August 6, 2019 1.10 pm This story is over 54 months old

Cat needed emergency surgery after “altercation with bird”

Cleo is now feline fine

A cat in Lincoln needed painstaking emergency surgery after “an altercation with a bird” left her with horrendous injuries to her mouth.

Owners Callum Hedley and partner Kim Washbourn feared the worst after Callum rushed Cleo to an emergency vet during the evening of June 9, 2019.

Cleo the cat required emergency surgery after an altercation with a bird. Photo: Vets Now

The emergency vet at Vets Now on Hykeham Green in North Hykeham told Callum that the Siberian mix cat, who became the couple’s first pet together two years ago, had virtually ripped her tongue in half so emergency surgery was needed.

Callum said: “I saw her sitting on the window sill and I could tell straight away that something was wrong.

“When I took a closer look, there was blood around her mouth and she was drooling constantly. We think that’s she’s gone for a bird and pierced her tongue.”

Cleo and owner Callum Hedley.

Owner Kim Washbourn and Cleo.

Cleo needed a painstaking operation that went on until the early hours of the morning.

The cat’s mangled tongue was pieced back together and she came through the operation safely, much to the relief of her owners.

Cleo is a Siberian mix cat. Photo: Vets Now

Senior vet Claire Hill said: “It was clear Cleo’s tongue had started to go necrotic, which basically means the cells had started to die, so surgery was essential.

“After carrying out a thorough examination and discussing the options with Cleo’s owners we made the decision to go ahead with the operation that night.

“It was a very delicate procedure where we had to cut away the damaged section of the tongue and then reconstruct it.”

Cleo made a remarkable recovery. Photo: Vets Now

Cleo is now feline good after making a remarkable recovery.