She is now able to run and jump again
Kirstie McCrum Network Content Editor
05:00, 13 Jun 2025
Luna after her op(Image: Bristol Vet Specialists)
A cat who was left partially paralysed after an attack has made an ‘astonishing’ recovery, according to the Bristol vets who treated her. Luna, a beautiful one-year-old female tortoiseshell cat, was found collapsed by the side of the road by her owners.
She was unable to walk and in distress, having been injured a suspected dog attack. Owner Bob immediately rushed Luna to his local veterinary practice, where Luna received emergency assessment and care – including intra-venous fluids and pain-relief.
Here the vet informed Bob that Luna had suffered significant neurological injuries. It was recommended that Luna be transferred to specialist animal hospital Bristol Veterinary Specialists.
Luna was assessed by George Nye, one of their specialist veterinary neurologists, where she was stabilised then examined. There was only partial movement in her front legs and significant weakness in her hind legs.
She also had signs of a head trauma which had resulted in right-sided facial paralysis, a constricted pupil and protruding third eyelid. A full CT scan was to determine the severity of her injuries.
Luna received life-saving treatment(Image: Bristol Vet Specialists)
The images revealed a severe spinal dislocation between the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae, causing compression and paralysis. But thankfully there were no skull fractures or other major injuries.
George and the team had to stabilise Luna’s injuries quickly to give her the best chance of survival and a full recovery. It was hoped that surgery would repair Luna’s spinal injuries and give her the opportunity to regain her mobility.
Luna, a beautiful one-year-old female tortoiseshell cat(Image: Bristol Vet Specialists)
In a statement, a spokesperson for Bristol Vetinary Specialists said: “Surgery took over three hours, involved two neurologists, an anaesthetist, and several specialist referral nurses – for continuous monitoring and surgical assistance.
“A combination of two screws placed to re-align and reduce the dislocation, and then six screws and bone cement underneath the vertebrae were carefully used, with great precision, to realign and secure Luna’s dislocated vertebrae.
“Amazingly, only the day after surgery, Luna began to support her body-weight on her legs and was taking tentative steps. She required strict bed rest over a period of six weeks, to allow her bones and soft tissues to heal for normal function to return.
Luna has made a full recovery(Image: Bristol Vet Specialists)
“Luna’s recovery was remarkable. Within two weeks, she was walking independently, and her facial paralysis abated. A few months on, and Luna is now able to run and jump and her facial paresis has completely disappeared.”
George, who led the veterinary team, said: “The severity of Luna’s spinal injury and the associated neurological damage in this case required meticulous planning and precision during the procedure.
“Watching her regain her ability to walk and seeing her back with her family is incredibly rewarding and highlights the astonishing resilience of these animals.”