My buddy is hurting. Dislocated Jaw

I am an emotional nut case.  Sorry.

I found my little fur buddy and he looked like he lost a fight.  So I took him to the vet and he mentioned he had a dislocated jaw.  I have no idea how his jaw got that way.

The vet took xrays, gave him pain peds and antibiotics.  While he was under anesthesia, he popped his jaw back into place.  The vet mentioned I might have to take him to a specialist if he doesn't start eating within a few days.

A few days went by and I saw the specialist.  His recommendation was surgery to align the jaw.  The specialist said the difficult part would be feeding him through a tube for 6 to 8 weeks.  He successfully came out of surgery and he's home now.  I've done my first feeding.

I can't tell my friends because they would give me grief for care I'm providing.  They would've put the animal to sleep.  I couldn't do that. 

I'm trying to put on a brave face and make sure my fur buddy will be o.k.  I feel like such an old man.  Thanks for listening.

Good for you for helping your kitty and doing what's best for him!  Keep an eye on your guy and try to keep him calm.  Did he get a feeding tube?  I'm a bit confused on that part.

Yes he got a feeding tube.  I've never dealt with anything like this.  Normally, I drop food in a bowl and it disappears.  Now, this cat's life is completely dependent on me for 6 more weeks.

I need to take this day by day.

You can do it!  Your guy is depending on you to help him.  If it helps, you could make a journal of your feeding so that you can notice if he's eating more or less, how his demeanor is, how he's improving.  Take it one day at a time and look for small steps of improvement.  You might also need to help him groom himself since he can't do that.  How is he doing otherwise?  Is he sleeping a lot, using the box properly and such?  One other thing to know is that if you're stressed about it, he'll pick up on it and that will add to his stress.  I hope you're keeping him inside from now on, too.

Hi,

Did they give you a feeding schedule of how much and when to feed? They should have. Make sure the food is room temp. before feeding, and be careful not to flush the tube with to much water after feeding. Be sure to not have any air in the syringe when you feed, and give the food slowly. Stop feeding at any sign of nausea. Is it an E tube? (neck), or a peg tube (stomach). Is the tube bandaged? The only way for your cat to live is for you to follow through. You've gone this far, so you're half way done.

The cat has an e-tube.  I do have a feeding schedule but it seems excessive.  The cat usually eats one-to-two small cans a food per day.  The vet is having me feed him more.

I need to find a prayer for me.   It's only been two days since the surgery and I'm exhausted.  Feeding schedules, medicine schedules, and the cat wakes me in the night.  I need to confined him to a room while I sleep.  Then I go to work exhausted.  I don't know how I am going to make 6 weeks of this.

It will get better.  If you need a break, can you board him at the vet overnight or for the day?  That would maybe help you de-stress and he'd be in a safe place.  Also, you could ask the vet if they know of someone who could come help you.

Take your time, breathe (!!!), and stay rested.  I've learned that things look scary if I'm stressed and not getting enough rest.  Like having a baby, sleep when he does.

It is hard until you get things into a routine. Once a pattern is established it will be easy. The feedings at first seem overwhelming and the responsibility seems endless but really you just sound really tired right now and stressed. Take a break. Feed the cat but don't make a big deal about it. Just get it done. Wait about an hour and then lock the cat up with food water and litter and go to sleep.

Kitties need to eat but they are not like horses. They don't need food 24/7. So, follow the vets instructions unless it seems like the cat is really not handling all the food then call the vet and ask if you can reduce the amount. Once reason it may seem like allot is because the food is watered down for the feedings. Still the cat stomach shouldn't have more than 45 cc at a time. That amount includes the water you will use to flush the tube afterwards

 I will blend up the food in advance and then keep refridgerated and warm it in warm water until room temperature then do the feeding where ever the cat is. Don't make a big production out of it, just if the cats looking out the window then that is where he gets the food. No big deal. Really easy. Give the food slowly but not over hours, just give a little. Wait. Give a little more. The entire feeding shouldn't take more than 10 to 15 minutes. As for the medications just crush up whatever he is supposed to get and put it in the first water flush you do. There is no easier way to medicate a cat than with an e tube.

When I was working I would go to people's houses and help them. Ask your vet if there is anyone that can do that for you. At least it would take a feeding or two off your plate.

The other thing is the feeding doesn't have to be done in 15 minutes. Give about 3 to 5 cc's flush with 1/2 cc water and recap the tube. Watch tv or make dinner or get dressed, or do something you can do that only takes ten minutes and then resume the feeding if you must. There are ways around everything.

You will be fine. I personally like to make a chart up listing the medications and feedings etc and have a box where I check the box after I give the medication, do the feeding, or anything else relevant. It really helps to keep you on top of things.

You will be fine.

I tube fed a kitty for about a month when he had fatty liver you will get used to it.  The main thing is to go slow with the feedings.  I was feeding 60 mls four times a day.  With fatty liver though the goal is actually to overfeed if possible.

@FelixElGato, how are you and your guy today?  Did you get some rest?

You came to the right place. We understand that you love your little guy and want to go above and beyond to help him.    A lot of us have been through an emotionally and physically draining situation like this at some point. I had to syringe-feed my Sebastian for two weeks after hospitalization and went through a grueling time (for me) getting his chronic pancreatitis under control. You took your kitty to the vet, he had the surgery, and he's on his way to recovery. You can do this.

stephanietx said:

 
I hope you're keeping him inside from now on, too.

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  It's a cruel world out there. Nowadays, I'm just as concerned with what humans have the potential to do as much as other animals, and the intent is much different. 

My cat and I are doing fine.  It still is overwhelming for both of us.  I've settled into a routine.  Cat nurse, work, cat nurse.  Less than 6 weeks to go.  I'm taking this day-by-day and doing the best I can.

Cat has started purring a lot after I take care of him with meds and feeding.  I'll take that as appreciation for saving his life.

Thanks for all of the kind words and advice,  I'll keep you posted.

I'm glad you're settling into a routine; that will help you both immensely.  This will also be a great bonding time for the two of you and you might find you've made a big friend for life.   Purring is a good sign as it's a sign of contentment.  They also purr when scared or in pain, but I think since this is a new development, it's probably the contentment thing for your guy.

Please keep us posted as this is a great way to chronicle your journey and share your experience with others.

@FelixElGato, how are things going?  Do you have an update for us?

Made it through the first week.  Saw the vet for a check up and he says Felix is doing fine.

I think my cat is loosing his mind.  He used to go outside for days on end chasing birds, mice, lizards, etc.  Now he is confined to the house staring into oblivion with the occasional window viewing.  I couldn't be house bound for a week so I understand his predicament.

Next vet checkup is in two weeks.

Hope he's continuing to do well and improving.  You can entertain him with some interactive toys like DaBird.  My cats go wild for that thing!  You can even get different attachments to vary things up a bit.  Also, if possible, put a bird feeder near the window for free cat TV.  Let us know how he's doing.

My heart goes out to you and your little buddy. Your love for him will help you make it through. Hang in there.