Penticton stray cat found with bullet debris in knee has leg amputated

PENTICTON – A four-year-old tabby cat was brought in as a stray with a limp from an old injury, and an X-ray showed he still had debris from a bullet in his knee, which was causing pain, swelling and chronic arthritis in the young cat.

Sunny was brought to the South Okanagan-Similkameen SPCA shelter as a stray. An X-ray showed the remains of a bullet, along with debris, in his knee joint. The injury was old and healed, but was causing problems for the sweet-natured cat.

“Sunny had to have his leg amputated, but despite his pain and all that he’s been through, he’s a calm and affectionate cat — he’s great with other cats and loves kittens and food,” South Okanagan-Similkameen B.C. SPCA Branch manager Corinne Ross says. “He’s a real favourite with the volunteers. The amputation surgery went well and he’s recovering nicely in foster care.”

Sunny will be available for adoption once he’s fully healed.

“Sunny is such a sweetheart. We just want him to have a chance to live out the rest of his nine lives in a loving home,” Ross says.

He will need weekly check-ups for several weeks and his medical expenses are expected to top $1,650, even after a discounted rate from Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital for the surgery.

Donations to help Sunny and other animals like him at the South Okanagan-Similkameen SPCA can be made online at spca.bc.ca/medicalemergency, or by dropping off donations in person at 2200 Dartmouth Dr. in Penticton.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.