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Cat Discovered With Protruding Metal Rod Tabby Mix Likely Had Recent Surgery

December 20, 2016

TUESDAY, DEC. 20, 2016 – A Good Samaritan brought in a feisty cat that has been discovered with a metal rod protruding from its body.

The cat, an almost 2-year-old brown tabby mix, came into the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter last Tuesday, Dec. 13.

The Good Samaritan said the cat must have jumped inside her minivan when she and her family were unloading items during a recent visit to Hunter Park in Riverside. The woman said she was able to load the tabby inside a pet carrier she had back at her Moreno Valley home.

But once the cat was at the shelter, employees could not properly examine the cat because he did not want to be handled. On Saturday, it appeared the cat was much calmer and Veterinary Services Division team members gave the cat a full examination.

That’s when a metal rod was discovered protruding from its right hind leg. As odd as that may seem, the rod was likely placed there by a veterinary surgeon to repair a fractured femur, possibly after the cat suffered such an injury from a fall or being hit by a car, said Riverside County Veterinarian Dr. Sara Strongin.

“After the bone heals properly, the rod is then removed,” Dr. Strongin said. “It is our belief that someone spent a fair amount of money to repair their pet’s injury.”

Such an operation could range from $800 to $1,500, depending on the costs charged by the clinic, said Dr. Allan Drusys, Riverside County’s chief veterinarian. Unfortunately, he said, the owner did not microchip their cat, so shelter employees are not able to reach out to the owner.

“It is our hope that our public outreach to the media can help us reunite this pet with the rightful owner,” he said. “Certainly the owner spent some money to get this cat the proper care he deserved. It would be wonderful to make a reunion happen soon.”

The cat’s animal ID is A-1333514. The rightful owner should plan to bring some type of proof of ownership, such as the recent medical bill from their veterinarian.