No, we can’t save them all. But we’ve all been guilty of letting the occasional long-shot kitten case worm its way into our psyches, sucking up all our energy reserves like a feline singularity as we battle to save it against all odds––not to mention our better judgment.
The kitten in question is a stray twelve-weeker currently living in the company of a new-client couple. They’d come in yesterday for a second opinion on a heavy-breathing problem and left with a diagnosis no one wants to hear: diaphragmatic hernia.
So you know, a diaphragmatic hernia happens when the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen (the diaphragm) is either incompletely formed (congenitally) or traumatized (as with the kind of blunt force a car might apply). In either case the solution is the same: surgery to repair the defect any way we can.
In this case, the kitten breathes with significant abdominal effort. Her intestines and half her liver have spilled into the space her lungs live in, thereby displacing them. Her lung capacity is consequently about a fifth of normal. No wonder she breathes like that.
Though she can’t jump or perform normal kitten activities, somehow she can still manage to eat up a storm––and eke out a purr. Clearly she’s one of those who knows she’s got to work it to recruit our help. And she does it soooo well.
The problem is the stray-slash-money factor, as it so often is. Foundlings being so unexpected and the economy so crappy, you can see how this scenario might be playing out all over the US.
That’s why we struck a deal: We’ll charge you our cost and we’ll cut corners wherever we can. $400 start to finish, no matter what the outcome. As long as they understand the risks of having a generalist perform a bare-bones surgery that might well require a specialist. And we won’t know that until we get in there.
After it was all agreed and the multitude of questions answered, I wrote up this post to the point that precedes this paragraph with a lump in my throat. I really didn’t want to get into such a surgical stressfest. Nothing I like less than a “peek and shriek” surgery.
Yet, unsavory as it sounds, I couldn't help thinking I'd have no better option to redeem myself after euthanizing so many a couple of weeks ago. What can I say? Sometimes we all make these deals with ourselves. Sleeping well at night is well worth the temporary stress and zero pay.
Thankfully, it seems that overnight the couple begged, borrowed or stole some cash and took their case to vet number three: the surgeon across the street (who happens to be my favorite specialist ever). We can afford $1,000, they explained. Can you help?
I’m not yet privy to the deal they struck but let it suffice to say that we all know we could be saving twelve kittens for the amount of time, energy and money that’s headed this one’s way. But what can you do? Sometimes you don’t pick them...they pick you. That's when you have no choice but to surrender to the sweet mystery of their masterfully solicitous purr.
I'll keep you posted on her progress.
Add Comment43 Comments
My friends son has the same condition as the kitty. She's a pet lover and will be over hear shortly to read about your marvelous efforts :)
Sometimes we must let our hearts rule our heads. It's part of being human.
Wendy July 30th, 2009 12:49:58 PM
Yes sometimes they do "pick you". I have two out of my three that "picked me". The first one has Addison's and the amount we spent the first year alone was enough to save a lot of other dogs, and I was told that over and over. Friends/family even asked how I could spend that kind of money on a <gasp> "dog". This week I have spent $1000 on the second one that "picked me" and that will rise I am sure. I tell my friends and family that it is my money, I earned it and I don't tell them how to spend their money. Every penny is worth it, if it means working extra hours to pay off the credit card then so be it.
So I say it's their money and they apparently are trying their best for this kitten so I would be doing whatever I could to help them if I was in your shoes. If helping the kitten makes you feel better, all the better, that's a bonus.
Elizabeth - From Nova Scotia July 30th, 2009 01:38:54 PM
Yup. On my way to beers with friends one night many years ago, in a torrential summer downpour, I heard a plaintive meowing from under a very old clunker of a car behind the bar. After shimmying under the car in the mud on my back (the drunk boys on their way into/out of the bar were generally worse than no help -- the started trying to scare the kitten out by throwing rocks) I found a terrified gray tabby about 7 weeks old or so. she was hiding up in the piping under the car. I scruffed her and pryed her off the wheel, and then scooted slowly out on my back . . . to find later kitty had a broken leg. Did I do it getting her out? Or is that why she was stuck up there crying without her mom? Either way, conscience and fate led me to spring for the $1,000 + for a surgical specialty vet to fix, rather than amputate, her very badly fractured leg. Only to turn around and -- through a rescue -- give her away for free. I still have her x-rays, to remember "Piper" by.
