My cat was shot by Airgun, vet recommends amputating her leg

[Sabertooth]

Hi, I noticed my cat Stella was limping and her left front leg was swollen but she showed little sign of suffering so I thought it was nothing too serious until we took her to the PDSA for x-ray and that's when they found she had been shot with an airgun and shattered the bone with the pellet in her leg. Anyway the option they gave was to amputate her leg on Thursday or try private vet but costs could be around £1000 and not forced to save her leg. I’m on low income and don’t have that at my disposal. They also told me to call the police but I thought it’s the RSPCA that deals with animal cruelty? Really worried about letting my cats out especially during the day now. This happened in the LS14 1DW area.

[Diana]

Oh dear lord. What idoits would do this!!! Disgusting.

Hmmm amputation may be best bet. Even if they try to save leg, it may still lead to amputation. Cats adjust well but I suggest you chat with vets to discuss which is best. Can the leg be saved? And yes RSPCA deals wiuh animal cruelty, but you can chat with police, dangerous use of an weapon.

[Sabertooth]

After looking on RSPCA site, it’s seems this is common problem with Airguns. She was sent home with the pellet still in her leg with no bandage or leg support. When she puts her leg down it bends very unnaturally and is distressing to see. I hope the RSPCA will make a leaflet drop in the area with a warning but I think I could do this myself if not. Something needs to be done before I feel comfortable letting them out. I will be making some calls tomorrow.

[Crewella]

Aputation may well be your best option - cats do very well on three legs, and you can't leave her as she is. I'm so sorry - it's a rotten thing to happen. I can't believe some people.

[Sabertooth]

She is due back this Thursday for amputation of her leg. I’m amazed how well she is dealing with it! You wouldn’t think she had a problem, she’s happy and affectionate given the circumstances. She was originally a stray like my other cats. My tabby he came to me with a severed tail many years ago and it had to be amputated. I’m just happy I was there for them in their time of need like they are for me.

[bobbys girl]

Hi Sabertooth,

Yes there are some horrible people out there. I live in a very rural area and when the shooting season starts I keep my cats in. There are some folks in these parts who really don't care what they 'bag'. And they are the 'responsible' ones with firearms licences !

I would photograph your cat and the injury. It might prove useful later. Report it to the police AND RSPCA.

Regarding amputation, our Bobby had to have his left front leg amputated due to infection in the wrist joint. It hasn't slowed him one bit. He runs (very fast) and can jump, snatch a fly from the air and land without stumbling.

Please let us know how you go on. Gentle fusses to Stella.

[Sabertooth]

Thank you,

Stella is back home now after surgery to remove her leg. They could not keep her in as they are full so she has to go back again tomorrow morning for another Morphine injection. She seems to be coping well but I hope the last injection keeps the pain at bay until her next visit. It’s a shame they have no room for her as it takes 3 buses there and back and this will be her forth visit not to mention getting her in the cat box again. I really hope the person responsible is exposed and dealt with by the law.

[Walesgang]

OMG don't know how I missed this thread.

What an awful situation

Thank you for going ahead with the amputation - cats do cope amazingly well. It's such a shame that you both have to endure the traumatic journey to keep going back to the vets.

I hope whoever is responsible has their just reward

Fusses to your girl x

[Diana]

Stella is gorgeous! Glad she got through surgery well and I can imagine with your love she will do find with just 3. Yes I hope the idoit is cauit, awdul what they did. Lets shoot them, see how they like it.

[Sabertooth]

She needs to be watched over all night so me and my mom are going to do a shift each while the other gets some sleep. I’m really worried now having 5 cats and there been a rise in thugs around where I live. It’s going to be hard but I feel re-homing some of them is necessary. My plan was to re-home my last 3 strays but they grow on you and I keep putting it off. Anyway that is for another day.

The rest of the gang:

[Crewella]

Glad she went through surgery OK, hope the rest of the night goes well. xx

[Sabertooth]

Thanks you, She is currently sleeping on the sofa. No sign of the Morphine wearing off so that’s good.

[Crewella]

I missed her pic - poor love, she's beautiful (as are the rest of your gang). Hope the vet visit goes OK, and give her a gentle fuss fro me. xx

[sarie]

Oh poor Stella, she's so beautiful. I'm glad you've got her home now, although what a situation to be in with the vets I'm glad the morphine lasted for her. I strongly believe in karma and I'm sure that the sick individual who did this to Stella will get their come uppance one way or another.

The rest of your brood are gorgeous Give Stella some extra fuss from me and good luck at the vets with her, she'll be up and about in no time, they cope remarkably well with just three legs

[bobbys girl]

Seeing your picture of the lovely Stella brought back some memories. It is only a couple of months since Bobby's Op and it is now hard to imagine him with 4 legs. He zooms around everywhere and is still getting up to kitten mischief. I am sure she will be fine.

As for the cause of her troubles. As my mum would say 'I hope he gets boils on his bum!'

Is there any way you can cat proof your garden? It would stop them patrolling their patch but would keep them safe.

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Bob in June

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Bob - end of July

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[Sabertooth]

Thank you guys for your kind words and support!

Looking at Bobby’s pictures and how well he has recovered really gives us confidence that stella will continue to be the fun loving, energetic and happy girl that she always has been.

I know charity vets are in great demand and working at full capacity so can’t always offer absolutely the best care. We always make a donation at each visit and are grateful for the care we do receive.

We don’t need to go back to the vets for a while now so gives stella time to recover at home and we can all recuperate as it’s been a stressful ordeal for all of us. My garden has a front, side and rear so would be impractical and costly.

[Diana]

Glad Stella has no more long journeys for a bit. Stella will take time to recover but once back to health am sure she be your beautiful energetic girl again.

[bobbys girl]

Re 'charity vets' - I used to be a volunteer in a PDSA shop. In my experience EVERYTHING they do is well-organised, professional and done with a passion. So - no fears there then!

[Sabertooth]

No fear unless you are a certain someone who owns an Airgun!

Anyway Stella is doing great eating and drinking like normal, moving around a bit. She tries to lay on her stitches sometimes and that's the only time she shows any pain.

[JulieandBarney]

Good old Stella, she seems to be coping so well, bless her......if you ever find out who did this, my hubby, who has been reading this, said if you let him know, he would be more than happy to pay them a visit, with no qualms whatsoever, btw he is 6'4" and adores animals, especially cats !! ....I would be more than happy to provide the airgun for the visit too !!!.....gentle fusses to Stella....xx

[bobbys girl]

Oh Bless! Looks like they left her shoulder blade? Just watch the stitches over the 'sticky-out' bit. Bob pulled his there and opened the wound.

I am constantly amazed at how fast Bob recovered - and he is FIV+! Stella will be chasing round in no time

Julie - my OH says your husband will have to join the queue!

[JulieandBarney]

Imagine it would be a never ending queue Sue...!!!

Brave Stella, she certainly is giving the 'v' s to the mindless thug who did this, she is so much braver and intelligent than they can ever hope to be ......bless her....xx

[Sabertooth]

There will only be scraps left over after I’ve finished

I try not to think about the culprit as it makes really angry! I need to gather some ‘intelligence’ so I can pass it on to the authorities before they can do anything. Hopefully my flyers that I had printed online will arrive soon so then I can post them around the area. The flyers include an email address so any information that’s received will be passed on to the Police and RSPCA. At least everyone in the area will know what happened and be on the look out, should put more heat on the culprit.

Re Bobbys Girl - Yes her shoulder blade and everything else apart from the leg is remaining. Bobby had it all removed?