Abandoned kitten brought back from the brink
As weather warnings advised staying indoors to avoid 80mph winds, Mouse was abandoned in a London street with just a cardboard box for shelter.
Just seven weeks old, the tiny kitten lay broken and alone. With a shattered pelvis, a broken leg, and two puncture wounds to her body, she must have been suffering.
Amanda Rumball, Animal Welfare Officer at Blue Cross Victoria animal hospital, said: “The puncture wounds were infected, so poor Mouse was not only in a lot of pain and discomfort but she was also fighting off an infection. When she arrived she was unable to walk or stand, she just crawled about her kennel.”
Mouse desperately needed surgery to fix her broken bones but this would have to wait until we could get on top of the infection.
Vicky Ebers, a Blue Cross veterinary surgeon who treated Mouse, said: “She was in a very sorry state, weak and had a high temperature when she arrived with us.
“When we found the wounds they were pretty infected. We had to delay the surgery in order to treat the infection first.”
We immediately gave her painkillers and medication to bring her infection under control. Mouse’s wounds - probably caused by a cat bite - needed particular care and attention.
Alongside making sure she would have the best chance of getting back to physical health, our dedicated team gave the young kitten lots of TLC. With gentle strokes and quiet cuddles, the youngster grew in confidence. She began tucking into her food, became interested in her surroundings, and discovered her purr.
Soon, Mouse was well enough to undergo surgery to fix her fractured thigh.
Vicky added: “The surgery we performed on the right femur involved putting a metal pin into the bone to realign the broken pieces and then putting wires around it to secure it in position.
“The surgery went well and she recovered well and, after a period of rest, was back to behaving like a normal kitten.”
Because of the damage to her pelvis, Mouse is very likely to develop early onset arthritis in her left hip and may need further surgery on that hip as she gets older. She will need close monitoring throughout her life.
To help get her on the road to recovery as quickly as possible, one of our student veterinary nurses took Mouse into foster care in their own home. With round the clock support, the beautiful kitten’s broken body grew stronger and she found her confidence too. She now has a wonderful new home with a loving owner.
Amanda said: “Mouse was abandoned outside a private vet’s so someone must have thought they were leaving her somewhere she would get the treatment she needed. We just wish they’d brought her to us rather than leaving Mouse alone in the cold.
“Blue Cross veterinary hospitals exist to help pets and people who can’t afford private veterinary fees and we’re going to be needed by even more this winter due to the cost of living crisis.”
