A WORCESTER vets helped a 15-year-old cat named Poppet has regain his mobility and zest for life after undergoing a series of treatments at Brentknoll Veterinary Centre.
Poppet rapidly lost his ability to move and is now back to climbing trees and chasing mice, thanks to a tailored rehabilitation plan that included hydrotherapy, laser treatment, and chiropractic care.
Poppet’s journey to recovery began when his owner, Carol Reading from Pershore, noticed his struggles nearly two years ago.
The once-agile cat could no longer jump onto the kitchen worktop and began falling over while walking – despite initial assessments suggesting a neurological issue with no available treatment, Carol refused to give up.
Seeking a second opinion, she discovered Brentknoll Veterinary Centre, a Linnaeus-owned practice known for its cutting-edge veterinary care. There, Poppet was placed under the expert care of Rikki Burford, the clinical director, who devised a comprehensive, non-surgical treatment plan to address Poppet’s condition.
Rikki said: “When Poppet arrived, he was very wobbly on his back legs.
“He was staggering, had stopped jumping, and was not responding to medication.
“A CT scan revealed significant stiffness in his hind legs, prompting us to create a full package of treatments to tackle the problem.”
Poppet’s treatment included medication for pain management, solensia injections for osteoarthritis, and gabapentin tablets for nerve pain.
The rehabilitation therapy was led by Laura Davey, Brentknoll’s hydrotherapist and chiropractor, who took the unusual step of introducing Poppet to hydrotherapy—a rare treatment for cats due to their general aversion to water.
To everyone’s surprise, Poppet adapted well to the water treadmill, and combined with laser therapy, massages, and an exercise program, his mobility and overall condition began to improve dramatically.
Carol said: “He loved the laser therapy, he would even stand on his back legs and put his paws on my shoulders while having the treatment.”
