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Cat hit by fan belt
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01-05-2012 3:43pm#1So I got a call just now that I really didn't want. My Dad said that the cat was in the engine and "shot out" when the car was started. The cat ran away (house surrounded by fields) and is nowhere to be found. He's trying to convince me the cat "will be fine" because he ran away but sure shock and adrenalin could have given him the energy to do this. I reckon the cat must be injured because the fanbelt is broken. I'm waiting to finish work at 17:30. My somewhat irresponsible, dimwitted and clueless brother is at home now (parents gone away) and tells me he is looking for the cat but I dont believe him. Anyone any idea what I can do when I get there this evening? Doesn't sound too good?
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OldNotWIse wrote: »So I got a call just now that I really didn't want. My Dad said that the cat was in the engine and "shot out" when the car was started. The cat ran away (house surrounded by fields) and is nowhere to be found. He's trying to convince me the cat "will be fine" because he ran away but sure shock and adrenalin could have given him the energy to do this. I reckon the cat must be injured because the fanbelt is broken. I'm waiting to finish work at 17:30. My somewhat irresponsible, dimwitted and clueless brother is at home now (parents gone away) and tells me he is looking for the cat but I dont believe him. Anyone any idea what I can do when I get there this evening? Doesn't sound too good?
And you want the brother to help you out when you talk about him in that fashion on a public forum?
The cat will probably be fine and return home when it gets hungry.0 -
OldNotWIse wrote: »So I got a call just now that I really didn't want. My Dad said that the cat was in the engine and "shot out" when the car was started. The cat ran away (house surrounded by fields) and is nowhere to be found. He's trying to convince me the cat "will be fine" because he ran away but sure shock and adrenalin could have given him the energy to do this. I reckon the cat must be injured because the fanbelt is broken. I'm waiting to finish work at 17:30. My somewhat irresponsible, dimwitted and clueless brother is at home now (parents gone away) and tells me he is looking for the cat but I dont believe him. Anyone any idea what I can do when I get there this evening? Doesn't sound too good?
Takes a lot to break a fan belt 0 -
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Hope your cat's ok.
How about a bad migraine so you can leave work early??? Hopefully he's hiding somewhere nearby.
Was filling in for a colleague so basically doing two jobs, couldn't leave. Eventually managed to find the poor fella (after an hour scouring the fields lol) - he had managed to make his way to a little wooden shed in the garden and was hiding out there. Got him to an emergency vet. He has a compound fracture in one of his hind legs and needs stitches in his front paw. What's amaxing is that on one side of his body, the fur is gone in one large patch. It's not burned or irritate, the vet said it loks like it literally was just blown off with the force Anyway they gave him a shot of painkillers and I put him in my room with the heat on and he seemed to be happy out (probably high 
) until ths morning. Bro bringing him in for his treatment this morning since he's not working today. I swear this cat is so unlucky, he's used about six of his "nine lives" at this stage :eek:
Most modern cars don't have a fan belt as the fan is electric.
It is likely to be the alternator belt and if the cat pulled it out of line with the pullies it could easely snap.
If any part of the cat other than it's tail got between the belt and the pully it is unlikely it would be ably to run away.
Ah ok. Car's going in today to be fixed also :rolleyes: I don't know much about their workings. It was funny, he usually sits on the bonnnet for the heat, not like him to crawl underneath.0 -
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Or very lucky! It could of been a lot worse! Glad to hear he's alright anyways if a little worse for wear! What part of the leg is it do you know?
True That was quite a "glass half empty" comment I made lol. Last year he was attacked by a mink and had to get his leg stitched, not to mention that he started life as a stray :rolleyes: As far as I know its down near his paw. I didn't want to go poking and prodding him too much once the meds kicked in and he seemed to get into a comfortable position. The scary thing was, when I found him there was so much blood on his coat and you know when you're not sure where it's coming from, you can think the worst?! Also the poor guy was soaked (must have takne him about 3 hours to make his way to the shed in the rain ). He's in good hands now so just waiting to hear when I can take him home. 0 -
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adrenalinjunkie wrote: »+1 I've never heard of a cat survive this before!
I would imagine the missing fur got caught and was literally pulled out so it should grow back but it's amazing the cat didn't get pulled into the belt when this happened.
really? god he was lucky so
Just called the vet, they said he has come around from the anaesthetic and they are just waiting for x-ray results (forgot about those - there go my couple of pints for the next few weeks ) Dont mind though, just glad he's ok. He's such a good cat. Like a little bear. He's never once taken out his claws and even last night he must have been in so much pain but he was still really affectionate He's quite big so maybe that was what saved him? 0 -
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Glad to hear he's OK
A friend of mine once accidentally drove over his cat as he was reversing out of his garage where the cat, unbeknown to him, had decided to sleep under one of his wheels. He felt a bump as he drove out, looked out and saw the cat disappear into the undergrowth never to be seen again. That is, until about a year later when the cat suddenly appeared on his doorstep, looking very thin and bedraggled, and apparently in fine health!0 -
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OldNotWIse wrote: »They are keeping him in overnight to make sure he can urinate Apparently back leg broken in three places so its amputation or expensive, specialised surgery with a vet that I have been to before and absolutely cannot stand...
