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Rescued mama cat Peggy faced a near-death illness but has recovered after a complicated surgery.

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A holiday miracle

By Mandy Lichtmann

Published 12:09 PST, Tue December 8, 2020

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

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In October, RAPS received a call from a Good Samaritan after she spotted a stray mama cat with six newborn kittens on a dilapidated central Richmond property slated for demolition. RAPS’ team went out immediately to trap the feral cat and kittens, something RAPS has been doing in Richmond for 25 years. Peggy, the mama cat, and her babies were picked up and brought to the RAPS Animal Shelter. Despite surviving outside while pregnant, birthing her kittens and keeping them healthy and well-fed while facing the outdoor elements and all the associated dangers, Peggy and her babies were somewhat famished but seemed to be in good health, all things considered. Peggy is missing about half of one hind leg. We aren’t sure if the partial missing limb is the result of a fight with a raccoon or an accident or if she was born like that.

As with all our pregnant mamas and mamas with kittens, Peggy and her crew were taken into the home of a foster family. My family was thrilled to provide a safe, warm and quiet space for this delightful little family—the sixth litter we have fostered in the past year. At first Peggy was quite distrustful and hissed at people. Eventually she and the kittens settled in comfortably. We aren’t sure if Peggy had mothered other litters prior to this one but she was an expert, loving mama and over time felt at ease with her human fosters. The kittens grew, gained motor skills, and became little sweet hooligans over the weeks. Everything went as perfectly as one could hope for this awesome little family.

Then, only two days before Peggy and her kittens were due to have their medical exams at the RAPS Animal Hospital to be deemed “fit for adoption,” Peggy suddenly began to vomit and refuse food. She was taken to the RAPS Animal Hospital first thing the next morning and it was clear this poor, sweet girl was in a life-threatening state. Following diagnostic tests, emergency exploratory surgery was performed by Dr. Roey Kestelman. A section of Peggy’s bowel was obliterated, her abdominal cavity filled with fecal matter and she was on the verge of dying. It is presumed that Peggy had ingested a foreign body that worked its way through her intestines and caused massive and traumatic damage prior to coming to foster care. Peggy may have eaten something sharp while trying to survive on the streets.

The three-hour surgery performed on Peggy was extensive, resulting in the removal of 23 centimeters of her bowel and reattachment of the severed pieces. After the lengthy and risky surgery, Peggy was fitted with a feeding tube so her bowel could heal. She underwent several sessions in the hyperbaric oxygen therapy facility at the RAPS Animal Hospital to assist in healing—the only such treatment available in Canada for animals. She was by no means out of the woods following her surgery. With such a huge trauma to her insides and an intricate and complicated surgery, there is always fear of leakage from the reconnected bowel, which could at best, lead to a second surgery or worse, death. Peggy’s prognosis was that the trauma was so severe she most likely would not survive.

Over the next week, Peggy received 24/7 care, with IV fluids, medications and a lot of loving care. We are thrilled to let you know Peggy’s recovery has been nothing but spectacular! This girl is a fighter and, so far, she has had no further complications and is healing exceptionally well. Her feeding tube has been removed and she has a voracious appetite. She is being doted on by the loving medical team at the hospital and it looks like it won’t be long now until Peggy is discharged and returns to the RAPS Shelter to prepare to find her forever home.

We feel so fortunate that RAPS has the facilities to care for a complicated case like Peggy’s, through the RAPS Animal Hospital. In many other jurisdictions or in the care of other organizations, she might have faced euthanasia. Instead, she has a long life filled with love ahead of her. Peggy is why RAPS exists and exemplifies our no-kill mandate.

Mandy Lichtmann is Volunteer and Outreach Manager of the Regional Animal Protection Society.