Friday is not a day we want to relive again, ever. It was the most traumatic day since Dash Kitten was killed.
Discovering Miranda
I heard a couple of cries early in the morning 5.30 a.m. but did not realise what it was until I went and checked outside. Miranda was hidden beneath a large tangled bush and when I moved it out of the way I realised she had a ‘stick’ near her shoulder. This stick turned out to be an arrow that had stuck in her body. I am not going to publish the photos the vet took of Miranda with the arrow in place but these have been sent to the press.
I shouted to Paul, “Get dressed, get the car out. We need to go to the After Hours Vet Now”
Between us we lifted Miranda from the foliage as gently as we could and carried her into the car and laid her on blankets. Then we were off like lightning to the emergency After Hours Vet. We telephoned ahead to let them know to expect us. No time to wash, we just threw on clothes and ran.
The Emergency Vet
The vet staff were ready and whisked her into the back for an assessment and immediate urgent treatment. Miranda’s body temperature was dangerously low and she had lost a lot of blood so she was warmed up and given strong pain relief. We were told she would be going into surgery after her blood pressure increased and she would need a blood transfusion.
After this the vet, Dr Sally, came out and gave us her initial assessment. Miranda was touch and go. Arrow wound survival depends where the arrow goes in, what damage it does and if it can be removed safely. They would need to take x-rays (you can see one of them above). We nodded and tried to ask sensible questions.
Cat Blood Transfusion.
This is a ‘did you know’ moment. Because we had no idea about this.
- Miranda had a transfusion to replace her lost blood and it was donated by the vet’s dog. Yes, you read that right – dog blood can replace cat blood for transfusions.
- Dog blood lasts longer. Cat blood only lasts two days! It does not keep.
- Miranda (and every cat) can only have ONE dog blood transfusion because of antibody build up.
We were told to go home and come back at After Hours closing time (9 a.m.) to collect Miranda for transfer to our own local vet. The After Hours surgery works overnight, not during the day and we were happy to transfer her to our vet as he is a real cat man.
We arrived to find that Miranda had come through her surgery successfully and Dr Sally explained the surgery they had performed as well as showing us an x-ray of the arrow in place which had been taken after Miranda was anaesthetised. Our blood ran cold.
The arrow had entered in front of her shoulder, travelled along damaging her shoulder blade (scapula) and clipping off the tops of some of the bones on top of her spine. She had been unbelievably lucky and the vet had been able to take the arrow out safely.
- We took the arrow with us to report to the police. I am not sure they would be able to do anything but we needed Miranda’s attack to be on the police records.
Taking Miranda To Our Vet
Miranda was transported to our own vets and placed in the kitten incubator. Dr Alix said she would be resting at a cosy C28/F82 and they would monitor her throughout the day before deciding if she needed to stay overnight.
Thankfully after a very long and traumatic day we were able to collect Miranda to bring her home at 6.30 p.m. The vet surgery believed she was strong enough to cope with cage rest at home. She has strong pain killers to be administered twice a day.
Miranda had been shaved while at the After Hours surgery. She looks dramatically ‘punky’ from her front shoulder across her back, dramatically different from our tuxedo girl’s usual confident and sleek black and white self. On the positive side, we saw her first sign of recovery when she hissed at Toulouse as he passed her crate. (Toulouse teases her when they are out in the garden and she hadn’t forgotten!)
Miranda at Home
While we waited for Miranda to be out of surgery I informed my local lost and found pets group on Facebook. I gave a general area of the attack’s location to warn as many people as possible. I wanted everyone to know that pets were at risk after dark. It was at this point a neighbour told me their beloved cat had been found dead some time before. So, this was not the first attack, and I have a good idea of the direction the killers came from so I will be contacting the relevant people over the coming days.
I am also updating the After Hours vets about Miranda’s progress as dealing with the event must have been as traumatic for them as it was for us. I was able to tell them that alongside her pain relief she had managed to eat a portion of smoked salmon this morning. We also think that she seems to be planning her first escape from her crate.
Everyone here knows how amazing their vets are when put to the test. We are deeply grateful to Dr Sally and Sam at the After Hours Vets, and Dr Alix and the staff at Valley Cottage Vets here in Stokes Valley.
I want to end on a positive note. Miranda is home, and on the road to recovery. She will get the best of care and the insurance (thankfully) covers a portion of the large bill. Here is our girl in her summer prime.
Marjorie
Marjorie is a motorbike riding blogger and award winning cat photographer who believes that everyone can create impressive cat photographs and fun movies with the camera they carry.
She is a Professional Member of the Cat Writers Association, Kuykendall Image Award winner and published photographer at the Guardian newspaper.
Lots of POTPs for Miranda!
Thank you Susan.
I know how hard these last few days have been for all of you. Thank you for posting this detailed account and for letting us know how Miranda is doing – I love that she gave Toulouse some sass, that’s a great sign! You’re taking such good care of her and she is looking so much better. You’re an amazing cat mom! What a fascinating bit of information about Cat and Dog blood transfusions, I had no idea.
Yes, I had no idea about blood transfusions but it is so important isn’t it!
How frightening! I’m glad you were able to get her help so quickly. I hope they catch whomever did this horrific thing to your beautiful kitty.
We can hope Kathy, thank you.
OMD, how horrible! We send your sweet Miranda tons of AireZen and healing vibes and huge hugs to you♥
Molly, I know it’s making her better!
We are horrified to hear dear Miranda has been attacked. She’s in our prayers for full recovery.
Thank you Dori. Your prayers area big help, she is trying to escape her crate.