The poor little fella, why can you not go to different vet that will let you pay for the surgery over a couple of months? There are plenty of specialists out there. He deserves a chance to keep his leg after all the trauma he has been through.0 -
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Hey OP, sorry to hear about your cat, but so glad he's managed to hold onto some of his lives
Just something for you to think about, he's obviously used to being out and about. If he has to get a leg amputated he won't be able to do this, it'd be so dangerous. I'd recommend looking at cat enclosures https://www.google.ie/search?q=cat+enclosures&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=PHKhT5KKDYayhAeBqJyyCA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CEwQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=709
That way you can keep him safe with his 3 legs and he can still relax outside.
Fair play to you for being so adamant that the cat will get the treatment he needs, some people see cats as being disposable. Fingers crossed for you.0 -
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Hey OP, sorry to hear about your cat, but so glad he's managed to hold onto some of his lives
Just something for you to think about, he's obviously used to being out and about. If he has to get a leg amputated he won't be able to do this, it'd be so dangerous. I'd recommend looking at cat enclosures https://www.google.ie/search?q=cat+enclosures&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=PHKhT5KKDYayhAeBqJyyCA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CEwQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=709
That way you can keep him safe with his 3 legs and he can still relax outside.
Fair play to you for being so adamant that the cat will get the treatment he needs, some people see cats as being disposable. Fingers crossed for you.
Hey thanks for that, I hadn't considered that actually. The fact that even if he can get around with 3 legs, he will be slower and therefore at a disadvantage Waiting for a call from the vet so fingers X'd we will know today what way things will go. Have 5 cats in total and love them all to pieces 0 -
Hey everyone, update is: surgery will be 650-700 euro (plus 100 for our own vet) so 750 not bad as we are going to split three ways (parents, brother and myself) Vet said in her professional opinion that surgery was a better option for the cat but also that in a recession, amputation is an "acceptable alternative". Tbh I think it's a bit grotesque to go down the amputation route purely for financial reasons (and every time I buy a pint/cigarette/new clothes I will feel guilty thinking I should have spent the money on the cat! :rolleyes:) so we are going to opt for surgery. There will be a 6-8 week recovery period where he will be crated for a while and kept indoors but at least at the end, he will have all his limbs 0
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That's great Op, fair play to you for making that sacrifice, lots wouldn't. He is so lucky! Hope the operation goes well and let us know how he gets on.
I will of course Glad I made this decision, hope he gets through the surgery ok. I'll post updates tomorrow. Back home now to the rest of the menagerie (4 cats and a dog lol) 0 -
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Poor cat, get the crate just big enough for a bed and litter tray and a corner free for food.
Keep the litter tray shallow, easy to get in and out.
When my fella was on crate rest with a broken leg it was hard, he wouldn't drink much so we bought the gravy pouches of food (cheap stinky ones he never gets normally) and dropped a few chunks in a small bowl of water, makes it taste good;), dehydration is a big problem with cats in pain, they can cope with little or no food for few days.
Also used it to give him meds as he refuses to take any kind of tablet.
The do heal amazingly well, my vet thought we might have to amputate as it looked like he had nerve damage as well as a break near the hip, but he was fine after about 6 weeks and after 8 weeks was climbing the walls to get out, 10 weeks after he escaped out a window and caught a rat.
Hope the surgery goes well.
Thanks for the info. Any idea where I'd get a crate? Left him out there this morning so have the anxious wait now (always worry about the anaesthetic). He seemed in good form though. Even with his leg strapped up and a cone (sorry, elizabethan collar ahem, lol) on his head, he was lying on his back purring when I put my hand into his carier. So adorable 0 -
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Check donedeal online. We got a dog crate and gate cheaply there. Or else argos.
Wonderful that he is going to be fine... Bless your kind heart!
Head wrecked this afternoon tring to find a crate! I called the vet at 13:30 and he hadn't been taken to surgery yet - what was the point taking him in at 08:30???? :mad: 0 -
OldNotWIse wrote: »Head wrecked this afternoon tring to find a crate! I called the vet at 13:30 and he hadn't been taken to surgery yet - what was the point taking him in at 08:30???? :mad:
Ask your vet do they sell them, some allow you to take one home and just pay a deposit which you get back when you return it.
