!

Please let that beautiful little girl be ok - prayers and best wishes for you and the the little one.

I have Ally.

The vet didn't do a complete X-ray for some reason. I wasn't going to argue with them. They did X-ray everything up to her neck.

No internal injuries as far as organs are concerned. No internal bleeding. No broken bones from what they could see.

She does have a neck injury and a possible neurological issue. Whether it is a fractured disk or a herniated disk - they couldn't tell me because once they saw she was in pain there, they X-rayed everything except the neck and head (anybody who can explain that one to me is obviously smarter than me). She probably got a concussion, but there is no way to diagnose that for sure.

She is on kitty pain meds (some synthetic opiate that I get the impression is chemically similar to Fentanyl). The vet advised me to crate her for the next week. I bought an animal crate/carrier at Walmart that is for a medium/large size dog and it has her bed, food, water, a litter box, and a few toys that require minimal activity to play with.

Unfortunately, getting her seen by a specialist for her neck won't be possible until Monday. If she is still showing pain in the neck by then, I will take her over there.

Sorry for the delay in posting. As I mentioned before, I wasn't too thrilled with my family's recent actions, so after I got Ally set up at home with her crate and all, I made a trip to Home Depot and am installing a bolt on the door to the room I'm staying in - to which only I will have a key (until I move out at which time I'll re-key it for the standard interior room key for the house).

I love my family - but I don't trust them around Ally anymore. I hate to say it - but there have been 3 separate incidents now that they have shown total disregard for her safety and well-being. After the second time, I figured shutting my door would work. Today showed me the flaw in that thinking.

I was planning to leave Ally here and have my brother take care of her when I go on a trip in a week and a half. That won't be happening. I will be making alternate plans for her.

Linda (TCS member and moderator "Yosemite"),

Unfortunately, it is tough to not take that kind of advice the wrong way and to not be somewhat offended.

I agree with you about my family - but it seemed like you are inferring that either I am a bad pet owner, or am incapable of taking care of Ally or another cat? Am I wrong and misread that?

I disagree with that. What I am - is stuck in a bad situation right now where I am living at home until I move out in a few months. I will agree that getting a second cat while still here is a bad idea. However, I don't think I'm a bad pet owner and I think one would be hard pressed to find somebody who cares more about their pets than me.

Once I'm out of this house however, and have 100% control over the environment of my pets, I don't anticipate having to deal with this type of issue again.

In the meantime, I've taken action to see to it that my family cannot jeopardize Ally's well-being anymore. If they want to play with Ally, they will have to do so under my supervision.

It's sad that it has had to come to this - but I can't change reality.

How is she doing now? I was so scared when you said she was unconscious at times...Is she acting like she is in pain now or like she isn't herself? Well I would assume that she wouldn't act as herself, after all she's been through but still...Did the vet say she was in a stable condition or anything like that? Wow poor Ally, she is such a sweetheart, her and Jake are close to the same age so what happened to her is something that I fear of happening to Jake every single day...
I don't think you are a bad pet owner. Accidents happen unfortunately we can't control 100% of what happens to our pets.

The issue with her going in and out of consciousness is probably neurological. She seems better with that right now. She's more of herself than she was earlier for sure. Then again - she's on powerful pain meds and being somebody who has dealt with chronic illness and bad injuries I know not to read too much into behavior while medicated.

I have a bad herniated disk myself from putting up last year's holiday lights. Lifting things is very painful for me right now (which is why I'm not supposed to do it). Prior to my injury, I was doing some serious weightlifting including well over 1,000 lbs on my legs. I can't do ANY weightlifting now, and even basic stuff is painful. If I pop 2 Vicodins though, I probably could run a marathon. So - with Ally on pain meds, I have to be skeptical about how well she really is underneath.

From what I can tell, right now her biggest problem is her neck and possibly a neurological issue stemming from that neck injury. The vet tested her for numbness and she didn't exhibit any. The only real neurological symptom seems to be CNS depression (which is why I have to be careful with these pain meds which only increase CNS depression).

Other than that, right now she's ok it seems. If I hold her and pet her, she purs. She likes kisses and still is very affectionate. She just can't really turn her head very well and cries in pain if she tries to turn her head more than a little in any direction.

If it continues, Monday I will take her to a specialist for that.

The one thing she has going for her is her age. If she's going to be able to heal from an injury ever - it's going to be now.

Her eye is a great example. When I first found her, almost dead, her right eye was totally scarred up and over from an infection. I was sure she'd never see out of it. Now, only 2 months later, if you looked at that eye, you'd never know there was ever an issue unless I told you. She has perfect vision (also, btw - the vet tested her vision and it was perfect, so no neurological issue there either).

She's still Ally. Still happy. Still loving. Just having a bad day and has a neck injury.

Anyways, some reflection allows me to post a lessons learned:

1. Don't trust anybody with your pets. Not even family.

2. When I get a place in a few months it will be 1 story.

3. A bolt on the door is better than a talk with the family.

I guess that's all I've got right now. I'm still a little miffed I guess.

