On a Friday morning in March, Lort Smith was called to give off-site emergency medical treatment to a cat who had become stuck between two brick walls in North Melbourne.
It's believed Puss, a 12-year-old tabby, was chasing rats between two structures with only a small gap to crawl through.
Neighbours heard Puss crying out for help and called emergency services. The Melbourne Fire Brigade (MFB) arrived shortly after, and found her jammed in a tight, four-centimetre gap between a house and the neighbouring property.
A delicate operation
The MFB crew called Lort Smith for urgent veterinary help, to give Puss the best possible outcome. Head of Hospital Dr David Cunliffe, Head Veterinarian Dr Warren Gatt and nurse Amanda Wall were the first to attend, keeping Puss calm while Urban Search and Rescue firefighters delicately cut away part of the wall using specialised equipment.
The complex operation to free the cold and scared cat took some time. Throughout the ordeal, Dr Gatt constantly monitored Puss, making sure she was receiving oxygen and medical treatment to help her feel comfortable.
The moment Puss was free, Dr Gatt and nurse Wall gave her emergency treatment on the scene, before taking her to Lort Smith Animal Hospital's Intensive Care Unit.
Puss's temperature was worryingly low, so she was given oxygen and warming therapy in one of our ICU humidicribs. Originally designed for premature human babies, humidicribs also help treat critically ill animals. It's a non-invasive treatment that helps speed up recovery.
While in our ICU, Puss's health was constantly monitored. Some of the other treatments and procedures she had were:
- blood tests to make sure her vital organs weren't compromised
- fluids for hydration
- overnight veterinary care
- grooming to remove toxic dust particles.
Puss went home after 30 hours in hospital, and is now at home with her carers, curled up on the couch, happy to be with the humans she loves most.
Watch the moment Puss was freed.