Update on CJ - the traumatized kitty in Maine

Evidently something has happened to these forums as they have been down for a few days and to get in today I had to rejoin. It also appears that the thread that I started looking for help with my traumatized cat CJ has dissapeared. I just want to thank everyone for their advice and encouragement. I didn't get a chance to email individuals before the forums wwent on vacation. CJ is still hiding out and not mingling with us or the other pets. He has two hiding places that he seems to like and keeps moving between the two. I couldn't follow all the suggestions but have improvised to meet our situation. Like the suggestion to give CJ his own room doesn't quite work for us as our house is an open concept and the only rooms with doors are the bathroom, bedroom, and my office/studio. He has found two spots where he can hide out and I have given him litter pans nearby to both. I have put articles of my clothing in both for him to sleep on. I feed him at regular times and talk to him for awhile when I bring the food. He actually poked his head out in anticipation once yesterday. The two other cats aren't harrassing him. They seem to sense his need to be alone.
For those of you who hadn't seen the first thread here's the story -
Cj is a young cat - just about a year old - who disapeared on Saturday 11/13/04. He was found the same day over a mile from our home after traveling through dense woods. He was found in an attached garage as the owner returned in the early evening. He was bouncing of the walls and part of his tail was missing. After 4 days of living in her garage, the homeowner and her neighbor captured him, put him in a cat carrier and took him to the Vet. They put him under a general anisthetic, repaired the tail, and neutered him. She took him home and he was with her for a total of 2 weeks. I found him as she had posted a notice on the local general store bulletin board. We live in a very remote area of the North Maine Woods and have a pack of coyotes that we hear in the woods at night howling. Although we never let the cats out at night we do let them out in the day and that's when CJ disapeared. My personal guess is that he was attacked by a coyote but there are a number of things that could have happened. I promised a couple of folks who were kind enough to have answered my posts that I would keep everyone updated. I love this site....such generous caring people on it... well of course... they're cat people!!!!!
Hugs from Northern Maine,
Sherylt

do you have the cat back?

Oh yes, we have him back but he's not the same kitty mentally. CJ was always outgoing freindly affectionate and confident (actually a little over confident) but now he hides from everyone including me. He only comes out at night when the house is quiet. I've been told this will be a long process. He's suffering from kitty cat Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
All suggestions to help him through this will be appreciated.
SherylT
Northern Maine

We were all upset when the Forum crashed, but I am glad to get an update - I have been following CJ's progress.

i remember the thread from when you first posted it, i was wondering how he was... i am glad for the update, but sorry to hear he is still hiding out... hopefully with time he will realize that he is back in a safe place and he will be out running around with the other kitties again!

To get him through this you need to regain his trust, you can only do this by doing what you are already doing, loving him, giving him hideyholes and safe places to go, never pressurising him. I'm sure he will come around but it might take some time for this to happen. Let us know how you get on.

Sue

oh my Sheryl!!! You found us again YAY! I have been really wondering about this entire story. I'm Elizabeth, and Sasha was the thread some people were referring to. Here is the link. Even though we crashed and the site was restored to June 20, about 80% of his story is still there. The one part that isn't, is the later PTSD developments during last summer that go to the heart of your situation, perhaps? I have the conversations between myself and Jackson, the behavioral consultant to TCS and I will try and find them and PM to you later this evening. You can ask me anything you want. Sasha is recovered 100% (less a tiny part of his "new" tongue that continues to show no feeling so it's just some permanent nerve damage. At least he has half a tongue left!) and all signs of trauma have abated. He took about 5 total months to heal and every single day was a baby step.

Undoubtedly, with your level of passionate concern for this little guy and your intuition, it will be a long, slow road back but I expect you will see some success. For many days you may see no recovery whatsoever. That's normal, too. PTSD and the mental changes that go on after a probable coyote attack or animal attack are complicated and take weeks and weeks and weeks to work themselves out.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35933

I'm here for you 24/7.
Love,
Elizabeth & SASHA

Hi Elizabeth,
I'm so glad I found you and Sasha again. When the forums went down and I couldn't find your message I was broken hearted. I wanted so much to ask you more questions. One thing I have read in a couple of places is that cats that have been under this kind of stress are sometimes treated with human drugs like Prozac, Paxil, or Valium. Did they do any of this for Sasha? He's still the same today. I want so bad to pick him up and hold him but I know I can't push things. Being patient is difficult.
Meows from Northern Maine,
Sheryl
CJ, Chuckie, and Mr. Kitty's Mom

First off, he might seem the same for a long, long, long time. Are the wounds healing? You need to try and take him to the vet. That is the most important thing - risk of infection and testing him. Does he seem to be physically healing? Are there monile vets of ANY kind out your way???? It could have been a very large raccoon and that would be rabic, if infected. I'm not sure I read that you took him in?