Wow..I am surprised she didn't have anything broken ( that they could tell ) How is she acting now ? Gawd I sure hope she doesn't have any neurological damage ....poor little thing...I have some stairs that my younger cat or older for that matter could fall from....After reading all this I am brain storming on how to put something up there so they won't fall off.....how scary is this

Man, oh man... I would be STEAMING right now!!! If it was my cat and I was in that sitch, the person who took her out and left her on her own would be verbally flogged! Everyone in the house would get a tongue lashing, too.

I thought your family didn't like the cat? In particular, that your parents were indifferent to her? So I am confused that anyone in the house would have gone into your room and removed her to play with her. Would they have left a little puppy unattended? I don't think so.

You have every right to be really p*ssed right now. But your energy needs to go into getting Ally well.

Head and neck/neurological -- serious stuff. I am sending mega mega MEGA vibes for her complete recovery!



ETA: the one thing here that really bothers me about this is that your family doesn't seem to respect your wishes and requests. Even if they don't really care for the cat, it is important to YOU that you have her, that she be looked after properly, etc.! Why they would do anything counter to that puzzles me.

For instance -- my mother doesn't like cats, dogs, any animal. We didn't have pets growing up. But if I had a pet here, while she wouldn't look after it, if I told her not to open my BR door and let the cat out or something like that, she wouldn't -- she wouldn't "mess with my stuff." To me it's an issue of respect.

Thank God whe will be OK. I have been checking this hourly since I read your first post.

The same day Ally fell the first time, my Kody also fell from the top staircase handrail....Not sure how it happened--never in the 9 months we have had him had we ever seen him on it--but all of a sudden we heard a crash and chimes--we couldn't figure out where the chimes were coming from. He had hit the Grandfather clock that is at an angle to the downstairs wall. He was trapped behind the clock and jumping and screaming. My husband pulled out the clock -- his little lip was bruised and under his chin. It scared me to death.

Then the next day I saw about Ally falling......

I know you are upset with your family. But please don't let anyone make you feel guilty. I don't know how we could stop this ourselves, but luckily I don't think he has been up there again. My huband pushed the clock up flat against the wall however....so much for the decorator that had come and angled it when we moved in.

Anne

I just logged in, and my heart sank when I saw the thread title. Sending vibes and prayers for Ally.

Stuff can happen, even in what you think is the safest home. My senior guy fell Monday night sometime, and when I got up in the morning he wasn't bearing weight on one leg at all. He got an immediate vet visit, then x-rays, and pain medication. (he's ok now and walking alright) I also lived with family and had my own pets, but was at the mercy of living in their house. I understand how frustrating it is.

I really hope Ally heals up quick.

Thank GOODNESS she's okay! And thank goodness she has such a caring daddy!

I thought your family didn't like the cat? In particular, that your parents were indifferent to her? So I am confused that anyone in the house would have gone into your room and removed her to play with her. Would they have left a little puppy unattended? I don't think so.

You have every right to be really p*ssed right now. But your energy needs to go into getting Ally well.

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I am pretty P/O'd for sure.

As for my family not really liking the cat - they're fickle lately and really got me steaming today. Not just for taking Ally out of my room while I was sleeping only to leave her unsupervised - but then after she got injured, while I was waiting for the call from the vet to let me know they were done, my parents were trying to tell me that if she is injured in any major way that would require major money to fix, that it's better to put her down.

Put her down?! I was thinking to myself, "You're the reason she's injured, and now your solution is to kill her?!"

I kept my tongue. They're my parents at the end of the day. What I wanted to say, stayed within me because:

1) It wouldn't do any good.

2) My energy, as you've mentioned, is better spent productively by making sure she's ok, gets better, and this kind of thing doesn't happen again.

I know you are upset with your family. But please don't let anyone make you feel guilty.

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I am indeed upset with my family. I do feel guilty - in that I should have put a bolt on the door before when I got the impression my family wasn't going to be totally responsible with her. However, like what I said before, I'm trying to focus my efforts on getting her better. She's sleeping right now in her new crate/cage which I've taken the time to make really really comfy for her.

The one thing I have going for me with all of this, is that I will be OUT of here soon.

I love my family - really, I do. That doesn't mean I can't be angry at them, not want to live with them, and not trust them with certain things.

In a few months, I'm gone - permanently. I won't be moving back in ever. Not just because of this kind of stuff, but also - it's just time to move forward with my life. I was happier living in my own apartment before, and I will be happier living on my own again - plus Ally and any friend(s) she has will also be happier and safer away from here.

I'm glad she's back home with you! I wonder about the possible neurological damage. I wonder if that happened when she fell the other day, or what..? Maybe she could have a balance issue which makes her fall. I don't know, but I sure hope you and your family can work things out and that Ally will feel better soon. Please keep us updated!

Moz - if I understand correctly, you're questioning the direction of causality? I don't know. If she sees a specialist - he/she'd be able to figure it out.

As for working things out with my family - there is nothing to work out. Now the issue is taken care of with a bolt installed.

