Yesterday I came across a tomcat who appeared to be half stuck in a storm drain. He was breating heavily and would hiss and scratch anyone who approached. The fire department was called and with some effort they took the cat out of the drain. However he appeared to be unable to stand on his hind legs. With help from some kind samaritans I was able to put him in a cardboard box and take him to a local vet who works with animal groups. He probably tried to crawl in there to protect himself.
The diagnosis was bad: Both his legs are broken high up, close to the pelvis and has a hernia on his belly. The vet said he couldn't yet rule out possible rupture of the urinary bladder, hematoma in his belly and neurological effects (being paralysed). He said he has chances of surviving because he looked like a big boy and that the cause was probably being hit by a car. The vet's assistant estimated his age at approximately 2-3 years. The poor boy was hissing, scratching and crying out from pain. I've never seen a cat cry out in such pain before, it was soul-crushing. I can't leave him alone if he survives.
But he is most likely a feral boy and I'm not sure of his temperament since yesterday he was in so much pain and reacted to anyone approaching. I've worked with feral cats turned housecats before (my sweet sweet Mith) but I've never had to deal with a cat that was both feral and could possibly become paralysed or at least unable to walk for an amount of time. He'll stay at the vet's for a while, but eventually he will have to be discharged and I'd like to take care of him if possible.
I'd like your advice in dealing with paralysed and/or injured-recovering feral cats. How should I handle him? Do I give him a litterbox? Can he stay in my room or will he be too scared in his condition? Anything you can think of, please.
Stuck in the storm drain
Sedated at the vet's office, he's such a handsome boy!
The diagnosis was bad: Both his legs are broken high up, close to the pelvis and has a hernia on his belly. The vet said he couldn't yet rule out possible rupture of the urinary bladder, hematoma in his belly and neurological effects (being paralysed). He said he has chances of surviving because he looked like a big boy and that the cause was probably being hit by a car. The vet's assistant estimated his age at approximately 2-3 years. The poor boy was hissing, scratching and crying out from pain. I've never seen a cat cry out in such pain before, it was soul-crushing. I can't leave him alone if he survives.
But he is most likely a feral boy and I'm not sure of his temperament since yesterday he was in so much pain and reacted to anyone approaching. I've worked with feral cats turned housecats before (my sweet sweet Mith) but I've never had to deal with a cat that was both feral and could possibly become paralysed or at least unable to walk for an amount of time. He'll stay at the vet's for a while, but eventually he will have to be discharged and I'd like to take care of him if possible.
I'd like your advice in dealing with paralysed and/or injured-recovering feral cats. How should I handle him? Do I give him a litterbox? Can he stay in my room or will he be too scared in his condition? Anything you can think of, please.
Stuck in the storm drain
Sedated at the vet's office, he's such a handsome boy!
