Need HELP desperately!!

**SewCrafty** · 09-26-2002, 12:58 PM

Okay ladies, I am in desperate need of help!
I have a 5 month old kitten that I rescued. He
had an enormous open sore on his backside when
I found him which is now completely healed.

My problem: He is completely incontinent!

He is a Manx and has NO tail what-so-ever, not
even a stub, which his litter mate does. He also
has no feeling in his genital area, hence he doesn’t
know if or when he has to go potty.

He is only 4 pounds, and most likely won’t get very
much bigger.

I have tried:

1) Newborn diapers - TOO big and they slide off his fur.

2) Stud pants - size small fits but, they made them out of
denim so they are stiff (even after washing) and heavy,
he just lays on the floor and cries, he doesn’t feel like he
can walk in them and the hole in the back for the tail
makes them quite useless!
I tried making my own without a hole in the back out of
flannel. They came out nice and soft but they also slid off
his fur, so I added suspender like straps to it with Velcro.
He bit them, caught his bottom teeth in it, and went ballistic!
I couldn’t get them off him fast enough!

I have gone to several stores looking for vinyl or rubber pants to
no avail. At least not in the size I need. They all have large and
extra large but I need preemie.

I figure I can make the diapers out of flannel, but I need something to not only hold them on but to stop leakage. I’ve tried sewing with vinyl myself, but my machine doesn’t like it.
My carpets and furniture are taking a beating with all the cleaning
I’ve had to do these last few weeks, and I am exhausted! It is a full time job trying to keep up with him, between laundry, spot cleaning the carpets and keeping him clean every day.

Does anyone know of a store or web site I can go to for preemies
or even doll outfits?

Please HELP! I’m desperate!

I won’t put him to sleep for this problem. He is a healthy little kitty
otherwise with a GREAT loving personality.

Thanks in advance,
Diana

P.S. You can email me if you like, I am open to any suggestions.
Sewcrafty2000@yahoo.com

**dozymom** · 09-26-2002, 04:24 PM

OK I made my own sanitary pads and to prevent leaks I used that breathable Goretex stuff.

Later I found I could have used rip stop nylon like for windbreakers and it would work too, both for stopping leaks and for breathability.

So I made a "sandwich" with a layer of flannelette (cheery print), a layer of the goretex (or nylon) and a top layer of get this

100% cotton sweatshirt fleece, fleecy side up. Way more absorbant than the flannelette and dries even faster. Comfy too. 1 layer does what 2 layers of flannelette would do in my humble opinion.

It's only 3 layers with the nylon in the middle so it washes and dries like a dream. Not like a multi layer diaper which can stay damp in the middle. I serged the edges of this "sandwich".

I use velcro on "wings" but I don't like velcro. Your kitten might not either. the next pair will have a nice smooth button and buttonhole on the wings to hold things on.

OK for heavy days, and you could do something like this for the kitten I have a double layer soaker thingy. It sits on top of the fleecy inside of the main pad.

It's simple 2 layers of the sweatshirt fleece serged together in a longish pad shape, no wings fleece side out.

It too washes and dries like a dream.

I haven't any ideas how to adapt that to your little fur person but at least that may help you with the leakproofing bit.

**voodidit** · 09-26-2002, 04:42 PM

I don't have a soltion to your problem unfortunately, though I will be looking around for one. But I did have to commend you on the love you show in taking care of this poor baby. The majority of people would just take it to the pound instead of taking the time to care for it as you are.

I am an animal lover but am particulary partal to cats, have 3 of my own, and I also take care of all the feral cats in the neighborhood. I will see if I can dig up something to help you out.

Angie

**mommy2three** · 09-26-2002, 05:02 PM

i know you can get preemie diapers at walmart. they are on the very top shelf. (not eye level) i think they are for under 6lbs. also, babies R us has preemie outfits (at least they did a couple yrs. ago). sorry i couldn't be more help!

good luck to you!!!

