7/14/22 – These two sweeties, Honey and Sweet Potato, were trapped, together(!), the night of July 11. Honey has a severe neck wound and his/her eye appeared to be injured. He/she was also very emaciated. Sweet Potato appeared to be in good health. This morning the rescuer advised that Honey’s eye is actually missing and he/she is very lethargic. Our friends at APaws advised to drop off Honey this morning and they will do their best to see him/her asap although they are very booked. Prayers for this baby who seemed thankful to be safe and petted. I will update when information is available. – diana.
7/18/22 – We have another Lucy who needs your prayers and positive vibes today. On July 6 I received an e mail from two wonderful people who rescued Lucy during the 90+ degree weather in late June. She was about 6 months old and only weighed 4 lbs. She was very emaciated and couldn’t eat or drink on her own and she also had a sinus infection. She was also having trouble breathing. The couple hand fed her and immediately took her to see a vet who treated for the sinus infection and diagnosed her with a. diaphragmatic hernia which needed surgery. The couple took her to 3 veterinary clinics before contacting us and were determined to save her. I contacted one of our favorite doctors, Dr. Zalac of Orion Animal Hospital, to see if she could do the surgery; she said yes. But, before that could happen Lucy started having a MISCARRIAGE! Three vet visits but no one noticed she was pregnant. Poor Lucy started having dead babies and the couple took her to an emergency where she was made stable. The following day, Dr. Zalac was able to see her on an emergency basis and also treated her before she could be taken home to have surgery today. A diaphragmatic hernia is a defect or hole in the diaphragm that allows the abdominal contents to move into the chest cavity. We will receive an update later. – Diana.
LUCY UPDATE 7-21-22
/21/22 – Happy Update – Here is an update from Lucy’s dad. We are so very thankful to have Dr. Zalac of Orion Animal Hospital in our lives for the many very sick and injured stray animals who come into our lives. Here are some post surgery photos and an update from Lucy’s rescuers and new parents:
“Lucy is doing amazing!! She’s breathing perfectly now and eating like a champ! She ate 10oz of wet food yesterday and probably more than that today (previously the most she ate in a day was 4oz). She has so much more energy and is waking us up like every hour all night long to play or pet her lol. She hasn’t messed with her incision once so Dr. Z said she doesn’t need a cone or anything unless she starts to lick it – I think she’s just so happy that she can breathe and eat that she hasn’t even noticed her incision and staples. We truly cannot thank you enough for all the help you’ve given us!! You have been such a blessing for us. We’d like to set up a recurring monthly donation, could you tell us how to do that? We want you to be able to continue helping all the animals like Lucy that truly need you.
Thank you again,
Manet & Johan”
Manet and Johan are very special people and we honestly couldn’t be happier for sweet Lucy. – Diana.
7/20/22 – Meet Zero. Jenny’s husband was doing a delivery and found a dog who looked like he was just hit by a car and who was very emaciated. He brought the dog home and Zero immediately started to get along with their resident pup. Zero was taken to the couple’s family vet who found that Zero had a broken pelvis and a torn ACL. This wonderful couple had already invested a considerable amount of money for this stray animal and, before contacting us, contacted a vet recommended by their veterinarian to determine the cost of treatment. That is when they contacted us for some help.
I immediately contacted one of our favorite veterinary partners, Patterson Veterinary Hospital, and Zero was seen the next day. Dr. Lynch determined that she could perform Femoral Head Osteotomy surgery (surgery to restore pain-free mobility to a damaged hip by removing the head and neck of the femur which eliminates the bone-on-bone contact of the hip). The pelvis will typically heal with crate rest. Zero will be seen again on July 28 to determine the level of healing and to schedule the surgery. At this time, the doctor saw no need for ACL surgery.
We will continue to update on Zero. There are so many animals needing our prayers so tonight when you’re saying your prayers and asking God to watch over those you love, please remember the many fur orphans who are wandering and too often dying on our streets. If not for our community, who then?? – diana.
/24/22 – And Another! Sissy was rescued Tuesday and early this morning she was found to be lethargic, had a temperature, and had not been eating well. With closer inspection, the rescuer found a hole in her face which was suspected to the result of a botfly imbedded in her very skinny body. Sissy was taken early this morning to an emergency veterinary hospital and we were contacted for help. Sissy was slightly sedated and the botfly was removed. She was given meds for an infection and pain. She appears to be doing better already and is finally eating. Her rescuer has rescued dozens (if not hundreds)of cats and we’ve tried to help when needed. Thank you to our amazing community for making a difference and giving these orphans a second chance at life. – diana.
7/27/22 – This kitten is named Cutee Reba. She was found a few days ago with a cuterebra larvae in her head. She is only about 4 weeks old. This took up the entire top of her head and it was alive. There was a large hole that is healing. She was covered in maggot larvae. A co-worker has offered to foster and find placement while we cover medical. So far we haven’t had to do much other than supportive care. She will get her age appropriate vaccines and feluk fiv test in a few weeks. – Gina.
