Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on October 19, 2007, 00:28:14 AM

Title: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on October 19, 2007, 00:28:14 AM
Otis is one of my feral babes and is happily living outdoors.  He spends most of his time in the garden and usually comes running when you put food out.  Earlier on he didn't appear, I was a little worried as he disappeared for 3 days last week and I think he'd got himself trapped in somewhere.  Anyway, he turned up about 10.30 crying outside the back door, he was all hunched up and he couldn't stand up straight  :'(  He let me pick him up which is never a good sign, as normally I can't get near him.  I put him in a carrier and phoned Sean up to get him looked at.  With him being a feral, it's not that easy to examine them when injured unless they are sedated but as I was holding him for Sean to give him a painkiller, we noticed some of the fur on his back had been tugged on or something.  Sean thinks he may have been grabbed by something and bit although we couldn't see any obvious puncture marks apart from what looked like a slash down his spine.  Anyway, he's been kept in, had a painkiller and an anti inflammatory and he's going to be sedated, x rayed and checked over in the morning.  Sean said he may possibly have to stay in so they can administer antibiotics as there's no way on this earth I'm going to get them down him.  Keep your fingers crossed it's nothing serious, he looked absolutely petrified bless him  :'(  :'(
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets.
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on October 19, 2007, 00:38:40 AM
Poor Otis and do hope he will be OK  :hug:
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets.
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on October 19, 2007, 07:33:55 AM
Fingers crossed for him
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets.
Post by: clarenmax on October 19, 2007, 10:21:16 AM
Poor Otis, I'll keep everything crossed that he's going to be OK xx
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets.
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on October 19, 2007, 11:44:59 AM
Just had a heartbreaking phone call off Sean and Otis has had to be put to sleep  :'(  :'(  :'(  Sean sedated him this morning and he's had his x rays, his pelvis is fractured both sides, he has broken vertabrae in his back and his chances of living a life pain free are zilch  :'(  :'(  :'(  He said there was no decision making, the decision had been made for me.  If they attempted to try and mend him, he would have no support on his back end as the bones are shattered, and there is possibly internal damage as well.  I tried to get him to see how he goes over the weekend but he said it would be cruel so sadly it's been taken out of my hands  :'(  :'(  :'(  I am heartbroken and can't believe this happening, I felt abit bad last night on my way home thinking he'd just got a little cut to his back and I'd got Sean out to him.  Sean said he is gobsmacked by the outcome as well, he really wasn't expecting what he found as Otis was breathing fine, had good colour and just appeared uncomfortable last night but not in extreme pain  :'(  :'(

 :RIP: My beautiful boy, I'll never forget you, xxxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: clarenmax on October 19, 2007, 11:48:49 AM
Oh hun, I'm so sorry  :hug:

That's not the outcome any of us wanted  :'(  Poor baby  :(

Does Sean have any idea what might have happened to him?

 :hug:
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on October 19, 2007, 11:54:08 AM
RIP Otis, pain free and safe at the Bridge until your Mum is ready to collect you xx

 :hug: to you Dawn
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on October 19, 2007, 11:58:59 AM
He said looking at the injury to his back this morning whilst he was sedated, he was involved in an RTA.  When I phoned him last night, I told him I thought he'd been hit but there was nothing obvious when he was checked but not a lot could be done whilst he was awake.  He was given strong painkillers last night which would have knocked him out and Sean said he had some more in the early hours so at least he was pain free but it doesn't make it any easier.  I just feel so bad now and I think Sean must as well but there was nothing to suggest he'd been hit when I took him in, the only reason I thought he had was because of his stance and the fact he'd let me pick him up   :'(  :'(  :'(  :'(
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: clarenmax on October 19, 2007, 12:09:48 PM
Aw, poor baby.

