Continuing details about those cases described in monthly clinic highlights are provided here!
For more information about these cats, please contact operationcatnip@nmhp.net
Warning: Some images may be too graphic for certain viewers
The Curious Case...
... of the Gunshot Victim?! - May 17th, 2009
All too often we hear of animal creulty cases involving feral cats. This strapping tom cat was a prime example of animal creulty when volunteer Danielle Marks discovered an odd lump in his shoulder at the spay/neuter prep station. Prodding the lump revealed a large, snub-nose bullet from a .22 gauge weapon! Vets at the clinic helped remove the bullet from the tom cat's shoulder and concluded that besides the tiny entry wound, he was in good condition -- and a very lucky kitty!
Uncaring individuals might think that shooting cats is a good way to control the climbing cat numbers -- but the studies show that killing cats does not decrease the population! The only effective method of population control is Trap-Neuter-RETURN. A key element of TNR is "Return". When we return a sterilized cat to its colony we ensure continued competition for food, thus keeping the numbers down. If we removed all the cats when we sterilized them, we would cause the environment to be a perfect place to breed - a place with no competition for territory or food.
Keep your strays sterilized and inform your neighbors of the benefits of TNR - we save lives!
March 15th, 2009, The Curious Case of... hyperventialting Tarzan!?
When this young grey kitten arrived at the admissions station to check
in for the clinic, it was clear that something wasn't right. He was
struggling for breath and looked anxious. His caregiver explained that
he got himself stuck in a tree the day before. He was rescued and no one ever saw anything traumatic happen.
The vets decided to let him rest for a while to see if he would improve
on his own. A few hours later it was clear that he was not getting any
better. It was suspected that he was struggling to breathe because he
had a collapsed lung. Dr. Tzipory performed the delicate procedure of
inserting a needle between his ribs and removed 90 cc of free air - a
massive amount for such a small kitten. Even though the lung was
reinflated, he was still short of breath, probably due to bruises in the
lungs.
Still not out of the woods, Dr. Crawford took the kitten home to observe
him for the next few days while the hole in his lung healed. She named
him Tarzan for his attempts to climb in trees. By the following morning,
Tarzan was meowing for breakfast before anyone else was up. He is still ordered to have "bed rest" to allow the damaged lung tissue to seal over but already has a new indoor home lined up when he gets the all-clear.
February 8th, 2009, The Curious Case of... not just another groggy kitty.
This handsome, mellow tom was noticed by a volunteer that he was not opening his eyes... and he was fully awake! It was determined that he is suffering from bilateral entropion. In other words, his eyelids flip inward and the lashes rub against his eyes. Without the volunteer's keen eye and the generous donation by the Humane Society of the United States, Dr. Paula Vislak, and the Vislak Family Foundation through the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, this cat would continue to suffer from this painful ailment. The surgery to repair his eyelids will be performed by University of Florida College of Vet Med ophthalmologist, Dr. Kathy Barrie.
Update:
On Friday, February 13th, "Bustafer" received a surgery to repair his painful ailment. He has recovered well from surgery and we expect to see improvements in his demeanor over the next few weeks!
Update, March 24th, 2009:
"Tommy", as the staff and students called him during his 40-day stay at UF shelter medicine, underwent a total of 3 surgeries to repair the bilateral entroprion. This painful condition causes the eyelids to flip inward and the lashes rub against the sensitive cornea. Thanks to the efforts of several specialists at UF's vet school and the shelter medicine department, the volunteer who originally spotted his curious condition (Jean Fenner), and to his caregiver who adopted him into her home after years of street life! Tommy's new mom informed me that he immediately claimed the bed when he arrived home for the first time.
January 2009, The Curious Case of... a cat-fish?!
This cat arrived to the clinic with a 3-pronged fish hook stuck in her abdomen! It took pliers and wire cutters to remove the hook. We're all quite curious just how this kitty managed to imbed a large fish hook in her belly!
2008 and earlier:
Male Calico, November 2007
When more than 100 trapped feral cats are stacked in cages waiting to be sterilized assembly-line style at an Operation Catnip clinic - one of which is set for Sunday - it is tempting to overlook the uniqueness of the individual felines.
But once in a while a rarity is found - a male with a tortoiseshell coat. Even more rare is to find two male torties within two weeks.
UF veterinary professor Julie Levy said a male tortoiseshell was discovered at the November Operation Catnip clinic - only the second from among the 10,000 cats sterilized by Operation Catnip in its nine years. Soon after, another male tortie was found in veterinary college's shelter medicine program.
"Male tortoiseshell cats generally have an extra X chromosome or other genetic anomaly that allows them to display both the orange and black colors that are normally restricted to female cats," Levy said. "Most tortoiseshell males are sterile, but some have fathered litters. Thirty years ago researchers paid top dollar for the rare cats, which were used to study similar genetic conditions in men. Today the cats are notable mostly for their role as conversation pieces."
Article published in the Gainesville Sun, December 7th, 2007, Written by
CINDY SWIRKO
Sun staff writer
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Kitten with only 2 toes on each front paw, early 2007
