Leo - a close shave- Prayers please

[TopCat3]

Leo is a pale caramel coloured cat I rescued from the road and rushed to the emergency hospital around 9.30 tonight on my way home from late shift at work.

He had been hit by a car and I pulled over and walked back to pick him up, signalling to the traffic to slow down and let me get him. I actually saw two more cars go over him as I tried to get to him. It was horrific and sickening.
He was stunned and each time he tried to get up another car went over him.
Eventually a car stopped so I could walk into the road and scoop him up. His nose was bleeding and I feared the worst.

The first driver that hit him, a female, stopped to help. We read his collar tag and I called his owners and left a message on their answer-machine then I called the vet number on his collar, which referred me to an emergency hospital about 10-12 km away. Another car, a family, stopped to see what was going on and offered to help. The female driver had to go to attend someone at home who was sick (well that was what she said, she didn't want to help me take Leo to the hospital though to her credit she nursed him and checked him over for broken bones while I was frantically ringing every number I could and arranging with the family to get him over to the hospital). The mother in the family car agreed to come with me and hold Leo on a cushion I had, with a towel round him, and her dear husband and children accompanied us behind.

I just rang the hospital and they have administered painkillers and he was just going to sleep. He appears to be OK at this stage, bodily/systemically but one eye appears to be damaged. They haven't been able to reach the owners yet.They think he's about 3-4 years old, and well taken care of/loved. So he stands a good chance.

I will call again tomorrow morning. He's a lovely boy, I do hope he will be OK. Please everyone send a prayer for this little boy whose Mummy and Daddy are not with him at the moment. I will update you.

I am going to keep a cardboard cat carrier in my car from now on so I can always take a cat or any small animal to the emergency hospital on my own if necessary, should I ever witness anything like this again.

[lv4dogs]

Oh my goodness, he's in my prayers. A BIG kudos to you for saving the poor guy.
This hits close to home. In the past 2 years I have rescued 3 cats in the same sitatuion. They were ran over & cars kept passing over them. I tried to save all 3, unfortunatly all 3 died in my arms while I was walking back to my car.

I wish him only the best of luck!

[furrykidsmother]

What a horrible thing to happen to the little boy. Thank God you were there to help him as well as the family that accompanied you to the hospital. A special prayer that he will be all right and (((Hugs))) to you for coming to his rescue! Please keep us updated on his condition.

[lv4dogs]

Do you have any updates on the cutie?

[Barbara]

I am so glad you found him. Sending all the best thoughts for his recovery.

[kimlovescats]

God Bless You for coming to the aid of precious Leo ... I pray he is ok and can get back home to his family soon!

Hugs,
Kim

[TopCat3]

Yes folks, I do have an update.

His Dad phoned this morning and I have also spoken to his Mum this afternoon. They were traced through the microchip and able to go over to see him late last night and again today. Leo is still under sedation but is comfortable. An opthamologist is examining his eye, possible retinal detachment. Possibly some head/brain damage, still finding out. Also believe there might be some blood in the lungs. They don't know at this stage how things will turn out but there are no bones broken and hopefully no other internal damage, and his purrents are hoping to be able to take him home tomorrow. They have promised to keep me informed. I also told his Mum about this site and she is going to log on and have a read and might post an update if she chooses to get registered with petoftheday.

So who knows, the board might have a new member soon, and hopefully she might post us a picture and an update.

In the meantime, Leo is not out of the woods yet so please keep sending that love and healing energy, prayers and thank you all.

[Sonia59]

OMG, sadly these horrible things happen too frequently :(
I am glad this boy has found you here and you have done the best things.
I hope he has no serious internal injury. My thoughts go to him and I hope the next news will be good ;)

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Poor Leo.... :(
Thanks you so much for saving this guy from the road! His humans must fell so thankful to you for this. You risked your life to save that of a cat! How special is that!!!!!
I will pray for Leo, and hope that he will pull through this; now at least he has a chance, thanks to you!!

