Nerve Damage, Tail pull injury, Incontinence, Amputation and When to Euthanise

[Tilly89]

Hi. This is my first post. I’ve trawled the internet and I’m hoping this forum is still used.

My cat, Maggie, suffered a tail pull injury 2 weeks ago. She hasn’t been continent since. She’s not messy, but she isn’t able to go to the toilet when she wants.

The vet has had the conversation with us about euthanasia but I wanted to give her the chance at recovery. What I know so far is that there are 2 windows for nerve damage recovery;- 4 days after, and within 6 weeks after. The vet has been very clear that the prognosis is poor. 2 weeks out and Maggie is scratching around in the kitty litter but no leaving anything behind.

We opted to have the tail chopped 1 week out against the Vets advice because it was a dead appendage hanging from her, no blood supply, no healing.

I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing or if there’s is any hope out there that she will recover incontinence.

In terms of quality of life, Maggie is her usual self. She’s beautiful and chirpy, she plays out the back and comes for walks. She’s eating and drinking fine. Apart from the incontinence, you wouldn’t know she was unwell.
She is so well that it makes the decision even harder, and I just wanted to know if anyone else can share this experience ?

[fjm]

Can you cope with the incontinence, for at least 6 weeks and possibly for the rest of her life? If she is otherwise well and happy I would not consider euthanasia at this stage unless there are reasons why the incontinence is a major problem - she may recover at least some control, or you may find other ways of managing the problem. If there is a chance that she may improve over the next month you will always wonder whether you should have waited.

[Mollycat]

This, what fjm said.

If you have a look on You-Tube you will find plenty of cat diaries of paralysed cats, which is where you find most of the incontinent cats that are You-Tube-worthy. See how other people deal with incontinent cats and worse, and how those cats cope with life, and how their world needs adapting.

Unless I've missed it you don't mention Maggie's age and I think the fact you don't feel it's worth mentioning speaks volumes. If she is her usual self, if she is happy so soon after whatever awful trauma that caused this injury and losing her tail, I think I'd be starting to think long term incontinence management not euthanasia. If your vet isn't as supportive as you would like, perhaps see someone else, to learn how to help her physically. If she is a reasonably good traveller and patient, you might consider physiotherapy - vets are great at their job but they are not physios and physios can work wonders that vets can't imagine. It's easy to say from my armchair but I don't think I could put a healthy happy cat to sleep just for that.

And then if she does recover toilet control, then that's a bonus.

I take it pelvic fractures have been ruled out?

[Tilly89]

I can definitely cope with the incontinence for 6 weeks, I definitely want to give her a shot at recovery although I feel as though the chances are poor.
I could probably deal with incontinence for the rest of her life if it wasn’t so looked down upon by the vet.
He has said twice before we knew what the injury was, that he thinks it’s ‘cruel’ to keep cats alive when they’re incontinent.
When he said this he justified it with a story about a cat who’s bottom was always covered in faeces. But Maggie isn’t messy and she doesn’t look like she’s having a horrible time.
I work on disability, but have also worked in aged care, and we definitely tend to believe that people who are incontinent can have a good quality of life.

[Tilly89]

This, what fjm said.

If you have a look on You-Tube you will find plenty of cat diaries of paralysed cats, which is where you find most of the incontinent cats that are You-Tube-worthy. See how other people deal with incontinent cats and worse, and how those cats cope with life, and how their world needs adapting.

Unless I've missed it you don't mention Maggie's age and I think the fact you don't feel it's worth mentioning speaks volumes. If she is her usual self, if she is happy so soon after whatever awful trauma that caused this injury and losing her tail, I think I'd be starting to think long term incontinence management not euthanasia. If your vet isn't as supportive as you would like, perhaps see someone else, to learn how to help her physically. If she is a reasonably good traveller and patient, you might consider physiotherapy - vets are great at their job but they are not physios and physios can work wonders that vets can't imagine. It's easy to say from my armchair but I don't think I could put a healthy happy cat to sleep just for that.

And then if she does recover toilet control, then that's a bonus.

I take it pelvic fractures have been ruled out?

Maggie is only 2 years old, and a young healthy lovely lady. No pelvic fractures and her tail is healing well from the amputation.

[Mollycat]

he thinks it’s ‘cruel’ to keep cats alive when they’re incontinent.

Well I think it's cruel to keep vets in business who judge and bully their clients.

I hope there is another vet near enough to you with a better attitude, even if it means a bit more travelling.

[fjm]

I think sometimes vets are in a difficult position - some owners would be unable to cope with incontinence and need "permission" to think about euthanasia; many cats would be miserable with constant diarrhoea, and it might be in their best interests to consider it. But you can cope and Maggie sounds to be happy and otherwise healthy, and it does sound as if your vet has been less than empathetic in difficult circumstances, and I would definitely consider asking for a referral to a specialist or physiotherapist or even an osteopath, and perhaps considering a change of vet practice if you feel that might help.