Stefani July 30th, 2009 02:09:15 PM
Elizabeth - I think people don't realize the reward you get in return from the special animals you choose to help. A happy, moderately healthy dog who loves you unconditionally is a wonderful thing. Good for you for taking care of your foundlings. :)
Growing up, we always had at least one dog, and several of them found us and refused to leave. One even went as far as to camp out on our front porch until my sister and I persuaded my mom to let her in the house.
Then, my mom & I found a puppy a couple of years ago. Her immediate problems included several infections, skin/coat issue (b/c she's part blue dobie) and signs that she was either abused or mistreated in her previous home. A year later, she began having seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy. My parents have taken care of her through all those problems with the help of their wonderful vets, and I shudder to think what would have happened if we hadn't been the ones to find her. She's such a loving (albeit energetic, puppy-like and often naughty) dog, that I know it makes it worth it for them.
Posey July 30th, 2009 02:17:57 PM
I've been "picked" a few times. Sometimes you gotta give in even though it's against your better logic and judgment :)
Sorry to see your spammer seems to be getting aggressive.
PJBoosinger July 30th, 2009 03:01:37 PM
I have spent way more than I ever admit to anyone with my cats (both residents and fosters). Consequently, I have little to no money for vacations, new furniture, etc. But I wouldn't change a thing. When they are with me, I promise them I will do all I can for them and if it means specialized vet care, that's what I do.
My oldest cat, now 13, was on the early end of the pet food recall and went into arf. She spent 2 weeks in critical care at a local university vet teaching hospital. That was followed by one problem after another. How could I let her go because it was "expensive" and she was fighting for her life and winning? I know that not everyone would make that decision, but I did and I have no regrets! She's still with me and makes me smile everyday, especially now that the arf has progressed to crf and I know our time is limited.
I hope the kitten survives her surgery and has a long, happy life with her new people. I'll be watching for updates! She's one lucky little kitten!
dottie July 30th, 2009 03:43:35 PM
Ahhh, yes! Fourteen years ago, I so looked forward as a newbie "breeder" to my first champion Scottie's impending litter...5 robust pups later--- but wait, no, 5 1/2 pups later, a teeny-tiny weak less than 5 oz. pup that looked more like a skinny kitten or even some other animal was whelped with a gorgeous tiger striped coat.
A true runt that fought hard to live, but never made it to 1/2 bred size. How I drove home every day, running up a full flight of stairs and around two hallways to peer into the box, catching a sigh of relief seeing that tiny tiger baby.
What would a breeder do? Keep the best out of the 3 dogs & 3 bitch pups? Why yes, of course! Isn't that why you go through all the expense, the labor, the headache? What to do--with the wee one: give away, sell for reduced cost, or euthanize as suggested by her vet associate?
I knew from the very first minute of whelp, she remained my cherished pet. Her robust siblings all placed in companion homes s/n.
Yes my life, it's better left to chance, I could have missed the pain but I'd of had to miss the dance----Tony Arata
Pocket's Story from New Hampshire
Barbara A. Albright/NH July 30th, 2009 05:00:55 PM
I think the owners had better start to think of it as "our cat" not a stray...lol. Its pretty obvious that they 've fallen in love and the cat will have found its forever home.
As for you...sometimes you just need to know you can do good in this world when you see so much bad in the clinic. Why not make yourself, your clients and a cat happier?! Good for you!
Kathy July 30th, 2009 05:09:58 PM
Great news! The surgery was a success. And I'm soooo glad I wasn't the one doing it. Not only were the intestines and the entire stomach now in the chest cavity (the stomach didn't appear to be in there yesterday, the entire liver was in there, too. And this latter organ was adhesed to the rudimentary diaphragm (this appears to have been a congenital case). No flap was needed (or a mesh, which is much less comfortable than a tissue flap), but after pulling together what was left of the diaphragm, the surgeon had trouble closing the abdomen. "These are challenging," he offered by way of understatement. God knows I would have been dancing for self-congratulatory joy were I in his shoes. As it stands, I'm just plain dancing. :-D
Dr. Patty Khuly July 30th, 2009 06:28:00 PM
Congrats and kudos to all involved!