Second, yes they do treat kitties in extreme circumstances with anti-anxiety drugs at times, but my gut is telling me that under NO curcumstances is he ready for this. He needs to figure out his internal wiring in his own time. It's only been a couple of weeks? Sasha took 5 months to really heal well, but no, we never gave him anything. It's similar to dealing with a feral right now....you're experiencing his total fear and trauma and most ferals when they decide to trust a human and come close can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 years. I know at our old house before we moved to MV, there was a scraggly, feral orange tabby that was hanging around after a snowstorm and it took (Carmelo) 4 years to come to me. That's quite different from actually having a pre-existing relationship with your guy, but it's an example of how long it takes. IOW, he's not just going to bounce back in a week or two.

You are doing great! You realize the need to be very patient and that is the best thing you can do. How is he interacting with you otherwise? how is he interacting with sounds and other stimuli around him???
Elizabeth

He was taken to vet's by the woman who found him about 5 days after the incident. He was checked out, his tail was bandaged, and he was neutered. From what I can see he seems to be healing OK. I don't know if I should force the issue of handling him. He is eating and drinking well. Here in Northern Maine the raccons are hibernating this time of the year. We have temperatures in the single digits this time of year so I don't think it was a raccoon. The incident happened on 11/13 so it will be 4 weeks this Saturday since he was attacked and two weeks since he has been home with us. As for interaction, he really isn't. When I take him his food he just stares out at me from the depths of his hiding place. He waits for me to leave before he eats. he is coming out at night to use his litter box when the house is quiet. I'll just keep hanging in there and updating the forum on his progress.
Great to be in touch with you again.
Sherylt

Good girl! Way to go. You are doing everything right. The fact that he comes out to use the litter box AND is eating is a GREAT sign. You see, Sasha was ambushed while from behind in our pumpkin patch. It took him 11 days to poop and pee...he was so traumatized, we had to make a tent for him and be inside the bathroom with him where the litter box was, or he would not go. It was scary because it could've backed up his kidneys and liver - for failure. So good going! Can you update soon? I am thinking of you and be calm, talk to him, encourage him LOTS (I'm sure you have done all this) and maybe buy him a new soft toy. Also, if he liked any kind of music before the attack then play it softly in the area he's in. As I hear from you I can try and guide you the best I can and I've asked Jackson to perhaps help when he has time as well as I'm sending a note to Hissy, who's a love and she's brilliant with behavioral issues. She helped me through Sasha in many ways. 2 weeks is nothing-- you've been splendid, keep on being patient and lovey.
-E.


oh, oh oh, P.S. Do you know if he was given any antibiotics for the wounds??? if he was and is not taking them, mush them into his food the best you can because you can't possibly pill him right now. Can you contact the vet? Most vets won't charge you for phone consultation if you write down your questions beforehand and are organized and efficient. Can you call the original vet?

Sheylt,

I'm sorry to hear he's still hiding out. Poor guy got away, lost his tail and his "manly-man buddies" all while being away from his loving family. He's going to need time to adjust, but hopefully will return to some normalcy with time.

Did you ever try giving him a blanket with the smell of his dog buddy on it? I was wondering about that. How is the doggy doing?

Buddy Moe, CJ's Golden Retriever pal, is heartbroken. He is a dog that loves cats and CJ slept curled up in Buddy Moe's fur at night or on the foot of our bed. I am in the process of creating CJ's page here on the site but I'm having trouble loading the pictures. I'll let everyone know when I get his page done. He is such a cutey!!!!! I want to share him with everyone.
Hugs from Snowy Northern Maine,
sherylt

oh that would be great! I can't wait to see your photos.

I'm excited to see the photos Sheryl, and am sorry to hear that Buddy Moe is so sad over losing his friend. Hopefully CJ will recover and get back to hanging with his pal. I'm sending good kitty vibes your way!

Oh What A Great Morning!!!!!!!!
This morning when I went to visit CJ in his hiding place to give him his breakfast, he came to the edge of his doorway and purred and let me stroke his head. I only patted him a couple of times and then left so as to push too much too soon. But the fact that he just nibbled at the piece of bacon I had taken for a treat as I patted him and didn't flinch or back up made my heart soar Patience is the key as you all have told me but it's hard to restrain myself from pushing to hard too quick.

Looks like it's going to be great weekend for me!!!!
Hugs from Northern Maine,
Sherylt

Hi Sheryl! I remember your thread about CJ and I'm so glad you're posting again to let us know how he's doing.

I understand it's slow going, but it's great that you and Elizabeth have re-connected so she can give you advice.

Just wanted you to know I'm sending you and CJ lots of good thoughts and wishes for a full recovery.

Sheryl, you're a quicker typist than me! Just saw your last post about being able to pet CJ's head - wonderful news!!!! I'm so happy for both of you!

I remember CJ as well and I am glad you are re-posting. I know its tough as he was such an outgoing little guy. Elizabeth went through much with Sasha and its good you can benefit from that traumatic experience.
We are all rooting for you and CJ
Cant wait for pictures!