Injured cat recovering after horrific firecracker injury

Mark Caudill | Mansfield News Journal

MANSFIELD - A cat that suffered a horrific injury to her rectum has a guarded prognosis.

Dubbed Katy P. by staffers at the Humane Society of Richland County in honor of Katy Perry's song "Firework," the long-haired tabby underwent surgery Monday after someone put a firecracker in her rectum.

"The most concerning thing to me is not that she's going to die," said Andrew Scherrer, a veterinarian at Phillips Animal Hospital. "What I'm concerned about is how the rectum is going to heal."

If a rectal stricture — a narrowing of the passageway — develops, Katy P. would likely not survive because she would be unable to have a bowel movement.

"If that doesn't happen, she'll make it," Scherrer said. "If she's able to have a bowel movement, she'll be fine."

Even so, Scherrer said Katy P. could be incontinent, which means she could not live in inside but still could be a barn cat.

The humane society received a call from the cat's owner on East Cook Road. The owner didn't have the money for veterinary care and surrendered Katy P. to the shelter.

Katy P. was in dire condition, humane agent Missy Houghton said.

"We couldn't look at her very closely because she was in so much pain," Houghton said, adding there was a lot of exposed flesh.

Estimated to be 2 to 4 years old, the friendly cat with black stripes and yellow eyes, whom Scherrer calls a "sweetheart," likely allowed the person to put the firecracker in her rectum.

"That makes it even more infuriating," Houghton said. "The more you think about it, the angrier you get.

"We just try not to dwell on it. It's disgusting."

So far, Houghton said there are no leads as to who injured the cat. The humane society, not police, is handling the investigation.

As a reporter and photographer stopped by to see Katy P., she was sporting an Elizabethan collar around her neck and was under the influence of a lot of pain medication.

"She's been kept very comfortable," Scherrer said. "She's just recovered really well."

The vet added Katy P. has not shown much interest in food or water, but that is likely because of the medication.

Katy P. also is not a fan of her collar.

"She has gotten out of it several times," Scherrer said.

Donations for the cat's care have been pouring in. As of noon Tuesday, the humane society has received about $1,200, with Phillips Animal Hospital getting another $200.

Houghton does not know how much treatment will cost.

Anyone who would like to contribute can visit www.adoptourstrays.com and click on the PayPal link or call 419-774-4795. The number at Phillips Animal Hospital is 419-526-4212.

Scherrer said he is hopeful Katy P. will pull through.

"Cats are much more resilient than dogs," the vet said. "I never bet against a cat."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill