Chucky, a lively young rescue cat, was found collapsed and bloodied in his neighbourhood after going missing overnight. He was rushed to Alexander Vets where he was stabilised before being referred to Kentdale Referrals for advanced imaging and intensive care.
Advanced CT imaging revealed a catalogue of life-threatening injuries: a right mandibular (lower jaw) fracture, bilateral pneumothorax (collapsed lungs), pulmonary contusions (lung bruising), and a body wall rupture through which the left kidney had herniated. A special CT technique called a urogram confirmed function in both kidneys, although the left one was enlarged and bruised.
His herniated kidney had popped through the body wall and lost its outer capsule yet was still viable and functional. A herniated kidney through the body wall after trauma is a very unusual injury, which interested the surgeons looking after Chucky; Joe Higgins, and Graham Hayes, both RVCS Specialists in Small Animal Surgery.
The extent of Chucky’s injuries was dramatic. Despite his critical state, he somehow managed to jump onto a counter during his initial exam!
Chucky was initially stabilised with oxygen therapy and pain relief. Thoracic drainage was performed to relieve the collapsed lung, and an oesophagostomy feeding tube was placed for nutritional support. Under general anaesthesia, his mandibular fracture was repaired.
This was a complex trauma case, involving two major surgeries and intensive postoperative care. The surgical challenge of retrieving and protecting a herniated, bruised kidney while avoiding damage to delicate abdominal structures was considerable. Chucky received intensive round the clock care from our dedicated nursing team.
A few days later, after stabilisation from his lung injuries, he underwent abdominal surgery. The left kidney was gently reduced back into the abdominal cavity and the body wall defect was repaired.
Chucky spent nearly a week hospitalised, gradually regaining strength and appetite. He has since made a fantastic recovery at home — playful, affectionate, and even back to stealing biscuits.
Follow-up examinations have shown excellent healing and Chucky appears to have made a fantastic return to full health, thanks to the specialist care at Kentdale Referrals.
