Let me preface this atypical feline-related blog entry by saying that the poor guy in the photo below has made an amazing recovery and is already scurrying about my parents’ yard, albeit with one less leg.
July was not a good month for my parents’ cat. The little white bundle of limitless energy had always been an explorer and was fiercely independent, even for a cat, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise when he did not return home that Sunday night.
My mom started to get worried by the next evening, when he still did not return. By Wednesday, my parents feared the worst. It had been raining all day, and late in the afternoon, my mom heard a faint cry near the top of their yard. He was wet and shivering, his fur caked with blood and pus, and he could barely move; yet somehow he made his way home.
They called the vet at his house, and he met them at his office. The cat had been struck by a vehicle days ago. His leg was crushed and infected, he was starving and dehydrated, and fever had set in. It was uncertain whether he had internal injuries.
They washed him up best they could, and the vet administered some antibiotics. All that was left to do then was wait. If the cat could survive the night and if he could stand on his own three legs, the vet would amputate the cat’s hind leg.
Being able to support his own weight and balance on three legs was crucial; otherwise, the doctor would not operate. If he could not stand on his own before the amputation, he probably never would, and he would have to be put to sleep.
After a night of rest that was probably quite painful, the little guy had a bit more energy. He could lift his head and could, in fact, stand.
The amputation was a success, and he did not seem to have any serious internal injuries. It took him a few days to get used to walking. Using the litter box was the toughest for him. Two weeks later, he got his stitches out.
A month later, he is getting back to normal. However, at least for now, he is no longer allowed outside without a leash and harness. The leash can be attached to the clothesline, so he can run around most of the yard. Months ago he got used to wearing a bell if he wanted to go outside (their bird feeder had become a cat feeder), now he will have to get used to the leash.
One thing that made me wonder about the whole thing was whether a cat’s mind could fully comprehend such a severe trauma. Did he understand the cause and effect, the chain of events that led to those days of severe pain, the loss of his leg, and the subsequent loss of his freedom?
Omigoodness … I am so glad the little feller is on the mend, but if I could be up front and open with you, I’m so sorry I read that … it really, really broke my heart to hear such a thing …
Uggggh.
Yes, the story and picture are heart-wrenching, but I think it answers its own question. The cat, although gravely injured, had the wherewithal to find his way back home. He knew what he had to do and who he had to cry out to to save his own life. I don’t think it’s farfetched to see some consciousness there. The cat may not comprehend why his freedom is restricted, but then humans often have trouble understanding when freedoms are taken away from them, too!
It broke my heart too when my mother told me about this. I suppose, though, that this is one of those silver-lining situations. He is still alive and hopefully has many good years left. He will never be 100%, but thankfully the percentage he’s still got is more than enough. Best of all, those who love him can continue to be enriched by his presence.
Somewhat amusingly, he is still drawn to the road that goes past my parents’ house and has attempted a few times to make his way down there. He still can’t run fast enough to escape my mom, though.
Yup, now he’s like a human child who doesn’t understand why parent keeps saying no because it is for the child’s own good.
Thank you for this writings, I am taking my cat to be amputated on wednesday and I need all the support I can gather; I still do not know how she will cope but reading you make me more optomistic. Thank you.
Good luck, Joel. The amputation was a traumatic event for my parents and (I’m sure) their cat. However, what surprised us most is how quickly he bounced back after the operation. As I said, the litter box was a struggle at first, but my parents resisted the urge to not let him do it himself, and he quickly learned how to balance himself.
But just these few short months later, his personality seems completely back to the way it was before the accident. His running speed will never be 100%, but he is still amazingly fast for a three-legged animal (and, of course, he is much faster than my mom).