Kitten who can't move

artiemom

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That sling is wonderful! 

So glad you thought of it! Perfect. Now Reeves can get accustomed to the human touch; he can also see what looks interesting to him to explore...may get his curiosity going....keep up the PT!! 

I also think it is strange that the Vet is leaving his life decision up to you.......unless they do not feel you will be able to devote the time an energy to his care? Or do they not want you to bond with an injured animal? Or is it financial?

I hope you are continuing his care with one of first 2 Vets you saw...that last guy is just 'not my style"

You are so resourceful!

I just love his little face...he is definitely a cutie....

I still feel he is coming around..slowly
 

artiemom

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The next milestone will be when you can feel a tiny little bit of resistance to you, while doing PT.....

keep up the pictures too!!
 
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jennyrosalie

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Thank you all again so much. The vet I'm seeing is the first vet that I normally see. They wanted me to decide today because they said if he hasn't improved yet he isn't going to. They also know I rescue and their thought process is that the money could be spent elsewhere on healthy cats that are in danger rather than him. I'm already bonded with him though and I'm not giving up on him. I feel resistance when doing pt from all three legs that aren't working if I pull them he pulls them back in and when I move them he pushes back or stretches his legs but the vet said it was just a reflex. :(
 

zed xyzed

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What a beautiful little cat, we are here to support you in your efforts. He has a will to live, and you have the will to help him. Thank you for giving this little soul a chance. 
 

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Thank you all again so much. The vet I'm seeing is the first vet that I normally see. They wanted me to decide today because they said if he hasn't improved yet he isn't going to. They also know I rescue and their thought process is that the money could be spent elsewhere on healthy cats that are in danger rather than him. I'm already bonded with him though and I'm not giving up on him. I feel resistance when doing pt from all three legs that aren't working if I pull them he pulls them back in and when I move them he pushes back or stretches his legs but the vet said it was just a reflex. :(
That is NOT just a reflex! A reflex would be something like sneezing if you put something in his nose. From the position he is in in this picture, I can tell he is very much progressing from the first pictures you posted!

A rehabber friend I knew once had a raccoon baby in a very similar situation, and it took two months before the baby could even sit up on her own. Do not give up on Reeves if he's still going. Look at his face in this picture. He loves you and is trying very hard for you!
 

kittens mom

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And he may be right. But was it there a week ago. If you don't see improvement in the next week you may have to reevaluate your thinking. For most people rescue is one cat at a time. This is your one cat right now.  What you do for this cat will be knowledge you will use in the future and be able to share. I think your heart will tell you if you are seeing things or seeing real progress. That face looking up at you would make it pretty rough to decide to PTS. But like all good cat lovers you will do the right thing if that becomes the best option.  No one here is going to beat you up if that is what you decide is best for Reeves. But you couldn't find a better group of cheerleaders hoping to see him recover either.
 
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artiemom

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I hope you do not mind, but I was training today with the Humane Society. I was with an older woman who fosters all the special needs cats. She currently has 20 of them....and take care of all the cats who need medicine. She also seems to be a major member on their Board. I think she is one of their founders...so lots of experience.

I explained about Reeves... She was adamant is stating that there no way should you give up on him. 

I showed her Reeves pictures. She insisted you can tell that he is improving...He needs more time.. She also said, as Catwoman707 did, that ver well could be traumatic...and that the nerves in the neck area were traumatized/inflamed, and need time to calm down..and he was physiologically traumatized also...so a double whammy for this little one.

She feels you are doing a great job with Reeves, and to continue.

Looking at the most recent photo...how could you give up on him... he does  not look paralyzed....

If you are feeling resistance when you are doing Pt, That resistance is NOT reflex!!! If he were paralyzed he would not be able to resist anything....keep the PT up...and maybe the water therapy, soon....

Just a thought.. are you able to tickle him? as in a light tickle to his lower abdomen and limbs?  that may get a response also...

((hugs))
 

kittens mom

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I hope you do not mind, but I was training today with the Humane Society. I was with an older woman who fosters all the special needs cats. She currently has 20 of them....and take care of all the cats who need medicine. She also seems to be a major member on their Board. I think she is one of their founders...so lots of experience.