You weren't to know Dawn, even Sean didn't know the extent of Otis's injuries until he was x-rayed, so please do not feel bad.  You did all you could for him, based on what you could see, nobody could have done any more than you and Sean did  :hug:  :hug:

RIP little man xx
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: alisonandarchie on October 19, 2007, 12:14:30 PM
So sorry to hear about your dear Otis, thinking about you lots :hug:
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Maddiesmum on October 19, 2007, 15:39:31 PM
So sorry to hear about Otis Dawn.  He was lucky he had you to turn to when he needed help.  Poor little man,
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on October 19, 2007, 15:47:26 PM
I've spent the whole time bursting into tears, I still can't believe his outcome  :'(  :'(  :'(  This just proves how good they are at hiding pain from us and last night although I felt I had over reacted rushing him in, I'm glad I followed my instincts.  I just wish we'd realised how serious his injuries actually were  :'(  :'(  I phoned this morning at about 9 o'clock just to see if he was okay and not too stressed, little did I know a couple of hours later I'd be getting a phone call asking permission to put him to sleep  :'(  :'(
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: alisonandarchie on October 19, 2007, 16:10:45 PM
Wish that I could come and give you a big hug. You have had such an awlful shock, don't worry about the tears. You did everything possible, try to be kind to yourself as no one could have done more. :hug:
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Gillian Harvey on October 19, 2007, 16:12:19 PM
Oh Dawn, I'm so sorry to hear this news,  :hug: -  :RIP: dear Otis
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: sheryl on October 19, 2007, 16:13:34 PM
So very sorry Dawn, he knows how much you love him because he came to you when he was hurting xxx

RIP Otis, have fun at the bridge little one xxx
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Yvonne on October 19, 2007, 16:24:11 PM
So very sorry to hear this Dawn  :hug:

 :RIP:  Otis
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Mark on October 19, 2007, 16:44:24 PM
Sorry Dawn  :hug:

You saved him from more pain  - poor little Otis  :'(
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Bazsmum on October 19, 2007, 17:08:34 PM
RIP Otis  :(

So sorry DD  :grouphug:

Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: lucy on October 19, 2007, 17:29:15 PM
So sorry - poor Otis.  :hug:
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on October 19, 2007, 18:53:12 PM
Oh Dawn , how terrible and what a shock, the poor little man  :hug: :hug: :hug:

RIP Otis, you will have no pain anymore up there on the Bridge with all our friends.
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on October 19, 2007, 21:19:18 PM
I am so sorry to hear this Dawn, you did everything you could for him, and took him when most people would have waited, so please dont feel guilty, he had a good life with you, and was brave until the end. RIP little man.
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Elaine on October 19, 2007, 23:28:32 PM
Oh babes, I am so very sorry to hear about poor Otis.  As heartbreaking as it is at this very sad time, dont beat yourself up with ifs and buts Dawn.  You did good by him as you do all the cats in your care.
Many hugs to you Dawn xxx :hug:xxx
R.I.P. Brave Otis xxx
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: JackSpratt on October 19, 2007, 23:39:33 PM
So sorry for your loss, Dawn.  :hug:

RIP, Otis.
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: ccmacey on October 20, 2007, 00:16:37 AM
Aww so sorry Dawn

Without you he would of had no one  :hug:

RIP Otis.
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: jetcleo on October 20, 2007, 08:00:53 AM
So sorry dawn  :hug:

RIP Otis
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets.
Post by: furbabies on October 20, 2007, 12:50:52 PM
Just had a heartbreaking phone call off Sean and Otis has had to be put to sleep  :'(  :'(  :'(  Sean sedated him this morning and he's had his x rays, his pelvis is fractured both sides, he has broken vertabrae in his back and his chances of living a life pain free are zilch  :'(  :'(  :'(  He said there was no decision making, the decision had been made for me.  If they attempted to try and mend him, he would have no support on his back end as the bones are shattered, and there is possibly internal damage as well.  I tried to get him to see how he goes over the weekend but he said it would be cruel so sadly it's been taken out of my hands  :'(  :'(  :'(  I am heartbroken and can't believe this happening, I felt abit bad last night on my way home thinking he'd just got a little cut to his back and I'd got Sean out to him.  Sean said he is gobsmacked by the outcome as well, he really wasn't expecting what he found as Otis was breathing fine, had good colour and just appeared uncomfortable last night but not in extreme pain  :'(  :'(

 :RIP: My beautiful boy, I'll never forget you, xxxxxxxxxxxx

So sorry to hear about your little man.
It doesn't matter wether they are feral or family cats they all still touch our hearts don't they

I hope your not suffering too much :(

xx

Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Felix (Caroline) on October 20, 2007, 13:00:26 PM
So so sorry Dawn have only just read this post

R I P Otis xxx
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Ellie on October 21, 2007, 18:12:36 PM
Oh Dawn I am so sorry  :hug: :hug:

