Amputation

My mother did sign a single page agreement, but I don't think she understood, neither did I, that it meant we wouldn't be allowed to get our cat back. We thought she was signing simply to give permission to do the operation and the risks involved, not carte blanche for them. Nobody said at the time that rspca would effectively own our cat until they deem fit to release him, which is how it's beginning to feel. I'm not an expert and maybe I'm being optimistic because I love our cat and want him to be okay but I too think it's too soon to tell if he will heal. He's a pretty hardy cat and always overcame any problems he's had before.

I think you need to get a copy of that agreement.  It could have been consent or surrender, but you absolutely need to be aware of your rights.

Do you owe money for these surgeries?  If you are paying for them, you did not surrender your cat and they can't refuse to release him.

Duplicate post sorry **

Thanks. I just called my mother about it and she says she wasn't given the paper she signed just an initial bill. It was probably a consent form to perform the ops, which is what I thought it was at the time. Yes we have an outstanding bill now that will need to be paid.

talkingpeanut said:

Yes, nerve damage can repair itself.  I really do think it's too soon to give up.  

Click to expand...

I am a human doctor, not a Vet, and anything that I write should be checked by a vet, but there is no doubt that nerve damage can recover spontaneously if the nerve has been compressed by oedema (swelling of the surrounding tissues).  This oedema can settle in about 7 - 10 days and nerve function recovers.  This can be helped by steroids, but the nerve can recover even without this type of drug.  I agree that the nerve  should be given another few days before giving up.  Obviously if the nerve has been cut, then it will not recover spontaneously. but the evidence of damage here appears only partial, affecting only the passage of urine.

IMO, it is worth waiting a few more days,

with best wishes,

Geoffrey.

I agree you should get a second opinion. If you have.full rights get her back and take her to another.vet or get another vet pf your choice to visit. Also check with a lawyer about whatever your mom signed and tell the vet you are doing that and if she wont let you see another vet you will hold her personally responsible for whatever happens. My prayers are with you and your cat.

I agree that the lack of bladder functions not a result of the neuter.

I do have to wonder if during the tail amputation the vet cut nerves that controlled the bladder. I could very well see this since the tail was amputated at the base (you see something very similar in some Manx cats...it's called Manx Syndrome. These cats are born without the nerves controlling bladder release.)

Like others have mentioned, yes, nerves can regrown, but it takes time. Weeks to months. That's not to say your cat cannot or will not regain bladder control, but it's likely going to be work on you and your mom's part to learn how to express his bladder if needed. He would also need to be kept indoors only.

You definitely need to find out what the paper was that your mom signed.

I'm sorry this is happening!

My RB cat Lucky received a tail-pull injury when he was about 4 yrs old. The neighbor's daughter (who was about 12 at the time) tried to catch him and grabbed him tail as he was trying to run away. He developed pretty severe arthritis in his senior years as a result. Honestly, I never forgave the teen or neighbor for the incident. Though, it was this incident that allowed me to convince my parents to keep the cats indoors only...

Thanks for all the replies.

We got our cat back. He is urinating fine, in his litter tray, with no bladder swelling etc. No problem there at all. Seems unaware of the tail amputation, except that he tried to chew out one of the stitches before we picked him up, so the rspca gave us a collar for him to wear. He hates the collar, needless to say, and it's like babysitting because he needs to be constantly watched so he doesn't manage to get it off. He tries to get into every nook and cranny to get the collar off.

He's on some medication, hypovase, and metacam. Was on steroids as well.

Only thing is he hasn't defecated since we brought him home. Now  just 24 hours so far. Vet said she wasn't worried about defeacting just that he should be consciously urinating, which he seems to be doing with no problem at all. My mum is worried about him not defecating yet.

It's obvious to us he has been through hell. He is visibly unsure about everything, still seems just to want to hide behind furniture, probably afraid we're going to take him back.

I'm still wondering about the amputation. We were initially told it was so high up it might cause a bladder problem, that it was too high to save the tail. Yet he has about two inches of tail from base to where it was amputated.

jmweb said:

 
Thanks for all the replies.

We got our cat back. He is urinating fine, in his litter tray, with no bladder swelling etc. No problem there at all. Seems unaware of the tail amputation, except that he tried to chew out one of the stitches before we picked him up, so the rspca gave us a collar for him to wear. He hates the collar, needless to say, and it's like babysitting because he needs to be constantly watched so he doesn't manage to get it off. He tries to get into every nook and cranny to get the collar off.

He's on some medication, hypovase, and metacam. Was on steroids as well.

Only thing is he hasn't defecated since we brought him home. Now  just 24 hours so far. Vet said she wasn't worried about defeacting just that he should be consciously urinating, which he seems to be doing with no problem at all. My mum is worried about him not defecating yet.

It's obvious to us he has been through hell. He is visibly unsure about everything, still seems just to want to hide behind furniture, probably afraid we're going to take him back.

I'm still wondering about the amputation. We were initially told it was so high up it might cause a bladder problem, that it was too high to save the tail. Yet he has about two inches of tail from base to where it was amputated.

Click to expand...

You can add some coldpressed olive oil or canola oil to his food.  Almost any vegetable oil will do, but these mentioned are heatlhy and good nutrients in itself.  And also, mildly anti-constipation too.  Be sure he has enough fluids too.

Thanks for the helpful advice StefanZ. We'll give the olive oil  a try.

It sounds like the amputation was necessary. There is no way to fix a tail break because there is no way to put a cast on it or set it, it would just hang there and get worse.

I'm so glad you got him home!!

For my dog not defecating I used a syringe and shot a bit of olive oil in her mouth. Try that just about 1 to 2 ml might do the trick without being too much.

Also watch the water intake.

I'm so glad you got your cat back. What a horrible ordeal for you and your mother to go through. I hope your kitty settles and becomes less fearful. Try to give him as much affection as possible.

Thanks all for your comments and being so kind. Our cat is making a good recovery so far. I never thought I'd be so happy to see a cat defecate! He's using his litter tray with no problem now for urinating and bowel movements. Settling down at last. He still doesn't like the space helmet (collar) he has to wear. We have to take him back to the vet in a few days to have the stitches removed from his tail. That will stress him out again no doubt. Hopefully after that everything will be okay.

I am so glad he is doing well.  I think all cats hate the collar, many of us call  it the 'cone of shame'.

Great!!!! I'm glad everything is better now and you and your cat are together.

I send you guys the best!

Thanks. He had his stitches out today. Vet said he still has to wear the dreaded collar a few more days. He's been wearing it since Sunday. It's driving him nuts. We help him by scratching his neck where he seems irritated but as soon as we take it off to give him a break he goes berserk licking himself all over. Vet is worried he will chew his tail without the collar. He can't wear it indefinitely so sooner or later we have to just see what he does when we remove the collar.

Of course he goes berserk. The collar is frustrating his instinct to groom himself. If it were me, I would take the collar off and let him groom himself, and then put it back on before he starts licking his tail. Poor kitty.

That's what we've been doing, to give him a break. I think we'll all be glad when the collar comes off, not just the cat.