Cat Recovery - Hit by Car

[Cypress]

My six year old calico ran across the road and either ran into or was hit by the tire. I heard a slight bump and went out to see her lying on the grass on the side of the road. She was breathing but still. She rallied and pulled herself together and ran away. The driver stopped and helped me find her and take her to the local vet. We got her to the vet's in about twenty minutes.

The vet examined her with an x-ray and test to determine if she was bleeding internally. She looks okay but is walking a little crooked now. She was treated and released to me to take home. I have pain meds for her and advise to let her be still for two to three days looking for symptoms, problems,etc...

When I got her home, she went into the basement and found a spot under the stairs to hide in. It's safe, clean and warm. I did visit with her, gave her med's and she has access to potty, food and water when she is ready.

I plan to stop at Petco this afternoon and pick up some Felliway to help her nerves. She seems traumatized. She is a strong, healthy, happy cat and hopefully, will recover.

What else can I do for her? I thought of sleeping in the same room with her just to comfort me and maybe let her know I am close by. She did not eat last night or use the potty. :(

[redfox]

Oh my dear! Bless you both. Respect her space, and comfort yourself by giving her little loves every so often.

Talk with your vet. Especially when you'd need to start giving her subcutaneous liquids if she isn't drinking. (Be sure to warm them first.) She can go without food, but needs to stay hydrated. Trust your vet.

[Tussiemussies]

I am so sorry to hear about this. I can understand your cat feeling traumatized and needing to feel safe. You are a good Mom so I think you be able to nurture her back to her usual self. Redfox had a really good point.

There is also a homeopathic remedy for pets for nervousness or you can use Bach flowers -- Rescue Remedy, I have had great success with my dogs with both.

Keep us informed.....chris

[larknm]

I you haven't, I'd say tell her out loud how much you love her and how glad you are she's home safe now. I personally would lie close to her but I get Redfox's letting her keep her own space point of view too.

[redfox]

Use the Rescue Remedy that is NOT in an alcohol base.

[Cypress]

Kitty is doing the best she can. I did purchase the Felliway product and installed it as soon as I got home. She was still lying under the stairs. It's dry, warm and clean under there. My basement, thankfully, is mold free and not damp.

I started talking to her and she responded by purring loud. She hadn't eaten a morsel. But, I went in and out through the basement door to the outdoors and she greeted me at the screen door wanting to go out. Not today. She used the potty! Good sign.

I did spend the night sleeping in the basement. Twice she came over to visit and the second time, laid down on the mattress next to me. She also ate some food. I think she finally drank some water too.

This morning she was moving around much better and came out onto the sunporch acting like she wanted to go outside. Not today. Things got a little dicey when I gave her the meds for today. I have been faithful in administering the pain meds twice a day. She hates this and I had to wrestle abit to get it in her. She promptly ran back under the stairs. But, she must have swelling, stiffness and pain from the thump, I think it wise to give the pain meds. I have two more doses.

She's in a quiet safe place.

[redfox]

Nice to hear a update, my dear!

[Miss Cellane]

The fact that she wants to go outside is a positive sign. She's on the road to recovery. Glad to hear the good news.

[Tussiemussies]

So glad to hear she is feeling better than she was! You must feel so happy!

[puglogic]

These are all such positive signs, Cypress! I'm so glad she's doing better.

[Cypress]

Sweetie's guardian angel did an excellent job! She was a cat I took in about five years ago. I found her wandering around the apartment complex where I was living at that time. Her social skills in general were complex but she likes people and understands she is a domestic cat. Every time I take her to the vet's, the comment I hear is, look out, it's a calico. Perhaps calico's have a tendency to be bit of a handful. She's come a long way and allows herself to be lightly touched and even understands how to give cat kisses. In other words, quite a character.

The question arises, let's see how far she comes back into a better state of health. She loves to go outside. I only allow her to be out during the daylight hours. She's learned that at sundown, she comes in. In the winter, she voluntarily stays in and might go out for a brief moment or two on a mild day. She hates snow. Not rain, but snow keeps her indoors. Her encounter happened because I let her have her freedom. The street I live on is busy with traffic at odd times of day. It only takes one car to end her life.

I am sure this has been discussed indoors vs outdoors. Will she want to go back outside? How will this change her behavior? I believe a cat needs to be outdoors and behave in cat ways to maintain a good mental and physical health. She needs to be a cat. This is a value I have.Yet, I do not want to lose her in such a painful and awful way. The risk is always going to be there.

[Tussiemussies]

I agree Cypress, I don't have cats, but with outdoor living part of the time that risk will always be there...

[redfox]

Our nine year old feral foundlings have been raised totally indoors since they were 4 weeks old. They are definitely still being cats, quite healthy both mentally & physically.... albeit a bit quirky! I converted my last cat into an indoor only cat when he was a senior. He griped a bit, but got over it. It meant he lived till he was 19.

It is so fantastic to never have to worry about them being hit by a car, attacked by raccoons, ferals, dogs, etc. They smell great. No fleas, ever. No injuries. No illnesses. I always know they are safe. And, they will live longer.

We play with them a lot. In fact, their favorite toy is in a closet downstairs, and they have a ritual with my DH. When he gets home from work, they greet him at the door & run to the closet, meowing, until he gets out the toy to play. They have their own hilarious ways of hunting, climbing, etc.; all the things they would do outside. They're my first ever all indoors cats, and I changed my mind. I'll will never again raise a cat to go outside.

I'm so glad your dear girlie is recovering!

[Zoebird]

Calicos are Torties-lite: lots of attitude (ot cattitude!).

My IL's cat, Callie, was a calico and boy was she a queen bee! Loved her.

Dh fell in love with our friend's long-haird tortie, Mavis, last week. He loved how saucy she was. LOL he's allergic to cats, but she spent the whole evening on/near him (even washing his hair but then giving him a big scratch on the face -- so tortie), and he didn't have any symptoms. He said that if other torties don't bother his allergies, we're getting one. LOL he even changed his FB photo to one of him and Mavis. too funny.

[iris lilies]

The indoor vs outdoor thing is tough. For the last few years we've had indoors-only cats. One of them was an indoor-outdoor cat for several years, but she's decided to stay indoors. Part of that is about dogs. Our dogs live on the first floor and the cats have to negotiate territory with an ever changing population of dogs (we foster for rescue) if they want to go out doors. Our cats have decided not to do that so they live upstairs.

[Yarrow]

I hope your kitty is doing ok. Since I moved I've had to keep my cats indoors fulltime now. There is just too many dangers here for them.

[Cypress]

Sweetie is one week past her terrible accident. She is doing fairly well. She is eating and sleeping normally. She is not running or hurrying around as she usually does, but walking rather sedately. Every appearance is she is sore and moving along at her best speed. She is going back outside for a few hours each day, only lying the garden looking out around the yard.

I can only wonder how she is feeling physically, is she dizzy? Doe it hurt still? She no longer is interested in cat treats and even cat nip doesn't inspire her right now.

[redfox]

I'm glad she's improving! Think about how long it would take you to fully recover from such injuries. Months, I'd say. Blessings!

[~K~]

Oh gosh, you have both suffered shock. We have a pen on our house and an indoor life can be good. I couldn't live with the fear of my cats being outside. I am perhaps being selfish but am too neurotic to do otherwise. Healing vibes to you both xx