Disabled Maine Coon Cat Doesn't Let His Head Injury Keep Him From the Good Life

For Clyde the rescue Maine Coon cat, life hasn’t been the easiest ride so far. Before he was rescued in 2023, he had some kind of traumatic brain injury which rendered him deaf and left him with infections in his skull, ear and nasal passages. Even now, safe in a foster family, he cannot eat normally and suffers from a variety of neurological issues.

But he still manages to be a happy kitty, and unless you happen to see his foster family feeding him via e-tube, you might never guess what he’s been through.

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Because Clyde is deaf, he doesn’t have the same fear of fireworks that a lot of other pets do. He can’t even hear the explosions, and so what might be an unpleasant or even traumatic experience for many pets is a nice night out on the patio for Clyde, “dining alfresco” on his foster Dad’s lap.

“He may not eat normally or be able to hear, but Clyde loves his life,” writes his foster parents in the caption.

Related: Dog with a Brain Stem Injury Learning to Play with Other Pups Is Everything

Cats and Fireworks

For some cats (like mine) fireworks are little more than a momentary annoyance. They give me a dirty looks, as if I had anything to do with the noise. Maybe they don’t mind so much because we live in an apartment, and they have long been inured to strange sounds in the hallway or the updaters neighbors thumping around.

But for other animals, fireworks can be an enormous problem. Some people are forced to sedate their dogs on major holidays, or hide with them in basements or closets until the festivities are over, often late into the night. Fireworks cause dogs and cats to flee their homes, birds to abandon their nests, and other disturbances.

Clyde is probably lucky that he can’t hear them.

“We’re always hoping there’s a little clue that maybe he can hear a small amount, but it seems unlikely,” his foster parent writes. “Maybe, maybe a tiny bit, but it’s rare that we see him even sort of look like he’s reacting to a sound.”

Traumatic Brain Injury in Cats

Clyde has a long road ahead of him before he’s able to achieve anything similar to a normal life.

“He had brain surgery in February 2024 under our care to remove two brain abscesses,” his fosters explain. “He also has an oronasal fistula tween the nasal and mouth cavities in the skull) (so it’s hard for him to eat normally. He can, but it’s very uncomfortable for him and also has its risks.”

This is why Clyde uses an e-tube to eat. But he’s still one hundred percent cat—after his meals, he even washes himself like a normal cat.

But despite these setbacks, his foster parents are determined to give this poor cat the best life possible.

“He’ll always have some neurological issues and much of his future is undetermined, but he’s a happy boy who gets stronger and smarter everyday.”

And his fans online are amazed to watch his progress and his tender loving care by the family who took him in.

“Props to you as well!” writes one viewer. “Not only do you have a toddler but you’re pregnant, and running a busy bee household, AND then have been 24/7 devoted to Clive’s recovery. You’re bloody fantastic, mama!”

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