RIP Otis have fun on the Bridge wee man xxx
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: lisa77 on October 21, 2007, 18:46:32 PM
So sorry about little Otis  :RIP: little one
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on October 21, 2007, 23:18:39 PM
Since finding out the extent of Otis's injuries, I've felt sick with worry about whether he suffered throughout the night  :'(  :'( :'(  I had to contact Sean today to put my mind at ease before I cracked up.  He's assured me that he was pain free and out of it, he'd had an Opiate pain killer every 4 hours and a shock dose of Cortico steroid but I still can't help feeling guilty about my little man  :'(  I'm in the vets in the morning so I'll be looking at his x rays.  I can't get my head round the fact that he managed to jump onto a hutch which was by the back door with the injuries he sustained  :'(  :'(
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Stuart on October 21, 2007, 23:39:08 PM
I'm SO Sorry Dawn  :hug:
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Mark on October 21, 2007, 23:52:06 PM
I'm sure Sean is telling the truth Dawn  :hug: - We all know that you would only ever do the best you could for any cat - you acted as fast as you could and no reason to beat yourself up about it  :cuddle:
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Ela on October 22, 2007, 09:57:20 AM
Only just caught up with this thread. I am so sorry
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Lang on October 22, 2007, 12:15:45 PM
Since finding out the extent of Otis's injuries, I've felt sick with worry about whether he suffered throughout the night  :'(  :'( :'(  I had to contact Sean today to put my mind at ease before I cracked up.  He's assured me that he was pain free and out of it, he'd had an Opiate pain killer every 4 hours and a shock dose of Cortico steroid but I still can't help feeling guilty about my little man  :'(  I'm in the vets in the morning so I'll be looking at his x rays.  I can't get my head round the fact that he managed to jump onto a hutch which was by the back door with the injuries he sustained  :'(  :'(

Cats are amazing.  But don't feel bad or guilty about him.  He came to you, and if he hadn't, then his suffering would have been great.  As it was, it sounds like the best possible outcome for him - a night without pain and then oblivion.  His instincts were right - he came to the one person who could do the best for him.

Anyway, I am very sorry, but rest assured that thanks to you he was spared the nightmare that might have happened if you hadn't been there for him. 
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: LesleyW on October 22, 2007, 12:45:10 PM
Just caught up with this thread, and so sorry to hear your news Dawn, it seems to have been a bad couple of weeks for everyone having sad news.

Don't beat yourself up, you did the best for Otis all his life and that's why he came to you when he needed to

 :RIP: Otis, play well at the Bridge, free of pain and big  :hug: :hug: :hug: to you Dawn.
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Beanie on October 22, 2007, 13:46:52 PM
Just caught up with this Dawn. Extremely sorry to hear about this. You did your best kid and sometimes medical problems are latent which can only be discovered with further veterinary examination.

People like you do the hard stuff. You look at a cat and see a cat - not a lap cat,  acute kitten or a feral cat - pure and simnply a cat who is in need. No discrimination. The local people who I know, deeply respect and help where I can, who look after ferals or help to trap and neuter are the people who set the standards of being cat lovers without excuses. It is a devotion and deserves the total respect and support of everybody.

Little Otis sampled that support; so many sadly don't.
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: berties mum on October 22, 2007, 22:49:09 PM
So sorry Dawn  :hug:
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Jasmine on October 23, 2007, 00:08:50 AM
Very sorry to hear about Otis, poor little babe.

God Bless brave soul.

Jas
 X
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: pappilon on October 23, 2007, 12:23:14 PM
RIP litlle Otis, :'(,

I am so sorry Dawn, but remember he made it home to you after his accident,and thats so important. They say cats when they are hurt or involved in RTA, they try hard to get back to where they live. One of my babes Picolo  after RTA managed to come through the cat flap , sadly i was at work and when i got back i saw her inside buy the door, i never know  how bad she was when she got in  :(, its just so sad .  :'(

 :hug: :hug:  x
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Gail Bengal Slave on October 24, 2007, 11:20:27 AM
OH DD I have only just see this thread - I am so so sorry about Otis   :hug: :hug:

Good night God Bless you little man, run free and play hard xxxxxxx
Title: Re: Just had to take Otis to the vets - Terrible news:-(
Post by: Rosella moggy on October 24, 2007, 21:37:22 PM
Saw this thread a while ago Dawn but didn't know what to say. Still don't but take care of yourself.  So very sad about little Otis.  :hug: