Veterinary Student's Cat Rescued After 27 Days Missing

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A veterinary student at Washington State University, Emma Thrower, was reunited with her 6-year-old cat Simba after he went missing for 27 days. Simba was found severely frostbitten and hypothermic in a snowbank and was rushed to the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where he received around-the-clock care and was nursed back to health by Thrower's classmates.

Why it matters

This story highlights the dedication of veterinary students and the importance of the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital in providing critical care for pets in need. It also underscores the strong bond between a pet owner and their animal companion, and the lengths people will go to in order to find and save a lost pet.

The details

Simba, a fully indoor orange domestic shorthair tabby cat, slipped out the door on January 22nd. Thrower searched for weeks, responding to dozens of possible sightings, before Simba was finally found on February 18th, motionless in a snowbank. He was severely frostbitten, hypothermic, and had lost nearly half his body weight. At the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Simba received intensive care, including IV fluids, antibiotics, and nourishment, over the course of several days before he began to recover.

• On January 22, Simba slipped out the door and went missing.
• On February 18, Simba was found motionless in a snowbank.
• Simba spent 6 days in intensive care at the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Thrower will graduate with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State University in May.