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Help Jimmy
Rachael Resk, who lives in Naperville, was on a seven-month trip with her foster cat Jimmy. And they are still on the road to recovery.
Jimmy was found in Nashville, Illinois after six months and taken for animal control. He pulled his back legs and tail and couldn’t move them. He convulsed, had a street rash that later became infected, and his bladder was swollen. Doctors believe he was hit by a car.
Animal Control in Nashville reached out to Resk about their background working with injured cats. When the foster mother took him home, she said Jimmy wouldn’t move in his bed. After a few days, she tried to move his legs to see how much he could take.
Photo courtesy Rachael Resk
“He could actually stand, which was crazy for a few seconds at a time,” said Resk. “It was like his limbs woke up or something. He could stand for a short time and then it was every week or two that a miracle happened. Then he moves his hind legs alone. It was crazy. “
Resk tried him to run on the treadmill and he succeeded, going at 0.5 mph. She also used a slide that helped Jimmy catch himself and keep running, climbing hurdles and crossing a balance board. At this point, he was able to walk 10 feet, which Resk said was a huge step forward. Although it was still not a “normal” cat walk.
Water therapy
Resk said cats walk on their toes when using their hind legs, but Jimmy used his whole foot. Although he was still making progress and Resk wanted him to try something new in hopes that he would keep improving. She then took her feline friend to Canine Physical Rehab in Montgomery for water therapy.
“You [the owner] I wasn’t sure how it would really go because while she can take cats on water treadmills, she never really made it, ”said Resk.
Jimmy eventually responded to the water therapy and began using a water treadmill at 0.5 mph. After three months of once-a-week sessions, he’s now running at 1.8 mph. He can go home, walk up the stairs and partially lift his tail.
“He’s improved by leaps and bounds,” said Resk. “Sometimes, like I said, it’s shocking.”
Care still needed
Photo courtesy Rachael Resk
Although Jimmy is making progress, his road to recovery is still ongoing. He can run but sometimes falls. He also doesn’t have full control of his bladder. Resk will also see a neurosurgeon soon to see if Jimmy is nerve wracking. In this case, he may need an operation.
To cover the costs of its ongoing maintenance, Resk started a GoFundMe. She was able to raise just over $ 6,000 from her $ 10,000 goal.
Even if Jimmy isn’t finished yet, Resk is still excited about the progress he’s made so far.
“It’s not just his limbs and tail that have come to life. When he started looking for more freedom here in the house or outside with people, outside with the other cats, he himself came to life, ”said Resk. “He’s full of joy, he’ll purr, he’ll meow, he’ll play. It’s extremely heartwarming. “
Once she can make the most of his health, she hopes to find a family that will adopt him so that she can help the next fur animal that may need her support.
“A lot of people ask me why don’t you just keep Jimmy? and while I could definitely keep Jimmy, I think it would be better to leave him in a good home and help someone else, ”Resk said.
Aysha Ashley Househ reported on Naperville News 17.
Photo courtesy Rachael Resk
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