It's a sad, sad night here at our house. We we're watching Americal Idol tonight and had the windows open.....it's been really nice outside. We heard something making alot of noise at our bedroom window and JT went in the bedroom. It was Napster coming in the window (the porch runs in under the window).
At first he said she had caught something again, because she catches field mice a lot. He just saw blood and figured thats what is was. She came in the window and fell down into the floor and let out a horrendous meow. JT grabbed her and ran to the bathroom and screamed "she's been attacked". I could tell by the tone of his voice that it wasn't good. I ran to the bathroom and we examined her to find out she had been shot.
The bullet went into her right shoulder and exited in the center of her chest. She was bleeding pretty bad, but alert. I just felt my world sink and the pit of my stomach became so sick.
You all know or can imagine the feeling. Your most beloved animal, your soulmate, the animal that you love as much as any family member........I can't put it into words.......but you all know the feeling if you've had something like this happen.
We rushed her to the emergency vet. I was bawling my eyes out. It just HURT so bad. We checked her in and not 20 seconds later another lady comes in bawling - she had just ran over her cat and she brought him in stretched out on a platter. She just kept saying to the staff "please don't let him die). It was such a stressful moment. The lady turned to me and just hugged me. We cried together.
After about an hour, the staff came out and said that fortunately the bullet did not hit any organs from what they could tell. Her gums were pink and her lungs sounded good. She was not considered to be in a life threatening situation. I was so relieved. They have her stabalized now and heavily medicated. We have to take her to her regular vet in the morning to see what our options are. The bullet hit the bone and broke it, we just don't know if it's shattered or a clean break. An x-ray will tell us more tomorrow.
I just can't, for the life of me, understand why someone would do something like this. She is not a destructive cat at all - very skittish of other people and animals she isn't familiar with. IF she was doing something wrong, they could have at least came and told us. We would have paid for any damage, although I just can't see there being any. We have had trouble in the past with others people's dogs getting into our trash, etc. We didn't shoot the dog. We went and spoke to the owners and asked them to please keep their dog up.
If an animal comes into our yard and doesn't cause problems, its welcomed here. Pets don't know property lines.
About 3 weeks ago we had some new neighbors move in. The guy is not friendly at all and he is one of those pit bull owners who should never have a pit bull. His pitt is bred and he keeps boasting about how the pups will bring $2000 each. He is nothing but a BYB and you can see it a mile away. I have a good feeling it was him who shot Napster. I just don't have any way to prove it.
I will keep you all updated on her status. We will know more tomorrow after she see's her regular vet, but for now she is stable and at home sleeping. We pray that she doesn't lose this leg, but from the look of the break, the bone is just shattered.
Please say a little prayer for Nappy.......she is my baby!
I heard the vet recommend to the other lady that her cat be put down. The old lady said she would make a decision this morning so they stabilized her cat over night. They really didn't see anything they could do for him. I still feel for that woman.
I took Napster to the vet this morning. They asked that I leave her there while they evaluate her. I was informed that she was probably going to lose the leg. I'm just distraught, haven't slept all night, worn out.
I asked the vet what kind of quality of life she could have with 3 legs.....he said cats do fine like that. I can't imagine that being so, but he obviously knows more than me.
We are still not sure about artery damage, nerve damage, etc. Will post more as soon as I know.
I'm so sorry! Who in the world could shoot a poor defenseless animal! Stupid coward. Makes me sick. I have heard that cats (and dogs) do well with 3 legs. It always amazes me when I see one, but they just manage. I will say a prayer for Napster!
I'm SO sorry to hear about Napster, and hope you've ALL gotten some rest today. Please know that you're all in my thoughts and prayers, wishing your baby a speedy recovery.
We had a Siamese cat when I was young...she was hit by a car and lost a leg. Sam lived a long, healthy, happy life...I bet Napster will be just fine if she does lose the leg.
Went to the vet today to get an anylasis on Napster. They took x-rays which showed the bone in her leg was pulverized. There was no chance of putting a pin in it and it healing. Also, the nerves in her leg were shattered. He said she probably has very little feeling in the leg and that will never come back.....too much nerve damage.
We were given 2 options, both with risks.
