Emma Update + Pics

[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!!!

[Taz_Zoee]

OH my, I am just getting caught up on Emma's injury. I am so glad your in-laws stuck with her through this. And I'm glad you and your hubby are there to offer assistance as well.
Emma is such a cutie. I'm so sorry this happened to her in the first place. But she does (and obviously IS) a fighter. It looks like she is well on the road to recovery. With her loving family behind her 100% she will have no problems pulling through.

[momtomany]

Emma is such a beautiful kitty and I am so thankful that she is being given time to heal and she will.

[jennielynn1970]

Emma is such a gorgeous girl, and I'm so glad she's recovering so well! She must be quite the spunky girl, trying so hard to use the box on her own! Yay Emma! Keep up the good work! Hugs to all involved!