Plucky puss survives second horrific air gun attack

Miracle moggy, Tootsie, from Whitburn, has survived a second air gun attack in just three years, thanks to leading veterinary charity, PDSA. The drama first unfolded for cat owner, Eileen Leckie (35), in 2008. Her beloved cats, Gizmo and Tootsie, both lost one of their nine lives after being horrifically injured in separate airgun attacks, which could have been fatal. 

 

Gizmo, who is now nine-years-old, and his younger sister, Tootsie, were both attacked within a few months of each other. After taking them to PDSA, x-rays revealed two pellets inside Gizmo, one of which had penetrated his abdominal wall and damaged his kidney. He was rushed for life-saving surgery to remove the pellets and his damaged kidney. 

 

Just two months later PDSA vets found that Tootsie had also been shot, resulting in a broken leg and internal injuries. She required two operations to fix her broken leg and remove the pellets.

 

Understandably, Eileen has been protective of her pets ever since. She still allows them outdoors, but checks them over regularly and worries if they’re out too long.

 

It was during one of her routine checks that Eileen recently noticed a lump on six-year-old Tootsie. She said “As soon as I touched the lump on Tootsie’s side he cried out in pain. I recognised the symptoms from last time and rushed him to PDSA the next morning.”

 

At her local PDSA PetAid hospital on Hutchison Crossway, Gorgie, Tootsie was seen by Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Stuart McMorrow. He said: “After examining Tootsie I suspected an air gun attack and arranged for an x-ray, which confirmed he’d got a pellet lodged under the skin on his abdomen.”

 

Eileen added: “It has been heartbreaking to see Tootsie go through the same ordeal again. They were both so lucky to survive the first time round, I couldn’t believe we were unluckily enough for it to happen again.”

 

Luckily, the pellet hadn’t caused Tootsie any serious damage, and it was removed in surgery the same day. Tootsie spent 24 hours in PDSA’s PetAid hospital recovering before being reunited with Gizmo at home. He’s gone on to make a full recovery from his second ordeal. 

 

Eileen continued: “I’m so grateful to PDSA for helping us out again, I don’t know what I’d have done without them over the last few years.”

According to PDSA, many pets are maimed or injured every year as a result of air gun attacks and the charity urges pet owners to be watchful and report any incidents to the local police and their veterinary practices. 

Stuart McMorrow said: “If you find a wound, or if your pet is showing symptoms of pain, I would advise you to contact your vet as soon as you can. An air gun wound may have a small circular hole with a reddened or burnt edge. Bear in mind that the wound will be small and may be hidden by the pet’s fur, making it difficult to see. So check your pets over thoroughly on a regular basis.”

 

Edinburgh PDSA PetAid hospital provides free veterinary treatment to the sick and injured pets of local people in need. For more information on PDSA or to enquire about eligibility please visit www.pdsa.org.uk or call 0800 7312502.