Rosa, the badly injured cats’ story is heartbreaking. but her rescuer’s ongoing care to mend her face and body is nothing short of astonishing. The kitty arrived at the UK’s Bradford Cat Watch Rescue & Sanctuary with horrifying burns to her head, face, and all four legs. They believe someone may have covered her in toxic fiberglass epoxy resin.
Initially, they thought she got into it on her own. Then, as the full extent of the injuries was revealed, they thought it might be deliberate abuse. We won’t share the shocking pictures of her legs and other injuries, but suffice it to say, it’s miraculous how she healed.
Her care required more “time, care, emotions and finances” than any previous rescue. She also needed groundbreaking eye surgeries.
Images via Facebook/Bradford Cat Watch Rescue & Sanctuary
⚠️ Warning: Images may be disturbing to some viewers.
Rosa arrived around 16 weeks old. She had a poor prognosis, among the sickest cats they had ever attempted to save. At first, they didn’t think she’d survive the first night.
“Malnourished, emaciated, dehydrated, hypothermic, awful substance on her skin and sores in her mouth. At this stage it is impossible to piece together exactly what has happened to this poor girl. She is around 16 weeks old and in shocking condition,” the rescue shared.
Hours Removing Muddy Toxic Resin
The rescuers spent hours removing the strange mud-like substance from her body. They diligently removed a “hideous substance,” trialing a natural solution and cotton swab. In addition, she required heavy bandages on all legs while the extreme chemical burns healed. Somehow, her paws and eyes avoided more serious injury.
Four days later, Rosa was improving bit by bit. Since she couldn’t blink, they applied lubricating eye gel every hour around the clock. They were guardedly hoping for her recovery.
“She is comfortable and very receptive to love and kindness. We are literally taking things hour by hour and dealing with things as they arise.”
Rosa Somehow Could Still See
Saving Rosa required teams of veterinary specialists to perform procedures which had never been done before! They pulled out all the stops to ensure she had the best chance for a happy life. Following multiple expensive surgeries covered by donations, Rosa is recovering eyesight and will hopefully be able to blink. Nobody could believe she has kept her eyesight!
Rescuers Nursed Rosa Around the Clock
When rescuers took in Rosa, they began nursing her around the clock for many weeks. They were immediately amazed by how brave she was. For weeks, she needed intravenous fluids. Also, they changed her bandages multiple times daily. She earned the nickname ‘Sassypants’ for her cute attitude.
The doctors used specialized silicone dressings made for plastic surgeons while she remained in the Critical Care Ward intensive care.
Bradford Cat Watch Rescue & Sanctuary founder Katie Lloyd with Rosa the kitty.
Playful and Loving Despite Everything
Despite her horrifying injuries, she remained playful and loving. Everyone she met fell in love, and they knew her recovery expenses were worth every penny. Every day, there was a breakthrough in her ongoing recovery process.
“Rosa can certainly see and loves playing with her toys,”
Everyone involved in her care …. and beyond is so invested and totally rooting for her recovery.” the rescue shared.
Rosa with her toy, Fliss the Flamingo.
A Long Road of Recovery Breakthroughs for Rosa
Over a week later, Rosa had another “recovery breakthrough,” no longer needing her IV fluids. She looked like a little fox with the bushiest orange tail but would need ongoing expensive care for many months to fully recover.
Throughout her veterinary care, this kitty was brave and only wanted to cuddle.
“Rosa was more interested in snuggles and purrs today at her daily clinic appointment. I cannot describe how brave this little lady is.”
After three weeks, Rosa stood up on her own for the first time. After nine weeks, she no longer needed her leg bandages.
“Look at our beautiful and brave Rosa as she continues along her road to recovery.”
Rosa stands for the first time.
Groundbreaking Eye Surgeries
At 13 weeks, Rosa’s head wound and legs were almost fully healed, but she still needed special eye surgeries. Leading eye surgeons took on groundbreaking procedures for the kitty.
“The tissue around the eye was completely reconstructed. A wedge was removed to create a ” normal” eyelid, and a flap of skin was rotated to provide a base for healing,” they explained.
Rosa’s 3-hour groundbreaking eye surgery
Once more, this kitty beat the odds and survived, and she has continued to pull through her follow-up surgeries too!
“Against the odds, Rosa has fought an almost impossible battle, and in this time, her healing has been miraculous.”
The Future is Looking Rosy for Rosa
In the latest update, Rosa survived a complex surgery that lasted for three hours. She did great and continues to look better, thanks to all the specialists and people who “relentlessly donate” for her care. She’s made an ameowzing transformation!
They hope she’ll be ready to find her forever home one day, but it’s a long road ahead.
“Look how amazing she looks already! We are so very fortunate to have such a dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable veterinary team Northcote Veterinary Surgery.”
For more, you can follow Rosa’s progress on Bradford Cat Watch Rescue & Sanctuary’s Instagram and Facebook.
A video by BBC Yorkshire featuring Bradford Cat Watch’s Katie Lloyd:
