My cat frisky

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sweetie
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:13 am
Location: india

My cat frisky

Post by sweetie »

Hi my cat frisky has been operated for gangrene on and around his scrotum,my problem is how to keep that area from being infected again.He cannot walk his hind legs are weak,iv tried making him wear baby diapers so that he doesnt scrape the affected area but he manages to wriggle out of them,itried using small and then medium,since we dont get animal diapers here i bought baby ones and cut a hole for his tail.Any iedeas anyone,please help iv been struggling with this for almost a year now.
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Ash
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Re: My cat frisky

Post by Ash »

Hi Sweetie! Have you given up on the idea of a cart?

I don't know how big your Friskie is but maybe you can look in a children's toy store and look for small pants for dolls? You know what I mean? Dolls what children play with, they usually have a lot of different clothes to choose from. Maybe you find some little cotton pants, could cut the legs of, or some little cotton shorts.

Or you could go to a tailor - India has them at every street corner - and have one made for him.
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Traci
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Re: My cat frisky

Post by Traci »

What I would like to know is the orginal problem that came to this. HOW did he get an infection, WHY are his back legs weak, HOW is your vet currently treating him, and have you seen a NEW, more competent vet? You say you have dealt with this for a year now, why hasn't your vet treated your kitty more appropriately?

You talked about this before in one other post, but your posts are rather vague....can you please explain how he got this injury, what type of injury it was, and why his legs are so weak?
..........Traci
sweetie
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:13 am
Location: india

Re: My cat frisky

Post by sweetie »

Hi Traci @ Ash,
Iv bought baby panties for him,cut space for his tail but he manages to slip out of them,i met a guy who makes carts for animals,but he says its impossible to keep cats confined to any form of cart.Traci i found him as a four weeks old kitten ayear ago he was dragging himself on three legs with one hind leg folded under him,he was perfectly fine one day earlier hes from a litter of one of the stray cats i feed in the compound of our apartment block,upon asking the security guard i was told that a tomcat had attacked him.I took him to a vet who adviced an xray which was done and showed no fracture of any kind,when that vet gave up my regular vet was back and she put him on steroids to save him,we started physiotherapy,he started to get up on his own and taking a few steps,in the meantime my other cat who has not been neutered went on heat and frisky kept trying to climb on her,thats when i noticed the skin on his underbelly was dark i thought it was dirt and sponged him with a soft cloth and warm water @ took him to my vet who said it was gangrene he was operated and the infected skin removed, the infection has re occured as a result of him rubbing the lower portion of his body on the floor,he was again operated a few days ago,iv been trying to keep in diapers which he keeps getting rid of iv even tried to wrap his lower body and legs in mummy position but he manages to slip out of that too,im at my wits end as to how to help him survive.cause if he goes on this way he'l be dead.
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Ash
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Re: My cat frisky

Post by Ash »

Ask a tailor to stitch something that wraps around his belly as well as the shoulders (with holes for the front legs) and around the beginning of the tail so it doesn't slip up or down. Has to be made of cotton. Leave a hole as well for toilet duties :wink: Get the tailor to come to your home to take measurements. It has to be tight but not too tight either.

And bless you for taking care of this little baby!

I would also confine him into a little cage/basket/cat carrier for a couple of days until he's healed completely. That way he can't move around so much and open the new wound. It's' not very nice for him to be confined but better than dying.
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Traci
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Re: My cat frisky

Post by Traci »

Ash is correct, he needs to be confined directly after surgery, so that the wounds can heal, and so that he doesn't re-infect the area by getting it dirty by dragging.

Use a large cat carrier or dog carrier or crate, place a soft, fluffly blanket or towels in the carrier, with small food and water dishes. Change his blankets immediately whenever he urinates or defecates. An e-collar can be aquired by your vet to prevent him from licking/chewing at his incisions and wounds. Proper wound care is CRUCIAL, with appropriate cleansing of the wound daily, with appropriate bandage changing daily, and with oral antibiotics daily (7-14 days, depending on the type of antibiotic prescribed). It is VITAL that the wounds are kept clean and dry at all times, your vet needs to instruct you on how to do this, and you must be compliant with his instructions. With proper wound care, your kitty can heal, but you must be diligent about this, and you need to follow up with an exam at least once a week to determine if the wounds are closing and healing properly. If they aren't, then you and your vet need to continue wound managment and care. Your kitty may need to be confined to his carrier/crate for at least a week or even longer, as long as it takes for the wounds to start healing..this is important!
..........Traci
sweetie
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Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:13 am
Location: india

Re: My cat frisky

Post by sweetie »

Hi Ash @ Traci,
thanks for your input,i shall try to keep him in a confined space,I do keep him clean,I use betadine solution to clean up his wound and put nebasulf powder,hes on Mox 125 mgs (antibiotic)its pencillin.Lets hope he gets well soon hes been trying to stand on all fours manages for 4-5 seconds, his hind legs go crossways not straight,do you think you would know why that happens?Is it because his hind legs are weak though he has movement in both legs and swishes his tail very vigorously when annoyed.
Regards,
Sweetie.
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Traci
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Re: My cat frisky

Post by Traci »

Only your vet can determine why his legs are weak..if he isn't telling you, you need to see a NEW vet immediately. Has it also been a year that his legs have been so weak?

My guess is that there may be nerve damage from the initial injury, or muscle-weakening due to inactivity, but only your vet can determine that.....what is he telling you and why hasn't he addressed it?
..........Traci
sweetie
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:13 am
Location: india

Re: My cat frisky

Post by sweetie »

Hi Traci you are absolutely when you say there may have been nerve damage due to the first injury.Frisky has been treated for that with some injections b12 etc that is how he has movement in his legs and tail now,the weakness is probably due to non use of the limbs,as we could not continue with his physio due to the gangrene,im waiting for the skin to heal and have done as you and Ash said iv confined his movements and it does seem better,keeping my fingers crossed,then i can start his excercises again and hope for the best
thanks.
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Ash
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Re: My cat frisky

Post by Ash »

Sweetie, is a small animal vet treating him? There are so many here that have mainly experience with cows and sheep etc. But there are some cat and dog specialists emerging too. Has he only been using B12 injections? What was his exact diagnosis? Ha she ever done any tests? If you are more specific, Traci will be much better able to help you direct you to the right tests and treatments to seek.
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