Two Cats Treated for Apparent Stab Wounds

PORTLAND, Ore. – The emergency medical staff at DoveLewis Emergency Hospital is treating two cats from the Woodlawn neighborhood in Northeast Portland for apparent stab wounds received on Thursday night.

Upon returning home from a trip, owner Sarah Shapiro greeted her cat by picking him up and found her hands covered in blood. She rushed the adult male cat, named Grand Theft Auto, to DoveLewis Emergency Hospital, where he was treated for serious abdominal wounds. Given the severity of his wounds, her other cat, an adult female named Alibi, was brought in for examination and found to have similar injuries. Both cats required surgery.

During surgery, the DoveLewis veterinary team determined that both cats suffered from severe, penetrating wounds that would have been caused by something long and sharp like a knife.

“These wounds were very unusual and unlike anything we typically see, even for cats that spend some of their time outdoors, like Grand Theft Auto and Alibi do,” says Jessica Casey, BVSc, who is treating both cats.  Dr. Casey continued, “The severity of their wounds was not clear from the outside, but once we performed surgery we were concerned that they appeared to have been stabbed. Had they not been treated so quickly, both might have died.”

DoveLewis suggests Portland residents keep a close eye on their cats if they spend any time outdoors, and check them regularly for any wounds or injuries. The threat of severe infection and internal tissue and organ damage is high with attack injuries, and any wounds left untreated can quickly result in serious medical complications.

Alibi is recovering more quickly and is now recuperating at home, while Grand Theft Auto remains hospitalized at DoveLewis.

Multnomah County Animal Services is investigating and encourages the public to contact them at 503-988-7387 if they have any tips on the case or have pets that have experienced similar injuries.