Fundraising Appeal for Two Stray Toms with Serious Leg Injuries
In spite of the pandemic and the near-constant financial crises it has created for the charity, at Catcuddles, we continue to take in stray cats, and we’re grateful for each one that we’re able to get out of the icy weather and into a heated suite, where a full bowl, a warm bed and ultimately, a new home, awaits them.
In some special cases, however, we need your support to provide stray cats with the full care and attention that they need. This is true of Maxx and Mack, two young, unneutered stray toms who have required extensive and ongoing veterinary treatment for leg injuries. Whilst the cost of this treatment has been covered in part by RSPCA vouchers and donations from their rescuers, a considerable shortfall, upwards of £600, remains.
Mack & Maxx’s Story
In spite of their similar circumstances and similar names, Maxx and Mack were rescued from different areas of London.
All-black Mack was the far more seriously injured of the two. A community cat - the kind we warned against in a recent post - he was fed by a number of people in a particular neighbourhood, who had noticed him visibly limping for a period of at least two years. It was due to this injury that local residents hesitated to get him further help, for fear that an unwell cat might be euthanised.
It wasn’t until a local rescuer learned of his plight that he was at last trapped, and rushed to our North London Cat Clinic, where our vet tended to him in spite of the practice being closed for the night. There, it was quickly discovered that Mack had two old fractures in his right front leg, effectively deforming the limb. The leg was sadly unsalvagable, and the only course of treatment available was amputation, which was successfully performed by our Head Vet, Ana.
We can’t imagine the chronic pain that Mack must have experienced, going without treatment for nearly two years, and whilst the loss of a leg is of course unfortunate, it must be a great relief for him to be free of discomfort at last - in addition to being fed, happy, and fussed over by our Clinic staff.
Maxx, on the other hand, has a more positive prognosis for his injured limb. The unneutered boy came to our clinic with a swollen paw, likely caused by fighting with another unneutered cat. Several ticks, parasites that can carry dangerous pathogens, were also removed from his body, and he was diagnosed as FIV positive, again, most likely the result of fighting.
Maxx's paw has responded well to antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and regular deep-cleaning, and there is every hope he will make a full recovery. Nonetheless, his treatment has not been cheap, and it is in addition to the standard costs of microchipping, neutering, vaccinations, etc.
To make a contribution to Maxx and Mack's veterinary fund, please go to https://www.catcuddles.org.uk/donate#donate-money. We know times are tough for many and we don't take your kindness lightly; we appreciate it for what it is - the often live-saving fuel for our work - and we're very grateful.