On December 11th, our beloved two-year-old kitty (Chase) sustained major jaw and tongue damage, apparently as a result of a car accident. His tongue quickly became infected and required three surgeries. As a result of the surgeries, he now has only about half of his tongue.
Because of his compromised tongue and his broken jaw, Chase is unable to eat on his own. (We're feeding him several times per day through a feeding tube.) He can move his jaw, but it is badly misaligned. His two (!) orthopedic surgeons are recommending that his jaw be repositioned and wired shut, which will cause him an enormous amount of discomfort and distress. We're wondering if he is ever going to be able to eat on his own or if he will require a feeding tube for the rest of his life.
Do you know of any cats who were able to eat on their own with just 50-60% of their tongues?
Thanks.
2007-01-03 07:29:46 · 12 answers · asked by Ken B 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I'm sorry to hear about your kitty's accident :( I'm so happy he has a loving family that is taking care of him.
I can't relate any practical experience, but I would expect that drinking would be impossible for a cat missing half his tongue, but he would probably be able to eat - but not if his jaw is misaligned.
I am inclined to agree that a surgery is necessary - chewing will cause unecessary strain on pressure points in his misaligned jaw and will cause rapid deterioration of the jaw and joints.
Good luck to you all, I hope he makes it through with a minimum of discomfort.
2007-01-03 07:35:15 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The woman I work with at our veterinary clinic went through the same thing a few months ago. She was fostering a kitten that was brought in by the animal shelter the vet deals with with a broken jaw (not sure about any tongue damage)and he also was being fed by a feeding tube. Linda ended up hand feeding him for a while when the tube was finally taken out, and she told me when I saw her over the holidays that the kitten is now eating on his own. He had his jaw wired shut (he had to, there was a lot of damage). She said his tongue sticks out the side of his mouth, but he is able to eat on his own.
Where there's a will, there's a way. Her commitment to him brought him where he is now, as yours will for your cat. The vet should be able to give you some kind of prognosis of how he will be also.
Good luck, prayers to you both.
2007-01-03 07:43:54 · answer #2 · answered by BVC_asst 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Any time a cat alters it somewhat is eating behavior or has the different habit that looks unusual, the 1st element you should do is take him to the vet. which will rule out any illnesses and supply you suggestion on what you're able to do next. additionally, have you ever looked at his teeth? He ought to have gum ailment or a the teeth issue. it somewhat isn't any longer a issue in basic terms for older cats. Your vet could provide you good suggestion relating to the teeth, too. the simplest element ought to be to furnish him a distinctive dish. each and every so often cats like greater shallow dishes with the aid of fact the shallow dish does not bend their whiskers while they consume. this could be worth a try. My cat is 9 years previous and has eaten a similar nutrition his entire life. he continues to be satisfied to consume, so i do no longer think of fixing the nutrition is the respond. changing meals back and forth is in many situations no longer a call for for the cat, yet satisfies the owner. Cats do no longer care! hi, nutrition -- permit's consume! it somewhat is nice you're paying interest on your cat's habit.
2016-11-26 01:08:21 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once everything is healed and his jaw is back to normal, he should have no problem eating. The jaw will cause him not to be able to eat if it isn't realigned. The tongue can cause problems drinking, at least until he is used to only having half of it. I've seen cats learn to slurp up water instead of lapping. It will take time, so just have patience.
2007-01-03 08:07:05 · answer #4 · answered by Virginia S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do believe your Kittie will learn to eat with this disability in time. It sounds to me just in your writings that he has a very concerned and responsible owner, and I thank you for that. I would be more concerned about his drinking, which requires the tongue. If the little guy can't seem to get enough liquids in him, you may want to consider a nursing station. There he can afix himself to an elevated nipple for water or other liquids. Kind of like the pig farmers sometime do.Just a suggestion. You seem to have this little guys best interest at hart. I just wish there were more folks in this old world like you. It sure would be a better place.
2007-01-03 08:55:06 · answer #5 · answered by megofish2day 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It seems to me that if kitty wasn't expected to make a sufficient recovery to enable a normal life, his doctors would be suggesting that you consider euthanasia.
I think they're suggesting wiring the jaw shut so it can heal, and that once it's healed kitty will be able to eat normally.
You need to ask kitty's doctors about these matters.
2007-01-03 07:41:38 · answer #6 · answered by Mick 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is sooo sad. Do the best you can for him. That is all you can do. I'd imagine with time he will be able to feed himself. They are fairly resilient animals.
Good luck.
2007-01-03 08:59:20 · answer #7 · answered by Billy T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure but i hope that your kitty gets better soon. Thanx! And tell your kitty that i said hi!
2007-01-03 07:33:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess as long as the cat still has teeth it should be able to eat.
2007-01-03 07:36:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it can a cats tongue has these micro-hooks on the tongue that cling on to anything they lick sorry don't know any
2007-01-03 07:37:39 · answer #10 · answered by tom s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