URGENT- cat has an L4 spinal fracture with spinal cord compression, cannot walk or use hindlegs.
Title: URGENT — Please help with advice or low-cost treatment options (India).
Hi everyone. I'm (19M) posting this as a desperate attempt to help my cat, Chintu (8 Months old, Female). I'm from WB, India, and my financial situation is very limited. I don't have the money or connections to access advanced veterinary treatment easily, so I'm hoping someone here, especially a veterinarian or someone who has dealt with a similar injury, can guide me.
What happened:
About two days ago, Chintu was attacked by dogs. After the attack, she couldn't walk properly, and her hind leg(s) weren't working and was kind of paralysed. We contacted a vet, who came and gave her an injection and medication.
Her symptoms since the attack:
- She cannot walk.
- Her hind leg(s) are not functioning.
- She is responsive and has been eating.
- She has been passing stool while lying down.
- As of my latest observation, she has not urinated since the attack.
X-ray report:
“X ray of hip, vertebral column of cat (Chintu) shows:
- Fracture of 4th Lumber Vertebral body and compression of spinal cord in the adjoining area of Fracture.
- Other findings are non contributory.”
We have been told that she will need conservative treatment because surgery is not available to us. I'm trying to understand whether there is a realistic chance of recovery and how to care for her safely.
Questions for veterinarians and people with relevant experience:
Can a cat with an L4 vertebral body fracture and spinal cord compression recover the ability to walk with conservative treatment?
What factors determine whether the fracture is stable enough to treat without surgery?
What does her inability to walk tell us about possible spinal cord or nerve damage?
How dangerous is it that she hasn't urinated since the attack?
What safe nursing care does she need at home while we seek further veterinary help?
Are there any government veterinary hospitals, veterinary colleges, animal welfare organisations, or low-cost referral services in West Bengal that could help us?
I'm not asking anyone to promise that she'll recover. I just want to understand her chances, prevent further harm, and find a way to get her the care she needs despite our financial limitations.
If you're a veterinarian or someone with knowledge, please let me know what information would help you assess the situation. If you've been through something similar with your cat, I'd be grateful to hear about your experience.
Thank you for reading. Any reliable advice or leads to affordable veterinary care would mean a lot to us. 🙏