A South Cumbrian cat is being hailed a miracle after he survived major injuries.
Chucky, owned by Emily-Rose Armstrong of Barrow, went missing overnight and was found collapsed and bloodied the next day.
He had suffered a broken jaw, collapsed and bruised lungs and a body wall rupture.
The one-year-old cat was referred to Kentdale Referrals in Milnthorpe, a specialist-led hospital offering diagnostic imaging, arthroscopy, anaesthesia, orthopaedic surgery, spinal surgery, soft tissue surgery and physiotherapy.
There, vets Graham Hayes and Joe Higgins used an advanced CT scan to discover the extent of Chucky’s problems.
The scan revealed he needed urgent treatment.
Joe, an RCVS-recognised specialist in small animal surgery, said: “This was a complex trauma case because the extent of Chucky’s injuries required two major surgeries and intensive post-operative care.
“The CT imaging revealed a catalogue of injuries. Chucky had suffered a broken jaw, collapsed and bruised lungs and a body wall rupture through which the kidney had herniated.
“A herniated kidney through the body wall after trauma is a very unusual injury. The kidney had also lost its outer capsule yet was still viable and functional.
“However, the surgical challenge of retrieving and protecting a herniated, bruised kidney while avoiding damage to neighbouring structures was considerable.”
Graham, an RCVS-recognised specialist in small animal surgery, added: “Chucky was initially stabilised with oxygen therapy and pain relief. Drainage was performed to relieve the collapsed lungs and a feeding tube for nutritional support.
“Then, under general anaesthesia, Chucky underwent his first surgery during which his fracture was repaired and stabilised.
“A few days later, after stabilisation of his lung injuries, he underwent abdominal surgery, with his left kidney gently reduced back into the abdominal cavity.
“Chucky spent nearly a week in hospital with us and has made a fantastic recovery.
“He is back at home now being playful and affectionate again and his follow-up exams have shown excellent healing. He really has made a miraculous return to full health.”
Emily-Rose said: “We first realised there was a problem when Chucky did not return home one night, which is very unusual.
“My mum found him the next morning in an old drawer in our neighbour’s garden. He was in very bad shape.
“Hearing his diagnosis devastated us and we were all so concerned about him.
“Thanks to the brilliant treatment by the excellent team at Kentdale, Chucky has made an exceptional recovery and is now back to his cheeky, loving ways.
“The care for Chucky, and for us as a family, was first class.”