I explained about Reeves... She was adamant is stating that there no way should you give up on him. 

I showed her Reeves pictures. She insisted you can tell that he is improving...He needs more time.. She also said, as Catwoman707 did, that ver well could be traumatic...and that the nerves in the neck area were traumatized/inflamed, and need time to calm down..and he was physiologically traumatized also...so a double whammy for this little one.

She feels you are doing a great job with Reeves, and to continue.

Looking at the most recent photo...how could you give up on him... he does  not look paralyzed....

If you are feeling resistance when you are doing Pt, That resistance is NOT reflex!!! If he were paralyzed he would not be able to resist anything....keep the PT up...and maybe the water therapy, soon....

Just a thought.. are you able to tickle him? as in a light tickle to his lower abdomen and limbs?  that may get a response also...

((hugs))
Thank you for sharing that. Quoted for effect.
 

Mamanyt1953

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Just a thought...well, a couple of thoughts...mainly, the doctors keep saying "improved" as if that means "all better now."  No, it means is he getting a bit better on a regular basis.  The answer to that is, "YES," he is showing a very slow but steady improvement.

Pulling back against you is NOT "reflex."  Methinks these guys are trying to gently persuade you to  not invest huge amounts of time on a kitten who may never be 100% again.  But seeing him in that sling tells me that he loves you, and that his tiny life has meaning.  Don't give up too soon.  I nursed a kitten who had sever rear end injuries at birth to the point that he could walk, run and play, even if he was never a really proficient jumper.  It took weeks and weeks of massage and PT like you are doing.

But the original thought is this:  Is there an acupuncture therapist in your area who specializes in animals?  That can work miracles for traumatized nerves, as well as emotional well being in cats.  Worth looking into.
 
 
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jennyrosalie

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I hope you do not mind, but I was training today with the Humane Society. I was with an older woman who fosters all the special needs cats. She currently has 20 of them....and take care of all the cats who need medicine. She also seems to be a major member on their Board. I think she is one of their founders...so lots of experience.

I explained about Reeves... She was adamant is stating that there no way should you give up on him. 
I showed her Reeves pictures. She insisted you can tell that he is improving...He needs more time.. She also said, as Catwoman707 did, that ver well could be traumatic...and that the nerves in the neck area were traumatized/inflamed, and need time to calm down..and he was physiologically traumatized also...so a double whammy for this little one.
She feels you are doing a great job with Reeves, and to continue.

Looking at the most recent photo...how could you give up on him... he does  not look paralyzed....

If you are feeling resistance when you are doing Pt, That resistance is NOT reflex!!! If he were paralyzed he would not be able to resist anything....keep the PT up...and maybe the water therapy, soon....

Just a thought.. are you able to tickle him? as in a light tickle to his lower abdomen and limbs?  that may get a response also...

((hugs))
Thank you so much for asking someone who has experienced this! That is amazing news and really helpful. The vet seemed happy with his progress and agreed when we said we wanted to give him a lot more time to recover. She also mentioned hydrotherapy so once his wounds heal we will start on that! She said his personality is so much more alert and friendly and his legs seemed to have improved some. I'm excited! I know he's a little fighter and that he will get better!
 

artiemom

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Actually, I looked up who this woman was in the hierarchy of this Humane Society--well, she is the President!!! 

anything I can do to help....I have fallen in love with little Reeves..
 

kittens mom

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Yes we have. And it's great to have some conformation from the vet that your efforts are giving him a chance.
 

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It is wonderful that the vet is so encouraging. Great feedback from Artiemom. I agree with everybody that the lack of resistance and stretching does NOT indicate permanent paralysis. You are doing such a great job with Reeves. We are all rooting for you!
 

zed xyzed

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Actually, I looked up who this woman was in the hierarchy of this Humane Society--well, she is the President!!! 

anything I can do to help....I have fallen in love with little Reeves..
I would be wonderful to have this lady become a member of this site. That kind of experience would be so helpful 
 
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