Yesterday your cat was happily running around with a ball, but today he can't even get up. The paralysis of the hind legs of a cat is familiar to many owners firsthand. Some go to put the poor fellow to sleep, others, contrary to the poor forecasts of veterinarians, try to take all measures to cure their pet. And for good reason. Often, after intensive therapy, the animal recovers completely.
First of all, you need to decide whether you have the strength, time and money to provide your pet with proper support and care. It may take years for a cat to heal. If the problem cannot be resolved in a short time, veterinarians usually do not give hope to clients, believing that long and tedious treatment is not needed by anyone.
Therefore, if you have soberly assessed your capabilities and made a choice in favor of treatment, notify the veterinarian. Depending on the reason why paralysis of the hind legs could occur, he will prescribe a regimen and drugs for recovery on an individual basis.
What can be done additionally
After a competent veterinarian is found and the necessary prescriptions are received, the owner can speed up the treatment process by taking additional measures. Massage will help to improve the condition of the cat. It should be done with light, but intense enough movements. So the muscles will not have time to quickly atrophy. The massage should be performed every day for five sessions of ten minutes duration.
Also, with the cat, it is necessary to carry out a kind of gymnastics - to bend and unbend the paws, to imitate physical activity in the lying and standing positions. The paralyzed limbs will benefit from the "walking" exercise. To do this, a towel is passed under the cat's belly and pulled slightly, prompting the animal to move. If the paws of the cat are completely immobilized, you should rearrange them with your own hands.
Do not give up on water treatments. Even if the cat is dissatisfied. Swimming is very effective during the recovery process. It is enough just a couple of times a week to lower the animal into the water, where it would strain its legs, trying to move them. In this case, the cat needs to be supported.
Also, the main treatment for paralyzed paws can be supplemented with exercises on the ball. Place your pet on a properly sized ball. In this case, the legs should touch the floor. Your task is to make the cat start resting its limbs on the floor. To do this, slowly roll the ball back and forth.
Over time, when the paralysis of the hind legs recedes and sensitivity returns to them, try tickling the cat behind the ear. A reflex will work and he will make an attempt to reach the ear with his back paw to scratch it. This will also be a kind of training.
If the treatment is not effective
It happens that all the efforts made remain without result. In this case, you can either euthanize the pet, or purchase a special wheelchair for it. Very soon, the cat will learn to use this simple device on its own and will not have any difficulties in movement.
