Cat Vs Car. Advice needed.

[ladyrattles]

Our 10 year old ginger Cat called 'Gabe' was hit by a car on Monday. We were on holiday at the time and only found out when we got back on Wednesday. The vets battled to save him on our next door neighbour's request; as they were the ones who hit him (& were looking after him when we were away). His head was massively swollen when I saw him but he was still purring despite his injuries.

Gabe's breathing had stabalised enough for him to have surgery on Thursday; to wire a broken lower jaw & stitch a broken upper jaw. The Veterinarian agrees that he has lost his hearing and although he can definately see; his eyes are still dilated. The Veterinarian sent him home early on Friday; as he wouldn't wee there & they were worried he had brain damage to the bladder control area. Luckily he has weed at home, but in my opinion is still not doing well.

He is not eating anything and does not want to drink. The Veterinarian has supplied us with a syringe so that we can liquidise his food and squirt it into his mouth - like we do with his pain medication; but it has been hard emotionally to make him go through that.

Gabe wants to sleep a lot (natural; after everything he has been through) but I wonder if he has given up; or whether that is my own interpretation. I feel so bad force-feeding him this way and know that tomorrow (monday) they will want him back in to put in a feeding tube. He is constantly drooling & snorting a bloody snotty discharge which the Veterinarian says is normal but he looks and smells terrible. I cry everytime I stroke him as he seems so unlike himself and I can't help but wonder what damage his brain has had.

I really wanted to know if anyone else out there has gone through this? The Veterinarian seems to think he can pull through this. I know it sounds silly but just knowing another pet pulled through and eventually recovered would be good to hear. I am prepared to nurse him back to health but need reassurance I am doing the right thing.

Carnie - York, UK

[ladyrattles]

No need to reply. Sadly his condition got worse and the Veterinarian had to put him down.

[latergatorj]

Dear LadyRattles:

I'm very sorry for your loss. That was a terrible thing to have to go through.

It sounds like you, your neighbors, and the Veterinarian did everything you could. I'm sorry he didn't pull through. The fact that he was still purring after everything, says that he must have a real sweetheart. The small good thing I can see in this is that you got to see him and he was with his family towards the end.

Please take care of yourself, and if you need someone to talk with, I'm here. I lost both of my kitties this year.

-Jackie

[gerikt]

I am sorry to hear about your loss. My cat was just hit by a car today and we just left him at the vets office as it was late and she medicated him and said that in the morning she would wire his lower jaw. I am hoping that he does well as the Veterinarian anticipated it was very hard to see him with his face all swollen. If you have any advice for me please write. Thank you