A MILFORD HAVEN woman has taken to social media in a bid to help save her cat’s life.
Tamsin Mathias, aged 23 of St Annes Road, realised on Sunday morning (Jan 13) that her eight month old cat, Luna, was missing. Tamsin said she knew something was wrong after Luna didn’t come in for her breakfast that morning as usual, and her sister, Peppa, was meowing and walking around as if she was looking for her. Later on that day, Luna was found two doors up from her house, covered in her own excrement and struggling to use her back legs.
Tamsin said: “We found her in the front of our neighbour’s garden meowing really loud. I picked her up like a baby and carried her into the house, and as soon as we walked in through the front door she stopped meowing and was just really floppy.
“We wrapped her in a towel, and my other half got some warm water and a tea towel so I could clean her up. I started cleaning her and I noticed that there was a gap in the middle of her tail, and the more I looked at her the more I knew she needed urgent medical attention.”
Tamsin got in touch with All Pets Vet Care and made an emergency appointment for Luna. Half an hour later, Luna was receiving emergency medical treatment from two members of staff.
Tamsin said: “As soon as Billa examined Luna she could see that she had a tail pull injury – I’d never heard of it before, but it’s not great. Billa said straight away that Luna’s tail will most likely have to be removed, because the bones at the base of her tail had been shattered and her tail was limp.
“Luna’s temperature was down to 32.8 degrees, when it should be between 37-38, and she was in a huge amount of shock. Billa, with the help of Sian, managed to get Luna on a drip to get some fluids into her, and gave her some pain killers as well.”
Luna was given x-rays while conscious in an attempt to see what the damage was, however they didn’t depict everything. Tamsin was told that an x-ray needed to be done under general anaesthetic so that Luna could be placed on her back for the procedure. However, if she had undergone a general anaesthetic the night Tamsin brought Luna in, she wouldn’t have made it.
Tamsin went to visit Luna the next day, who said she seemed ‘a lot brighter’. The x-rays revealed a nasty break to Luna’s pelvis, and showed the shattering to the base of her tail.
Luna is currently on strong medication and is undergoing laser treatment to help reduce swelling. It’s important that she is able to go to the toilet by herself and show that she is continent. Tamsin said: “We were told that if Luna turns out the be incontinent, then there’s no point in her having an operation. Reading between the lines, I know what that means, and the thought of it is just so heartbreaking.
“I want to give her the best chance at life, so as long as there’s hope for her and the team at All Pets Vet Care are happy to keep treating her, then we’ll carry on fighting.”
Luna was able to come home on Thursday night (Jan 17) after spending four nights at All Pets Vet Care. Luna began showing signs that she wanted to use her litter tray, but still was unable to go.
Tamsin said: “I’ve done as much research as I can about tail pull injuries and pelvic fractures to try to prepare myself for every outcome. Luna had been leaking urine a little bit here and there, and she has to be expressed every day because she hasn’t yet gone for a wee by herself. But, when we took her home on Thursday, the first thing she did was go into her litter tray.
“She didn’t manage to go, but I thought it was a good sign.”
Luna had to go back to the vets on Friday morning (Jan 18) to be expressed, and Tamsin was shown the procedure so she can do it for Luna at home. Tamsin explained that Luna was interested in her litter tray when she came home, but didn’t go to the toilet. It was then that Tamsin was given some positive news.
“I was told that because Luna had shown interest in her litter tray that it’s more likely that she knows she needs to go and can feel the sensation, but she’s not able to squat because of the fracture to her pelvis,” Tamsin said.
“They’re hopeful that because of this, her continence will return, so fingers crossed she can have her operation soon.”
But, there’s one hurdle they’ve yet to jump. Even though Luna is insured, the insurance doesn’t cover the entire cost of Luna’s treatment.
Luna’s insurance will pay out £1000 for her treatment following her injury, however, with four overnight stays, two x-rays, laser treatment and recovery food, as well as medication, Luna’s vet bill is almost past what the insurance will pay out for her – and that’s without her operation.
“Luna will have to go to a specialist in Llanidloes to have her pelvis operated on,” Tamsin said. “It’s going to be around another £1000 on top of her existing vet bills, so we have to find the money somehow. I won’t give up on her.”
Tamsin and her family have since set up a Go Fund Me page, detailing Luna’s condition, and appealing to members of the public to help fund her operation.
Tamsin said: “If she was an old cat and she was really lethargic and clearly unwell, I’d have a different approach and outlook on her future. But she’s only eight months old, and she is really well in herself other than her injuries. She’s eating and drinking fine, playing, and she’s still just as vocal as she was before. I’m confident that even without her tail, she can go on to live a long and happy life.”
Tamsin added: “Anyone who can help, whether it’s a cash donation or just sharing the campaign on social media to help spread the word, we really do appreciate it. Thank you!”
To donate to help Luna get the treatment she needs, go to www.gofundme.com/lunastreatment