P.S. Gina provided another photo that showed the large hole in one whole side of Cutee Reba’s little face but I was confident it would be blocked so I did not include it. If you would like further information about the cuterebra or the bot fly I will be posting a couple of links in another post. – diana.
7/26/22 – This is Leo (formerly known as Leah). He was recently rescued after showing up in a cat community. He had been vomiting and even after medication, he was not improving. He saw one of our veterinary partners yesterday and the doctor is concerned that he may have a blockage. The doctor diagnosed him with an ear and bladder infection, a possible foreign object in the abdominal area, possible pancreatitis, and a low glucose count. He was treated for the infections, given fluids and other medication. Leo will be going back today for another x ray to see if there still appears to be a foreign object in the abdomen. His finder reported that Leo is very sweet and we pray he will recover fully. – Diana.
7/31/22 – I’m so sorry to report that the last of Cookie’s babies died last night. Last weekend we reported on Cookie who was rescued while pregnant and taken in by a good friend of 4 paws 1 Heart. Cookie had 6 babies and all seemed to be going well for about a week and a half. But then, Cookie started to shun the babies and the foster/finder mom became worried. Cookie was in the hospital for almost 48 hours and the babies were bottle fed and transported to two experienced friends who would bottle feed them until they could eat on their own. Cookie was diagnosed with a severe upper respiratory infections but we just thought the babies hadn’t had the nutrition and food needed and they would eventually be fine. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case and the babies began dying, The last three babies went to another very experienced rescuer who has taken care of several at risk kittens and who was in contact with one of our best and favorite doctors. It was noticed that two of the kittens had very swollen paws as you can see in the photo. The doctor believed they were suffering from vasculitis which is an inflamation in the blood vessels, possibly the result of whatever infection the mom had. The final three were immediately given antibiotics along with very intensive care which included oxygen, incubator heat, and tube feeding, but, unfortunately, it was too late and the last baby died last night. To say this has been a horribly heartbreaking situation for all would be an understatement. the only comfort to be found is knowing that this mama and her babies did not die horrible deaths alone on the streets. Cookie is doing good and is with her rescuer. The babies knew love and died in the arms of people who truly cared and did everything they could. – diana.
8/4/22 – Prayers Please. This two-week old baby was seen being thrown out in a bag at a Meijer’s parking lot. There were 4 kittens in that bag. I’m not sure how this all played out but some people took 3 of the kittens and left one in the bag. A kind Samaritan took that kitten and brought her immediately to a hospital we work with, Groesbeck Animal Hospital which was close by. I was contacted by one of the staff and asked if we knew anyone who could take the kitten in to bottle-feed. Thankfully, our friend and very experienced rescuer, took in little Bambina and within an hour she was safe and secure and being given a bottle. We don’t know how long this baby was away from her mom and left unfed and she is definitely week. We know nothing about the other 3 kittens and their fate but pray the people who took them know what to do with such young babies who would require immediate bottle feeding which would have to continue every two hours or so. After 12 years of doing this, I still don’t understand the cruelty of some humans and worry about anyone who could so easily murder 4 little lives. – diana.
8/4/22 – Prayers Please. This two-week old baby was seen being thrown out in a bag at a Meijer’s parking lot. There were 4 kittens in that bag. I’m not sure how this all played out but some people took 3 of the kittens and left one in the bag. A kind Samaritan took that kitten and brought her immediately to a hospital we work with, Groesbeck Animal Hospital which was close by. I was contacted by one of the staff and asked if we knew anyone who could take the kitten in to bottle-feed. Thankfully, our friend and very experienced rescuer, took in little Bambina and within an hour she was safe and secure and being given a bottle. We don’t know how long this baby was away from her mom and left unfed and she is definitely week. We know nothing about the other 3 kittens and their fate but pray the people who took them know what to do with such young babies who would require immediate bottle feeding which would have to continue every two hours or so. After 12 years of doing this, I still don’t understand the cruelty of some humans and worry about anyone who could so easily murder 4 little lives. – diana.
8/7/22 – A couple of weeks ago I received the following message from a person whom we’ve often assisted with rescued cats/kittens:
“I was tagged in a post on fb about 5 kittens that were posted for free. They were living outside in a cage on someone’s gazebo. I hate seeing animals posted for free; it always makes me worry where they might end up. So I met the guy that had them. He brought them to me in the bed of his pick up truck. They were terrified. I got them home, fed them got them water which they couldn’t get enough of either. They are boney with big bellies and one has what looks to be a bot fly. They are scared but some what friendly. I was told they were 10 weeks old but I’m thinking they are more like 6 maybe 7 weeks old. Can you please help with medical. – Bonnie”
Thankfully, we are still able to help in these situations and all of the kittens were taken in for an exam and their distemper vaccines. Fred did have a bot fly which was removed; the hole was a little larger than a quarter. Who knows how long that poor baby had that ‘beast’ burrowing in his body. When old enough, we will be covering the rabies vaccines, second boosters, and, of course, spays/neuters. Here is George, Fred, Harry, Buffy, and Ron.
Only with your donations can we continue to help these orphans and save them from eventual death on the streets. – diana.