I'm so glad your girl is back with you and this didn't end as tragically as it could have. Lots of for Ally's healing, and lots of prayers going your way as well. Glad you got that bolt for your room. Please don't feel too guilty, it's really not your fault. Unfortunately, you had to learn the hard way that your family is not trustworthy with your kitty. Things will get better soon.

Oh my... Just found this thread. I hope your little one feels better. I wouldn't hesitate to see a specialist (or at least get a second opinion).

You're handling the situation far better than I would. Props to you for installing a bolt on your door (something I'd likely have done), and for holding your tongue (something I think I'd have been incapable of).

There are a scant handful of people outside my family who I'd trust with my kitties... and two of them are certifiable cat-nuts who would take every bit as much care as I do. But with family... that's tough.

Poor, poor Ally! I am sending lots of good kitty vibes her way. I hope she will be okay.

When I woke up this morning, I was dreading opeing this thread, but am so glad to see that Ally is still with us...I hope she's doing better by the minute. I've got to say I admire your restraint with your family - but I also agree all your strength, mentally and physically, needs to go into making sure you're healthy and ready to move on with your life and take care of Ally. Use what support your family can give you to make things better for yourself and Ally, even in the face of your understandable anger and distrust of them at this moment.

Your parents raised a son with a compassionate heart, so they should be honored for that, but bless you for respecting them yet taking every step you can to make sure Ally is ok. Don't blame yourself for not being able to forsee this terrible accident. Horrible accidents happen even when we're trying to so hard to provide the best and safest home - all we can do is try out best to try and ensure a safe environment.

Do you think it might be a good thing to see the neurologist on Monday anyway, just for a second opinion and to see if there's anything you need to be specially aware of with regard to Ally and her future health?

I think she's going to need to go over to the clinic with the specialists on Monday no matter what.

I went to bed at 3 AM (I stayed up to give Ally her 3AM dose of pain meds)... after waking up at 6:30 AM, at the sound of Ally wanting out of her new crate, I briefly took her out to see if she wanted to use her regular litter-box instead of the one in the crate, and also to see if she wanted to eat from her feeders instead of from the little dual bowl built into the crate. In the process of taking her out and to those things, I noticed that if anything, her neck hurts more as of today.

I'm not sure if that's indicative of just soft-tissue swelling, or what - but if it's not any better, or is worse by tomorrow - she's going into a specialist.

She didn't want any of those things btw. Turned out she just wanted some love. So I gave her plenty of love, and then put her back in the crate and closed the covers (I used spare blankets and comforters mainly from my days in a dorm room at school to turn the crate into basically an igloo - wherein it traps her body heat and keeps it nice and toasty for her in there).

She gets another dose of pain meds in 2 hours, so she'll be a little better then. Not better in actuality of course... just more comfortable. I'm not going to go back to sleep right now. I'll stay up and give Ally her meds, take care of my errands today, and then go to bed early tonight.

I wish the vet had taken X-rays of her neck and head. Why oh why wouldn't they take X-rays of the neck and head when it was clear she was in pain there? That seems so odd. I gave them the ok to take as many X-rays as needed. The only thing they said in the way of an explanation was that it would require sedating Ally because of radiation risk to the vet asst otherwise.

I guess perhaps since she had already been dosed with pain meds, sedation meds weren't possible due to her small size? That's about the only explanation that I can figure out.

I got the impression that your family just aren't "cat savvy." People who have never had cats (and especially kittens) have no idea how much trouble a kitten can get into in a very short time. It's like dealing with a 3-year-old with ninja skills and the common sense of a soda cracker. They can be better entertainment than TV, which may be why they let her out of your room, but they can get in more trouble than a 3-year-old on a sugar rush.

I was afraid of what I might find here this morning, and I checked in as soon as I got up. I hope Ally continues to improve, although I am sure she'll be really sore today. I trust the vet checked her mouth carefully, although if she's eating OK, that is a good sign.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

I got the impression that your family just aren't "cat savvy." People who have never had cats (and especially kittens) have no idea how much trouble a kitten can get into in a very short time. It's like dealing with a 3-year-old with ninja skills and the common sense of a soda cracker. They can be better entertainment than TV, which may be why they let her out of your room, but they can get in more trouble than a 3-year-old on a sugar rush.

I was afraid of what I might find here this morning, and I checked in as soon as I got up. I hope Ally continues to improve, although I am sure she'll be really sore today. I trust the vet checked her mouth carefully, although if she's eating OK, that is a good sign.

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Mrblanche, your post with the analogies made me laugh out loud!!!
Lawguy: It is great that she is walking, and seems somewhat normal... As far as the pain goes, it is quite normal for her to be in more pain in the day after (today), than the day of the injury... The adrenaline rush into her body at the moment of injury helps to release endorphins, somewhat numbing her - survival mechanism. On the day after however, those endorphins are gone, and she can feel the effect of the acid lactic in her muscles, released because all the tension she was in yesterday. Provided that she doesn't have serious injuries, her pain should subdue in a couple of days...
I hope there is nothing wrong with her!
Is there anyways you can do something on the staircase for the time being? Put a screen on it, or cuts or carpet on the edges to prevent her from slipping? I am afraid she has used all of her 9 lives on these three falls...