A CAT has been left with severe facial injuries and needs to be fed through a tube after suffering what vets believe was a deliberate attack.
The cat, called Elvis, came home on Friday (October 18) with hardly any teeth, his bottom lip hanging from his face and severe damage to his mouth.
The vet who examined him thought he would only need a few stitches – but when he was put under anaesthetic it was found that one side of his jaw was completely gone, and the other side had been split into three.
Elvis was only taken in by his owner Callum Armitage two months ago – having been abandoned by his previous keeper.
He said: “It’s so tragic – many tears have been shed. We gave him the chance of a new home where he is very much loved, and then this happened.
“We were were given the dreaded option of putting him to sleep, as the vet did not know what the final outcome would be and the cost of his treatments.
“We chose to make him comfortable and see what happened in the next 24 hours.
“When Elvis came back round from the anaesthetic the vets were amazed at how well he had responded.”
While under anaesthetic, a tube was fitted so Elvis can be fed, as he cannot use his mouth to eat and his remaining jaw has been wired back together.
After a second operation, vets are hopeful Elvis can lead a normal life.
But he will need ongoing treatment, prompting Callum to start a fund-raising appeal for help with future vet bills and liquid food.
“The vet bills aren’t cheap,” he said. “We have already put over £1,000 on credit cards to save his life and are now beginning to struggle.
“Any help to try and keep Elvis alive will be hugely appreciated. Please help our beautiful baby.”
He added a car accident couldn’t be ruled out as the cause of Elvis’ injuries, but said it was unlikely as the rest of his body is intact and unharmed.
“It is thought this could be deliberate, that someone inflicted these injuries on him,” he said.
But despite being abandoned and injured, Elvis is taking it all in his stride.
“His previous owners threw all his belongings in the bin and abandoned him,” Callum said. “He is the father of our other cat’s kitten so we decided to take him on as our own. He settled straight in – Elvis and his son are inseparable.
“He is still himself personality wise and age is very much on his side. He is still showing his cheeky side and giving us constant cuddles, even after all this.”
Visit www.gofundme.com/f/h5m6d-help-elvis to donate.
