Someone shot at my cat with a shotgun and he has 6 pellets in his back and legs.?

Question

Because of the swelling in his back, his back legs are buckling under and semi-dragging. The vet put him on steroids to get the swelling to go down, but it will be 3 or 4 days before we know if he will be able to walk normally again. Has anyone ever had this happen? If so, was your cat able to walk again?

Thanks to everyone for your answers. To the people who keep saying, "Take your cat to the vet," if you'll read the question, you'll see that I already did that. I'm not stupid. How could the vet put him on steroids if I didn't take him?

Answer 1

We had someone shoot our cat with a pellet gun when I was younger, he ended up being paralysed in his rear legs, but he was just as happy as ever and you can buy those carts for them nowadays to help them get around.

Answer 2

Maybe I'm going out on a limb here...Are you in a location where you can pretty much figure out who did this? Like in the country where there aren't many neighbors? What I'm getting at is that POSSIBLY they didn't mean to kill your cat but meant to scare it. Either way, you need to find out who did it for two reasons: (1) to report him to the police, not only for him to pay the consequences for his ignorance but to stop him from doing it again to other animals; (2) this isn't likely, but is there a way to come to an understanding with this person and convince him that your cat is not a stray and to leave him alone should the cat wander there again?

But to answer your immediate question, cats are very resilient and heal remarkably well. He may walk with a limp, but if the vet removed the pellets and there is no infection or nerve damage, I'm hoping he will be OK.

This is just another example of how horribly cruel people are to animals. Every day things like this chip away at my diminishing compassion I have for fellow human beings.

Answer 3

DANG! Im sorry to hear about ur kitty. That NUTCASE should be fined, jailed and shot in the leg with a shotgun himself! See how the F$%#er likes . You've basically did all u can already! You took him to the vet which is the most important thing u could have done. Now its just a matter of making sure u give him extra love and care & just waiting it out really.

Also going bak to sumthing u noted...
Does he still have a few pellets in his leg?? Shouldnt the vet have taken them out? Or r they still waiting for the swelling to go down first!? I'd personally think to take the bullets/pellets out first, then give the medication to reduce swelling! I wouldnt recommend to try and get them out urself if they ARE actually still in there and visible. Plain and simply because ur cat may feel pain and could turn around with scratching u out of being in pain. It all really depends on the kind of nature ur cat has really. Coz mine let me take out a rose thorn once before.
The vet really should have taken them out FIRST in my eyes.

Answer 4

Oh gah I'm so sorry...I'm really glad that you were responsible enough to take your cat to the vet...I see all kinds of stuff where people get on here about their cats tell being broken, their cat peeing blood...etc...I won't go on...I hope he will be able to walk normally again and I hope you'll keep him indoors only from now on too. I've seen and heard lots of things happening to cats and they've lead pretty normal lives...so maybe your kitty will pull through and be fine...if not who cares if he wobbles a bit...just adds to his charm right???

Answer 5

I am sorry to hear about your cat.:(

In our area, a lot of people put poison out because there are so many feral cats roaming around, and a lot of people don't like the cats in their yards.

Every spring, we see at least two or three cats who have been hit by cars and killed.

Wouldn't it be safer to keep your kitty indoors?

Answer 6

not shot, but one of mine was stepped on by a horse. Loved him too much to put him down. After 2 weeks in vets, he came home and he's fine. He walks with a swagger, but he can still jump up on the bed.

Answer 7

Sorry to hear about your cat!!! seems like all you can do now is wait.. i hope the best for him..
as far as for the person who shot him if you know who it is then i would definitely report him either to SPCA or local police there are laws against cruelty to animal and whoever shot him should be held responsible for all medical bills!!!

Answer 8

Take your cat to a vet

Answer 9

I would love to get the person who shot your kittie and hang them up by their neck until dead.... Usually the pellets(unless really deep) can be gotten out by you and a pair of tweezers. Try it and if not.. a vet

Answer 10

First of all my wife and me are sorry about your cat. I believe the cats are more resistive mammals than mankind. If there isn't serious damage at his bones, muscle and swerves he could get better soon. At the moment he will be more coy and waits more care during his convalesce period. I hope he may recover soon.