Why is this cat so “ugly” ?
7.15pm: I was looking out for Tortie-girl at her usual place, to treat her some good stuff as today is her third day after release from post-sterilization boarding, when I noticed a stranger in the void deck. It was an adult black cat with a long but slight crooked tail. It has an odd looking head with both ears “collapsed” or what can be termed as “cauliflower” ears. This is likely due to collapse of the cartilage within the ear pinnae due to infection, probably from fighting with other tom-cats. He was startled when I stood close to him before he noticed me, so he could have some hearing impairment. However he walked confidently away to the next block. The resident brown tabby with stubby tail-end, came out to sniff the trail of this black cat.
I wondered where this cat came from and where he was going. He wasn’t malnourished. However his look and colour would be frightening to some people.
Why are some cats like this one so ugly and so unwanted while others are so good-looking and easily rehomed?
Why does life seem so unfair to some and so generously kind to others?
Close shot of ugly cat…now renamed “no ear” cat
He was eating from the “bowl” of dry food left by the elderly Jewish lady. His hearing was impaired as he was startled when I approached. There was a whitish scar behind his left ear. Both ears were “collapsed” due to past infection of the ear cartilage. A few minutes later, I heard shrieking of cats within the vacant school compound. It was likely that this ugly cat, now I rename as “no ear” cat, was attacked by Long-tail for territorial encroachment. At a safe distance outside the school, Firsie (below) was stretching her neck trying to see what was happening.
NEC netted!
After 2 hours of searching for NEC, he was found just after Vincent drove off. I quickly called him to U-turn back. At about 10pm, Vincent netted hm while he was snacking on wet food. I am quite sure his hearing is impaired as his awareness of approaching people was blunted. The photo below is the only one of several that shows his head. There is a spot of blood on the top of his left ear which could be due to the trauma of being netted and then towel-restrained for transfer into a trap. NEC yelled quite loudly while he was struggling within the net, attracting a few passer-by’s to stop and gap. I sms-ed Vincent to inform the Vet of the wound at his ear and if needed, to board him after sterilisation for treatment.
With NEC away, the residents at three blocks of HDB flats should not be awakened by caterwauling and shrieks of cat fighting till he returns. His testosterone level will taper off eventually and he should be as docile, settled and quiet as Scar-Back.
NEC (No Ear Cat) : “Will anyone ever love me?”
Sms from Vincent, 5.05pm: “NEC already sterilised and discharged. He has 2 deep wounds on the neck. Ears - serious infection. Very smelly. Head injured. So nice of Dr Wang who said: “This cat very poor thing.” Medication was not charged. Take all medicine and charged only $20 for sterilisation. Clinic said he was very fierce and asked me to take him back to nurse him myself.”
I told Vincent to look after him for one month and to do what he can to make his wounds heal. I think good nutrition is important for NEC to heal on his own as his ferocity prevents Vincent from cleaning the wounds and his ears.
Is there is anyone who would like to sponsor his boarding on a long-term basis? This might be a better option than releasing back onto the streets.
I think he has never received any kind of affection in his life. Will anyone ever love him?
No Ear Cat (NEC) - update
sms at 5.20pm from Vincent: “I sent NEC to Pet Clinic. At first I thought his head was slant because of his ear infection. But after I nursed him for some time leow, his head is still slanted to one side. Dr Au suspects this problem has something to do with his brain and still under further tests to prove. He is at the clinic under observation.”
7.24pm, update from Dr Au: “NEC has an infection of the inner ear judging by the head tilt and the pus coming from his ear. There is a loss of reflex from the corresponding eye. Suspected facial nerve damage due to the cat bite. Prognosis is fair unless spreads deeper into the Central Nervous System or impedes a motor functions like swallowing, etc.”
NEC has been discharged from the Vet
NEC is back under the care of Vincent who puts a collar on him to clean the sores around his ear.
NEC - update
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 3:02 PM
Yesterday clinic called me to bring NEC back for review. I were abit puzzled because his next review is not time yet. Dr Au said that his recovery is very good and fast. NEC will be able to recover very soon if his condition continues to progress so smoothly. NEC is very much “guai” (”well behaved”) now. He allows me to clean his ears without anymore struggle. Maybe he knows that the cleaning will help him to ease his discomfort.
Vincent Ng
“Ugly” cat, NEC, transforming into a “Beauty”
When I first blogged about this Ugly Cat (”his look and colour would be frightening to some people”) , never had I imagined that he would be loved with so much tenderness and compassion. Thank you Vincent. Well done!
5.40pm : Here’s a MMS from Vincent and NEC wishing everyone Good Health and Happiness!
NEC - photo & video update
Thanks to KootooMonster’s Mama for these “sharp” photos and video taken this afternoon
No Ear Cat aka Ugly Cat….adopted!
NEC : update from Mary
Mary adopted NEC on 11th (Sunday)
It was difficult for Vincent to part with NEC.
1.09pm sms from Mary: “I have cleaned NEC’s ear with cotton wool, sight pus noted on his left ear and have applied frontline spot-on. He’s manja, turned his body for a bottom rub. Urinated but no faeces. Eating well. Fed him wet food last night and this morning. Just gave him a bowl of dry food. He’s sleeping now. We communicate a lot by blinking. “
From “Ugly” to “Beautiful” - the sad and happy story of No-Ear-Cat
Mary wrote: “NEC was not sleeping; he was stretching after his meals, that’s what he’d do after each meal. He ventured out of the cage yesterday and stayed under the cupboard in the room but returned to the cage for his toiletry. He is indeed a good boy, very, very manja and love communicating with his eyes. Credit has to go to Vincent too for i understand NEC was a very fierce cat in the initial stage; and also to the sponsors who has paid for NEC initial boarding. My grandma with my 3 aunties and their families visited on Saturday night and these lovely beings have won them over.”
NEC is a cat that has lots of love to give
Email from Mary:
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 10:03 AM
NEC is a cat that has lots of love to give. Usually after cleaning his ear, he would rub himself against my leg, twisting and turning his body, rubbing against the cage entrance but last night he gave me 2 lick on my knee - extra love.
After the ’sayanging’; i thought he may need to poo as his anal was a bit protruded and NEC had went to the litter tray twice, smelled at the cat litter before returning for more sayang; so i thought may be he was shy and that i should leave the room to wash their dinner plates. i returned later to find that he had indeed poo. My conclusion - NEC is either a very shy cat or a insecure one.
This morning when i went to his room, as usual i find him lying inside the cage. i took the cleaning kit from the cupboard to clean his ear and expect him to continue lying/hiding in the cage but to my surprise, he walked out of the cage himself.
As i held onto his head for the cleaning, he purrs and i just feel happy. He has never purr till this morning and i think he is finally home, he knows he is safe and will never be abandoned again.
Update on NEC (No Ear Cat)
Mary wrote: “Talking about manja(NEC), he is fine and has ‘integrated’ with his sibilings. He is now clear of nits. He loves to sit in the kitchen and watch my ongoing, and when he has enough of watching or hissing from Tigger, he will walk to his room. I will upload the photos on Thursday.”
Read : From “Ugly” to “Beautiful” - the sad and happy story of No-Ear-Cat
The incredible but beautiful transformation of “No Ear Cat” (NEC)
Latest photo update from guardian, Mary
Finally….NEC (No Ear Cat) in his own MTV!
NEC (No Ear Cat) : email update
From: “Mary”
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 10:09 AM
Hi, hi,
Just to inform NEC cage has been kept in the store for the last 1 week. His
cat litter tray is now placed in the common toilet with the other trays and
he is very comfortable and happy moving around the whole house - he even
took his noon nap on my bed during the weekends - he jumped up himself. And
he loves playing with his mouse, he can practically play by himself
oblivious to his surroundings. And you are right, he does have hearing
problem and i have to take his cleaning kit to wave him in the room for his
ear cleaning.
Photo update on “Ugly Cat”, renamed “No Ear Cat” and now “Manja”
Latest video of the cat called …Ugly…No-Ear-Cat..and now Manja
Video-clip from his guardian, Mary Lim.
Photo update of ex-”No Ear Cat” aka “Ugly Cat”, now Manja cat!
From Mary
Photo update of Manja (was known as No-Ear-Cat)
Manja absolutely manja!
MMS from Mary
mms photos from Mary
Manja (ex-NEC or No-Ear-Cat) and Terry (ex-abused dog)
Terry - a non-cat story of sadness and happiness
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2005
My friend (MY)’s cousin husband has a dog whom they are thinking of abandoning, and I heard this dog has never been properly taken care of. They fed him bread for meals, don’t take him out for walk, and may be due to that, he urinates all over the house and as a punishment was not given water to drink by her mother-in-law. Due to excessive thirst, he manged to escaped somehow and drank the only pail of soapy water whom he saw, and vomitted badly without any medical aid.
When the couple’s child was born, this dog is locked out at the balcony because they claimed he frightened the child, and was sent to the groomer to be shaved bald because they said his fur will harm the child. Now I learnt this dog may not be licensed, may not be sterilised, has never been sent to the vet even though he has 2 lumps on his body and was never given a shower at home. I decided if this dog is of small breed, I will adopt him home. I will be viewing this dog on Sunday and his family was more than willing to deliver the dog to me yesterday.
M
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2005 1:57 PM
Update from A (pet transport person). Terry apparently looked very clean today, no matted fur, no body odour except for his bad breathe and 2 lumps which he thinks is tumour and a very dirty ear. Unfortunately he did not take any photos. Why the change? I do not know but I definitely am sure i did not concoct the whole story on his well being.i was told by MY’s cousin Terry ran immediately into the cage without much problem, and A has informed this dog is very obedient.
He will contact again the outcome after the vet visit.
MSent: Friday, December 30, 2005 9:15 AMVisited Terry last evening and he is so clean and beautiful after the grooming. He was very anxious to get out of the cage and the staff allowed me to carry him for 5 minutes. They gave him can food and water although the food seems untouched when I was there. As I was leaving, he gave a small yelp as if saying ‘don’t leave me here’. In general, A did a great job.
I have bought a packet of dry Avoderm and 2 cans of wet Avoderm to try out. Most likely will cook chicken meat for him and the other sibilings tomorrow. All of you have been so kind.
MY’s cousin’s mother called me to give her daughter a small token for allowing me to ‘adopt’ the dog, i was very mad but since she requested for sweets/sugar, I will give it to her.
I will be going to MP at 1.00pm this afternoon to fetch Terry back with the driver, and at the same time to buy him a new leash for walking this evening. Hopefully all goes well with him and the cats.M
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2005 10:12 AM
Good to hear he is ok.
There is a chinese practice to give them something sweet as a token of adopting the dog, or else the dog will not stay long.
K
