CLAWS OUT!

Doctor Under Investigation for Giving His Feline a CAT Scan

An Italian doctor brought his cat to the hospital to conduct a CAT scan on his injured cat.

A doctor in Italy is being investigated after he gave his injured feline a CAT scan before performing surgery in the animal. Dr. Gianluca Fanelli, who works at the Umberto Parini Hospital in Aosta, Italy, took matters into his own hands after his cat, Athena, fell six stories off a roof, reports The Guardian. Fanelli, who manages the radiology unit, also gave the cat pneumothorax surgery in the unit’s angiography suite. Fanelli said, “She was between life and death. I knew I could only save her with a quick intervention.” Local health authorities looked into the matter and referred the case to local prosecutors. Fanelli might be charged with wasting public money and depriving patients of essential services. Fanelli defended himself, saying he used hospital equipment after hours. He also apologized “if all of this led to a violation of the rules” and promised to reimburse the hospital if his actions were expensive. Fanelli says his mission as a doctor and his children’s love for the cat guided his decision. Fanelli’s wife, League Party Senator Nicoletta Spelgatti said, “My husband saved a life. That’s it.”