Breaking legs runs in cat's household

By nicola tapp herald reporter

A BIZARRE coincidence left a cat and his owner with broken legs after two separate accidents.

Reggie, a two-year-old male moggy whose leg was broken after being hit by a car, is the latest recipient of the Estover Veterinary Hospital's Braveheart award.

It happened when his owner Sharon Moulding, aged 40, was away on holiday in Hayle in Cornwall — where she also suffered a similar injury.

"I broke my leg in an accident in Hayle in a buggy while having a look around the caravan park and broke my leg in three places," said Sharon, a part-time receptionist for March Hair.

She spent two weeks in hospital and underwent four operations. Her partner, Shaun Sullivan, 42, kept the news of Reggie's accident from her for as long as possible to avoid causing her further upset.

Reggie had been spotted by a neighbour hiding behind bins, very unhappy and obviously in pain. He was taken to the Veterinary Hospital at Estover where new vet Richard Hazard examined him and found he had fractured his left hind femur, with wounds in the skin. He was suffering from shock but his lungs and pulse were fine.

Pain relief was administered and Reggie was admitted to the hospital for treatment for shock, blood tests, X-rays and fracture repair when he was stable.

The X-rays showed a very complicated oblique break in the femur, which was in several pieces.

The next morning, Reggie seemed more settled and in less pain so senior surgeon Katie Lenton gave him an anaesthetic and set about repairing his fracture and skin wounds.

She said Reggie took the anaesthetic and operation very well and came round quickly. He then needed antibiotics, pain relief and gentle nursing for a further three days. Reggie was then able to go home under strict "house arrest".

Metalwork fitted to his leg during the operation had to stay in place for six to eight weeks and, at his most recent examination four weeks later, Reggie was doing very well, although not using his leg properly yet because of all the pins.

"I thought it was quite a strange thing to happen for both of us to have broken our legs," said Sharon.

"When I found out, I did have a bit of a cry and then thought, 'Oh, bless!' We've been convalescing together.

"Reggie's treatment cost £1,200 but he's worth it!"

Sharon's daughter Grace, 16, who has just finished school, has been helping her to recover at home in St Judes, as have daughter Florence, 11, and five-year-old Teddy, while Reggie's brother Fred has also been comforting both the patients.

Sharon said: "Grace has been my little helper and my boss, Tanya, has been brilliant."