Emma Update + Pics

[Jessika]

Emma is so vocal; she loves being in the crate and around people instead of in the bathroom but it IS a smaller space, and now she meows almost constantly... as much as I hate to say it, its driving me nuts, it isn't the quiet "cute" meow but the loud "MEEEEOOOOOW". I don't know if shes in pain, hungry (she has food and water), or wants out. She can't be out free to wander around the house since we still haven't quite worked out the diaper situation yet.

However, last night my mother in law came in excited because apparently Emma squat over the litterbox and defecated a little! I know of a story that I heard where a cat sustained similar injuries as Emma and also lost his ability to urinate and defecate on his own, and it took him about a year or more before he regained his ability back. So I still have hope!!!

Her incision is doing well, and she is let out to wander around the house supervised so she does get some exercise. Please don't mind the messy crate; its hard to keep it clean since her urine and feces just "leaks" out, and she also likes to sleep inside her litterbox too... the cage is cleaned at least twice a day, but she makes quite the mess!!

[3Catcondo]

Emma looks wonderful. One of my boyfriend's cats, Baby, (RB) was attacked by a dog and was left with pretty bad nerve damage to her back and hips. The vet suggested that she be put down. My bf said No! and took her home and nursed her back to health. As a result of her injuries she was having bathroom issues but once she healed she was able to go on her own. Although, she would never cover up her potty messes after that.
I think with plenty of love and time, Emma will one day be as good as new.

[Catty1]

Wow...Emma, be patient, you'll be allowed out full time very soon.

How exciting - in spite of the fact that she "leaks", she squatted deliberately and went in her box!

And the healing is just starting! More PT Prayers to Emma - and bless all of you for not giving up. Emma clearly hasn't!

Are you waiting for the surgery site to heal more before trying the diapers?

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks for updating us. She looks great and I hope that she'll heal up quickly. When Storm had his PU surgery, he was also in a cage like this and he had to stay in here for several weeks. I decided to try covering it with a sheet and this helped him to feel more secure so he cried a lot less often. Maybe you could try this out. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are still being sent her way.

[Emeraldgreen]

I'm so glad that Emma has had the surgery and is 'trying' to go in the box. What a fighter she is! I think Krazyaboutkatz idea to cover the cage with a sheet would really help. Even if it was just over 3/4 of the cage. She probably needs to feel cozy and a sheet would make it more like a den for her. Or maybe you could put an old sheet in the cage for her in a pile to curl up on that could be tossed in the wash each night. Might make her feel more like resting and be less anxious.
I think it's great that your MIL and family have given her this chance and I hope she will begin to be able to urinate and deficate on her own one day soon. I once had a ferret years ago that got caught between a loft bed and the wall when I was at work. When I got home I found him and his front right leg was limp and not moving. I rushed him to the vet and he was there for a week or more and they said there was nothing that could be done and that the leg was useless and I should have it amputated. I just felt that I couldn't rush into it and asked if I could take him and try some physical therapy. They thought it was pointless but sent him home. Within 3 weeks of moving his leg in circular motions he regained full use of this leg. I know that it is not the same thing but I pray that Emma will be able to regain her ability to use the box on her own. She sure seems to keep trying which is so encouraging. This might sound very silly but I'm wondering if you were to take a scooper and shovel it around in her box making sounds that she is familiar with might create an 'urge' for her to go? Kind of like a Pavlovian response? lol This thought came to me because one of my cats does this. Every single time I begin to scoop his box, here comes George and he NEEDS to get into that box ASAP! Maybe if you did that a couple of times each day it might help her to keep trying.

[Jessika]

Thanks for the ideas, guys! The sheet idea is actually a really good one, we do that for my in-laws' puppy and he doesn't bark nearly as much when he can't see what's going on (especially at night when we're trying to sleep!). I'll try that now.

And thank you everyone for your encouraging words... they mean a lot. Emma's the real hero here, she hasn't given up and boy is she certainly stubborn!!!