Vet’s warning as cat is trapped during NHS clap
FELINE HAD TO HAVE TAIL AMPUTATED
A TERRIFIED cat had to have his tail amputated after becoming trapped in a reclining sofa he was hiding in during Thursday’s Clap for Carers.
The fire brigade had to cut family pet Max out of a sofa he was cowering inside after being startled by fireworks set off as people were clapping for the NHS.
The Newcastle vet who cared for Max is now warning owners to be extra vigilant during the weekly event.
Max’s owner Janice Blenkinsop, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, was unaware Max had squeezed himself through a tiny gap into the bottom of the sofa, and his tail became wrapped around the reclining mechanism when she pushed the seat back as she relaxed to watch TV.
Vet Fiona Cumming, from Westway Veterinary Group in Newcastle, made an emergency dash to Janice’s home to sedate the terrified cat, who was trapped for two-and-a-half hours, so he could be released by the fire brigade.
The two-year-old ginger feline underwent emergency surgery at Westway Vets’ main hospital in West Road, Newcastle, to amputate most of his tail, and has made a full recovery after his ordeal. He has been left with a three-inch stump.
Fiona said: “We had just returned in from the 8pm clap when we took the call. We were not sure what to expect and how severe the injury would be, but we knew we needed to get to Max quickly to give him pain relief and to sedate him as he would likely be distressed. Coronavirus restrictions made things difficult. We wore full PPE to go to the house as we had to be in close distance to Max’s owner and the fire crew.
“When we arrived at the house, the fire brigade had removed part of the reclining mechanism which Max’s tail was still attached to. I sedated him, which included pain relief, to allow his tail to be freed.
“It was risky sedating Max as he was in shock but there was no option as he had to be freed. We then had to quickly get Max back to our hospital in West Road to operate on him immediately and amputate his tail. He was monitored all the way in the car and then X-rayed to check if there were any other injuries.”
Fiona is urging owners to prepare for the weekly clap for the NHS by ensuring their cats are safely indoors.
Fiona added: “I would advise owners to prepare for the NHS clap. It is an excellent way to thank NHS staff and key workers. However, owners should ensure their cats are inside before the clap takes place and follow the same advice for fireworks with finding a safe room with background noise to settle their animal into prior to the clap taking place.”
Janice said: “When I realised he was trapped, there was no way I could get him out as his tail was wrapped around a spindle. Luckily, Max is absolutely fine. I think he has come out of this better than I have as it was very traumatic for us both. I managed to keep it together throughout for Max but then broke down afterwards.
“The sofa is broken after being dismantled, but I’ll never have another recliner after this.”