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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2017 23:29:33 GMT
Well, pee is the better option!
Chap's right about nerves. I got a cyst removed from just behind my top front teeth. Surgeon said it might take a year for the feeling to come back, if it ever did. And yep, it took a year.
How can kittens be so dayum ker-yute? I mean, really, they're impossible to live with! Or think about, or watch on youtube...
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Shirley U Geste
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Nov 7, 2017 2:53:11 GMT
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Nov 7, 2017 2:58:03 GMT
I take it peeing is good, right? I guess but it is a pain to keep cleaning the cage over and over again. Better peeing than blocked but still using the catbox would be the best.
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Post by Desire on Nov 7, 2017 3:12:41 GMT
Kritter - like Chap said - the nerves take a while to regenerate. DH gets his lower back nerves burnt - it's called RFA or Radio Frequency Ablation. Under X-Ray guidance they place a needle prong deep into your spines medial/lateral nerves and actually burn them. It kills the pain and deadens the nerves. The nerves take 8-12 months to grow back, then he has to get it done again.
Dandelion is such a cute kitten - she is going to be a beautiful cat when she grows older.
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Nov 7, 2017 3:26:13 GMT
It would be so much easier to plan if we actually knew what was wrong.
Absolutely nothing on the x-ray gives a clue.
We are just fumbling in the dark and hoping whatever we are doing will work for her.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 8, 2017 8:01:58 GMT
Kritter - my x-rays didn't show anything save for the cracked and separated symphysis pubis which will never heal (there's no cure for it but is OK if I keep that area strong). Nerve and soft tissue damage just doesn't show up radiologically unless there's a bad hemorrhage, and that was my worst problem. Diagnosis instead goes on symptoms and progression through therapy. I know with humans there are stable, reliable protocols for nerve and muscle/soft tissue damage rehab. It's frustrating that cats can't say what is going on, at least to me (the DH understands cat-talk but he's a CCG).
Next appointment is for Thursday because this tech is off on Wednesday and I want her to stay with the same tech.
Yes! I hated it when I had to see another therapist because there's nothing like the regular 'laying on of hands' over time to really understand the problem, plus Dandy would build that bond of trust.
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Post by Desire on Nov 8, 2017 14:09:46 GMT
I wonder if an MRI would show anything? Those are done to show tears in cartilage, tears in muscles & tendons, etc. that X-Rays don't pick up. However, cost is more than 10 times that of regular X-Rays.
I hope she is doing better!
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Nov 8, 2017 16:44:59 GMT
I am such a bust at doing the therapy mainly because she has such amazing upper body strength that she scoots along on the floor with her front legs and just lets her back legs dangle from the band that I am holding her back half up with.
At least she doesn't seem to be in any pain and has me constantly picking up her toys that she bangs out of her cage to the floor before Dixie gets them and hides them under the couch.
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Nov 8, 2017 17:11:31 GMT
Making new friends while her cage is being cleaned.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2017 17:48:25 GMT
I am such a bust at doing the therapy mainly because she has such amazing upper body strength that she scoots along on the floor with her front legs and just lets her back legs dangle from the band that I am holding her back half up with. At least she doesn't seem to be in any pain and has me constantly picking up her toys that she bangs out of her cage to the floor before Dixie gets them and hides them under the couch. The band is just in front of her back legs, right? What if it was just behind her front legs, so you were holding them up? With her back feet just touching the floor. Then you get a dangly thing on a stick to tempt her forwards. Her front legs are off the floor do she HAS to use her back ones to get to the dangly thing. And if she never makes it to the dangly thing you have to let her have it a few times to keep her confidence up.
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Nov 8, 2017 17:51:15 GMT
Her back legs just dangle and then collapse when I tried that.
She may want to use them but the connections is just not being made between her brain and her back legs.
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DANDELION
Nov 8, 2017 17:53:12 GMT
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2017 17:53:12 GMT
Can she feel her feet? Like I mean can she feel if they're touched?
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Nov 8, 2017 18:27:28 GMT
The vet thinks she can feel pain in her feet and legs. She knows when her legs and feet are wet because she will shake them like cats do.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 8, 2017 18:48:34 GMT
I think it's a matter of time and persistence. Seems like a neural pathway needs to be re-established between brain and rear legs plus she's in the habit of scooting around on her front legs. You're not a bust at therapy, it's just that it's a tough problem. I spent months trying to walk normally to the mailbox and back, and even being an adult human with an organized mind, I had to constantly remind myself to stay squared up, balance weight on both legs and use a reciprocal gait, not shuffle or totter, even if I could only take mincing steps. I can't imagine how hard it is for little Dandy and her caregivers.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2017 18:55:08 GMT
The vet thinks she can feel pain in her feet and legs. She knows when her legs and feet are wet because she will shake them like cats do. Its probably a good sign that she has some feeling and knows when she is wet. Maybe the laser therapy will help do something.
