Here is what happened to my kitten!

[Jasmine]

A few days ago my 5-nearly-6-month old cat went missing. We looked for her everywehre for days, and there was hints she was still around from our neighbours. All we could do was hope she'd return. This morning a poster was put up in our shop, saying they'd found a cat, it had a photo my of her relaxing and looking chilled in a animal centre.

We went up there to pick her up this morning, and couldn't believe the state of her...some stupid, annoying person/group of people had decided to shave off her tail fur. We live in a quite rough area. The animal centre said they'd found her like it. My cat also has a bad paw, and can't walk, she slides along floors and surfaces when she wants to get around, i end up picking her up.

She is going for a checkup on monday, we are also getting her vaccinated, wormed, de-flead and spayed. Right now she (Willow) is asleep in my cupboard, she chose to sleep in there. Its peaceful. I suppose she is getting the smells back. When she is awake she is in total shock, her ears are bent back (showing she's scared) and she shakes. Is there anything i can do to calm her down and settle her? I'm scared she will turn into a nervous cat, she wasn't before, before she went missing she was a very friendly and comforting cat, and the whole neighbourhood like her.

Thanks,
Jasmine & Willow

[Tina B and crew]

Oh Jasmine...I'm so sorry for your Willow (I have a Willow too). I don't know, I think I would call an ER vet or if your vet is open today take her in today if possible. Since she's been gone you don't know what she has had to endure...she could have injuries that aren't noticable to us. You say she is dragging herself...can she walk at all? I wonder if she got into a catfight? If she did and has a bite wound it could absess very quickly and end up causing more trouble. As far as calming her down...you could try a few drops of Rescue Remedy in her water bowl. Or you could try Feliway and see if that helps. I'd say let her hang out in her cupboard and visit her often talking softly. Make sure she is eating properly, you don't want the stress to result in anorexia, which can bring on hepatic lipidosis.

Also, do you allow her outside or did she escape? If she regularly goes out I'd recommend making her a full time indoor cat to avoid anything happening in the future....poor willow...I hope she recovers soon. Please keep us updated.

[Jasmine]

Hello thanks for getting back to me so quickly, as i do need these replies quite fast The Vets, I may see if it's okay with my mum to take her tomorrow, or sometime, I think our nearest one closes pretty early, which is just typical. She can only walk with her front legs, meaning she drags the back ones along. So she doesn't bother at all, she only slides across things. Yes, a cat fight sounds possible, as there are alot of other cats around here, and most of them are older cats.

Apparentely my neighbour down the road saw her cat and my cat having a little battle in her garden. It's just getting me down, she is really stressed, i just hope she fights through this, she is too young to have something wrong with her. Do you think this will effect her personality? I hope not. I will take your advice and see what i can do. She escaped out the door unforuntely, we always have wanted her just to go into the back garden to go to toilet, but she managed to get out the front. The animal centre suggested we'd keep her in for as long as we can. I have never wanted her to be a total outdoor cat, and hopefully we will be able to get her settled down.

Thanks,
Jasmine & Willow

[Tina B and crew]

Well...if she isn't walking at all, you really need to get her to a vet ASAP...there is always the possibility she was hit by a car or seriously injured...please consider getting her seen as soon as possible...the quicker she is treated the better her chances of recovery. It is possible her personality will change, but that's tough to say at this point. Just continue to let her know you love her and care for her...

[Jasmine]

Thank you so much for your help. The vet does sound a good idea. They should know what to do with her. Both me and mum are really concerned. I will keep you updated through the week. She is still sleeping soundly in my cupboard at the moment. I'm going to talk to her in a minute like you suggested earlier, I hope she still knows me... Not too long ago Willow's sister Angel (who is owned by my auntie) went missing too. Both Angel and Willow are back home though thank god... I can't believe the state of Willow's tail, i'll try and post a picture of it...It makes me ill to think someone would do that, i'm praying they weren't responsible for her paw too.

Thanks,
Jasmine & Willow (Miow!)

[Tina B and crew]

I'm glad you are going to seek a vet...I'm concerned that it could be a spinal injury or something neurological...I'll keep an eye out for your updates

[Jasmine]

We think someone may of burnt or shaved her fur off her tail for a laugh, possibly a group of immature boys... they usually hang around here and are annoying, once a cat got killed over here because some of the boys used a fire work on it. This picture is of Willow's tail, she has long fur and her tail was extremely fury. We think she may of been kicked aswell, me and mum stood her next her bowl and her legs gave way, we're going to see a vet tomorrow. Thanks x

[jason]

We think she may of been kicked aswell, me and mum stood her next her bowl and her legs gave way, we're going to see a vet tomorrow.

the vet visit is critical, i would adivise it asap and be sure to mention *everything* to the vet and be sure they are thorough with the examination/tests.

havent read every word in this topic, but i would seriously advise keeping your pets indoors...not only for the usual reasons but also for the *beep* that live around you.

Indoor cat desperate to be outdoor cat
Making an indoor cat an outdoor cat.
Your Cat is Safer Indoors (offsite link)

btw, cute cat house.

[Tina B and crew]

Oh some people just make me I hate the creeps out there that do this. Poor Willow.....I hope she will be OK...glad you got an appointment tomorrow...if you can possibly get her seen today please try to do so.

[Traci]

Jasmine....don't wait until tomorrow to see the vet, get your kitten to the nearest ER vet immediately. You must know that if she had been hit by a car or attacked by another animal (i.e., dog), she could have serious internal injuries and could be hemmorhaging, you won't know it until it's too late. You said she can't use her back legs, this should be a red flag to you that you need to get her to an ER vet RIGHT NOW. She could have a fractured pelvis, puncture wounds that are abcessing/infecting, and the sooner she is treated, the sooner she will heal.

I can't tell you how many outdoor accidents have claimed the lives of pets, and how soon they die when the owners wait to take them in. I'm not trying to scare you, but you MUST get your kitten seen IMMEDIATELY, don't wait!