Things pop up, something else might have come in that was a higher priority.0 -
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Maybe, I 'm just worried that he'll have to spend the night there (as it is, parents are away and the car here is banjaxed so I am relying onn, and paying for, taxi fares, neighbour favours etc to get the act around )Ask your vet do they sell them, some allow you to take one home and just pay a deposit which you get back when you return it.
Things pop up, something else might have come in that was a higher priority. Bleurgh. Anyway I will hopefully hear something before I close up here and post an update!
Managed to find a crate (second hand) 3ftx 3ft x 2 ft) for forty euro. Not bad
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OldNotWIse wrote: »Head wrecked this afternoon tring to find a crate! I called the vet at 13:30 and he hadn't been taken to surgery yet - what was the point taking him in at 08:30???? :mad:
vets always take in the days patients before starting the surgery list. I'd be surprised if they wouldn't keep him a night after such major surgery.0 -
OldNotWIse wrote: »Maybe, I 'm just worried that he'll have to spend the night there (as it is, parents are away and the car here is banjaxed so I am relying onn, and paying for, taxi fares, neighbour favours etc to get the act around ) Bleurgh. Anyway I will hopefully hear something before I close up here and post an update!
Managed to find a crate (second hand) 3ftx 3ft x 2 ft) for forty euro. Not bad
At 10.20 I'm sure he's already home or not but I'd be very surprised if he came home today. Chances are he'll be in for a few days after a surgery like that. Think about it if a human were to have a plate or a pin and wire put in their leg they'd be in hospital for weeks! His appetite won't be back for a day or two anyways so he'l need injections until he can take oral stuff.0 -
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Hey all, thanks for all the support
I called the vet Friday on my way home and they said they would be keeping him overnight. Fair enough. An emergency had come in which delayed his surgery. He needed to stay on the drip overnight as he was in a lot of pain. Two good reasons for leaving him til Saturday.
The guy I was meant to buy the crate from texted me last minute and said he'd changed his mind :rolleyes:
Collected the cat Saturday and went into the petshop on the way home. The crates were 150!! I found one in the rabbit section (:p) for 40 and it is absolutely perfect. It has a strong plastic base that's easy to clean and actually has the same floor area as the large dog crate for 150. (It's just not quite as high but he has room to stand) I think its about 2 metres long and 1 wide. Has plenty of space for a cushiony bed, litter tray and feeding bowls
He wasn't eating at all at first but eventually yesterday he started again (chicken dippers and crumbed whiting but what can you do when you're desperate lol) My wonderful neighbour who has a lot of experience handling cats is coming in twice per day to help me give the meds (it's not a one man job!) so thank God he seems to be doing ok now. He's a little grumpy but thats to be expected. He also seems to be having problems with furballs. My neighbour said she has a paste for this that she will bring in this evening when we do the meds. I'd be lost without her
So running total is now at nine hundred euro! 100 for our own vet. 650 for specialist. 100 for transportation to and from surgery, pet shop etc, 50 for crate and new feeding bowls and tray :rolleyes:
Also managed to route out an old duvet and cut it up into sections. That way he has a comfy bed that can be changed for a clean one every day or two
Main thing is he is ok (fingers crossed) now. I had him outside in the sun for a while yesterday (in the crate) and I think he enjoyed the fresh air. The crate is brilliant actually because the tops (wire) part clips onto the plastic base, so it means if he finds a comfortable spot on the bed, I can just place the cage part over him so he doesn't jump off And that way he doesn't need to be watched constantly. So it's off now shopping for chicken filles, fish in oil (to help with furballs) and gourmet gold and sheba terrines (oh and chicken dippers lol) 0 -
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Great thanks for thatThats great, thanks for the update.
They don't eat much after a big trauma (so my vet told me) until the pain is under control, so if he's eating again thats great.
Alos keep an eye on what he's drinking, they get dehydrated very easy, pinch a bit of skin at the back of the neck and if its slow to spring back to normal, he needs more fluids. As I said a pouch of gravy based food with a some water to make it soupy is great to get the fluids into them, and if you warm the water slightly they like it even better.
Don't feed to much the first week or so, make sure his bowels are ok and he's going freely (fish oil will help with this too).
Best of luck, sounds like he's in great hands. Good advice on the mixing with water and heating. Must try that later. I have let him out a couple of times and he can actually hop around quite well even now (one week since accident). It's so crucial that he doesnt jump though so I really have to watch him so he doesnt jump on the bed/chair etc :rolleyes:Actually, now that you mention it, there was no pooh in the litter tray yesterday (He had urinated alright) but then again, he hadn't eaten since Saturday. Hope there's one this evening when I get home from work (what an exciting life I lead ) 0 -
I know believe me, the things us pet owners do:rolleyes:
Yeah, if the injury is the back end it can be painful to poop, so lots of fluids help (if dehydrated poop is dry and hard, keep an eye on that), and the oil will help, try a tin of sardines in oil, not the whole tin but a little at a time over few days.
try not to let him move around too much, my fella set himself back a week when he tried to jump on the sofa.
Oh and it was 4 or 5 days before my fella pooped, but he didn't eat for 4 days. 0 -
I know believe me, the things us pet owners do:rolleyes:
Yeah, if the injury is the back end it can be painful to poop, so lots of fluids help (if dehydrated poop is dry and hard, keep an eye on that), and the oil will help, try a tin of sardines in oil, not the whole tin but a little at a time over few days.
try not to let him move around too much, my fella set himself back a week when he tried to jump on the sofa.
Oh and it was 4 or 5 days before my fella pooped, but he didn't eat for 4 days.
Oh ok, good to know. I was worried maybe he had some damage to his digestive system or something that the vets maybe didn't pick up on. but I suppose if nothing goes in... :rolleyes: Sorry to be crude lol. Just got some fish on special in Lidl (or was it Aldi, and how many other ppl get the 2 confused?) so going to cook that for him this evening. Yup vet said jumping was strictly out (they actually specified 1mx1m confinement for 6-8 weeks). He has to go back in 4-5 weeks to have pins removed. Did your guy have pins? Do they need to anaesthesise for this do you know? 0 -
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Any updates on the wee fella OP. I hope he is well on the road to recovery!Sorry just saw you asked about pins.
No my fella had none, the break was clean and bones seemed in place, didn't even have an xray as my vet doesn't have one and would have to send me to another vet about 15-20 mins away. He was pretty sure of break and could feel it and that bones were not out of line etc. So just cage rest and tlc.
I'd imagine the pins removal will require at least sedation if not a knock out.
Hope he's coping well, I know as it starts to heal they are mad to get out and you feel sorry for them, don't give in! I did and set him back 2 weeks.
I found that getting an egg cup(one with a stem works best) and stuffing with meat then freezing it overnight, made a great boredom breaker, just leave it out 10 mins or so before giving it to him. They can hold it with paws and lick the meaty goodness out. (something like a dogs Kong)
Hi thanks for posts, he is doing well thank God, though he came down with flu at the weekend so was at the vet this morn. Poor guy as if he doesn't have enough problems. Vet said his chest is clear and his temperature is normal so an extra shot of anti B and plenty of tlc
Thats a brilliant idea about the egg cup. I let him out for as long as I can every day (supervised of course to make sure he doesn't jump) but I feel terrible leaving him in the crate so that could be something to amuse him. I never leave toys down when I'm not there (for dog or cats) as I'm so paranoid about choking hazards.
So pins are going to be out in 2 weeks, hopefully we'll see improvements then. I'm due to be away for a month in four weeks and feel terrible that he may not be completely better before that. Parents will mind him of course but you know the way you dont really trust anyone else to do as good a job? :rolleyes:0 -
Update: The leg is still a little infected, despite having had a long lasting antibiotic shot and tabs twice per day (though its not near as bad as it was after the first week). Also, he went mad on Wednesday night tearing at the dressing (something he hasn't done up to this point which was great as I avoid buster collars if possible - they cause so much stress!). But anyway he decided that the dressing was annoying him and that it should come off :rolleyes: My neighbour (an absolute saint who has been coming in every day to help me with him) came down and she figured it out fairly fast - between the leg starting to heal, the hair growing back (itching) and the heat over the last few days leading to sweating in his toes etc, the poor guy was probably going mad. So we cut open the bandage around his feet to let his toes breathe. I washed his toes with some hibiscrub solution on cotton wool and massaged them (what an exciting life I live lol) and he seemed to really relax then, and didn't go at it again.
So we took him back to the vet first thing the next morning and explained the situation. They called the specialist and between us all, decided it was best for the bandage to come off completely. It was really slowing the healing process, and with the weather now he would be in a lot of discomfort with it :mad:
So now he just has the pins and the external fixator, but he has to wear the collar so he doesnt knock the pins out, and obviously garden walking now has to be mega supervised in case he knocks into anything, as he doesn't have protective bandage anymore.
But, he still has his leg, the infection will (please God) heal quicker now with the warm dry air He is eating well and taking his tabs (reluctantly) and I know it will be worth it in the end when he is fully back to normal
He also came down with flu at the weekend! Can't believe the poor guy has been through so much. Had him at the vet first thing monday morning (I wonder how much longer I will have a job!) and they said chest and lungs clear, temp fine, that he picked it up as immunity compromised but that it wasn't that bad because he was on anti b's at the time and they would have helped0 -
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