ENGLAND – A homeless cat’s fur was so badly matted that when vets shaved her they were left with a perfect moggy-shaped coat.
Misty, who is a two-year-old ragdoll cat, had never been brushed in her life meaning her coat had been completely destroyed in one of the ‘most extreme cases’ of poor grooming.Pet charity Blue Cross came to the emergency rescue and nurses at a hospital in London spent more than an hour clipping off her long fur – which weighed over 200 grams and was an inch thick.
Misty’s owner could no longer cope with looking after the feline and sadly there was absolutely no way of saving its long locks and she was sedated for the cut.Charlotte Hamilton, who is a vet at Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria, London, where Misty was treated, states: ‘Sadly we see a lot of long haired cats who haven’t been groomed enough and their coats have become matted but Misty’s is probably one of the most extreme cases we’ve seen.
‘She would have been unable to groom herself and there was a lot of mess stuck around her bottom too, which isn’t nice for cats as they are very clean animals.’
The extreme buzz cat means Misty now looks like a lion – with just fur left on her paws, face and tail.
Charlotte went on to add: ‘After we removed her fur we discovered her skin was very sore and dry and she also had an umbilical hernia which required an operation.’
‘It’s so important that when you take on a pet, you give it the care it needs to prevent things like this from happening.
‘Luckily for Misty she’s been relieved of the pain and discomfort she’s been living with for so long and will soon be ready to find a new home.’
Misty will be soon transferred to a Blue Cross rehoming centre where she will then look for a new family.
Vets think her coat may take anywhere between four to six months for it to completely and fully grow back.
Westley Pearson, who is the Director of Claims at pet insurance company Animal Friends, stated: ‘Most cat breeds are capable of grooming themselves, but those with particularly long or thick fur, or cats with joint problems, may require intervention from their owners.
‘It’s worth taking this extra level of care into account when you select a cat. Responsible ownership involves more than just providing food and water.’
