Koda's reunion, and long road to recovery!

injured cat

injured cat paw

wound on cat paw

CONTENT WARNING GRAPHIC PHOTOS (but such a good story!)

Buckle up everyone, get your tissues, and get ready to hear the story of Koda!

On May 1st, someone in the community brought in what they thought was a stray cat with a foot injury. At first glance his foot didn't look too good, it appeared to be a severely infected lesion or bite. His foot was incredibly swollen and some of the skin on the top of his foot looked like it was about to fall off. We cleaned his wounds, gave him an antibiotic injection, and fitted him with a cone. The person who brought him in couldn't spend much on treating his foot but did want to keep Shadow in her home while he was recovering.

We made a post about treating his foot, and that same night we suddenly started getting tagged on Humboldt Lost Paws Causes' page. Turns out Shadow was actually named Koda, and he ran away from his home the day before the vet appointment for his foot! We were able to orchestrate a reunion, and were thrilled to hear this sweetheart came from a loving home!

Koda sadly wasn't out of the dark yet! His foot didn't show much progress, and just as we suspected some of his skin was necrotic. Things weren't looking good for Koda. Dr. Ott sat with his owner and explained that this type of injury is something that usually leads to amputation. Though faced with an open wound and necrotic skin, Dr. Ott had an idea. Koda could go to a full service vet and get his foot amputated, or we could work some magic and heal his foot the long way.

Thanks to Manuka Honey and its potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, we were able to get Koda on the road to recovery. We cleaned his foot, applied Manuka Honey to the affected areas, and wrapped his foot up. For 9 weeks, Koda and his mom came in twice a week and got his wound cleaned and re-wrapped. There sadly was 1 toe that had to be amputated, but I'm sure we can speak for Koda when we say loosing 1 toe is an easier transition compared to loosing an entire foot!

Though a long process, the entire treatment plan was much more affordable then a full amputation! Koda is almost fully healed now and Dr. Ott (and all of us here) are absolutely over the moon with his progress. He might not look too thrilled about wearing a cone for this long, but when he's back to jumping around and being himself this will be a distant memory.

Thank you so much Brook for your patience, and Koda for being such a good patient!

Koda would come in twice a week to get his wraps changed and fresh honey applied to the wound

Koda's foot after the first cleaning, top/side view

Koda's foot after the first cleaning, bottom view

Koda's foot after 2 weeks of Manuka honey treatment, right after a toe was amputated.

Koda's foot 6 weeks into Manuka honey treatment, top/side view, wounds on this side almost fully healed

Bottom of Koda's foot approximately 5-6 weeks of being wrapped. This wound was the one that needed extra attention and healing time!

Our team always sent Koda home with a fun foot wrap, just to bring a little bit of joy during his recovery!

Bottom of his foot on the 2nd to last appointment! Almost fully healed and shrunk up dramatically from when we first met him!

Koda and his momma, at his very last wrap appointment! I'm sure both Koda and his Mom were ready to get that cone off!