**SewCrafty** · 09-26-2002, 05:56 PM

dozymom - Thank you for your suggestion, I never thought of the windbreaker nylon. Where would I find gortex? I have tons of fabric and plenty of sweatshirt fleece, I'm sort of a pack rat when it comes to fabric! It sounds like it will work, I already have a pattern I made for the other one just that my machine would only sew in place and jam up when I used the vinyl.

Mommy2two - I tried Wal-Mart but at 5'1" I don't think I can see the top shelf! I will go again tomorrow and check it out. Thanks!

Voodidit - I have 9 including Toby, all house "Katz" and I take care of about 25 outside! If I thought his quality of life was bad I wouldn't hesitate, but he has no idea what is going on! It happens while he is sleeping, eating or playing! Which for Ralph, my 4 month old baby, isn't fun because then he has to be put in the sink to get washed up too. He is a little wiggly bugger. I may have to put Toby in the sink 2-3 times a day (in the begining it was about 10 times!) and he is a sweetheart, he only hollers if the water it too cold, otherwise he just purrs.

I can't thank you ladies enough!! I went on a forum on Yahoo for two days and the stud panties were the best help anyone could give me. Don't get me wrong, they were a help, I made my pattern from them!

Thanks again,
Diana

**dozymom** · 09-26-2002, 10:09 PM

I wouldn't worry about the goretex, it costs so much more than ordinary ripstop nylon. I ended up buying a very small amount (and cut it very carefully) from a sewing store that specialized in coats, jackets and sportswear patterns and fabrics.

Get a coat made of the waterproof nylon (or if you get lucky, the goretex) at the Salvation Army and cut it up for parts.

That will get you the material for cheap if you can't find nylon.

**heaven** · 09-26-2002, 10:14 PM

it really takes some one special to take care of a poor little kitten like that you sound like a great person.keep up the good work and good luck with the pamper search.

**KathiS** · 09-27-2002, 05:34 AM

Bless you for taking care of that poor kitten. I believe that there is a special place in heaven for those that care for creatures in need. I wish I could be of some help. Our "Furry Baby" Xena has a problem with bladder leakage and the vet gave us some pills to tighten the muscles in that area. Don't guess that would help your buddy if it has no feeling in that area at all. Have you called the SPCA in your area to see if they could help with the cost of a vet to look at the kitten? Sometimes there are cat rescue groups too. I wonder if they might be able tobe of some help? Good luck and God Bless.

**SewCrafty** · 09-27-2002, 11:00 AM

Thanks Dozymom, I'll try the Salvation Army for a nylon coat.

And thanks to all of you for your support and help.

This is the 3rd kitten I've taken in that needed alot of care. The first 2 were abandoned by thier moms and I only had to bottle feed and litter train them. They were a piece of cake compared to Toby, but he is worth it. Now that we have so many "Katz" I only take in the sick or injured.

Yes, the vet bills are pretty high! We go again on Oct 3 for his second set of kitten shots. They were delayed because of his condition and multiple bouts of diareha. But if everything goes well, we should be able to have him neutered in about a month or so. The vet said maybe if they find a constriction or whatever, they can repair it at that time. We can only hope. He is my lovey little buddy!

I've never had soooo much plastic covering my furniture! BTW ladies Oxiclean, and the new product by All work great on the spots and odors, especially on the carpet! It takes everything right out, just follow the instructions on the package. The first time I figured if an 1/8 of a scoop was good, 1/2 would be better. It got the spot out and also bleached my carpet! OOPS! Luckily it was in an inconspicuous area. Now I follow the directions, and add a scoop to my carpet shampo solution. That seems to do the trick.

Yesterday I needed a day off from cleaning so I spent the entire day on the computer (mostly here) now today I have to make up for it. Lots of laundry and carpet spots to clean, so I better get at it.

Thanks again,
Diana

**homesteadmamma** · 09-27-2002, 03:15 PM

There are angels on earth and your one of them. I always admire those who help others, whether its helping people or helping and caring for animals.

I don't have any advice other than to say {{{hugs}}} to someone who cares enough to take in a little kitty like this. You and my dd would get along well!!