Update on Mr Grumpy & Fila

Two of our resident cats, Mr Grumpy and Fila, also had veterinary treatment earlier this year.

Mr Grumpy

Our darling, iconic Mr Grumpy, with his incredibly long, ginger fur, is 10 years old and if we could change his name, we would! When he arrived as a grumpy teenager, it was a fitting title, but the years have mellowed him and though we’re stuck with the name, he’s now affectionately called Mr G or simply G by our volunteers. He has suffered from urinary issues for many years, but this is normally managed by a special urinary diet and supplements, with occasional vet stays. Earlier this year, however, he developed a urinary blockage, a medical emergency that required him to be catheterised. Even the smallest catheter proved difficult to insert and it was discovered that his urethra was too narrow, making it painful and almost impossible to urinate. This required a surgical fix, a procedure known as a perineal urethrostomy. It’s been a great success and after a period of recuperation in our hospital wing, wearing the dreaded cone of shame, we are happy to report that Mr G has made a full recovery and is now enjoying his outdoor freedom once more.

Fila

Sweet, miniature Fila is a year old now and in her short life has already been back and forth to the vet several times for various reasons. So it was no surprise when we found out she was FIV+.

Earlier this year, she was struggling to eat so she returned once more to the vet who diagnosed painful ulcers on her tongue and an infection. She was weak and we were very worried. IV fluids and antibiotics got her back on track and she returned to us to continue antibiotic treatment at home for gingivitis. She proved to be a model patient, loving the attention and extra cuddles. We were glad to see her eating comfortably once more and her energy levels return. Sadly , the gingivitis is chronic, which means we can expect more flare-ups in the future. Chronic gingivitis and stomatitis are common conditions among stray cats, particularly if they are also FIV+, and one option we are looking at for Fila is full-mouth extraction. Removing all the teeth sounds pretty drastic, but is often the best course of action to relieve mouth pain and discomfort.

But that’s in the future! For now, Fila is happy and healthy once more. She’s eating well, taking her vitamin supplements and is a playful little girl, blissfully unaware that she is smaller than the others, especially when she boldly play-tackles her playmates. We’ll keep you updated on her future treatments.

For info: FIV+ and non-FIV cats can happily and safely live together if they are sterilised and appreciate each other (the virus is transmitted by blood and when they mate).

Fila is back to her playful self!