BC SPCA East Kootenay is seeking donations to cover medical and care costs for an injured cat found nearly frozen to death outside Cranbrook.
The 12-year old male cat, named Wilson by SPCA staff, was found up a logging road almost frozen in place.
Wilson’s wounds need surgery to remove dead and rotting tissue around his stomach and abdomen and his tail to be amputated.
SPCA animal care supervisor Tia Yakimovitch says the injuries were likely caused by an animal and exacerbated by the cold.
“Because it’s on the chest maybe [it was a] kind of wood, maybe he impaled himself with wood or something along those lines,” Yakimovitch says. “But I would says that the intial injury was caused by something else [besides the cold].”
Yakimovitch says after his initial surgery Wilson developed additional wounds caused by the cold on his leg and tail.
“What the vet suspects is they are a thermal injury similar to frostbite,” she says. “And as he was coming out of that thermal state they started to open themselves up and exposes themselves.”
The SPCA says Wilson has maintained a friendly attitude while in recovery, they are accepting donations to cover medication, wound care, surgery, neutering and daily care before he is ready to be adopted.
View more information from BC SPCA East Kootenay here or below:
Found nearly frozen.
How did this senior kitty survive?
Wilson was found by his rescuers, 14km up a logging road while they were out collecting wood.
They spotted an odd shape nestled in the snow and to their surprise found this 12-year-old boy almost frozen in place.
They rushed him into BC SPCA care.
They had saved him from certain death, and you can help save him too.
On arrival, shelter staff immediately noticed the strong smell of rotting flesh coming from an open wound on his stomach.
Incredibly, Wilson was still a friendly gentleman of a cat, asking to sit on laps while they called the local vet.
He must have been in agony with each shallow breath.
Wilson needed emergency surgery to address the open wound and the vet texted shelter staff later that evening: “The wound was much more involved than we could initially tell. Under his skin, all over his belly, there was a ton of dead/rotting tissue and debris, and the wound went into his abdomen. I removed a lot of his subcutaneous tissue and sutured up his abdomen before closing the new wound.”
Post emergency surgery, it wasn’t long before new wounds started opening up across his entire body.
First it was a leg lesion, then an open wound on his tail.
The vet believes Wilson has been experiencing thermal injuries due to being trapped out in freezing conditions.
His body was desperately trying to repair itself, but in the process he needed multiple wounds stitched and bandaged.
His tail was so extreme it had to be amputated all together…
What’s truly amazing has been Wilson’s sweet heart throughout his journey with us.
He still gets up to greet any people at his kennel door, he seeks out head pets with the sweetest wee boops and shares his gratitude with his high pitched voice.
He is always ready for a hug and has not let anything get him down.
Do you know an animal just like Wilson – with a fighting nature and love to give.
Animals have so much compassion for us, will you share yours with this senior today?
Personal updates for Wilson will be provided to anyone who donates to his care.
*Goal includes: medication, wound care, surgery, neuter and daily care for Wilson until he’s ready for adoption.
If his medical costs and cost of care is less than is raised in his name, additional funds will provide care for other animals.
– Article contains statement and photos from BC SPCA East Kootenay
– Tia Yakimovitch, SPCA animal care supervisor
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