Sunday, July 6, 2008

Water Therapy Appointment Continued

Moki wasn't sure at first if he wanted to share these videos with you, but after receiving so many comments about his braveness, he wanted to let other cats and kittens know, that it's ok to be scared, as long as you don't let fear stop you!


Moki like any normal, or should we say, perfectly healthy cat or kitten, was definitely unsure of being placed in the water. Fear and dislike however our two separate emotions and Moki is perfectly capable of showing both. Whenever Moki dislikes something, or has had enough, he will tilt his ears back on his head to indicate he has had enough. The initial fear of being placed in the water is part of what makes this particular therapy work, at least for cats. Being placed in a body of water allows their natural instincts to kick in, and causes a normal, or perfectly healthy cat, to kick, or paddle in an attempt to get out of the water. This kicking and paddling, helps to strengthen Moki's muscles and flexibility, in a non-weight bearing setting, which in turn improves his range of motion and ability to walk, without straining any of Moki's muscles or joints.



With the life jacket on, Moki refused to paddle, so in an attempt to get Moki to move his legs, Rebecca removed the life jacket and held Moki. As you can see from the above video, this method did yield some paddling. Moki did however freeze up alot in this first session and part of that we believe is because Moki needed to overcome the fear of drowning. Moki has never been placed in even a bathtub of water so being placed in a pool, was a bit scary. Now that Moki knows that Rebecca and the water will not hurt him, we suspect his next appointment will go a bit better, and that it will be a bit easier for Moki to paddle his legs.

Since Moki was still getting use to being in the water, and wasn't paddling his legs as much as we would have like, Rebecca decided to take Moki out of the pool and place him in the water treadmill. The treadmill itself moves much to fast for Moki to be able to walk on it, so Rebecca left the treadmill off. Moki seemed to be a bit more comfortable in this environment since his feet could touch the bottom, and he could hold his head above water. Rebecca worked with Moki to get him to walk around and do a number of exercises.

Moki who was by now worn out from being in the pool and from all the exercises finally indicated that he had had enough. Notice the difference in Moki's ears. Despite meowing while in the pool, Moki never once put his ears back to indicate that he disliked it.

While he was at first afraid to be in the pool, he worked through and with his fears. Just like with humans, physical therapy is not easy for the person or in this case, cat, going through it. Moki somehow seemed to understand that, and while he did not like being in the pool, it seems he knew that this was going to help him. It wasn't until the very end of his treatment, when he was physically worn out, that Moki finally expressed enough is enough...and his therapy session came to an end. After Moki's therapy session, Moki was given a nice shower. He now smells wonderfully clean...Upon returning home, Moki relaxed for awhile with Orange Boy and told him all about his experience...
Moki's next physical therapy/water therapy appointment is this coming Saturday. We will continue to bring you more pictures and videos, so you can watch with us, as Moki continues to show signs of improvement!!!

On a separate note, we still need to raise the money so that Moki can continue his therapy. If you haven't already done so, please consider buying a raffle ticket. Details about the raffle can be found on Deb and ML's Auction Blog. The money from this raffle will allow us to continue Moki's therapy in addition to help the kitties in need at Criz Cats Sanctuary. To all those who have already purchased a ticket, we can't express enough our thanks!!!

34 comments:

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

Oh Moki you are so brave. We are sure once you are used to it you will enjoy being able to move around in the pool and we are purring it makes your legs nice and strong so you can get around better on land too.

We wish we could help with the green stuff but eldest boy bean wrecked his car and we are a bit short of the green stuff at this time, but once we get caught up we will try to help out. ~Socks, Scylla & Charybdis

Motor Home Cats said...

Moki, we really hope this will help you strengthen your legs so you can walk better. We will send some more money after the summer. Summer is mom's bad time because she doesn't get paid.

Tiki, Tavi, Cody and Camie

Babs (Beetle) said...

It is making me so sad to see you in all that water. I hope and pray that you know it's for your own good Moki.
You are such a brave boy.

Anonymous said...

Water Theraphy is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.

Moki The Wobbly Cat said...

Hi Mind Body Shop,

In Moki's particular case, repetition is what yeilds results. We had to work with Moki for months before we where able to get him to walk across a carpeted room without ever falling over, and I am sure it will take more than one attempt at hydrotherapy (water therapy) before he starts paddling his legs the way we want him to.

For Moki, his neurological state is not a matter of choice, and water therapy as you pointed out is not a matter of chance, in Moki's case, it is a matter of retraining the pathways in his brain to send impluses to his legs telling them that they should be moving. Unfortunately, this is something that requires time and patience, in other words, we have to wait for results. However in the end, we are confident that Moki will achieve this goal.

In addition to working with a gang of highly trained specialists, neurologists, physical therapists, small animal practioners, both in the U.S. and outside the U.S., I personally also work with Moki being that I am a certified massage therapist. With so many people working with and to help Moki, and so many others rooting him on and showing their support, I truely believe that in time, we will see the results we are looking for!

