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Rocco was urgently referred to our Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) team at The Ralph after suffering an unknown trauma that left him with a severely proptosed (bulging from the socket) right eye and a fractured jaw.

Upon arrival, our ECC team continued the stabilisation efforts started by his primary care vets, closely monitoring him in our ICU. The following day, a CT scan confirmed the extent of his injuries. Rocco’s right eye was irreversibly blind and unable to be saved because it was ruptured (split) as well as pushed forwards out of the socket. Ophthalmologist Heidi performed an enucleation, i.e. eye removal. During the same procedure, an oesophageal feeding tube was placed to ensure Rocco received proper nutrition while he recovered and perhaps didn’t feel much like eating independently.

A few days into his stay, Rocco’s journey with our Dentistry team began! Our Dentistry Resident Valentina placed a circumferential wire to stabilise the symphyseal separation in the lower jaw. This wire would stay in place for six weeks to allow his jaw to heal properly. Rocco recovered well from surgery – but his recovery wasn’t over yet!

Despite his ordeal, Rocco showed incredible resilience. He recovered well from the jaw surgery, and by the following day, he was already eating on his own – allowing us to remove his feeding tube. Thanks to the combined efforts of our ECC, Ophthalmology, and Dentistry teams, and Rocco’s carers’ dedication to providing Rocco with specialist care, Rocco was back on his paws and ready to heal.

After six weeks, it was time for Rocco to return to his primary care vet for one last step – removing the wire from his jaw. Thanks to the combined efforts of our ECC, Ophthalmology, and Dentistry teams, Rocco was officially on the road to a full recovery!

“A week into recovery we started to see the old Rocco emerge. Playful, curious and his usual appetite back to normal! All good signs that he was making great progress. His wounds have healed beautifully and you can tell he has adjusted to having one eye. It took us a while to get used to seeing him with one eye but as his fur is slowly growing back you can still see his lovely face and beautiful bright eye. We are so grateful for the care and attention The Ralph gave Rocco when we thought the worst. He really is our miracle warrior cat!! Thank you!” – Rocco’s Carers

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Take care,

Team Ralph 🐾