Toby was a little injured kitten rescued by Emma. Emma had brought him to a vet who diagnosed Toby as having a dislocated scapula and damaged nerve. According to this vet, amputation was the only solution.
Emma did not want to rush into things, so she did her own internet research and wrote to me. I recommended Dr Suzanna Brida, the vet-acupunturist and Lydia, my friend who has helped many animals suffering from paresis and paralysis.
Here’s an update from Lydia today:
I’ve been to see Emma and Toby several times already. I took her to another vet for yet another opinion last week.
My vet could not be certain from the xray whether there was indeed a dislocation as he needed to examine the animal so we took Toby to see him.
He also confirmed that there is a dislocation and nerve damage.
After spending more time with Toby, I have since found a slight swelling on his wrist and limited extension of his wrist joint.There may have been some injury here too as he is uable use his limb from wrist down.
To date, Toby is doing well with Emma’s TLC. What is heartwarming and a relief is it seems Emma decided to add Toby to her family without hesitation despite already having 8 adopted rescue cats at home.
Toby is happy and very active as any little cat his age should be. He has adapted and has learnt to use his elbow and wrist to support his affected front leg despite not being able to use his leg from wrist down.
Emma will just have to look out for any abrasions that might form with him putting weight on his elbow and wrist but otherwise as he is still very young, perhaps there is a chance that he will heal in time.
I do believe the basic requirements for growth and healing (safety, nuitrition, care/love) are in place under Emma’s roof and that gives him the best chance to improve and/or adapt positively.
It is encouraging to know of another person who values a life and an animal as they are, with disabilities and all, and are willing to hang in there for time and life to do its part however that may turn out to be, not expecting perfection.
And Lydia adds in a further email:
There was no meds or any operation available for Toby and to take a bit of an alternative view, sometimes that’s really not such a bad thing.
I suspect that many people would prefer if there were meds and an operation option available because that would be something like a quick fix. Whereas Emma has taken the path (which not everyone would take) of patience, care, optimism and trust that things will work out in the end.
