Hi....what I mean by saying "Lockjaw" is that our cat has her tougue sticking out (about half an inch or so..for last two days off and on) and when her mouth area is touched;whiskers, jaw, etc it seems stiff. Can't open.I am not sure if she is doing that herself; just saying stay away orif this is part of a larger problem...or if its something that is part of natures way of the cats self-healing process?.
She has been for 4 days now: just drinking, weakness;stagger, fell down on her side when put to stand as if equllibrium is off. Just looks down or sleeps...stays wherever she manages to plop down.Shethrew up when she waslifted; it was very bad odor...I think theliquid held in there (bloated belly).She urinates only..drinks water, no food.Stays in the litter box after urinating...but I remove her from there for sanitary reasons.Iimprovement;days 3 and 4 ..she does wag her tail if her name is called. She makes a little fuss, in her usual finiky manner, if shes held..(not as if she has pain or anything).15yrs I've had her and she was not a kitten when I first had her. I was hoping whatever this is would blow over..but I thinktime for vet. I'd appreciate any feedback on whatI could possibly do now other than being attentive, comforting, and cheerfull for her.
Charish
RE: Second Lockjaw question!..cat this time
Please, take her to the vet.
RE: Second Lockjaw question!..cat this time
OMG I do hope you have been to the vet by now 🙁 Your cat sounds seriously il. Lockjaw is a common term for tetanus which usually all animals are vaccinated against. The symptoms you have described are extremely serious and needed treatment 4 days ago, untreated lockjaw kills 🙁
RE: Second Lockjaw question!..cat this time
Thanks for replies...had I the timeand access to the money! within in those four days...the cat would beat the vet sooner...(over $1000 (not including the checkup) what I don't have for myself andnot the time to shop cheaper vets). Its a good thing someone elsewas in this one with me...it was a close call getting the funds..every last second ticking away.In any case she is ather regular vet; hospitalized but for a short time though.I have a headache the size of texas...and just hoping deeply that she pulls through; stays around afew yearslonger.
Charish
RE: Second Lockjaw question!..cat this time
Thanks again for prompt replies....I'm so sorry (and personally devastated :() to say late last nightcatdidn't make it..:(.. the doctors say there were several complications and somethings of which apprently might have gone undetection for various reasons even though she had regular check ups.
Charish
RE: Second Lockjaw question!..cat this time
{{{{{{{{{{{{Charish}}}}}}}}}}} So sorry to hear xxxxxxxxxxxx
RE: Second Lockjaw question!..cat this time
Thanks for reply.... never realized what an emotional impact these things can have. I have other animals...its amazing how they know and how theyreact...I guess its lots more tlc until things are new again.Perhaps when I releasethe ashes some insight will come as how to rebalance things.
Charish
RE: Second Lockjaw question!..cat this time
Another little soul will find you - honest.
We lost one of our little friends last year - she was killed on a road. Two weeks later, driving through a local country town, I turned onto a road that I never use and saw a sign saying 'Cat Rescue'. I followed the markers, and drew into the yard. The lady who greeted me was fantastic. She said she knew I was coming (bit spooky) and took me to the sheds were the new intake of rescue cats were kept. There were three kittens in a cage (not really a cage - more like an enclosure, with an access grill on one side). Anyway - Bruce was sitting at the end nearest the door. It was love at first sight! His mother was/is a Maine Coon, but daddy wasn't - he got into the breeders exercise compound and spoiled their winter sales of pedigree cats. The owners were not interested in the progeny, so as soon as the 3 were weaned they were handed over. (I think that is a scandal, but a different subject!).
Anyway. The lady asked me to go home, and bring back the other family members so that everyone could meet him, and to see if he would recognise me again. 4 days later we all went back, and therehe was, rubbing himself against the grill and purring like a jet engine. He didn't even need to be boxed in the car - he sat on my daughters lap for the 15 minutes journey home. He is the gentlest little soul - and with the Maine Coon blood, has the most amazing fur - you can just get lost in it, it is sooooo soft!
I know in the States that animal care is very expensive, but it may be worth investing insome form of petinsurance......
Brucewas obviouslymeant to be ours, and I think that our old cat ("Pea")may have had a 'paw' in the master plan!
RE: Second Lockjaw question!..cat this time
Awonderful story. Its been my thought or position if anything as such occurs it just will...afterall, thats how I've encounteredall the animals with whichI've shared my life. They just "happened" into my life. Perhaps too because I may have been open to it on a deeper level. other times it because the animal might need it or be better off..and sometimes both parties are in need of the experience.
Charish