In 2018, Elizabeth Sidler came across a social media post featuring Oats, an endearing grey cat with hind leg paralysis and incontinence. Elizabeth immediately felt a strong fondness towards the charming kitten, drawn to his unique features such as his bent ear and head tilt.
The Instagram account @thecatlvt shared an image of a kitten named Oats who had unfortunately experienced a serious spinal injury at just two months old. The feline was caught in a heavy door, which resulted in the injury. However, there was some good news as he was taken to Humane Rescue Alliance where an examination showed that while he was paralyzed and unable to control his bladder, he wasn’t in any pain.
According to Elizabeth, Oats was introduced to the Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation by Ellen Carozza (@thecatlvt) when he was only eight weeks old. With the help of laser therapy, acupuncture, and exercise, Oats was able to recover some feeling and mobility in his hind limbs.
As Ellen and Oats’s foster parent kept sharing heartwarming updates about the tough little feline, Elizabeth couldn’t help but feel a growing affection for him. To her surprise, by February 2019 Oats was still waiting for his forever home. So, Elizabeth decided to contact the fosterer and find out more about him. After learning about his personality and care requirements, she knew she had to apply to be his permanent home.
Luckily, Elizabeth’s application to adopt was accepted and she made the journey from Central New Jersey to Maryland on March 9th, 2019, to meet Oats in his foster home. Elizabeth fondly recalls how Oats greeted her with his classic head tilt at the full glass door and they spent some quality time playing together. When Elizabeth picked him up, Oats lost a baby tooth in her sweater which she still keeps as a cherished memory.
The adorable grey kitten, Oats, has captured the heart of Elizabeth, who had no prior experience caring for paralyzed or incontinent cats. She went above and beyond to learn how to give him the special care he needed to live a happy life. Elizabeth even managed to teach herself how to bathe Oats and change his diapers! Together, they embarked on their first road trip back home to New Jersey, where Oats proved to be an angelic traveler. It’s no wonder that Elizabeth thinks Oats is the best travel companion out there!
@totesmyoats_ on Instagram has shared an image of Oats, a cat who has settled well into his new home in New Jersey. After almost three years in his new surroundings, Oats is thriving and enjoying life with his wonderful family. Unlike most cats, Oats is constantly on the move and loves going on adventures. He has road tripped from New Jersey to Missouri, visited Philadelphia and Bethlehem, and even goes on local walks and hikes. Oats is certainly living his best life!
According to Elizabeth, whenever Oats isn’t out and about, he spends his time playing with his feline siblings. He loves chasing after his sister and wrestling with his brother, and he’s particularly fond of playing with spring toys. Elizabeth also mentioned that Oats gets a kick out of putting these toys into his cat dad’s shoes and then trying to retrieve them.
Oats is a cat that has a strong love for food, especially treats. His owners have taught him how to exchange high fives for Churus, which has helped him develop a unique way of communicating with his special needs. He often taps on furniture to signal when he wants to be put on it or taken to another location. Additionally, he taps his owner’s leg while they are cooking or washing dishes, indicating that he desires an ear rub. Overall, Oats has a unique way of expressing his needs and desires through touch, making him an exceptional feline companion.
Although Oats is a cheerful, energetic, and clever feline, he has experienced several health concerns throughout his life. Presently, he is undergoing medical treatment for a urinary tract infection (UTI). In addition, he has faced difficulties related to constipation previously, which are quite common yet severe problems for cats with incontinence issues. According to Elizabeth, Oats’ owner, the most significant challenge arose in June 2020 when he became constipated. Despite multiple enemas and frequent visits to the veterinarian, a deobstipation procedure was ultimately required. This involved anesthesia and removal of the blockage in his colon, which led to a lot of diarrhea and many baths during that time.
After the occurrence, Oats’ kin started to mix more water into his meals and administering laxatives to him. This helped him avoid further constipation problems. With time, they also learned how to detect the subtle indications that Oats was developing a urinary tract infection (UTI). This enabled them to seek medical attention for him as soon as possible. Elizabeth notes that the most significant hint is that Oats starts sporting a Halloween-style cat tail.
The adorable cat named Oats may have experienced medical problems associated with his incontinence, but he remains a lively feline who enjoys eating, playing, and snuggling like any other cat. Despite this, some individuals have ill-founded thoughts that Oats cannot live a fulfilling life due to his paralysis and incontinence.
According to Elizabeth, she has come across several people, including friends, family, strangers on the internet, and various veterinary clinics who believe that paralysis automatically equates to a poor quality of life for animals and that they become a burden. However, Elizabeth wishes more individuals knew this to be untrue.
Although Oats requires more attention than an average cat, his family is happy to provide the necessary care and effort for him to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Elizabeth not only appreciates the lessons Oats has taught her but also the amazing people she has met through him. She considers herself fortunate to spend time with this adorable and loving feline. Elizabeth’s favorite thing is wrapping Oats like a burrito so he can knead and purr on her. Oats is truly a pleasure to have in their lives.
If you want to know more about this charming kitty, you can give Oats a follow on Instagram. The account is maintained by the owner and features plenty of adorable photos of the feline.
