Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: June 26, 2023 by Crystal Uys
When a good Samaritan found a wounded stray cat in her neighborhood and noticed that the cat appeared to be unable to use her hindlegs, she brought it to a local veterinary hospital for humane euthanasia. The cat appeared to be suffering, and it seemed like the right thing to do. After examining the young (barely a year old) cat, a veterinarian at the hospital decided that this little girl deserved a second chance at a good life, and accepted the cat as what is called a “surrender” in order to avoid euthanasia.
X-rays revealed a shattered pelvis, torn diaphragm and collapsed lung lobe. All of these injuries can be life threatening, and were most likely caused when the cat was hit by a car. The cat was named Pretzel, because the lack of funtion in her hindlegs caused an abnormal gait and a twisted appearance. Pretzel underwent surgery to repair her diaphragm and was spayed. Her pelvis slowly healed, and she began regaining some function in her hindlegs.
Dr. Patrick Mahaney, a holistic veterinarian in Los Angeles, donated acupuncture treatments to help Pretzel regain sensation in her previously paralyzed legs. Mahaney considers Pretzel one of his greatest acupuncture successes. “After providing her with a series of needle and electrostimulation acupuncture treatments, I had her walking much more normally and even climbing to her second level crate in her temporary, in-hospital home.”
You can watch the reamarkable transformation in pretzel in these two videos:
Pretzel walking before acupuncture:
Pretzel climbs after her 5th acupuncture treatment:
According to Dr. Mahaney, this super sweet cat was eventually placed in a great home.
I worked with a veterinary acupuncturist for several years, and while I have not seen a recovery quite as miraculous as Petzel’s, I’ve seen some pretty remarkable successes with this modality. Have you used acupuncture for your cats? Share your stories!
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
About the author
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats.
My barn cat attacked by one of our dogs and her rear legs are paralyzed. Despite our vet who suggested to put her sleep, I have hope I can help her to heal. That video gave me a hope. Thanks for sharing. Can anyone In VA help her for acupunter therapy?
If you’re in Northern Virginia, I can highly recommend Dr. Yakota https://www.wellwhiskers.com/
Yes, we are. Thank you for your suggestion and giving me hope to heal my beautiful cat .
My cat can’t move its legs it was walking fine about 2 hours ago it went to feed its kittens and after that I heard her meowing in pain lying down in one position she can’t move her legs at all any help please nearest vet is closed please! !!
If you haven’t already done so, please take your cat to your nearest emergency clinic immediately!
It is a great releif that there is hope for my cat. My cat “Bubbles” is 7 months old and she just recently met an accident where she fell of from our third floor. Her hind legs has got paralysed and her tail has gone limp. I am trying my level best to get her best treatment coz i just cannot see her paralysed.I would be meeting a physiotherapist who is also specialised in accupuncture. Intially I was sceptical and hopeless that it may not work but looking at these post and the videos, I have really got some hope. I would check out the physiotherapist and would provide updates. Can anyone tell me how long does it takes for these sessions?
It’s hard to predict how a cat will respond to acupuncture and how long it will take to see any results, Pritika. A typical acupuncture session will last 20 minutes to half an hour.
What a truly remarkable story filled with love and good deeds. I am extremely impressed and wish there were more wonderful veterinarians out there like this one. I am amazed at the impressive results from acupuncture. I have never used acupuncture for myself or for my animals; however, I do have two labs. I have always had big dogs which always inevitably end up with arthritis. Would acupuncture help with arthritis pain? Is the cost reasonable?
Acupuncture can be very effective for arthritis, Kymmie. Cost will vary depending on what part of the country you’re in.
My 17-year-old cat, Sid, has received two acupuncture treatments for back and hip pain, which was making it hard for him to get around. There was a definite improvement after the first session, he was no longer hunching his back when he walked and he seemed to have more energy. Unfortunately, the second session didn’t go very well. I’m not sure what happened, but where he would usually lay still for my vet until she was done, he suddenly looked at me with big eyes and tried to pull himself away. It was obvious that he was in pain, so we ended the treatment right away. He ended up probably in worse shape than he originally started in. Needless to say, I’m hesitant to attempt another go at acupuncture, but I don’t doubt that it works (as long as the needles are inserted properly).
I’ll be writing soon about a kitty who was shot with a gun, bitten by a dog, and then fed by a couple under their shed for days who thought he was only scared to come out when he was actually paralyzed. He receives acupuncture and though he uses a donated cart for a good bit of the time, he can get around without it and has more control of his bowels and bladder with the help of acupuncture.
I’ll look forward to reading your story. Poor kitty, but thank goodness that couple took care of him.
What an amazing story. Wow even was able to climb into the cage.
Isn’t it wonderful, Sue?
Wow, that is totally amazing. Well I had no idea that acupuncture did so much good. Sure glad you told us about this. And thank heavens that vet decided to give the cat a chance.
Acupuncture is an amazing modality, Marg.
None of my cats have ever needed this treatment but I had a four year old Lab/Great Dane mix that developed a fibrin clot in his spinal cord. His entire back end was completely paralyzed. Our vet at the time gave me no reason to hope but I took Daniel to a Veterinary Specialty Clinic. They dissolved the clot but he was still paralyzed. They gave him acupuncture and e-stimulation treatments. To me, it was no less then miraculous. Daniel loved to swim and it wasn’t long before he was climbing the ladder to get out of the pool again.
Thanks for sharing your experience with your dog, Ann – it does sound miraculous.
Tiny Tim continues to amaze me…he was also walking after 4 days only for having the ACU Cat book he would have been put down..he is now running and climbing and playing with his litter mates..though they are three times his size..it noe only allowed him to walk but got his bowels and bladder working! i began teatment on him at 3wks old and he is 5wks now with so much progress and such a happy little man. i would love to be able to share some pics of his progress.. thanks,
Lyn
Feel free to post photos of Tiny Tim on our Facebook page, Lyn.
It is great to read about such a wonderful doctor. Dr. Mahaney is definitely special. I see more and more pet hospitals using alternative medicine and I think it is definitely a good way to go. (For people, too!)
I agree, Fisher – on all counts!
What a wonderful story, and great information also. i haven’t used acupuncture for any of my cats but should the need arise it is something I wouldn’t hesitate to try. Thank you for the post!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Raine.
This is really good !
I hope we have Acupuncture in Melbourne Australia. Many kitties can have a chance back to back to normal.
Thank you for the good information
Purrs
I would imagine that there are veterinary acupuncturists in Australia, Mr. Puddy.