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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsPlease help Salem if you can (warning: Fund Raising Link inside)
Hi Everyone.
I'm hoping this is okay, as I've seen others do this in the past. I've been around DU for a LONG time and have never needed to do this.
As some of you may know, my girlfriend and I do a lot of animal rescue work. Most of what I do is helping with transports of rescue animals and I just recently registered a domain for the rescue org we work with most and am building them a website (not ready for primetime yet, still just a shell and testing).
Recently, we were asked to help with a cat from Maine who had been attacked by a dog. We immediately drove up from Massachusetts to get this cat and get him to a vet. We were really shocked by what we found.
We were told that the cat "just needed a couple of stitches", but when we got him, it was apparent that he needed far more. He was very lucky not to lose his leg (or even his life, we half expected the vet to suggest euthanization). He was underweight, anemic and had a huge infected necrotic wound. He'd been living in some pretty horrible conditions (this is being investigated by authorities, so I can't offer any detail right now). We are in a bit of a bind with his care. The cost has been several thousand dollars and the rescue organization we work with is very strapped for funds. He is currently at Bulger Veterinary Hospital in Andover, Massachusetts for surgery and they've been wonderful.
The cost for his care so far is in the neighborhood of $5,000 which is what Labs and More Rescue and Adoption is trying to raise.
He's really an amazing cat and has a great prognosis after the surgery to close the wound (and, I believe reattach some muscle tissue that was damaged).
If you can help, it would be wonderful. He's really a wonderful cat, through all this, he's been VERY friendly towards people and still has no fear of dogs. (NOTE: He's also adoptable once he heals.
Thanks for reading, and once again, I hope this is okay to post. If not, mods, please let me know.
https://fundrazr.com/d17Lje
LaurenG
(24,841 posts)I remember talking to you long ago when I was still Ohioblues. You have always been a cat lover.
Heidi
(58,237 posts)ET Awful
(24,753 posts)let's keep it visible
redwitch
(14,946 posts)Will send my little bit as soon as possible. Great work rescuers!
Capn Sunshine
(14,378 posts)Here's a link that might help
http://massanimalcoalition.com/resources/pet-owners/
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)This time, the surgery is already done though, we had to move quickly to save him.
Thank you!
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)They've closed up the wound and reattached the torn muscle.
They're going to keep him overnight for pain management, but we should be able to take him home tomorrow and let him recuperate. Then we need to find an adopter for him.
Unfortunately, it's hard to find adopters for black cats, but we'll keep trying!
Thanks for the help so far everyone, we really appreciate it!
Little Tich
(6,171 posts)mackerel
(4,412 posts)for my next paycheck to contribute. Also give us progress reports. Salem is sure lucky you came along when you did.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)We have to go pick him up around 11:00 and bring him home. . . hopefully the other cats won't stress him out too much.
I'll get more pictures too.
THANK YOU!
Rhiannon12866
(205,747 posts)Hope we helped a little and thank you for all you do...
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)That's a huge help. Thank you!
Rhiannon12866
(205,747 posts)What an incredible little guy, with such a strong spirit! And he is so courageous! Of the four cats I have had in my life, three have been black. I didn't choose them, they seem to find me. I hope this helped a little and I will be checking back, he deserves all the help we can give him! Thank you so much for all you do...
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)Almost too well. . . he's supposed to be relaxing and letting the leg heal, but he wants to get out of his room and bolt through the whole house. He's going to be a tough one to keep relaxed while he heals, too eager to get out and explore.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)Thanks everyone. He's doing great!
denbot
(9,901 posts)And a donation that my wife would approve of..
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)Highly appreciated.
ms liberty
(8,590 posts)And a thank you for your work.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)Had to take him back to the vet last night, don't know how he did it, but he dislodged his fentanyl patch and was really uncomfortable. Had to take him and get a new one
Poor guy.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)So we did have to take him back to get the fentanyl patch replaced, but he's been fine since.
He does have this tendency to try to rush out of his room (we have him isolated from most of the other cats).
We also have to perform physical therapy with him 3 times a day (need fully extend that leg to keep the muscle limber for 10-15 full extensions 2-3 times daily).
He's being a real trooper and is still super friendly and affectionate. Overall, other than obvious discomfort when the stretching is going on, he acts completely unphased by the whole ordeal for the most part.