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Nov 8, 2017 19:06:16 GMT
Clean, that is what I figured too about the wet thing.
Plus when I turn her over on her back side to wash her belly and nether regions, she kicks those back legs so I know there is not complete paralysis.
Chap, I think you are right about her now in the habit of using her front legs to get around.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2017 22:53:29 GMT
Clean, that is what I figured too about the wet thing. Plus when I turn her over on her back side to wash her belly and nether regions, she kicks those back legs so I know there is not complete paralysis. Chap, I think you are right about her now in the habit of using her front legs to get around. Okay. So what about you get her on her back and hold her arms still. She might try to get the dangly thing with her back legs? As Chap said, she needs to be thinking about using her back legs.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 9, 2017 0:58:05 GMT
Yes - half of this is memory, which is another pathway, really. If she likes to be tickled and wriggles her back legs, it might be something to incorporate. How about catnip? Our cats love to hang onto their catnip pickles and sausages with their front paws and kick with their rear legs.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Nov 9, 2017 6:44:04 GMT
Will she do the bunny kicks if you tickle her tummy?
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Nov 9, 2017 19:19:37 GMT
No, she doesn't do bunny kicks or kick her legs when tickled.
I am becoming more concerned about her loss of control over peeing and pooping. Even if her legs start to work, there is still that issue.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Nov 9, 2017 21:44:21 GMT
We gots fingers and paws crossed for her here. ((((dandelion & kritter))))
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2017 23:28:06 GMT
No, she doesn't do bunny kicks or kick her legs when tickled. I am becoming more concerned about her loss of control over peeing and pooping. Even if her legs start to work, there is still that issue. I hoped it all might come together at once. I'm thinking she can't feel when she needs to go to the toilet, so it just comes out? So I was thinking if the legs work the rest will work, though she'd still need to be box-trained. Kritter, I think it's only been a week? It's not time yet to despair. You're still giving her a chance at life, so focus on that. All my kitty wishes are for Dandy, now that Kewpie's looking better.
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Nov 9, 2017 23:48:46 GMT
So, 3 laser therapy sessions down and 3 to go next week.
The vet put little yellow balloon booties on her to try and encourage her to walk on her back legs. She is really deferring to the front legs to get around even when we do the floor therapy.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2017 2:53:57 GMT
So, 3 laser therapy sessions down and 3 to go next week. The vet put little yellow balloon booties on her to try and encourage her to walk on her back legs. She is really deferring to the front legs to get around even when we do the floor therapy. She's only very young, isn't she? Like 6 weeks? She may not have used her back legs much before her injury. You know how they first drag themselves around by their arms? I REALLY think we need a pic of the balloon booties on the footsies.
Just remember: you're the grown-up, and you're bigger, and you know what's best. You're not making her do anything painful, or she'd soon let you know. You said she doesn't bunny-kick. But she can feel water, so there's feeling there. So if she's on her back and you press your hand against her feet she doesn't push back? Well, some normal cats wouldn't either. Hmmmm. I still think I'd be trying the dangly thing, but holding her arms, to entice her to get it with her feet. (((Poor little poppet, and Kritter)))
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Shirley U Geste
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Nov 10, 2017 2:54:49 GMT
All paws crossed here & kitteh nightly prayers are being said for little Dandy.
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Nov 11, 2017 0:57:48 GMT
Since you really need to see the booties...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2017 4:01:11 GMT
OMG, how cute. Do you have a tutu handy?
How will they encourage her to use her back legs?
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Nov 11, 2017 6:16:24 GMT
Hmnn. Maybe the footies should be on the front paws instead, to make it difficult to use the front, thus forcing use of the back paws maybe?
Is she peeing/pooping any better?
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kritter
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Post by kritter on Nov 11, 2017 16:37:23 GMT
Petti, she told me but I don't remember what she said. I just make sure they are on her feet.
No, the peeing and pooping has not improved at all and it is starting to get to me. I feel like that part of my house is starting to smell like cat pee especially the den. Or the smell is in my nose.
It is going to be in the high 60s today so I am opening the den windows to see if that helps.
Good thing I never chose being a caregiver as an occupation because I would have never made it a career.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2017 22:50:32 GMT
Hmnn. Maybe the footies should be on the front paws instead, to make it difficult to use the front, thus forcing use of the back paws maybe? Is she peeing/pooping any better? This is what I thought too. Adorable. sorry about the stink...
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