Cat's Name, Age at Adoption and Now, and Gender
Julie, 4 weeks at adoption and now 1 year old, female
Name of Special Needs Condition (Blind, Deaf, FIV, etc)
Cerebral Hyperplasia leaving Julie's back legs unable to coordinate to enable her to walk.
How I Came to Meet my Special Needs Cat
I was a volunteer at the shelter that rescued Julie, along with 33 other cats and kittens from a hoarding situation. Julie had contracted Distemper from her mother, as did all the other 33 cats and kittens. If kittens survive Distemper, they often will be left with disabilities, some milder than others. Julie's disability is rather severe and was present at the time of her rescue.
How I Care for my Special Needs Cat
Julie needs to be toileted three times a day. She has a special litter tray which is actually a boot tray with little nubs all over it and a very low edge. She has a schedule that we both developed. I bring her to her tray at 7 a.m., 3 p.m. and again at 11 p.m. I have to hold her under her belly and gently press down on her rear quarters and she immediately gets the message. She also needs help in leaving the litter tray as she will fall over into the litter if not lifted out. Julie, as well as every other cat in my household, gets a treat after a successful mission. Julie lives on my bed and does not always need help in getting up on top of it because her front legs are very very strong and she uses her claws to climb. I just have to make sure that the spread is hanging down enough for her to grab onto. Getting down is another issue so all around the bed I have placed quilts, pillows and blankets to soften her fall. Julie can ambulate somewhat around the house but often collapses into a heap. She does not seem to mind and just scrambles up and tries again! She is a real inspiration to all of us as she is a happy girl and well adjusted to her severe disability. Of course she had to be placed with the right family because of the issue with toileting. Not everyone would be able to give her that much care. Certainly limits vacations! I have to make sure I have a live-in babysitter if I go away and have to work around her litter schedule daily, but it is more than worth it. If I had not adopted Julie she most certainly would have been put down.
Advice
- Know everything there is to know about your cat's disability.
- Make sure you can and want to care for your disabled cat for the rest of his/her life.
- Plan ahead for re-homing in case something happens and you can no longer care for your disabled cat due to sickness, age or situation.
- You may want to take out a life insurance policy to provide for your disabled cat if he/she outlives her adoptive family.
- Provide your disabled cat with a safe environment with his/her special disability in mind.
- It is necessary to make special arrangements for his/her care when you take a vacation-make sure this is possible.