[TopCat3]

Oh thank you everyone for your kind words.
Really there was no alternative for me, other than what I did.
I'm sure you would have done the same if you had seen this pitiful little Burmese boy stunned and confused and unable to move properly, just sitting there with the cars coming, staring pleadingly.

Really, no alternative.

I'm hoping for fresh (and good) news over the weekend and will keep you all posted. His Mum has emailed me some pictures of Leo with his brother and I have asked her permission to show you all.

Really, paws are linking round the world for this beautiful little red Burmese boy: New York, Tennessee, New Hampshire, France, Munich, Belgium....you are all wonderful to care so much and add strength to his healing with your prayers.

I have been told he is a bit of an adventurer, our Leo. Needs the open spaces and sneaks away when no-one's looking, causing some anguish over the years. It would be good if cats learned something from these adventures, by all accounts he has used up about 5 of his 9 lives already (3 last night!) But they don't, and we must help them as best we can. :rolleyes:

[Barbara]

Filou whom I imagine to look a little like Leo sends his warmest healing purring to Leo.

I hope so much he heals well and hope he stays safely inside.

[TopCat3]

Yes, Barbara, my understanding is from his Mum he got very stressed and sick when "confined to barracks" and had to have special diet etc, is more relaxed and healthy given a little more freedom, generally just stays around the house. I couldn't comment or generalise as I don't know the cat and its temperament, some cats are less easily managed and learn crafty ways of becoming escape artists.
My older cat Cleo has never been one to crave the wide open spaces, very much the opposite. But when Colette was a youngster she would climb onto the kitchen windowsill, from there a jump onto the pergola then up onto the roof, and stand on the ridge of the roof looking down at me going "Nah nah na-na nah you can't catch me!" All this while I was sitting in the garden with them both and I thought she was safely lying beside me - here one second gone the next. She would even slip out of her harness when I had her on a long running lead and do it :rolleyes:

[kb2yjx]

Special prayers for Leo!! Yesterday was the feast day of St. Leo the Great, what a terrible thing to happen to him!!! Thank Heavens you were THERE!!!

[lbaker]

PT prayers said and a candle of hope will be lit in my window tonight. Poor baby. Thank you for helping. Please keep us informed.

[TopCat3]

kb2yjx that is really interesting! Serendipity indeed - I would not normally have been working in that job on a Thursday, just this week I did it for a change, and under normal circumstances would have just about got home by the time it happened and I found him, except that I had stopped to buy something at a service station on the way. St Leo must have been guiding me and had me looking out for his little namesake!

And thanks to lbaker too for your candle of hope and to Barbara for her baby's prayers. When I hear more I'll update.
TC

[Laura's Babies]

Prayers are on their way already for Leo and a speedy recovery for this loved fur baby. GET WELL SOON LEO!

Thank God you came along and was able to step up and do something to help him out of that situation. Let's hope and pray your efforts were not wasted and he makes a full and speedy recovery. Poor baby!

[krazyaboutkatz]

TopCat3, thank you so much for helping this poor boy. I hope that he'll continue to do well and be able to go home with his family. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

[TopCat3]

Thank you everyone for your interest and loving prayers. I spoke to his Mum this evening.
Leo is back home with his family now (Mum, Dad and brother Milo) and is doing quite well. He is still a bit wobbly, but he is eating, toileting, sleeping a lot and occasionally taking a gentle stroll in the courtyard enjoying the sunshine and water features. When he looks a bit tired he is carried back indoors and gently laid on his bed or a cushion for another healing sleep.
His brother Milo is being solicitous and giving him lots of healing, loving licks on the head. :p
His left eye is affected, there is a blood clot there, the 3rd eyelid is across and they are waiting to find out if his vision will be partially or totally lost; there could be retinal detachment.
His blood tests showed the enzymes were high ( not sure which enzymes or what they are, but anyway... :confused: ) which could mean possible liver complications or something to do with the muscles.
Well, I don't know about you, but if I'd lain on the road and been buffetted around like he was, my muscles would be very stiff and sore, so let's hope that's all it is. X-rays show no broken bones and he has no cuts/grazes whatsoever. One lucky kitty. More news Tuesday.
His mum said I was welcome to post the pictures she'd sent me, so I'll do my best, you know this isn't my strong point computer-wise, but here goes:
Leo is the paler of the two, the one with the blue leash in the garden shot.
His Mum and Dad are very thankful to all of you who have sent your prayers and good wishes. And so, I'm sure, is he. Thanks everyone.

