Terrified Stray with Head Injury Arrives at Catcuddles

Each new day at Catcuddles seems to bring yet another seriously unwell stray cat to our doors, and a fresh need for a fundraising appeal.

Last week, Leela was one such cat, arriving at our Cat Clinic trembling and disorientated, with a head injury, a visibly impacted eye, and neurological symptoms.

Prior to her rescue, Leela had been living in what is known as a cat 'colony' - a large number of stray and feral cats co-existing in one area, as a result of uncontrolled breeding. During this time she had given birth to at least one litter of kittens, as is ultimately inevitable for any unneutered female cat roaming the streets. These kittens now potentially live as feral cats themselves, if they survived at all; just another of the many sad realities of feline over-population.

A regular feeder of the cat colony decided to bring Leela to our Clinic after observing her neurological symptoms - a permanent head tilt - over a period of around four months. She was given immediate pain relief upon arrival, and then gently examined by our vet, who assessed that the injury was old and had healed to some extent, and that Leela would likely be mildly disabled for life. Nonetheless, further investigation was required, including multiple X-Rays, which also helped to determine whether Leela's damaged eye would require removal; thankfully this was deemed unnecessary.

A sample was also taken from an ulcerated growth inside Leela's ear for further tests, and standard procedures such as spaying, flea and worming treatments, microchipping, and so on, were carried out.

Of course, these myriad veterinary treatments are not cheap, and devoting countless Clinic hours to the care of strays like Leela also means less time for our team to treat paying clients, who, whilst enjoying the benefits of low-cost veterinary treatment, still generate vital funds for the charity and Clinic.

But turning a cat like Leela down just isn't an option. Although far more comfortable now that her untreated head injury is finally being addressed, and in a heated suite at Catcuddles HQ, she is still utterly terrified, to the point that it is, at times, painful to see. She often trembles when approached and hides her face in a corner. It is a testament to just how gentle-natured she is that in spite of this obvious terror, she never bites or scratches. After some gentle strokes from volunteers, her trembling will eventually slow and then stop altogether. We have a great deal of hope that one day she will be a contented and happy cat in human company - we just have to help her to realise that she is safe at last.

If you'd like to help us fund Leela's ongoing veterinary care and rehabilitation, with the goal of one day finding her a loving forever home, then please donate at https://www.catcuddles.org.uk/donate#donate-money. As ever, we cannot stress how much we value and appreciate your support, which is crucial to our ability to make a difference in the lives of cats like Leela.

For her, at least, the tough times are over - the road ahead is one filled with compassion and kindness.

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