Tiger's progress

When Tiger arrived here at the airport, she came with a lame leg that I only discovered when I got home with the cats. I was really heartbroken this has happened, and in all veterinairy reports she was declared in full health. People already told me, those vet checks make no sense, as they only look if the animal is still alive and the paperwork is ok. But at the airport I didn't pay attention to the fact that the seal of Tiger's crate has been removed, and her foodbowl was disconnected. Something has happened with her. But since I accepted her this way, nothing I can do. Even if I said something at the Lufthansa desk, the only option I possibly could have is to leave her, to die. Because Lufthansa only knows accept and treat her yourself or not accept and have her send back or being killed. What fair option would I have? I could only accept a cat with a lame leg. And I love her, I waited for like 4 months for them to be here, and I am not giving up. I have declared myself responsible for them until the day they die, in hopefully old age and good health.

I went to my vet the next day, as I hoped the problm would just be some muscle pain, going away in a few days time. But my vet really disappointed me. When I told her my cats came from Egypt, she immidiately made a statement I could expect this things to happen if I just take some good luck strays. I was furious, because I know EMRO is a decent reliable organisation, offering limp cats, threelegged cats, disabled and blind cats like any healthy cat in their true nature. They would never have send me a lame cat as a good walking cat.
The vet did nothing more than a quick palpation of just one leg. Every idiot knows you always examine both legs at the same time to compare and possible feel differences in temperature, sensitivity, fractures, swellings, reactions etc. She never saw Tiger walking. And did not even consider medication to relief pain. She told me to come back when the leg got infected, because that is the moment her leg should be taken of. Her diagnosis was that this cat has suffered this for much longer time. I was really flabbergasted. Not even she suggested to put a wrap around the leg...

So I went back home, confused, but with an incredible feeling that leg will be cured. There is no way that without fracture or any clear reason this leg should be amputated. The cat is lame for no longer than 24 hours so far.

I saw slight progress over the next days, but also her skin wore off. I had to find a way to protect the foot of Tiger. I put wraps on, which is quite hard thing to do. It is not that she is not cooperative. At first she was very mad, but after a few times she accepts it as daily routine, but she is so flexible, she curls and moves with her paws and tails. Just doesn't know to lie still for a second. And with one hand in her neck to avoid me being bitten it is almost impossible to roll the sticky wrap tape with one hand.

After exactly a week, when I made an appointment with another vet, I got tearshed, bcause I noticed Tiger to use her leg again. She bends it, brings her leg underneath her body again. Not always, but the progress is there. The only worry is, that her paw seems to have no feeling. I could squeeze it, touch it wrap it without her notice. While when I touch just above her paw, she gets quite mad, what is her reaction because she only likes to be touched on the head and body.
But, I understand this paralysis can be temporary, because I feel there is life and energy in her paw.

At the vet, I received good news. I am glad I went here, they were taking it seriously and were very interested in the cats, where they came from and what my idea was about EMRO. They understood that there are good people out there, caring for the cats. And they loved Tiger. I left Grey at home because he isn't really a traveler. Tiger loves it and she may come with me for trips in the future, but for Grey I have to see how he develops.

The vet told me it is very possible and very likely she will overcome her problem. She cannot guarranty, but believes this is a temporary paralysis. She felt reaction in the paw, it is not completely gone. So somewhere a nerve may be blocked due to infection or swelling. Or indeed a moved spine. She checked her from spine to toe for fractures or dislocations. And afterwards wrapped in her leg. She gave me spare material to wrap, which surely will make it more difficult because this kind of wrap is already a nightmare with 2 hands free.
Also Tiger got medication, and if I need it, approval to forward to a specialist. Im glad for this, because I sure believe specialistic care may help her. Like fysiotherapie or ortho manual therapy.

Now I supply Tiger also with homeopathic medication. I am curious how it will work out. It brought me back to my ambition to do more with the study I did a while ago. I still want to be herbologist and homeopathic consultant.

It is waiting now for the further progress. I hope and keep believing it will be allright. :-)