Sasha got mauled--head trauma

[sashacat421]

OMG, I got food poisioning last night from fish. We have the copper river red salmon in right now and whatever it was, made me sick. I've been up since 3 a.m. Never had problems with fish, ever.....just one of those things. I feel like Sigourney Weaver is hatching an alien in my stomache.

How's Dylan? I've been reading....very concerned, Susan.
Sasha's jaw has not been clicking. He's been eating great and very quietly....the food art on the kitchen walls and floor is subsiding a bit. I've put the x-rays on hold for another week, partly from financial considerations as the bills are about as long as this thread

and mostly because why stress him if not needed? maybe he popped it back, maybe it was out of alignment and just realigned itself.....he is in no pain, appetite good, so...I asked him and he said it was ok!

But at every meal I bend down and listen. At some point in a week or so he will need another full exam from Dr. B and we'll opt for it at that time she said.

I did make contact with Jackson, very cool name, and he's in the process of reading this entire story/thread

, so will wait for that, how grateful I am to all of you!

 

[rapunzel47]

More nice progress! I want to give Sasha a big hug

-- will you do it for me, please? Keep one for yourself, too

-- this has been such an ordeal, and you've been so good for him.

 

[dawnofsierra]

Oh, that's awful, Elizabeth.

Did you get food poisoning from the fish Eric just brought home? I hope you recover quickly!

 

[bossinova]

Ooh, I hate tum tum troubles!

Ick. I'm glad to hear that your Sasha boy is doing better and begining to remaster his tongue capabilities!

for both of you. I know you are feeling pretty crummy right now, but remind yourself that this awful discomfort is only temporary!

 

[sashacat421]

Originally Posted by dawnofsierra

Did you get food poisoning from the fish Eric just brought home?

No, LOL, thank goodness, no. The fish from the Canada trip was very special, they hired one of those bush pilots and flew to really remote areas in British Columbia to get the freshest fish. Nope this was the over-hyped red salmon that comes once a year. All the restaurants jack up the price as do stores, but I just had to try some, as I honestly prefer Atlantic salmon from New England!

Sasha didn't each much tonight, but then again when I came home he was groggy from lying around in the sun we finally have. Every little thing I notice, it's like having an infant: eat or no eat, sleep or no sleep, drink or no drink~~ I read him all the "mail" and he seems to be in good spirits. No psychological traumas since Sat.

 

[dawnofsierra]

Are you feeling any better, Elizabeth? No more red salmon!

Glad you finally have a little sun!

bet Sasha will eat better tomorrow. Remind him for me what a big strong boy he is! Tell him Sierra and I send him lots of love!

Stephanie

 

[bossinova]

Are you feeding him fish still? Perhaps he heard you early this morning

and thought wiser of eating any..?

 

[pat]

Originally Posted by sashacat421

No, LOL, thank goodness, no. The fish from the Canada trip was very special, they hired one of those bush pilots and flew to really remote areas in British Columbia to get the freshest fish. Nope this was the over-hyped red salmon that comes once a year. All the restaurants jack up the price as do stores, but I just had to try some, as I honestly prefer Atlantic salmon from New England!

Sasha didn't each much tonight, but then again when I came home he was groggy from lying around in the sun we finally have. Every little thing I notice, it's like having an infant: eat or no eat, sleep or no sleep, drink or no drink~~ I read him all the "mail" and he seems to be in good spirits. No psychological traumas since Sat.

I miss fried Haddock...back in my home state, you could find fish fry places everywhere and get the best fried fish dinners

Thank you for the heads up...I had almost made up my mind to try this this year, since we are eating more fish, and it is so hyped.

It is like having an infant in ways...one of mine just came home from having an ultra sound of their bladder, poor sweetie, we think he's

because he had his tummy shaved.

 

[sbbeatnik]

Oh, Elizabeth, I am so sorry to hear about food poisoning. EEEk! I had that last year and it is horrible.

I am glad though to hear that Sasha isn't clicking anymore while he eats...just keep him eating and you are doing great!

I understand why you want to wait...my bills are adding up too and I put off a couple of things till next follow up for same reason. But Dylan's follow up yesterday went very well! Just waiting for blood chem to confirm for sure that he is improving as much as vet thinks he is.

Keep up the good work with Sasha....and no more crazy fish for you!

Big hugs to you and Sashie.

