Cat recovery after dog attack

We have been caring for a kitten who was attacked by a dog 3-4 weeks ago. After the attack, she was unable to walk or move immediately after. We took her to the vet. He did x-rays and said nothing was broken. He sent her home and said it would take time for her to heal.

My kitten walks with a sideways gait and always holds her head sideways. She doesn't walk very far at all. She is unable to jump or climb at all. She cannot even get into a litter box. She eats well, but hasn't been gaining weight at all. (The kitten was a stray before the attack, and we brought her into our home after she tested negative for feline leukemia, because we have other cats).

Is their any chance of our kitten regaining her ability to walk and jump, or is this the most that we can expect her to recover? She has also had issues keeping warm since and her body temperature gets cold if she isn't covered up. We have been keeping our kitten covered with blankets and she has been content to lay under them.


No one can say for certain whether your kitten will recover. However, I have seen incredible, miraculous things happen with the body being able to heal itself, especially with cats. This can sometimes take quite a long time, but can often be helped along by prednisolone, an oral steroid.

If your kitten is eating well and uses a litter box, then it sounds as though your kitten is happy and comfortable. If a litter box is too high for her to climb into at this time, you could try using a shallow pan (like a large cookie sheet) or cardboard box to make it easier for her. But if she has an appetite, drinks well, and is trying to amble around, she is likely feeling rather content.

I would say that, at this point, you have two options. The first option is to give your kitten lots and lots of time to heal, even giving it weeks to months. Otherwise, I would suggest getting a second opinion from another veterinarian and, at the same time, discuss the possibility of starting cat on prednisolone.

Good luck to you, and don't give up! This kitten is so incredibly lucky she has you and so lucky to be alive!

All the best,
Dr. Neely