Six cats, 4 of them severely burned, and two dogs were rescued from an apartment in Fresno after their owner caused an explosion by producing honey oil on March 8, 2016.
The initial call for help came from the Fresno Police Department at 3 p.m., saying they were on scene and a dog needed to be picked up because the owner was cooking drugs and blew up the apartment. As one of our Animal Control Officers was dispatched, the Fresno Fire Department called and said that they had found an injured and burned cat. By our officer’s arrival, FPD had found a second dog. Our officer returned with the three animals and immediately placed the burned cat in our hospital’s care. As she was unloading all the animals, another call came in saying they had found a second burned cat. Another ACO was sent to the scene. This cat was even more severely burned. Our officer transported this cat to Veterinary Emergency Services for assessment and initial treatment. Later that evening, another burned cat was found and was also taken to VES.
The three cats had burns to their face, nose, lips, ears, and paws. The hair on the rest of the bodies were singed. They most likely suffered from smoke inhalation also. They received IV fluids, pain medication, and their paws were wrapped with a soothing, cooling ointment. After 48 hours, the two cats at VES were transported to our Small Animal Hospital for continuing care.
Over the weekend, they were sent back to VES because they needed more emergency treatment. They were monitored and sent back the following day.
On Monday, March 15, 2017, the manager of the apartment called to report finding another cat. An ACO was sent to the location and brought back two cats, one burned, just like the other three cats, and one that seemed unharmed. She brought both cats to our Small Animal Hospital for assessment. These cats had been without food, water, or care for seven days. They both scarfed down some wet food and drank water. Our veterinarian and staff quickly cared for the new burn cat, assessing her injuries, placing an IV, and wrapping her paws.
Our veterinary staff has kept a watchful eye on all four of the burned cats. For a week and a half, they had to hand feed all of the cats because their noses and lips were so badly burned that the cats could not detect food on their own. Their bandages were changed daily. Our staff named these four loving felines after the United State’s First Ladies: Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, and Jackie Kennedy. All of the cats are slowly recovering. They no longer need IV fluids or having their paws wrapped and are eating and drinking on their own. Their open wounds are scabbing over and healing. But they are still battling respiratory infections due to the damage caused by smoke inhalation and so are on antibiotics. As soon as they have fully recovered, they will then be put up for adoption.
As far as the suspect goes, he was jailed and faces animal neglect charges on top of the other charges filed against him by the Fresno Police Department.
Eleanor, Betty, Nancy, and Jackie still need your help. Their medical bills have accumulated quickly and need the support of this community. Please make a donation to our Wellness Fund to help care for these cats now!
