Two weeks ago I posted on this forum our cat had gone walk-a-bout, well tonight he returned very skinny and hungry with a back paw missing and a very swollen leg, it looks like he had been caught in a gin trap. I have heard one of our neighbours about 500 metres away has some set for possums but I'm not sure! He is booked in to the vet for 9am tomorrow morning we just hope he doesn't need his whole leg amputated.
To Birman Babe if you read this I will have to acquiesce you are so right we will now keep him in at nights. I saw "Dr Harry" (that Aussie vet TV program) last week and he too advised keeping cats in at night time saying 90% of the dilemmas cats get into happen at night, even though they may be pissed off for a month or 6 weeks they'll get used to being shut in at nights and besides I dont think he will be that hunter explorer he used to be.
Thanks again to those who earlier had shown concern for us.
Now sold block, of no fixed abode, building new house. Darling wife has passed 1 year ago.
Rod - that is awesome you have him home and now the chance to get him well. Delighted for you as it could have been a fatal if he hadn't got himself out.
As regards the neighbour with gin traps - no way in hell. They would be illegal and if it were me, even if you are not letting your cat out again at night, I would be making it my business to find out exactly what he is using and ensuring they are taken off him. That is disgusting! How many other animals have to die in agony? There are proper traps for possums if that is what he is after.
Would be interesting to see if the Vet can tell what caused the injury but it is probably a bit far fetched. If only he could talk!
Yep, they are illegal. If you have heard rumors that he is using them, and after this with your cat i would be advising police/spca/maf to see if they can follow up...
That is excellent news and I'm sure you are hugely relieved. Don't despair if he does have to have part or all of the leg amputated as cats adapt very well to being three legged. One cat I knew relearnt how to shimmy up a tree and jump to the top of a 6ft retaining wall with the same feline grace and ease as his four legged counterparts.
Gin traps - gross things and have been illegal for many years. We found some in the shed when we moved here and Kevin gas axed them into unuseable bits and they went to the dump. If the vet is reasonably sure the injury was caused by a gin trap I too would be following Shaun's advice and taking it further. Not only for other cats but for any animal that is caught in one of these things.
OMG the poor cat, report the b#!!$%%! that caused this to happen to him! I'm so please that he founf his way back to his parents for help. He probably will never go far from you ever again. Hope the vet can sort him out and there is no blood poisoning injury.
kats
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Oh Rod, thats just terrible.
Cats do very well on 3 legs so I wouldnt be too worried if the whole leg had to come off. And, yes, I think his hunting days are over
You need to find out who's setting them & get the council/police/SPCA (whoever) involved. If you have a local SPCA I would def. inform them.
Blar*y gin taps ! yes, they they are illegal!!!!!
Glad you have the cat back... sorry to hear he hadnt meant to stay away so long, lotsa love and cuddles to get over the horrible experience.. and yes go the B****** for having such a thing
Gin traps are hideous things! I'm with everyone else and think you should follow up on your suspicions. Particularly as your neighbour doesn't appear to be checking them all that often[}]
Strange how much you've got to know, Before you know how little you know.
Animals have been known to chew their own leg off in an attempt to release themselves. Had dealings with cats injured in those barbaric traps years ago while working for SPCA.
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