luskentyre
25-Oct-07, 23:12
Apologies if this is a bit self-indulgent, but I wanted to share Howards recent story with everyone.
Howard was found at Dounreay, a 6-month old feral kitten who was very malnourished and had a 50/50 chance of survival. That was 13 years ago.
On 31st July I came home to an answering machine message to say Howard had been run over that morning and was at the vets. I rushed over to see him but he was in a bad way. His pelvis was broken, his tail was badly cut, one leg was paralysed and they thought he was blind. He didn't respond to me since he was in shock and he'd also had a blow to the head.
The vet didn't have much hope that he would make it through the night.
He did make it though, and I got him home a few days later. Luckily his sight was ok. He couldn't walk though and could only move by dragging himself along with his one good front leg. He had to be confined to the porch for 6 weeks so that the pelvis could heal. Antibiotics were administered 3 times a day as well as painkillers.
Now, almost three months later, I'm glad to say that Howard is much better. His pelvis and tail have healed. His front leg is still paralysed from the "elbow" down, but he's getting about just fine. Put it this way, I found him half-way up a ladder the other night!
I can't let him out on his own, but we do go for walks with him on a lead. He's getting used to the idea, although I have to disagree with the product description - "allows you to easily guide your cat in the direction you want" - aye, right!
Anyway, I guess I just wanted to say that hope goes a long way and also to say "thanks" to those who gave me hope that Howard would recover. Special thanks to Liz who was so helpful and never gave up hope!
Here's a short clip of Howard in action the other day...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMJyxUzD1Ig
Howard was found at Dounreay, a 6-month old feral kitten who was very malnourished and had a 50/50 chance of survival. That was 13 years ago.
On 31st July I came home to an answering machine message to say Howard had been run over that morning and was at the vets. I rushed over to see him but he was in a bad way. His pelvis was broken, his tail was badly cut, one leg was paralysed and they thought he was blind. He didn't respond to me since he was in shock and he'd also had a blow to the head.
The vet didn't have much hope that he would make it through the night.
He did make it though, and I got him home a few days later. Luckily his sight was ok. He couldn't walk though and could only move by dragging himself along with his one good front leg. He had to be confined to the porch for 6 weeks so that the pelvis could heal. Antibiotics were administered 3 times a day as well as painkillers.
Now, almost three months later, I'm glad to say that Howard is much better. His pelvis and tail have healed. His front leg is still paralysed from the "elbow" down, but he's getting about just fine. Put it this way, I found him half-way up a ladder the other night!
I can't let him out on his own, but we do go for walks with him on a lead. He's getting used to the idea, although I have to disagree with the product description - "allows you to easily guide your cat in the direction you want" - aye, right!
Anyway, I guess I just wanted to say that hope goes a long way and also to say "thanks" to those who gave me hope that Howard would recover. Special thanks to Liz who was so helpful and never gave up hope!
Here's a short clip of Howard in action the other day...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMJyxUzD1Ig