Bk Gets Physical Therapy, he liked it. Options

[myhrtisbrkn]

As you might expect, at Beekie's age he has a little arthritis. In his back left it is enough to impair his mobility significantly at times. And since cats can't take NSAIDS, I've been in search of a way to help him.

So I sent a tape of him walking to the physical therapist who treated Sadie after she went down. Just hoping he could recommend a book, refer me to a therapist in our area.

He worked out a whole regimen for us. He used his own cat as a model ( poor baby ) and taped the exercises he wants Beek to do, including hydrotherapy...for this he fashioned a little kitty life-vest out of bubble wrap, and sent this along with written instructions, diagrams, and tapes. and when I called him to ask him what the charges would be he said..."no charge. It's my gift in memory of Sadie". I'm overwhelmed by his generosity.

So we put the life-vest on the old boy and put him in a warm tub. I was picturing myself going to the emergency room with punctures and gashes...BK.s big and he's very strong. After some initial protests he started to purr and paddle around like a Labrador retriever. I know that warm water must have felt good on his joints. now he's sleeping like a baby, smelling like his Dad's shampoo.

I think we will call it a day at that, and giving thanks for my intact skin...and start some of the other exercises tomorrow.

[myhrtisbrkn]

Beth,

Those are great ideas. I will certainly try them when BK. gets well, but at the moment he is not feeling very well. ( Hence I have been out of touch and I apologize to everyone). He hasn't quite been himself since late Sun.I ran him to the emergency vets, night before last, because he was circling and I thought he was having a stroke. The E-vet said he wasn't sure...that true strokes are very rare in cats, and that they often recover completely from them.
He gave him some valium, watched him over night and sent him home. Yesterday our regular vet ran some tests, which we are waiting on results for, and said he thinks it might be vestibular disease.

I can always tell when BK. doesn't feel well because he wants to wrap himself around my neck and stay there. He's still doing that...he's eating, no more circling, but because of his age, i always worry a lot over any indication he's not well.

More later,
Dayna