An Update on 'Dijon', Elderly Cat Rescued Near Death

We recently shared the story of Dijon, an elderly stray cat rushed to our clinic in such poor condition that she was likely days, if not hours, away from death.

Dijon’s story highlighted the danger of ‘community cats’ - strays fed by a number of people in one area, with no one individual taking full responsibility for their wellbeing, or pursuing neutering, rehoming or veterinary care. These things are often necessary to prevent the cat from becoming seriously ill, injured or pregnant, and it's only when these inevitable tragedies occur that the help of rescue centres like Catcuddles is then sought.

This was the case with poor Dijon, who was a well-known stray in her neighbourhood for several years. Although fed by many people, nothing further was done for her until the day that she was found collapsed, soaking wet and freezing, and was rushed to our clinic by a good samaritan. There it was quickly discovered that she was dangerously underweight, dehydrated and hyperthermic, with cat flu symptoms, a mass in her abdomen and advanced renal disease.

Chronic kidney failure in senior cats is common, and its progression can often be slowed with the proper diet and medication. If left untreated however, it will quickly ravage a cat’s health, as it has for Dijon, whose condition was also undoubtedly exacerbated by having to survive on the streets.

Unfortunately, there is little we can do to reverse this renal disease - it is end-stage. For this reason, it has been decided that it’s not worth putting Dijon through risky and invasive procedures to investigate the worrying mass in her abdomen. She will not be around for much longer, and we want to make the most of every second.

She is the most gentle, sweet, cat, who purrs the moment someone looks at her. And whilst we cannot fix her health, there is still plenty that we can offer her in terms of love and comfort.

Dijon is on strong pain relief, and subcutaneous fluids to ensure that she stays hydrated. She is offered every kind of food that a cat could desire, with a phosphorus binder added due to her kidney disease. At first, even with appetite stimulants, she ate only small amounts, but her hunger has slowly increased, and she is now happily eating at least two sachets of food per day, although she has a funny habit - she prefers to tuck in only when someone is sitting with her.

She has several beds, and a warm blanket next to a radiator that she often snoozes on. At first, the whole concept of a bed seemed quite alien to her, and she’d pee on soft furnishings and sleep in her cat litter tray, but she has caught on quickly. She gets daily fuss from our volunteers, and loves a good belly rub. Her fur has even gained some shine.

Most importantly of all, Dijon also has a very special new home - with our charity founder, Evina. Dijon is very content at Catcuddles HQ, and rather than have her waste a single moment feeling confused or unsettled by a change in environment, it was decided that she should stay exactly where she is. She has an entire bedroom to herself during the day, and free range of the house in the evenings. Although she doesn’t always feel like venturing too far, she now manages the stairs without difficulty.

The very tolerant HQ resident cats have accepted her unquestionably, so she has a new feline family, who kindly make room for her by the fire. That's in addition to a group of humans that adore her, including one human to call her own at last. She's loved, and she will be sorely missed, just like all cats should be.

Yet, each time we think it might be the end, Dijon’s strength surprises us, and she continues to improve. She’s an incredible cat, and while we can’t turn back time, we can do everything in our power to make what time she has left special.

Thank you to everyone who has donated towards her care costs so far.

Published by Rae. Find out more about the Catcuddles Team >