He'll be available for adoption once he's recovered if anyone is interested in a super affectionate and very cute black cat .
His vet bills are hovering around the $5-$6000 mark right now, so any little donation would be very helpful if anyone can spare it.
Thank you!!!!!!
shenmue
(38,506 posts)ET Awful
(24,753 posts)The more visibility, the better. Donations are the only way we can keep saving these guys .
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)He's doing very well. We were actually able to get the other two cats from the house he came from the other day, so he has 2 friends to hang out with and is much happier as far as I can tell.
He seems to be recovering well. So far no recurrence of dislodging the patch or anything.
He's a strong little dude.
Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)looks like Salem's fund could still use a lot of help...
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)Got so busy yesterday that I didn't have time to stop by and give it a nudge.
I wish everyone could meet this cat, it's amazing how friendly and cuddly he is after all this.
Punkingal
(9,522 posts)You are a good person to do what you do for needy animals.
Norrin Radd
(4,959 posts)Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)Poor Salem.
I'm glad he's on the road to recovery. Thanks for helping him!
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)It looks like what we thought was scabs forming on the incision in on small spot was actually necrosis . He needs to go back in for some debriding, a few more stitches and more antibiotics
This poor little guy. I'll get some more pictures up of him later today (not of the incision . . . ewwwww, you really don't want to see that).
Here's goes like another $1,000 or more on his bill.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)The vet says it looks okay, not great, but okay.
Need to go back on antibiotics, put warm compresses on the wound several times a day, etc. He goes back for a follow up on Thursday.
Poor cat. Somehow, he doesn't seem to mind too much. He's still super friendly and cuddly.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)After the set back the other day, the wound still isn't looking great. They've sent a culture out to figure out the best antibiotic to give him. They don't want to stitch the wound up again until they're sure the infection is gone, they don't want an abcess to form.
Keep thinking of him, and help if you can. This poor guy. . . I really, really hope we can get him better.
LaurenG
(24,841 posts)I hope he starts to recover.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)The cultures came back. Basically it wasn't healing well because the infection was resistant the the antibiotics they had him on.
They started him on a different antibiotic last night. Hopefully we'll see a big turnaround soon. His appetite is oustanding (which is a good sign), he eats a LOT.
So we'll see how it goes, he goes back for another follow-up on Tuesday.
Thank you for caring
Rhiannon12866
(205,747 posts)And hoping to give your campaign for this courageous and wonderful cat a little more... from Felix and me. Thank you again for all you do.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)That was very welcome and generous of you (and unexpected). We all really appreciate it more than I can say.
Rhiannon12866
(205,747 posts)My heart just goes out to this brave little soul and I wish so much that he can have the kind of healthy life he deserves. And this thread also deserves more attention. So I'll continue to keep him in my thoughts and keep checking back, not to mention kicking this thread!
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)The new antibiotic is apparently working very well. BUT, he also managed to tear out a stitch or two, so the wound isn't healing as quickly as we'd like.
He's back a the vet today for a follow-up and possibly restitching the area he unstitched.
Good news is that the antibiotics are working and the infection is almost gone, now let's see how todays visit goes.
Thanks to everyone who's donated for his care so far, the bills have been well over $5,000, so every little bit helps.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)He has a bit of a cold, but he's doing really, really well.
Unfortunately, our fundraising efforts are fall well short of covering his bills.
Thanks to all who have assisted so far.
We've added copies of the bills to the fundrazr page above if anyone can help, it would be very greatly appreciated.
THANK YOU!!!!
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)I will try again later.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)We really appreciate it
LoveMyCali
(2,015 posts)I'm not able to contribute right now but at least I can give the thread a kick.
Looking at my little black rescue kitty who benefited from a guardian angel. Raven and I wish Salem a full and speedy recovery.
Fla Dem
(23,723 posts)ET Awful
(24,753 posts)He's doing GREAT. He's basically taking over the house and pushing the other cats around at this point.
Other than spots where his fur is shorter, you can't tell he was ever injured now. He's gotten all mobility back and, IMO, surpassed every hope I had for him. He's doing fantastic.
He's also up for adoption if anyone is interested
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)Hi everybody -
There is only a day and half left in the fundraiser for SAlem (not sure if they can repost or extend it or not).
