The 11-week-old that was found on a rural road outside Fort St. John will need amputation surgery and daily care before she can be adopted
A stray kitten with a devastating leg injury is on the mend after being rescued from a northern B.C. roadside.
The 11-week-old kitten, which was given the name Cola by SPCA staff, was found on a rural road in Montney, about 24 kilometres north of Fort St. John.
“Her leg was ‘de-gloved,’ meaning that the skin and the tissue on her leg were removed,” said Sara Hamanishi, manager of the B.C. SPCA’s North Peace animal centre.
Her finders rushed Cola to a veterinary clinic where she was kept overnight to be given fluids, pain medication and an X-ray of her leg. The vet got in touch with the SPCA centre in Fort St. John.
“We were happy to take Cola into our care and cover the costs of her treatment,” said Hamanishi.
The vet’s exam showed that Cola had no nerve function in her leg and it would need to be amputated.
“Her leg was bandaged, and she was put on kennel rest until she can have the surgery,” said Hamanishi. “She needs frequent bandage changes here at the animal centre to help keep her leg from getting infected.”
It isn’t known what caused the injury, but de-gloving sometimes happens when a cat is hit by a car or is attacked by an animal. Its severity doesn’t seem to faze the kitten, however.
“Cola is a delightful kitten with a sweet and snuggly personality who loves cuddling,” she said. “She is playful and spirited and enjoys her toys.”
Hamanishi said Cola is also “remarkably tolerant during bandage changes, highlighting her trusting nature and her resilience.” She called the kitten “an inspiration.”
“She is such a little fighter with the strongest spirit. She is up for any challenge she faces.”