Occasionally, odd things fall from the sky, even unfortunate ground dwelling animals snatched up by a bird of prey. Although not as bizarre as a 600 pound cow falling on a car! Yes, that DID happen. But smaller animals are often in the same plight when they are spotted by larger birds.
One of the most common small animals that may find themselves in this situation are poor tiny kittens. Whether they are ferals, abandoned or primarily outdoor family cats, there are many aerial predators lurking above them.
In Northern Illinois, fluffy little kitten Sammy found himself in this position when a bird tried to make him lunch!
Likely scooped up by a hawk or owl, Sammy fell to the ground after perhaps wiggling out of the birds sharp talons. He was found loudly mewing and crying under a bush. His rescuers contacted a local rescue group ASAP-ANIMAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, INC.
ASAP rushed Sammy to Companion Animal Specialty & Emergency Hospital for an exam and x-rays. Luckily he did not have any broken bones, but he was suffering from multiple wounds. He has puncture wounds to his back from the bird snatching him up. And his poor little face was torn/ripped on his lip.
Further exam at ASAP’s veterinary partner Pet Vet Animal Clinic and Mobile Practice, Ltd revealed a severely damaged shoulder with possible permanent muscle and nerve damage. This is medically diagnosed as brachial plexus avulsion.
The team held out hope for improvement before any thoughts of amputation of the limb are entertained. Sammy’s age, size and possible blood loss would all need to be considered but this would be worst case scenario. =(
Meanwhile Sammy is staying at the Pet Vet clinic and getting a lot of attention after his bird attack.
If you would like to donate to ASAP and help Sammy with his ER bills and future surgery, check out their website here. (Previous story-2018)
So while many cats are free to roam or made to live the feral lifestyle not of their choosing, please make sure they are safe! Birds of prey are not the only dangers they face in the outside world.
When in doubt, don’t let them out!
Thank you to our friends at ASAP for helping the community cats! We are grateful of what you do and glad to have been able to help at the recent and ongoing hoarding situation. Keep up the great work!
Don’t amputate on this sweet, small soul. Find a surgical way to fix the shoulder or an attachment that will allow the little one to live a good life with assistance. PLEASE.
I’m positive they will do EVERYTHING in their power to avoid amputation!
At his age he would adapt just fine with having the leg removed. All vets would do their best to avoid such things but if it comes to it then they have to do what’s best. Just because it has one less leg doesn’t mean it’s quality of life is any less.
The brachial plexus is the bundle of nerves running into the foreleg at the shoulder. If it’s damaged badly enough the kitten would have no motion or feeling in the leg. I’m sure they’re waiting to see how it heals in such a young cat.
This is so sad and scary! I hope everyone will keep their kitties indoors and if you can help the feral cats and their little babies, we need to do our best to try and keep them healthy and safe!
We live in the middle of a National Forest in Arkansas. We rescue dogs and cats and we currently have 7 cats. All our critters have access to the outside at their will. We have 5 exit/entrance doors to allow access to the house for them at any time. The problem is that with living in the deep woods, we also have as neighbors, Eagles, Hawks, and the hardest to deal with (bc it’s at night when we are sleeping) are the Great Horned Owl. Every night we hear the calls…. and the best defense we have found so far is the ringing of an old school bell that we have (don’t think the neighbors like that) But, we have had to treat wounds on kitty tails when they have been grabbed up and wiggled loose,,, no deaths (thank goodness) and we wish no harm to the owls, but sure could use some advise. Blessings Be to those who take the time to listen for the cries, to look between the bushes and lend a helping hand to a hurting paw.
Keep them in at night?
Unfortunately these animals are not only at risk during the night hours, but stray and feral cats don’t have an “indoors” to protect them =(
Hi why not shut the cats in at night!?
The only way to ensure their safety is not to allow them outside — not unless you build a securely screened-in area with a strong screen roof. Your efforts are admirable, but if you allow them to roam freely you are exposing them to the same perils from which they were rescued in the first place. Good luck!
Thank goodness the poor kitten didn’t end up being dinner! I pray for healing and a good indoor home for this baby…
Please can you keep me updated about Sammy’s condition
I had a cat who was hit by a car (and another who was shot, back when I let my cats outside) and they both had no feeling from the shoulder down because the bone broke/bb penetrated the skin and hit the brachial plexus. Within about 3 days they both started to get feeling back and eventually recovered totally. The nerve/nerve sheath was just grazed and swollen, not severed in both cases. YAY!
Vets will always do their best to help the kitten keep its leg. If it’s permanently paralyzed, the best choice is amputation. Here’s how my vet described it (Warning: kind of gross.) Cats are carnivores. If a cat can’t feel part of their body, eventually it will get a wound and since it is “meat,” they’ll eventually chew on it and that invites bleeding and infection. Not good. So sometimes amputation is the best option. At this kitten’s age, it will adapt really quickly if amputation is required.
One last anecdote: We had a kitten who had a missing foot when we found her. It just wouldn’t heal. We had to have her leg amputated because of infection. Within a couple of weeks, she could run up a flight of stairs in LESS THAN 3 SECONDS. That girl tore around the house like a normal kitten, who harassed our other cats to no end. And animals don’t know they’re different or “handicapped” so there’s no emotional issues with it.
In other words, I trust that the kitty is in good hands, and they’ll do what’s best for him so that he has a happy life.
Hi, Chris!
I am so glad Sammy is okay! I seriously thought his front left paw had to have been broken, maybe in more than one place!
There are many physical therapies now available to cats, and many other animals, in the U. S.. Even warm water walking and swimming therapy can have positive effects for cats!
Please keep us posted on Sammy’s recovery and, prayerfully, his adoption!
In Christ,
Sue
Is there any news about the kitten?
Don’t see anything on the organizations website so we’ll see if we can find anything out. He may still be healing and in foster care.
Me and my family have a strict rule of not letting my cat out after dark because of losing our other cat by letting her out after dark and she never returned our theory is that she was ether picked up by a bird or coyote or some one because she lost her collar before then.get well soon poor Sammy he’s so little he doesn’t deserve this
I am waiting also to hear of Sammy’s condition!!! An update would be greatly appreciated!
Thank God this little guy is ok! Please, keep your kitties inside!! Help over- population; spay and neuter your pets! 🙂
I’m just seeing this story. Was there ever an update on Sammy?
Thank God, Sammy is okay, I have two rescue cats, that I would never let go outside because I want to keep them safe, one is neutered and the other is spayed. They are my babies and I love them both. Sam & Samantha 🐈🐈⬛💕