Injured Cat : Crushed pelvis, suggestions needed... please

My 3 year old Calico was hit and then run over by a car yesterday
morning. A trip to the Vet told us he was in severe shock and had a
crushed pelvis. He has no feeling in one leg and his tail, although
he can move both. Today the other leg is slightly swollen. He also
cut his front gums from the impact.

The vet told us that it is up to Willie (my cat), whether he survives
this or not. Willie has a strong will and has been a survivor. He is
a rescue cat. When he was less than a week old, his Mom was hit by a
car and killed along with his four siblings. A dog attacked this poor
kitty and took out an eye. My sister in law found this kitty and a
Vet removed the eye, told her he probably wouldn't live.

I had just lost a cat to leukimia, and wasn't really looking to have
another, (I had two others at home), but when I heard about this
kitty's plight, I knew I had to help. We named his Willie, since The
Goonies is one of my husband's favorite movies, One Eyed Willie is the
pirate in the movie. I sing Little Willie to him to get him to come
to me.

We currently have Willie in a VCR box, that has one side let down. He
is lying on sturdy cardboard wrapped in newspaper and a towel. He
seems comfortable. He moves little. He cries little. I am currently
following the vets orders and giving him 10 syringes full of chicken
boullion broth every three hours and water as often as I can. He has
not urinated or defecated since the accident. His good eye is looking
better now, so I thing the shock has subsided. We have passed the 30
hour mark.

Any and all suggestions on how to keep Willie comfortable and how to
help him adjust to his new life challenge are welcome.

Thanks,

A loving mom,

Laura Lee

Any and all suggestions on how to keep Willie comfortable and how to
help him adjust to his new life challenge are welcome.


You will probably have to confine him to that box or a crate for at least 30
days. Ask your vet. You will need to help clean him also. Make sure he doesn't
get bed sores. Maybe put him on some fake sheepskin and rotate him carefully.
They have pain medication for cats. I'm sure he'd like some. When he's feeling
better but is bored from being cooped up in a crate, you can dangle toys over
him and he can swat them with his paws. He'll also need extra love and
attention. Maybe some massage will help after the initial healing period. After
these injuries he should be kept in the house because he is not 100% without an
eye and this injury. Without two eyes they have no depth perception and can't
judge objects like cars coming toward them. He obviously got the timing way
wrong. Make sure the chicken broth is not the type with oil or he'll get
diarrhea. You can give him some Nutrical if he doesn't eat much. It has a bit
of oil so go easy in the beginning. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Any and all suggestions on how to keep Willie comfortable and how to
help him adjust to his new life challenge are welcome.


You will probably have to confine him to that box or a crate for at least 30
days. Ask your vet. You will need to help clean him also. Make sure he doesn't
get bed sores. Maybe put him on some fake sheepskin and rotate him carefully.
They have pain medication for cats. I'm sure he'd like some. When he's feeling
better but is bored from being cooped up in a crate, you can dangle toys over
him and he can swat them with his paws. He'll also need extra love and
attention. Maybe some massage will help after the initial healing period. After
these injuries he should be kept in the house because he is not 100% without an
eye and this injury. Without two eyes they have no depth perception and can't
judge objects like cars coming toward them. He obviously got the timing way
wrong. Make sure the chicken broth is not the type with oil or he'll get
diarrhea. You can give him some Nutrical if he doesn't eat much. It has a bit
of oil so go easy in the beginning. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

A similar incident happened to "Foster" my volunteer cat. He was hit
and run over by the neighbor's jeep. Vet showed us x-rays of his
back showing two vertebrae fully their diameter offset from one
another. Apparently the spinal cord was relatively intact, because
he could cry and drink some.

Cut to the chase, yes we spent weeks and weeks cleaning him,
turning him every few hours, hand feeding, etc ... but he lived, and
lived to nail my (late) parakeet! Mary's suggestions are great.

Best wishes,
Gail

A similar incident happened to "Foster" my volunteer cat. He was hit
and run over by the neighbor's jeep. Vet showed us x-rays of his
back showing two vertebrae fully their diameter offset from one
another. Apparently the spinal cord was relatively intact, because
he could cry and drink some.

Cut to the chase, yes we spent weeks and weeks cleaning him,
turning him every few hours, hand feeding, etc ... but he lived, and
lived to nail my (late) parakeet! Mary's suggestions are great.

Best wishes,
Gail

Several years ago a cat in the UK had a similar accident. "Waffles"
saga was reported daily on one of the news groups. She eventually
recovered completely. If you try google you might be able to find the
stories.


-MIKE

Several years ago a cat in the UK had a similar accident. "Waffles"
saga was reported daily on one of the news groups. She eventually
recovered completely. If you try google you might be able to find the
stories.


-MIKE

I just checked google. If you want to read the complete story, go to
http://www.google.com and key in "waffles and jill" (without the
quotes).


-MIKE

I just checked google. If you want to read the complete story, go to
http://www.google.com and key in "waffles and jill" (without the
quotes).


-MIKE

in article , MIKE at
wrote on 4/24/04 5:29 PM:

I just checked google. If you want to read the complete story, go to
http://www.google.com and key in "waffles and jill" (without the
quotes).


-MIKE

http://www.homestead.com/felinecompanions/Waffles.html

I sure hope your cat can get better. Waffles is now, once again a huntress
extraordinaire and we are regaled with stories of her exploits often on
rec.pets.cats.anecdotes. I know Helen would respond to your questions if
you asked her about Waffles experience. Please keep us posted and lots of
healing prayers your kitties way.

Karen