Arrow Safely Removed; Cat Appears it Will Make Comeback
Riverside County Animal Services veterinary team members performed emergency care this morning on a cat that was rushed to the shelter with an arrow that had penetrated its body.
A city of Perris animal control officer brought the cat to the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. The 2- year-old male domestic shorthair was alert, meowing and obviously suffering.
“He was alert, vocal and in pain,” Dr. Sara Strongin said.
Dr. Strongin and her team anesthetized the cat and safely removed the arrow. She said she and her colleagues are cautiously optimistic the cat will make a recovery.
“The arrow entered in his left shoulder and traveled through his muscles and exited in his lower chest area,near his sternum,” Dr. Strongin said.
Had the arrow entered his chest cavity, the animal would have been in much more distress, she said.
“The question now is whether there is any internal damage that we cannot see on the initial X-ray,” she said.
Plus, the cat’s left, front leg is fractured above its elbow. It will need to be surgically repaired by anorthopedic surgeon or, possibly, amputated.
“The majority of the trauma was sustained in the left front leg and shoulder, as evidenced by the fracture,” Dr. Strongin said. “But, still, we cannot rule out any potential internal injury.”
Perris Animal Control officers are uncertain who shot the cat, but they welcome any tips or information that could result in an animal cruelty investigation and prosecution. The phone number for Perris Animal Control is 951-657-4134.
“We will assist our counterparts in Perris in any way we can to see that the cruel person who did this is held accountable,” said Riverside County Animal Services' Frank Corvino, a deputy director who oversees theField Services Division. “It’s a heinous act when someone purposely harms any animal causing serious - and sometimes - fatal injuries.”
Shortly before 1 p.m., the cat remained in recovery mode. He is on medications and antibiotics and is also on IV fluids.
“I think he’s extremely lucky that the arrow did not do more damage,” Dr. Strongin said. “It will be very satisfying and rewarding if he goes on to live a happy, healthy life in a new home.”
