Rescued from Episkopi Garrison
Starr was reported to us at 7pm on Sunday 19th October 2008 as a walk-in to the kitchen of a family living on the Garrison. Smelling and in distress the family asked us what to do and a friend of Catsnip who also lives on the Garrison arrived and put Starr into a cat box.
The next morning she was taken to our vet. Starr was given a poor prognosis and not expected to live for very long as the wound around her neck caused by a cat collar that had grown into her skin was severely infected and full of maggots.
Our vet decided to give Starr a chance and set about cleaning away the puss and maggots and removing the collar. An hour later the collar was off, the neck cleaned and the full amount of damage to the neck now fully visible. Unfortunately a large portion of the fur and skin around the neck had been eaten away by the infection and had disappeared.
Huge Mountain to Climb
To all of our amazement Starr recovered from the trauma of having the collar removed and wound cleaned and sat up purring and waiting for a friendly stroke and of course some dinner.
Both antibiotic injections and spraying antiseptic on to the neck sore do nothing to deter Starr from seeking human company and she oozes affection to the clinic veterinary staff and visitors from Catsnip.
Not out of the woods Starr needed a further operation to replace the lost skin and after 3 weeks rehabilitation and recovery in the intensive care unit of the clinic Starr underwent a second major operation involving a skin graft with skin removed from the rear of the neck and placed over the wound. Lasting over three hours Dr Yiannos Christou assisted by Dr Marios Torno performed the operation using 187 stitches.
DECEMBER 25th UPDATE The skin graft took very well and Starr has been found a new home in the Kolossi area where she is settleing in well. The wound on her neck is now just about one cm square and closing up. Fur has started growing back on the previously damaged area.
JANUARY 2009 UPDATE All of the fur has grown back on Starr's neck and she has settled into her new home with her new owner.
 
How Did It Happen?
Starr previously called Cheeky was adopted by a family on the Garrison some 18 months ago, as a young cat she was micro-chipped, vaccinated, spayed and given a collar. Basically an outdoor cat she came and went as she felt. The family were initially in old housing stock and during their tour they were moved to newer accommodation. Unfortunately Starr did not take to the move and kept returning to the old house.
When the family left the island Starr was left behind and a friend asked to feed her, unfortunately Starr was once again on her own.
How do we know this, well thanks to the micro-chip, Pet-log with whom Starr’s micro-chip was registered were able to supply Catsnip with the owners Cyprus details. Some investigative work by a Catsnip member found the owners details on a social networking site and they were able to discuss Starr (formerly Cheeky).
How to Help
Although our primary objective is spaying and neutering cats Catsnip were unable to turn their backs on this wonderfully affectionate and friendly cat. The veterinary cost for the treatment so far is €1,597
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