Amputation - which risked her not making it through surgery. He said she is such a small cat (6 lbs ) that taking that big of a part of her body off was very risky and he recommend it only as a last resort.
Option 2 was to do nothing. He said that she will never have use of her leg again, but that it will eventually stabilize and heal in a permanent position. The risk here was that if she drags the leg and the skin rubs a whole in it then gangreen coulc set up and we lose her or the leg would have to be amputated at that point.
At the vets recommendation, we chose option 2. I just couldn't put her through an amputation right after being shot. If worse comes to worse, we can always do that later if need be. For now, she is at home and learning to walk again. The next 3 weeks will be crucial in making sure she doesn't get an infection, but they gave her an anti-biotic for us to give her.
I can't put into words how pitiful she looks limping around on one front leg. 24 hours ago she was a perfectly healthy cat - and now THIS! Her life was forever changed at the hands of someone who has no use owning a gun. This cat is like my child and someone has dis-abled her now FOR LIFE. I have cried until I simply have no tears left. It's just the saddest thing I have ever been through with an animal. If I could ONLY get my hands on the person who did this.....I'd gladly spend a few days in jail to be able to avenge what happened to her. I'm just a ball of emotions right now - anger, sad, frustration.....you name it. JT is livid, to say the least.
The vet said that even if we saw the person shoot her.....the police wouldn't do anything. He said it's the saddest thing, and it is.
She doesn't have the bandages on her anymore. They took them off so the bullet holes could drain. Both the entry and exit wound are still open. She has a whole almost the size of a quarter just BLOWN out of her chest - the exit wound is always bigger than where the bullet goes in. I just don't see how this little cat lived through this.....I really don't. I guess God was looking out for her.
Thanks for all your well wishes for her. Keep praying.....we aren't out of the woods yet, but at least she is home where I can hug her. I will keep you updated and post more pics that show what this SCUM of a person done to her.
ansy, i will never understand how anyone can harm others. especially children and animals. there is some real cruel people in the world. thank god your cat lived through it. but she is now crippled and whoever did this will go unpunished. now she has lost her freedom also. you have all that property and you have to worry that some **** is going to hurt another one of your pets. if he ever tries it again, i hope the gun misfires and he blows a hole in his own head. i have zero tolerance for people that do deliberate harm to an animal.
Oh Ansy! I'm so sorry that I wasn't here for when you first posted about this to offer my condolences. Your poor baby! I couldn't imagine. Your kitty must have had a guardian angel with her since it didn't kill her. She must really love you to struggle back into the window to get to you in her time of need. Nurse that baby back to health, and I will keep her in my thoughts. Again, I'm so sorry *hugs*
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-The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
Oh ansy, I am so sorry! Poor little Napster, Kiss her on the head for me. I am just relieved that she is going to make it through this, and that she has such great people looking out for her. I am still a mess about losing my cat. It was my birthday last night and a friend made me the most beautiful picture all framed with a beautiful poem next to it. I just bawled. I am so angry that someone could be so heartless and hurt something so little and helpless.....i hope that karma gives him what he deserves.
Heavenly Father, you created all things for your glory and made us stewards of this creature. If it is your will, restore Napster to health and strength. Blessed are you, Lord God, and holy is your name for ever and ever. Amen.
Just read your post now and my thoughts and prayers are headed your way and especially Napster's way.
Sorry for your troubles, Ansy. I would be extremely vengeful, myself...Temper your feelings, and try to get the perp punished, legally. He does not deserve to hurt your kitty, and you, as well.
I'm so sorry about Napster. You must have been terrified, probably still are. I've known three-legged dogs that did just fine, and I've read that cats can adjust like dogs do, so I would think that Napster should be able to adjust to not having the use of her leg. But, obviously, you have to get through the wound-healing period first. I'm sending healing thoughts in Napster's direction.
Like Kitty, I'd be vengeful, but Napster needs you at home to help her through this tough time, not in prison for attacking the guy (and, hey, we'd all understand if you did).
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"Thought is an invisible and subtle power that mocks all the efforts of tyranny." Alexis de Tocqueville
OMG, poor Napster!!!! Hopefully healing progresses well. I too have known of 3 legged dogs who have done wonderful and I'm sure cats can also have a great life missing one leg. Sending prayers Napster's way for a speedy recovery.