Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Vet’s plea to cat owners after Milly collar horror
A KITTEN has had an operation after she was found wandering around Chartham Hatch with her paw caught in a cheap flea collar.
Milly, thought to be around a year old, had to have a piece of her skin pulled over the wound.
Vet Kate Bament carried out the procedure at Companion Care Vets in the Pets at Home store on the Riverside Retail Park in Wincheap on Friday.
Milly was brought to the surgery by the Canterbury branch of Cats Protection.
Spokesman Pat King said: “Milly was hobbling around with her left paw caught in a red, elastic flea collar.
“It must have been like it for some time because the collar had caused a deep wound which requires major surgery.
“We hope to find Milly’s owner or, if no one comes forward, to hope that someone will want to adopt her and to emphasise the danger of using these cheap flea collars, which can cause horrific injuries.”
Cats Protection is also is also urging cat owners to get their pets neutered.
People on low incomes or benefits living in the CT1 to CT6 or ME13 postcode area can get this done at the Barton Veterinary Clinic in New Dover Road for £10.
Vet Vanessa Nicola says it is best to do this before the cat is seven months old.
She said: “It helps reduce the breeding population and neutering protects female cats against diseases such as mammary cancer and uterine infections.
“It stops the seasons and therefore the ‘calling’ that female cats normally make.
“For the boys, it reduces aggressive behaviour, and escaping and fighting and that way reduces the propagation of infectious diseases such as feline AIDS and leukaemia.
“There is no reason to let a queen have a litter before being spayed.”
Go to Barton Vets on Saturday, September 22, between 10am and 1pm to register your cat. You will not need to bring your cat and will receive an appointment.