Silly cat thinks he's paralysed...

Badger_Lady

I live with the most stupid, sweet tom cat (black, 10 yrs old, I adopted him 18 months ago).

On Firework night, he worked himself into a lather hiding under my wardrobe and scratched the back of his head so hard he's got a huge bleeding bald patch.

Unfortunately, it won't heal because he keeps scratching it, so last night the vet put a collar on him (poor mite!).

Only now he seems to think he can't walk! I put him down somewhere and he just freezes, staying perfectly still until I push him up the backside. This morning, he gave me a pleading look and I actually picked him up and put him in his litter tray so he could have a wee.

I've left him in my bedroom now, with his water and his littertray all easily to hand, but isn't that silly?? There's nothing wrong with his legs! :rotfl:

Anyone else had this psychological problem with collars, and/or tips to overcome it? I can't constantly baby him (much as I'd love to)

sandy2_2

Is the collar too deep for him. when one of my old cats needed a collar after an op it was sooo big she couldn't get her head down to feed, she was fine after we did a bit of pruning

Stephen_Leak

He's probably seen this ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7092301.stm

... and is waiting for a lift.

Personally, I'd put his litter tray and water back to where they normally live. He'll figure it out eventually.

As they say, "Dogs have owners; Cats have staff."

Bendybops19

Awww bless him! Its all a shock to him and the collar is probably affecting his sense of space etc

I would trim the collar down a bit for him and see how he goes from there.

Was he walking and acting ok before the collar was put on?

Badger_Lady

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

He's probably seen this ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7092301.stm

... and is waiting for a lift.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!! :rotfl:

Hi Bendybops - yes, he was fine beforehand. The moment the vet put the collar on, he went all floppy and just laid still - it's like the reflex action when you grab their "scruff" :rolleyes: .

Well, I'm pleased to say after a day of fending for himself while I was at work, he's a lot more active. He'll even jump up on the bed now (but not back down again!), and his litter trays gone back into the bathroom.

He's now decided that he can walk around the house as long as he slides along the walls... so he gets the collar caught on a doorframe or a radiator and just stops until someone moves his head. After 10-15 minutes of just standing still, he moves backwards and tries again!

Stupid cat...

Bendybops19

oh i really shouldnt laugh but i'm pee'ing myself at your description of him!!! :rotfl: he sounds like he has got a fantastic personality!!!

Badger_Lady

Aaah - I just remembered there's a video of him on here (before he got the collar):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0fE-YKQ170

Not bad for a 10-yr-old, huh?