Minxie's back injury

[Peggy Clay]

Minxie injured herself last Saturday - at first we thought it was a broken back, as she is paralyzed from waist down. Ultimately her prognosis is "guarded", but none of the drs. can determine from her x-rays and examinations what the problem is - no breaks anywhere they can say for certain, nor can they say if there is disk damage - just can't determine it. She's my 12 yo long-haired black cat, beautiful, spoiled rotten and my best friend. She's on long-term painkiller, prednisone, anit-acid and calmatives by injection daily. Also, chiropractic and acupuncture, which seems to be bringing back some feeling in her rear legs, due to increased pain response. At night, neither she nor I gets much sleep, as she is most restless then, and wants always to hide under the bed (dr. said it's okay to let her have the floor if that's what she wants, and she does! can't keep her isolated in a cage, she doesn't stand(?) it. She cries and moans a lot and wants attention, then doesn't. My question is, after several nights of no sleep for either of us - is she telling me she wants me to let her go to the RB? As she wants to be in the darkest, furtherest corner? I've heard that cats will hide away when they're ready to die - and I don't want to force her to continue this awful pain and suffering if she is ready to go? How can I tell????
Does anyone have any advice?

[Barbara]

I am very sorry to hear about Minxie.
Unfortunately I cannot be of any help. I suppose that some of the rescuers who have seen many cats in their life like QueenScoopalot could have some experience.

However it reminds me of Meo, who died in 1978. She had a car accident and although nothing was broken (and she could walk) some things didn't work anymore. She first needed an amputation of her tail as it would not heal. And finally we had to put her to sleep as some of her inner organs didn't work anymore. After that- it took more than a month- I felt it would have been better to let her go earlier as she needed so much treatment and had to suffer pain.

But on the other hand if there is still hope- I would have no idea how to decide. Sending my best thoughts for both of you.

[QueenScoopalot]

I'm sorry your girl is hurting. A great place to post is on the discussion board here...www.handicappedpets.com There are many others who have been down the same road with spine injured animals, and a lot of excellent advice on how to help Minxie recover. Please keep us posted, and hope she recovers fully.