I am so, so sorry that you’re dealing with this nightmare. I can only imagine how hard it has been on everyone emotionally and mentally, let alone Miranda’s physical recovery. I am so happy she has such a loving support system that will make sure that she receives all the care she needs. Sending love and support from Canada.
Thank you so much Britt.
I am so angry at whoever did this. Who WOULD do this? That aside, I am so glad she’s healing and feeling better.
No vey many people are just horrified at these maniacs! She is definitely feeling a bit better!
It’s so terrible – sending Miranda lotsa POTP.
Thank you Travis and Family.
Sending purryers and Power of the Paw to keep Miranda on her healing path. So glad she was able to get home so you found her quickly.
Anyone who buses an animal should be punished in the same way the animal as hurt.
What a horrible thing to have happen to Miranda! And sadly the person responsible probably will never be found. Thank goodness you found her when you did and that the amazing vet was able to help her. Sending many purrs and prayers that Miranda makes a quick and full recovery.
Absolutely horrific! I hope the local police find these unfit for society humans soon! I’m so happy that Miranda is recovering at home. She is a strong kitty. And you and Paul are wonderful to have heard her and acted so quickly. Thank goodness the After Hours vet had a dog to use for the transfusion. I hadn’t heard that either. Such a nightmare of a journey for you all. Your regular vet is terrific for taking over her care and doing a great job as I doubt this injury is something they see often. I can’t imagine your neighbor having lost her kitty to an arrow. Truly heartbreaking! These people MUST be stopped! I know you’ll find them. You are amazingly strong! I’m keeping you all in my prayers. I can’t wait to hear about Miranda’s updates and the updates on finding these idiots!
I am still upset about our neighbour. We are a reasonably close bunch of people and know each other to chat to or nod. I have taken some lovely photos of the cat who passed.
Miranda, we hope your recovery is swift, not to swift tho, so that something gets overlooked. We send the many
blessings of St Francis to you and may he watch over every day along your road to recovery. We are so very
sorry, and we have “words” for the bass terd that did this to you, but since this is not our blog, we will keep them
in our minds eye. May the P.O.S. that did this to you and the other kitty in your neighborhood, die a thousand deaths,
and may each one be worse than the one before. We send hugs and love to you and mum as dad as well, please
excuse if this comment is repeated, we can’t seem to “post” it. ♥♥♥
we know mum and dad and your awesome vets will do everything to help you; 984 PAWZ UP to the vets that
helped you ♥♥♥ ok, bye now…..have some trout soup !!
OMC you poor girl. What a horrible story, unbelievable that someone can do that to a living creature :'( We send Healing Pawkisses and Purrayers to recover soon, sweet Miranda and we hope your mom and dad find the one who did this to you🙏🐾😽💞
So sorry to hear about Miranda so glad she’s back at home what a terrible ordeal to go through. Hugs and kisses to everyone.xx🐈⬛🐾
It’s good to hear that Miranda is doing so well. We send tons of purrs for a fast, easy, complete recovery. I’m still so shocked that anyone could do this and I hope they can be apprehended before they do any further harm.
I am so happy that you and Paul got her to the emergency place so quickly. The Vet teams did an amazing job getting her squared away. I hope the evil ones who did that can be caught, it’s absolutely horrible. Purrs and prayers to your sweetie from all of us. If you want, you can send me a photo and we can get a Purrs and Power of the Paw Badge done for her.
OMC Miss Marjorie what an ordeel fore you an hubby an deer Miranda….mee cannot even emegin THE pain from an arrow!! Thanx Sky Cat fore such wundefull Vet’ss where youss’ are!!
Sending oodles of POTP an purrayerss an LOVE an white lite of healin!!!
***paw kissess*** BellaDharma an {{{hugss}}} BellaSita Mum
I just can’t imagine what kind of sick individual would actually shoot an arrow at a cat. I am so, so sorry but glad you heard her and we’re able to get her to the vet. Sending much love!
Poor Miranda. I am praying she heals quickly and this never happens again to her or any kitty. I hope you can figure out who did it and prosecute. XO
Marjorie, this is horrific news. I do hope the press have a field day, and that someone comes forward to reveal what person did this to a sweet feline. Goodness only knows what or WHO such an individual may target next! Bad karma to them, and no mistake.
Paws crossed for a speedy recovery to all.
ERin & Mrs H.
We are horrified and hope that the Great Cat in the Sky has the Evil Humans who did this inscribed for a hefty dose of Karma!
We are so relieved that Miranda is on the road to recovery and send her healing purrs.
What an awful thing to happen……scary and senseless and unimaginably cruel as well. Whoever did this has no heart or soul. So very happy Miranda survived and her will to live was so strong she made it back home to wait for you to find her. Teddy and I send hugs to you and Miranda and hope that somehow the heartless person who did this WILL be found and suitably punished. Healing hugs to your sweet Miranda……..
Love, Pam and Teddy too
That is absolutely horrific! You reap what you sow, and I hope it comes back with a vengeance on that evil person. I am glad the arrow was successfully removed and that Miranda is back home with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are so grateful she is home and with us.
Marjorie and Paul, we were angry and appalled to read that some sick human would do something like this. There is a special place in Hell for humans like them. I sure they get caught — and get what is coming to them.
We are happy to hear that Miranda is on the road to recovery. We are sending love, light, and purr and prayers for her, and for both of you. Please do keep us posted. XO
I will keep everyone informed!
What a horrible nightmare. I hope they catch the person, but there are more ways to pay in this world than being arrested.
You are right Ruby Rose.