With the support of the community, funding for Hiccup’s surgery was raised within just 18 hours. Photo credit: Jamie Riley

Community rallies to give Hiccup a second chance

HICCUP is a beautiful cat who came to Ten Lives Cat Centre as a stray with a distinctive wonky walk. It was believed that she had likely been hit by a car and although she had survived the initial trauma, she was still suffering.

The Ten Lives Vet Team examined her and sent her off for x-rays where it was discovered that she had suffered a broken pelvis, fractured upper canines, and a fractured jaw. Her poorly healed pelvis resulted in her trouble walking.

Although this adorable kitty was making the most of the life given to her,

Ten Lives needed to act quickly to give her the second chance she deserved.

Hiccup’s pain was being managed by medication, but she needed surgery to move on with her life. Ten Lives did not have the facilities to perform this type of orthopaedic hip procedure, but fortunately, the good people at Hobart Community Veterinary Hospital were able to provide a theatre in which the talented Ten Lives vet team could operate. Although this significantly reduced the cost of the procedure, Ten Lives still required $5,200 to cover all the expenses of her rehabilitation.

Fortunately, Hiccup’s jaw fracture had healed and was not causing her discomfort, but her upper canines had to be removed, which could be done on-site. Thanks to a crowd funding campaign, funds for Hiccup’s surgery were raised within just 18 hours and Hiccup went into surgery in December. Anxiously, the staff waited to hear the result.

“Dr Evelyn Woods performed the surgery and it went as planned to great successHiccup’s hip joint was removed and she is recovering well,” Ten Lives head vet Emma Flittner said after the surgery.

Hiccup was then placed in foster care, where she could start her extensive rehabilitation.

Ten Lives would like to thank all those who contributed financially to the treatment of this resilient little cat and also to Hobart Community Veterinary Hospital for their support in providing the theatre where our vet team could complete the procedure.

“We are immensely grateful for the support of the community and HCVH that has allowed us to give this cat the treatment she needs,” centre manager Noel Hunt said.

‘We successfully raised $6,886 and the money exceeding our goal will be used to treat other cats just like Hiccup.”

Hiccup still has a long road ahead of her, but one thing we can say about this cat is that she is a fighter. With the support and resources of Ten Lives, she is one step closer to the adoption rooms.

Hiccup is still completing her rehabilitation in foster care, but it won’t be long before she returns to the centre to be cleared for adoption.

Ten Lives Cat Centre is a self-funded animal charity that relies on donations and volunteers to care for and rehome the unwanted cats and kittens of Tasmania. See how you can get involved: tenlives.com. au