My Cat’s Been Shot
It’s a sad fact but airgun attacks on cats are very common. I’ve read numerous news reports this year and it would appear attacks on the rise. The RSPCA received a total of 197 calls regarding airgun attacks in 2007 and the figures are set to be greater for 2008.
Cats can suffer greatly from an airgun attack as they don’t carry as much body fat as dogs for example. They are therefore at greater risk of suffering internal damage as a result. For vets it can be a challenge to locate the pellet. Often they may operate but if the pellet isn’t causing any problems they may leave it alone rather than anaesthetise the cat.
The biggest risk to the cat is infection. This is caused by the pellet dragging fur into the wound. If a soft organ is penetrated such as the liver the cat can develop peritonitis.
If you suspect your cat has been shot here’s what to do:
Try to locate the point of entry. You can identify the wound by an almost perfect circular hole at about 5mm in diameter. It is likely to have burnt or reddened edges.
Check for any tufts of fur protruding from the wound.
Contact your vet immediately to discuss what you should do next.
If you can’t locate a wound but your cat is acting strangely or not allowing its stomach to be touched again contact your vet immediately. Your cat could be suffering from peritonitis.
Some things I've noticed