Specialist Surgery Saves Cat With Life-threatening Injuries

One-year-old Chucky was referred to Linnaeus-owned Kentdale Referrals in Milnthorpe, Cumbria, where vets Graham Hayes and Joe Higgins used advanced CT scan scans to discover the extent of the family pet’s problems. 

CT scan images revealed Chucky needed urgent treatment for a rare, herniated kidney which had burst through his body wall, as well as a fractured jaw and collapsed and bruised lungs. 

Chucky had been found collapsed and bloodied in his neighbourhood after going missing overnight and was admitted for intensive care following referral to Kentdale. 

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 has suffered a right mandibular fracture, bilateral pneumothorax, pulmonary contusions 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. 

‘PNEUMOTHORAX’ 

“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 and European diplomate in small animal surgery, added: “Chucky was initially stabilised with oxygen therapy and pain relief. Thoracic drainage was performed to relieve the pneumothorax, and a feeding tube was placed in his throat for nutritional support. 

“Then, under general anaesthesia, Chucky underwent his first surgery during which his mandibular fracture was repaired and stabilised.

“A few days later, after stabilisation of his pulmonary injuries, he underwent a coeliotomy. This involved his left kidney being gently reduced back into the abdominal cavity and the body wall defect closed. 

“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.”

Owner Emily-Rose Armstrong, from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, 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.

“However, 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.” 

Kentdale Referrals is a specialist-led hospital offering expert services in diagnostic imaging, arthroscopy, anaesthesia, orthopaedic surgery, spinal surgery, soft tissue surgery and physiotherapy.

For more information on Kentdale Referrals, visit www.kentdalevets.co.uk or search for Kentdale Referrals on social media.