--Susan

 

[sashacat421]

I know so many members have read Sasha's story on the Health and Medical boards following the coyote mauling on May 18 and miraculous recovery and return to almost 100%.

The last two updates were about his psychological hurdles

and what to do about them. It was suggested I contact Jackson, and here is what he said to me after reading and absorbing Sasha's story. I asked him if I could release it because so many would find his insights so interesting and helpful.

We are deeply appreciative of Jackson's time and expertise - something like this must've been very time-consuming for him to read and then formulate a comprehensive response just for us. Thank you, Jackson. Elizabeth and Sasha

Here he is:
_________________________________________________________________

OK then, Elizabeth. WHEW! You sure do have a lot of support out there
(and Sasha too, of course). I'm sure it's made the road a little easier to
travel.
My response to the situation and recommendations are based upon a
single "theory." Through my own case histories and reading others, I am
convinced that cats can suffer the same kinds of debilitating symptoms of
Post Traumatic Stress disorder as us Humans. Just because there have been no
clinical studies done on the subject means nothing. For every one study done
on the psychology of cats I'm sure there are 20 that haven't been. That
being said, those symptoms, including disrupted sleep patterns, loss of
appetite, and violent "flashbacks," as you put them, are just a few
examples. Basically. one's whole life, cognitively, becomes altered. Sasha's
future actions, in my opinion, will be informed by this one event.
I think it's then really important to shift your perception of his
personality, to better hold his paw down this long and windy path. For
instance, you said: " But Sasha is really mellow and he's also very good
with dogs and other animals. For example, there's a huge Siberian husky
across the way and Sasha lays beneath their window well on hot days and the
husky never seems to mind and never even cares he's there. He also loves
other kitties and one time last year I walked into the kitchen and there he
was in the middle of the night showing two buddies how to come through his
door! Sasha is also stoic and very even-keeled..." To these observations I
would say that you could put them all in the past tense. This may seem a
very extreme comparison, but bear with me: it's like someone who goes off to
war and then comes home and wonders why he can't enjoy the 4th of July
celebration like he used to. It used to be a time of celebration, and now
the exploding sounds caused sudden panic attacks and flashbacks, and he'd be
forced to flee, even further embarrassing and confusing him. Again, the
point I'm making like a broken record I'm sure, is the event defines future
response to stimuli. All that you may have known about Sasha in terms of his
responses to stimuli, you have to be prepared to accept as blank slate, and
slowly help him re-learn, just as you help him re-learn to use his damaged
tongue.
While Sasha is still experiencing traumatic symptoms, perhaps it's best
to block off visual access to the pumpkin patch. There's no way that you and
Eric can monitor his activities 24/7, especially as you pointed out, at dusk
and dawn when the coyotes might return, so making sure he's at least
visually safe is a good bet. Also, if you haven't already, I'd recommend
getting a Feliway diffuser to place in that area. The diffuser covers about
600 square feet, and is a chemical mock up of cat cheek pheromones, which
should give Sasha a bit of reassurance. Also, I work with essence remedies,
as M.A. suggested. I believe very strongly in their energetic healing
properties. If you go to my website, www.spiritessence.com you'll see a
remedy called "emotional release," which would be the one I'd recommend.
Essences, applied in his water, his syringed wet food, in a plant sprayer
and spritzed around the house, and applied to his body should help release
some of the held trauma.
Another thing I noticed is that while he was having his episode, you
tried to physically contain him, at which point he lashed out, or as you
described the incident, "I tried to pick him up to calm him and he lashed
out at me - it was an unmistakable wave of terror and pain coming in my
direction and he was trembling." I just wanted to make sure you understood
that it wasn't directed at you. This is a clear cut case of redirected
aggression, an outgrowth of a cat's highly developed fight/flight response.
When Sasha was in his "puffed" state, he basically had no way of telling who
was friend or foe. I've seen littermates of 7 years attack one another in
similar circumstances. The best thing to do is leave him alone. If you can
get him into a dark space, away from the windows without putting yourself in
harm's way. then do so, but don't try to actively calm him down; it will
only have the opposite effect. And, I just don't want you to project more
emotion on the situation from his end than need be. It's simply a
physiological response, not an intentional emotional one; besides, you don't
need any more stress coming from this situation!
Finally, just as his physical recovery is showing you, time is your
best friend in the long haul and I'm sure the thing that frustrates you the
most in the day to day. He will carry scars for sure, but it's the process
of getting past those nightmarish episodes you've witnessed, until they are
simply that, scars, that mark your ultimate progress. Stated a little
simpler, set your goals low psychologically, just as you have physically,
and all will be well. If our goal is to just have him interact with other
animals again, just as it is to have him eat solids, then you're not
expecting things that will frustrate and cause more stress on the process
itself.
OK, I've rambled on enough. I do hope I've helped a bit. Feel free to
write back and let me know how it goes for all of you!