PJBoosinger July 30th, 2009 07:06:13 PM
Yay! Thanks for the update. It's awesome how many people have come together for that little kitty.
Posey July 30th, 2009 08:40:48 PM
That's wonderful!! I'm so glad this kitty "chose well" for her new owners and so glad the surgery turned out successfully. Here's hoping she has an uneventful recovery and a long and happy life.
I love it when this sort of thing happens - and it usually seems to happen for a reason.
But when you said that twelve kittens could have been saved for the effort and money spent on this one... that's true, but when the decision is made by a private individual concerning their own pet (whether obtained accidentally or not) there is nothing at all wrong with this.
When I do take issue with this sort of scenario is when a rescue does the same thing - because while a private individual's responsibility is to that one animal, a rescue organization has a broader responsibility. I volunteer with a rescue that regularly bankrupts itself saving one sick dog... and then that same dog often is never adopted because the foster family that has spent so much time and effort nursing it back to health can't bear to let it go. Which is very understandable but after that has happened a few times you run out of foster homes as well as money. So then you can't rescue any more dogs. In cases like THAT, I do have a problem with pulling out all the stops for one sweet stray. I totally UNDERSTAND the impulse to do so... but I still have a problem with it.
Which is why I don't have a problem with you euthanizing sick feral cats Dr. Patty - and yet I can wholeheartedly rejoice in the recovery of this one other cat. The rules are just different when you are dealing with a whole homeless population.
Barb July 30th, 2009 08:45:38 PM
Barb, I have seen that too. Several thousands for a surgery that fails, diagnosis & treatment to extend foster care/hospice. It can wipe out an entire fund for one, two, or three real sick ones and leave little to zero for routine basic medical care/s/n for the others.
It is heartbreaking to say the least and not an easy decision to call.
We had one recently suspected of "intestinal blockage"---$2500 later, no blockage found in surgery, but post-surgery discovered "lyme positive" , which may have accounted for the lethargy & vomiting.
How many of those examples can a breed rescue program absorb? Don't get me going on the details, please! BTW, this was a neighbor state.
Barb A./NH July 30th, 2009 11:19:59 PM
I am so happy to hear the good news!
dottie July 31st, 2009 08:43:19 AM
As the owner of a cat with a traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (DH) caused by a kick, who started her "second life" 5 years ago today, as it happens, I can say it was worth every penny. She was already hypothermic, dehydrated and probably 3/4th dead when I brought her to the vet. Today, she is a beautiful and happy cat with the kind of joie de vivre that I've seen in only one other cat, one I saved when he was left for dead after being hit by a car. Maybe there is something about animals that get a second chance. And yes, it's my money and I get to spend it the way I decide. This kitty's ordeal cost me about $1000. What does a diamond engagement ring or a wedding for 100 cost? I've never had any wish for either (married 26 years), who's to say which choice is "right?" If the wedding and the ring are important to you, I may marvel at your choice but I will congratulate you and wish you happiness: to each his own. Incidentally, congenital DH is a bit more complicated because of the associated pulmonary hypoplasia which is a very strong predisposing factor for pulmonary artery hypertension. When I was a pediatric resident 25 years ago, fewer than 50% of these babies survived. Today, with surfactant, Nitric Oxide and vasodilators, the survival is close to 90%, the neonatologists tell me.
silkenpaw August 4th, 2009 12:52:49 AM
silkenpaw: Ah, yes, the seemingly age-old discussion over whether one is justified in spending almost $10K on their dog's radiation (as I recently did for my Sophie's brain tumor) when there are so many sick and suffering in the world. "To each his own" is clearly not what most of the world advocates when it comes to spending "inordinate" sums on a pet. Never mind that it's not only socially acceptable but patriotically lauded when you buy that Caddy with all the trimmings. Not that anyone needs such a boat.
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