Caring for my cat after a car accident

Lauriz62
Lauriz62 Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

My boy is used to going out in the evening and sometimes even during the night. He comes and goes as he pleases.

He was hit by a car, around his hindquarters, this Tuesday evening. We found him on Wednesday morning in our garden, in a really bad way.

We took him straight to the vet, who told us plainly that we were lucky to have found him alive this morning. He’s a real fighter, my boy! She put him straight on a drip and morphine (he was suffering from hypothermia and was in shock). An X-ray was taken: his spine has been badly affected and has shifted. He’s lost feeling in his tail, but he still has some sensation and reflexes in his back legs. The car that hit him definitely wasn't doing 20mph (which is the speed limit on my street).

The vet is quite pessimistic about the future; she told me there’s very little chance he’ll be able to walk again and, of course, a very high chance he’ll remain incontinent.

Today, he’s doing "better". He’s stabilised and his temperature is normal. He ate and drank this morning and gave the vet plenty of cuddles and purrs.

She then spoke to us about the two possible options:

- putting him to sleep

- bringing him home with us

We aren't in favour of euthanasia; my partner and I believe that we don't have the right to decide life or death over animals, whoever they are. So even less so for our own boy.

Therefore, we’ve chosen to bring him back home. But I need some advice...

Have any of you been through this? How did it go? Did your cat recover or was he left with a disability?

For those whose cats didn't recover, how did you manage the disability and the incontinence?

I know we’re going to have to set up a little area just for him so he doesn’t move around. Keep his bowls within reach and change his puppy pads as soon as they’re soiled. Wash him with water very regularly too.

Anyway... I need advice and I think I need some reassurance too... I’ve been devastated since yesterday. I hope you can help me.

Translated from French
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    • Lauriz62
    Lauriz62 Icon representing the flag French
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    That’s exactly what we’re telling ourselves. There’s a 90% chance he’ll remain paralysed and incontinent. But the way I see it, there’s a 10% chance his condition will improve. And I want to do everything I can to help him. I couldn’t live with putting him to sleep if I hadn’t tried everything possible to help him survive and pull through this. We have a specialist referral hospital about an hour and a half away from us (nothing closer, unfortunately) that could potentially do a scan to see in more detail if the nerves have been damaged, for example. They also have a vet who specialises in functional rehabilitation, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. I’m not sure if that might help him further down the line? We’re going to do everything we can to give him the best life possible, hoping he isn’t in pain and that his condition improves. He fought all night long to stay alive, so we’re going to fight right alongside him. Thank you all so much for your messages. It’s a huge comfort. Any advice or opinions are more than welcome. Thanks again!
    Translated from French
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Like Hélixanne and Amélie, I’d wait and see if he recovers a little from the accident and if it’s manageable for both him and you. If he isn’t in pain, I’d try everything Amélie suggested; if he is suffering and there’s no hope of recovery, I’d ask for him to be put to sleep.

    Perhaps later on you could see a vet osteopath who might be able to help. I know there are also clinics with pet rehab centres that have hydrotherapy pools and treadmills to help build up muscle and help them overcome their disability. I think the little wheelchairs are brilliant.

    With plenty of love, patience and dedication, you’ll be able to help your cat live a peaceful life as long as he isn’t in pain, but I really want to commend you for your courage; many others wouldn’t have it.

    I also lost a cat that was hit by a car, so I know what it’s like to deal with such a sudden loss. If I could have saved my cat and helped him as much as possible to survive, I would have, but only if he wasn't suffering.

    Getting a second opinion at a specialist vet clinic could help you find out everything that can be done in his case.

    Wishing you and your little fighter the best of luck.

    Translated from French
    Helixanne
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    Hi again, my post got cut off... I was saying at the end of my message... we would have taken some time to think it through, probably getting a second opinion from a vet, or speaking to one of the local cat rescue charities... All this to make an informed decision about our little girl's quality of life...
    Translated from French
    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there,

    It can’t be easy making the decision to care for a cat with this kind of disability; however, for us pet owners, it’s often unthinkable to opt for euthanasia when they can still lead a happy life!

    There is certainly a high chance that your cat will remain paralysed in his hindquarters and incontinent, but it also depends on his age and his ability to recover. I’m not sure exactly how badly the spine was affected or what your vet’s take on it was, but there are definitely cases where cats have gradually regained some mobility through physiotherapy. If he still has reflexes, that’s already a good sign, and you could try regularly massaging his back legs—gently bending and stretching them to start working the muscles again.

    Of course, this will be tough for both of you since he won’t be able to move around much, which is why it’s so important for his well-being to spend lots of time with him and set up a cosy little corner where he feels safe and comfortable. Cats are light animals and can still manage to get around a bit on two legs, even if it is heartbreaking to see them dragging their back end... You can already get "drag bags" to prevent any sores or irritation when he moves, and pet wheelchairs are also becoming much more common to help paralysed cats and dogs get around almost like they did before!

    Having a young cat myself, I really feel for you, but unfortunately only time will help both you and your cat—who I’m sure will go on to have a very fulfilling life.

    I hope this offers a bit of support during such a difficult time.

    Best wishes,

    Amélie

    Translated from French
    Helixanne
    Helixanne Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, I can truly understand how devastated you are. We lost our cat this summer; she was run over right in front of our eyes by a reckless driver who, sadly, was going much faster than the 30mph limit!! We would have made the opposite decision to yours if we’d had the choice... I wouldn’t have been able to bear seeing my active cat reduced to a 'stuffed toy' and watching her spirit be crushed.
    Translated from French

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