Best,

Jackson

Jackson Galaxy
Feline Behavior Consultant
Little Big Cat, Inc.
Mind/Body Consultations for Cats and Their People

www.littlebigcat.com
www.spiritessence.com

 

[hissy]

Elizibeth, this is great! Thank you Jackson for reaching out to help this owner and her cat. But I am going to merge this with the original story to keep everything together-

 

[hissy]

I know this story is long, but keeping it all together leads to understanding what Jackson was referring to for newcomers who come across this thread-

Hug that brave kitty for me tonight, will you?

 

[sashacat421]

No problem! I had first though to do so, but it was clearly Behavioral and the story was soooo long. thnx. and thnx for the referral --invaluable.

He's hugged!!!

 

[dawnofsierra]

Jackson, your insights are absolutely wonderful. Thank you for helping Elizabeth and Sasha ,the big brave coyote defeater , as together they overcome this trauma!

Stephanie

 

[sbbeatnik]

I am glad Sasha is still showing signs of improvement, and that you were able to get some very good advice from Jackson about him.

Give Sasha a hug from me!

--Susan
Dylan's Mommy

 

[kumbulu]

Elizabeth, could you please read this to Sahsa for me?

Dear sweet Sahsa,

What a terrible time you have been through. I hope you know that you are such a special boy for even surviving the attack by that nasty coyote. Your mom has been telling us all about how you've been recovering and we are all just so amazed at how well you are doing. Many other cats would have given up but you soldier on every day. We all love you very much and constantly send good thoughts and prayers your way. We know every new day is a challenge for you and some days are better than others. That's OK though because you must heal at your own pace, gradually getting your energy and self back. Your mom is very perceptive when it comes to knowing what you're feeling but don't forget to let her know if you are sore or need extra cuddles. She is there for you.

I cannot believe it has only been 34 days since you were attacked. You have made amazing progress, sweet one. Sasha, we are all here for you and your mom, whenever you need us. Soldier on, little man, soldier on.

 

[cilla]

Tania that was so beautiful, you've got me bawling. Sasha certainly has many many friends, and I think we would all be behind Tania in that lovely message. I can just picture Elizabeth reading it to Sasha in her most caring way.
That response from Jackson was marvellous and gives us all a bit of insight into the psychological trauma Sasha is still experiencing and conquering every day.
Elizabeth what a remarkable little boy you have, I am sure your constant devotion has helped Sasha overcome against all the odds. You are an inspiration.

 

[kumbulu]

Cilla, I had tears running down my face as I wrote it but they were happy tears for Sasha.

 

[pat]

Thank you for sharing what Jackson had to say...I'm sorry I missed this last night. Sasha's story stirs us all...thank you for sharing his journey to heal, it is inspiring to see what

and time and persistence can do.

 

[huggles]

ok - I dont know how this happened - but I have somehow missed this entire thread!!!
can someone make sure I dont do that again (I did it with starlight) and to read 20 pages in one night is emotionally draining

seriously - Elizabeth - Sasha (and dont forget Dad!!!) you guys are troopers - totally amazing.... I have sat glued to this computer reading the whole thread - and yes even my boys were ignored!!!!

Elizabeth (and Dad) all your patience, caring, love, support, laughter, tears, happiness - all of this is what has helped Sasha improve so amazingly quickly
Sasha - your a gem

what a tough boy you are - and determined!! Nothing is going to stop you now!!

I have no doubt that its the love that he has for his mum & dad that has help in this quick recovery

I know that Sasha is going to do just fine in the days/weeks/months leading up to his full recovery - he really is one special boy!!!
My heart melts for you Sasha - you really have touched so many of us.

Elizabeth - thankyou for your updates.

Please tell him that he has another person from Australia sending so much love & hugs across the ocean!!!