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

Oah My God, Moki~!
I am so so proud of you~!!!
You are really really trying so so hard~!!!!! You are really really wonderful~!!!!!!!
Everytime seeing you, always moving my heart~!!!!

Mickey's Musings said...

Oh Moki!! Bless your little heart!!
I do hope these sessions will help you. I will be purring for you!!!!!
Purrs Mickey

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

Moki is so brave and such an inspiration. He is giving it all he has got.
It makes me very proud to be a part of helping raise funds to help him.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our auctions, we have had some wonderful items donated, so everyone got a great deal and the pleasure of knowing exactly where the money went.
ML

Anonymous said...

Well done Moki, you are one brave, hard working little cat. I bet you slept well after that first session.

The Cat Realm said...

We didn't get the videos to work but we know Moki is the bravest and most courageous and just the most awesome cat ever! What a role model for everyone, cat, dog, human alike! We hope the therapy will help him, he is such a brave fighter and his humans are so wonderful to support him!

Kellykat said...

Yay Moki!!! You are so brave. We hope that you continue to get better and be the best that you can be. Thanks for sharing your story.
Kelly, Stryder, Scotchy & Sugar

Boy said...

Moki is such a bwave kitty! I sure hope he impwoves with the water thewapy.

Kavan said...

Moki, you are amazing! I'm not sure I would have let anyone put me in water!

Kavan

Felix, Garfield & Jawsy said...

Oh, Moki! U are 1 brave kitty, u know? Water is not really our best fren, but u know that it is going to help so u took the plunge. Hugs
Sorry we are not visiting much, mommie is moving again and has been looking for a place the past week...
We look forward to your updates!
Purrs,

Anonymous said...

wow - we're really impressed! the Lady put Grr in water once, and Grr sprouted wings and flew over the Lady's head and out of sight, clawing all skin in her path on the way. you're very very brave!

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

We bet it was real scary getting in that water Moki, but you did such a great job! We are always amazed at your courage! Keep it up Moki....we want you well!!!

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

Way to go, Moki!!!

Daisy said...

It is really inspiring to see Moki working to get better!

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

Oh, Moki, you are so brave! When you get scairt, just remember all of us are 100% behind you rooting you on and thinking of you. You can do it little fella!

Love,
Laila and Minchie

Unknown said...

Oh Moki, I am just so proud of you! You are a very brave kitty cat to try so hard. Keep up the good work!

Love
Kellie

Dma said...

moki continues to amaze me. i hope the therapy sessions get easier for him.

Mr. Hendrix said...

Oh Moki! You are the most amazing cat. I wish I could say I'd be brave like you, but I don't think I would be. You and your beans are an inspiration. We will buy a raffle ticket!

Thanks for coming to my house trashing party. That paper towel roll was shredded to perfection!

CRIZ LAI said...

Awww... this is a wonderful sight! You are a brave kitty Moki. I love your determination in putting in your best effort to have a perfect life. Keep on the good spirit. I'm sure you will pass the therapy with flying colors. :)

http://crizcats.blogspot.com/

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

Oh Moki! I can not believe how brave you are! And water on cat's furs is something none of us like. I am so proud of you and I hope the improvement continues!
Purrs,
JB

Anonymous said...

Moki, you were a much better sport about being put into water than we would have been! You are such a brave kitty!

Evergreen loves Kilroy said...

How incredible. Most cats (that I know) wouldn't even put up with the water. Moki is such an incredible little guy, and even more proof that we need to consider treatment over euthanasia (and make it more affordable so that people can actually take that route) in our society.

Nomi said...

Well done Moki for conquering your fear! You are such a sweetie, I hope the tweetment weely helps you.

HRH Yao-Lin said...

moki, because you are such a remarkable cat, I have tagged you for a meme! xx

MaoMao said...

Oh Moki, you are such a brave feller! We Ballicai admire you so much, and we hope so much that yur physickal therupy helps you to get bettur.

Kittyhugs and purrs from MaoMao!

Poppy Q said...

Moki, my mum was going to buy some treats for me this week from the supermarket. But I said no!! We is going to send the money to you and buy some raffle tickets.

You is doing great stuff buddy, I would hate the water but I am glad you has such a nice therapist to stop you drowning.

Poppy Q

snowforest said...

Great pikturs and videos ~ Moki is such a brave and inspiring Mancat ~ we wish him all the best and send him many purrs :)

Jans Funny Farm said...

Moki,

You were amazing. We know you were scared, but you did great. And we know you will do better next time. And the next. We know your mom is proud of you and so are we.

Goldie, Shade and Banshee said...

We are catching up on all your posts, Moki! Wow!!!!!!! What a great job you did at your appointment. Well done!

You are a real inspiration!

Purrs, Goldie and Shade

My Littel Island said...

My littel Moky iam going to translate this one meow u are seying in the water scard