If you can help, please do, we're well short of the $5,000 we were shooting for, and are out of pocket for a lot of money for him.
His healing is progressing VERY well.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,677 posts)I really want to help this little guy.
Not sure what to do now.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)The link works from 3 different machines and browsers here
https://fundrazr.com/d17Lje
If that doesn't work, maybe I can send some PayPal information or something, let me look into it.
Rhiannon12866
(205,747 posts)Sorry, we couldn't complete your payment
Here's the problem:
1002 - Unable to connect to server.
You can try again in case the problem was temporary.
You can get help in our Help Center.
So I clicked on the Help Center link and it directed me to this:
http://support.fundrazr.com/hc/en-us/articles/201677469-I-received-a-1002-error-WePay-What-does-it-mean-
You can read it for yourself, but I think you need to "verify your account." I meant to contribute again, thanks for the reminder. So glad to know that Salem's doing well, and thank you for letting us know. I just hope that this is resolved so we can continue to contribute for this deserving and remarkable kitty. I hope you can get the deadline extended... And thank you for all you're doing!
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)I'll have the admin on the site fix that. . . I have a hunch that it's only working for me since I have cached info on my PC.
Rhiannon12866
(205,747 posts)So the account is accessible today!
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)I never saw the errors from my end. I appreciate you taking the time to dig into it!
Rhiannon12866
(205,747 posts)I'm just grateful to know that he's getting better, what a remarkable and brave little guy! Thank you, as always, for your determination and care for him. Please keep us updated. I'm honored to help, so thank you for the opportunity, as well...
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)You've done so much for him yourself! It's highly appreciated.
He's doing so much better, he's got the run of the house now and is definitely taking advantage of it.
Rhiannon12866
(205,747 posts)And I am more than willing to do what I can. You and Salem have the hard part...
shenmue
(38,506 posts)Please post a fixed link. Thanks.
roody
(10,849 posts)Response to ET Awful (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Fla Dem
(23,723 posts)Last edited Tue May 31, 2016, 12:07 PM - Edit history (2)
So donated in her (Ebi for Ebony) memory.
Good luck.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)I'm actually tearing up here, that means a LOT to us and to him.
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)Thank you everybody!
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,677 posts)So glad I can help!
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
You just made my day even brighter
Fla Dem
(23,723 posts)ET Awful
(24,753 posts)Just found out they can extend the deadline, so hopefully that will help if anyone wants to help but hasn't been able to.
THANKS EVERYONE!!!!
TuxedoKat
(3,818 posts)Thanks for the reminder -- I just donated. Hope a few others will too. I tried to before but the link wasn't working. Hope Salem continues to do well!
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)I think they're going to be able to extend it a few days.
Thanks so much for the help!
Rhiannon12866
(205,747 posts)ET Awful
(24,753 posts)I've given some updates on Salem in replies to replies, but not to the main thread. . .
So, here we go:
He's doing GREAT. He's basically taking over the house and pushing the other cats around at this point.
Other than spots where his fur is shorter, you can't tell he was ever injured now. He's gotten all mobility back and, IMO, surpassed every hope I had for him. He's doing fantastic.
He's also up for adoption if anyone is interested
Rhiannon12866
(205,747 posts)You might let DUers know where he's located if you're looking to have him adopted. And thank you for all you've done for him... He's one amazing cat!
ET Awful
(24,753 posts)He's currently in Massachusetts, but transport can be arranged. If we can regularly get dogs transported from Virginia, Kentucky, etc. to Massachusetts and Maine, we can get him moved around .
Rhiannon12866
(205,747 posts)I'm aware that animal rescue groups regularly have "underground railroads" for animals. My dog Sara was found as a stray on the streets of Ohio, was brought to a high kill shelter by a good Samaritan, and was a last minute addition in a transport to New York and Vermont where we have tougher animal protection laws. She was such a nice dog that I kept thinking that somebody must be missing her, but she found a forever home with me...
shenmue
(38,506 posts)SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)ET Awful
(24,753 posts)and is one of the friendliest cuddliest cats ever.
We still haven't hit the fundraising goal, but we're trying.
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes, prayers, donations, etc. . . . it really helped!