[trayi52]

Special prayers and good thoughts going out for Leo. I am glad to hear he is back at home with his family.

Thank you for stopping and saving this special boy, he could have been run over time after time if you had not stopped and took him to the hospital.

That would have been a horrible experience to sit in the highway, with cars running over the top of you like that! I just know he was so scared, and didn't know what was going to happen next!

Willie

[kb2yjx]

How sweet that his brother has become Leo's private duty nurse!!!! Will continue to pray for Leo!!! Thanks for the update!! Sandra

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so glad to hear that he's doing well and is now home with his family. Both he and his brother sure are gorgeous. :)

[Barbara]

Oh Leo, when I see you and Milo together I know how horrible it would have been if you hadn't been found in time. :) Continuing to think of you and keeping all paws and fingers crossed that you continue to improve, sweet boy.

[Sonia59]

Thanks for the update! I am glad Leo is getting better and I keep fingers crossed that he fully recovers. Leo is a beauty.

[TopCat3]

Leo's Mum emailed me yesterday with the results of the latest check-up at the hospital.
Apparently Leo was very well behaved and sat quietly while he was examined by the two different feline specialists, so much so that they commented on what a beautiful, well-behaved boy he is. Although butter wouldn't melt in his mouth at the hospital, apparently once he got home he was once again living up to his nickname "Houdini" and trying to slide out of the back door!

Anyway the news is very encouraging. His enzyme levels are down by 75% and should level out back to normal soon. Evidently it was the trauma that raised them.

Regarding his eye, there is slight improvement but long term there is expected to be some vision impairment. He will be taken for another check-up in two weeks' time and meanwhile has daily treatment at home.

He has just about finished up his antibiotics and is eating and toileting well and enjoys a little walk on his leash now and again which seems to cheer him up and he also gets great comfort from being with his brother Milo and by climbing up onto his Mum & Dad's bed at night for a cuddle. (I think we all know about that one... :rolleyes: )

All in all he is making a good recovery considering what he went through just under a week ago. He's a strong and determined little guy with a great zest for life and all the adventures it has to offer and he is well-loved and pampered and has much to live for. I am so happy I came by when I did and was able to help him keep on living the good life. I wish I could give him a hug but I've asked his Mum to do that for us.

By the way, his purrents are very touched at all the good wishes and prayers that have come from around the world via this wonderful website and send thanks to you all. One member even PM'd me to say that some nuns in NJ were praying for him because the accident occurred the day before the feast of St Leo for which they were preparing!

This is a wonderful website and it's great how we all support and care for and help one another. Thanks everyone. :)

[Barbara]

So glad to hear from Leo. Leo, what a strong boy you are- just getting better.

I send you a cyber-hug as well and Filou and Tigris send headbumpies.

Hope you enjoy your time of recovery- everyone being nice and gentle to you and giving you treats and cuddles :)

[smokey the elder]

You go, Leo! Looks like you spent one of your lives. I'm glad Leo is feeling better.

[kb2yjx]

Leo!!! Glad to hear the good news!!!! However, please do not try to slip out the door!!! Sounds like your parents are nice and take you and Milo out on the leash!!! Be a good fellow!!! Sandra

[Craftlady]

Leo and his brother are beautiful boys :)
I just got caught up on this thread and I'm so happy there was a happy ending.