Fergus takes a turn for the better thanks to City Kitty Project and Smoky’s Spay & Neuter
Smoky’s Spay & Neuter Clinic performed 4,208 spay and neuter surgeries this past fiscal year, but there was one patient in particular who tugged on our heartstrings. When he came to our clinic in a humane trap, he was an unowned community cat, but today he has a name and a hope for a home. His name is Fergus, and he’s shown us that with collaboration across our departments and with our rescue partners, new beginnings are possible.
Fergus was brought to Smoky’s by Rivka Swenson who volunteers with City Kitty Project – Lost Dog Foundation, a local rescue organization that utilizes Smoky’s services for both Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return and for pre-adoptive surgeries for animals they’ll be placing in new homes. When Rivka found Fergus, she could see that his leg was twisted all the way around. He seemed gentle, but he would not allow anyone to pick him up and needed to be trapped to be sterilized and vaccinated against rabies.
While under anesthesia at Smoky’s, Licensed Veterinary Technician Crystal Sorenson could more clearly see the issue in his right hindlimb. Associate Veterinarian Dr. Brit’nee Haskins evaluated his twisted leg and could see that his right hindlimb was unstable. She felt a fracture in his lower right hindlimb that most likely had not healed properly.
Dr. Haskins said, “Due to lack of active wounds or any signs of swelling around that area, I suspect the initial injury occurred weeks or maybe months ago.”
Even as Fergus awoke from anesthesia in the trap, he was “very reserved and calm,” Dr. Haskins said, and he didn’t show overt signs of aggression. When he was being discharged after surgery at Smoky’s, our team recommended he receive further treatment due to the severity of the injury to his leg, so Director of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Angela Ivey contacted staff at our full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital. According to Smoky’s Manager Ariel Youmans, “The hospital team was eager to help and got Fergus in for an amputation with Dr. Ent the very next Monday.”
Associate Veterinarian Dr. Alexandria Ent performed the amputation. She says the hock joint was unstable and didn’t move as it should. According to Dr. Ent, seeing too much movement in this joint indicates a traumatic fracture in which the bones never fused back together.
Fergus’ amputation surgery went well, and he spent his recovery period in the home of his foster, Laura Cotterman. The calm, gentle personality that Rivka and Dr. Haskins witnessed shone brighter in foster care. Though he was fearful at first, he ended up enjoying spending time in Laura’s lap. Rivka says that Fergus does “great on three legs.”
Fergus has come a long way from living as a stray with a twisted leg. He’s now available for adoption through City Kitty Project and ready to start his new life. Ariel says she’s “so grateful for everyone who came together to give Fergus a new lease on life! He seems to be thriving post-op and enjoying the indoor life.”
For more information about Fergus, follow @citykittyproject on Instagram, where they’ve shared his story, along with other rescues and updates on their regular adoption events at @furbishthrift.
