Hi cat lovers, it's cheeky wee Chico back again to update all you regular readers on my progress. It's been a wee while since I've written anything for the website as my future was very uncertain when I first came into foster care about a year ago. The vets diagnosed me as having the FIV virus - this didn't bother me at all, as although it meant my wandering days were over, I had basically taken over my foster mum's house and made up for not going outside by using the conservatory as my own personal sun room! Right from the word go I decided that this was my house and my foster family were to be my own personal human slaves, hee hee!!!  It's the best place in the word here, I can tell you. I have my own place in the settee with my own special cushion and if I want to stretch out, the humans sit on the floor. I have everything a wee cat could possibly want here and I'm spoiled rotten!!  I'm even allowed to sit at the dining table and be fed pieces of cold meat, yum yum!!

Not long after I got my wee paws under the table here, the vets found a lump at the base of my tail. After some tests it was found that I had a tumour and the vets thought at the time that it was probably inoperable, so it was decided that it would be best all round if I stayed in permanent foster care with the family who loved me and where I felt safe and secure. No one was sure just how long I had but one thing was sure I was going to enjoy every single day of whatever time I had left! Over the next few months the lump on my tail grew bigger and bigger and eventually the fur fell off and I had a huge bald patch. It became so large that I had a lot of difficulty lifting up my tail. I started walking with a bit of a limp and found it quite hard jumping onto my favourite spot on the couch. My mum (who has a great sense of humour) was most concerned that I even seemed to having trouble with one of my more mischievous pastimes - passing wind. I am such a rude boy!! My Cats Protection aunties decided that it was time for a check up at the vets as they were so concerned at the size of the lump on my tail. We were all very serious when it was my time to see the vet as my prognosis hadn't been very good a year ago. The vet told my aunties that the lump was now so big that there was a danger that it might ulcerate and before long would cause me a lot of problems as the lump would soon stop the blood supply to my tail, however you will all be so pleased to hear that the vets were very optimistic as the tumour had been contained and they now had a much better idea of the type of tumour it is than when they first diagnosed it a year ago. The decision was made that I would have the operation to have my tail amputated as, without this procedure, I would have no hope at all.

Well, it's been a month since I had the operation and as everyone knows, we felines have all got 9 lives. I must surely be somewhere near that by now!!  I have fully recovered and don't miss my tail at all. I've had my stitches out and the fur is starting to grow back. As yet, there is no evidence that the tumour has spread and I've been given a new lease of life. Best of all, I can pass wind again to my hearts content, hee hee!!!  My foster family and everyone at Cats Protection are delighted and best of all I can stay where I am for good. A year ago, my future looked very bleak but I'm now one contented and spoiled wee puss - just goes to prove you can't keep a good 'cat' down!!!  My photo shows me, lounging about in the conservatory enjoying the sun. I will keep you posted on my progress, so keep watching this space. Chico xxx.

Cats Protection note: The decision was made to remove Chico's tail as he would not have survived without this procedure. It was a decision that could not have been made when his tumour was first diagnosed as the type of tumour was not known at the time, nor was it known how quickly it would spread or, indeed, if it would spread at all. A year ago it was decided to let nature take it's course and to monitor the growth of the tumour. As he was still fit and healthy after the year and the tumour was contained in the one place, on the vets advice we decided to take the only option and amputate his tail. Many thanks to everyone who has enquired about his progress and a huge thanks to his wonderful foster family who have given him such a loving home.