Holy cats. Normally, the loss of a foot is treated by taking the whole leg, since an animal can get along pretty well as a tripod. Leaving a nonfunctioning limb is a lot of overhead for an animal, and generally leads to serious complications. It’s only good if it’s just one leg that’s injured, though. A cat in England who lost two feet has just had a kind of prosthetic transplant to help him walk again.
When I read this article, and saw the video, I was just blown away. All I could think about was the frostbitten kittens Yvonne and I nursed back to health last Fall. What a miracle this would have been for Lima, who lost a foot. Because of the foot, she had to lose the whole leg. This would have solved the issue without such a dramatic surgery. What we see in veterinary medicine in the next few years will be amazing. The future is now.
Actually, I’m really trying hard not to name my current foster kittens. Their status is shaky and I’m trying not to get attached, but really it was too late for that the second I saw them.
The smallest baby is now unofficially “Gummy McGummerson.” It doesn’t matter how quick I am or how I hold him. He will find something to gum on as soon as I pick him up. It’s like he’s a cute, furry lamprey. He even tried nursing the plastic side of a soap dish.
Anyone know if there is such a thing as a pacifier for kittens?
My job at Simply Cats as Care Manager is a perfect fit. I love it, and I hope I don’t have to move on for a long, long time. This doesn’t mean the job doesn’t break my heart every day in new and exciting ways. One minute I’m facing tragedy from circumstance or ignorance, then comedy enough to bring tears to my eyes, then something transcendent, like the perfect adoption or returning a lost cat to its owner.
Today we had three kittens surrendered to us, who were born on Easter Sunday. They were abandoned outside. You know how cold some of the recent nights have been. At five days old, these tiny babies have frost bite and are malnourished.
They went straight to West Vet. They have a 50% chance of survival. I took them home to foster and see if I can get them through tonight. Please send good thoughts their way. Even if only one pulls through it will have been worth the effort. This particular foster mummy doesn’t like having her heart broken and will do her best to bring all three tiny boys through this alive.
If you’ve ever considered fostering, Simply Cats can always use a hand when we receive orphans. Ones whose health is this borderline will be fostered by a staff member until they’re considered stable. Right now they’re so young that they will need to be fed and pottied every two hours, around the clock. It’s imperative that they stay properly warm. It’s a lot of work, but frequently unbelievably rewarding. Then they will need an excellent volunteer foster. If you’ve considered volunteering as a foster, now is a great time. Drop by for an application or print one here.
If they make it through the night I’ll post photos tomorrow. Wish these tiny babies luck. They’ll need it.
