Teddy Swims has a Fan Club!

Teddy Swims (KH)

Many of the cats that come to us from other shelters do so because of available space – our cage space may not be much more than some of the others, but because of our set-up we can allow ferals, semi-ferals and problem cats free range within the security of our open pens.  Sometimes, all they need is a bit of time to settle – Rembrandt and Kahlo, blogged recently, are getting more and more comfortable with humans, and may eventually find their own homes. Others offer more challenges, and may become long-term residents with us.

Stiff back legs  (BC)

A long-haired tuxedo called Teddy Swims is one of the latter. He was brought in to the receiving shelter up north when someone discovered a limping cat foraging for himself; once in, and examined, it was evident that he had much more than just a limp, with both back legs stiffened to spasticity. The first vet who saw him said it was just bad arthritis, but a second opinion from a surgeon said that it was likely a birth deformity that affects both his hips and his legs. 

Teddy getting around  (AA)

We think he's about two years old. He’s come to us so that the RAPS hospital can get a closer look to see if anything can be done;  he will in any case need a more complicated surgery than usual for his neuter, since he is also cryptorchid – meaning his testicles have not descended to normal position, but remain tucked somewhere in his abdomen. 

Watching from cage-tops  (BC)

We’re not sure why he was given his name – the human Teddy Swims is a large, bald, tattooed singer in a variety of genres (actually to be performing in Vancouver in the coming November – we should get him to come meet his namesake). The feline Teddy Swims has lots of fur, and though vocal, is not exactly tuneful. We were concerned about his safety in getting around and he was allocated a ground-floor-only cage in the SingleWide, but since release, he has had no hesitation in climbing to the cage-tops, from where he can survey his kingdom. He will remain in the SW until he’s had his hospital visits, and will probably be transferred to the back courtyard, where there’s more space to roam, but less climbing,

Teddy can be vocal!  (KH)

We don’t know what the future holds for him. He will almost certainly be more prone to arthritis, and we will need to work on pain management, but he might well be fostered out to a home that could accommodate his disability. A double amputation and a wheelchair might be possible – but a wheelchair would be hard on Sanctuary ground surfaces.  We’ll wait and see what the RAPS vets say. In the meantime, Teddy is settling down well. He loves to play, though not so much with other cats as with toys. Little Ophelia (missing her buddy Polar, who was adopted) is not having an entirely easy time with him; she likes to play, but he then starts pursuing her and is a good bit larger than she is. Fortunately, she knows how to use the cat door to the SW deck – and he has not yet mastered that skill.

"Chillin' like a villain"  (AM)

His determination to climb reminds me of orange Terry, about nine years ago, who came to us with injuries that were the result of being hit by a car, but who hauled himself around on strong front legs, using his stiffened back legs to balance. Terry was also incontinent; Teddy Swims does seem to have control of his sphincters, and as long as he can get in and out of a litter box, has no hesitation in using it. He is obviously a stray rather than a feral, and likes attention from humans – but you do wonder what sort of “cat lover” allowed a disabled cat to roam outside. Part of his roaming was undoubtedly his unneutered condition, and with all the other SW cats safely “speutered”, he’s not too reactive – though it does need to happen sooner rather than later (for which Ophelia will probably be very happy!).

Tired after play  (BC)

In the meantime, Teddy is doing well in the SingleWide, with time for play, volunteers who drop in to visit him, a safe place to sleep at night, and the med staff to take the edge of any pain that his probably been part of his life for much too long.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Kim Howe, Anne Marchetti

Video by Alicia Almeida