Pictures And Stories Of The Kitties You All Help Save. Thank You.

FeralHearts

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The insanity began last June, before I had the best luck ever and found you all!

If it wasn't for you all the past year I don't know if all the kitties would have survived, or that I would have made it through in one piece either.

Saying thank you is such an understatement. The love and support here has been beyond amazing and I am truly in a state of aw and gratitude for everything.

These are the stories for those interested - or you can just look at the pretty pictures and know this site had a had in getting us all through the year. :-) They are hear, n a large part - because of all of you.

The first Emergency - Mia:

A week before I was to leave across the country to my nieces Wedding and just after I started to rip apart the house in prep for a full renovation, including wiring, badness stuck. One of my girls from a feral colony I care take had an emergency.

Mia's anus was massive, there was puss and blood coming out, she could barely lift herself up. I took her into ER. Her sedated her and manually looked at her. She was in such pain that she woke up and had to be fully put under. X-rays were taken and it appeared she had something small trying to come out that wasn't. The vet tried to manually move it out, but it was a no go. She was septic too. Lots of meds were given.

Eventually I was sent home with her with much medication and food and instructions to wait and watch.

She stopped eating. She was so lethargic. I was so scared.

I thought I was going to have cancel the trip - I thought I was going to lose her- which I was fine with - but some kind people who normally don't board feral took her in gave her round the clock care. (Vet techs to whom I am grateful for.) They talked to me daily on how she was.

When I came home - she still had not passed what ever it was and barely eating - but she was at least somewhat stable.

She became worse and many ER and normal vet visits later we had a plan. Getting her to poop and keep her strength up was exhausting.

By this time I had found this site and read and read and read and the help was so invaluable. I finally joined and the help was amazing.

Mia finally started to eat and eventually pooped out a very small skull that had torn her insides pretty bad. She has to stay inside forever now but she is alive and a nearly a year later is slowly adjusting. She's on a diet atm as now she's a little chucky. opps.

This is her today:



IMG_1195-mai2.jpg


IMG_1194-mia1.jpg


Emergency Number 2 - White Label:

Just as I began to catch my breath with Mia and slowly introduce her to the resident kitty (Charlie) which was going quite badly since he's a dominate fellow - White Label was accidentally poisoned by the neighbors.

They had been trying to deter a skunk family and place a cocktail of disaster down... mothballs, apple cidar vinegar, bleach and ammonia to name but a few.

White Label was in big trouble - she couldn't breath. I finally was able to get her when she was too weak to run and brought her to the ER vet. X-rays, shots, meds - her lungs had filled up with fluid. Much medication later and home we went.

She also stopped eating.

I rush her more than once to the ER. There was one point I thought she was going to die in my arms.

Many a moon later with support, love and advice from here, and good medical care - her she is:


IMG_1184-WL1.jpg

IMG_1169-WL2.jpg


The third wasn't an emergency - thankfully - but I could leave their sister BH (BraveHeart) out all alone and she was so unhappy without them ...that in she came around the end of August / September:

BraveHeart:

IMG_1174-BH.jpg



Here are the three together:
IMG_1155-GirlPower.jpg


So there I am trying to mange all these issues, introductions, house renovations, lack of sleep etc and then the third Emergency came - Resident Kitty Charlie:

Charlie already had a heart condition, Asthma, a food allergy he would never let me help him with and some behavior issues.

Needless to say the introductions were very, very, very slow and steady. Charlie is a high stress, high energy, high maintenance cat with issues. So I was always worried this would give him crystals. So every step I took with the new kitties and him was very, very slow.

Then one day he attacked someone like a rabid dog - for no obvious reason.

It was suggested here that I take him to the vet - even though there were no other symptoms. I did - reluctantly and in full honesty thinking it was a waste of time and money and as you can image with all the other vet bills it was hard financially as well. by now though - I had learned to trust the experience here. So I took him.

Turns out his urine was full of blood and her had e-coli. Shocked the helk out of me since his home conditions are so clean! Bad luck the vet said. In my head I'm thinking - bad luck - yup understatement of the year.

In the process of getting him fixed, his stress level hit the ceiling and by his second test - he had crystals. ^%$#& My worst fear.

2 months of antibiotics, lots of care and love ....and finally this week he is clear!

If that's not enough good news - after 3 years of trying to get him to do a food trial - thanks to the help and support here - we did it! He's successfully completed a three month trial and he is on the mend! His fur is great. Tummy is doing great. No e-coli or Crystals either!

Here he is in his most favorite lounging spot:

IMG_1192-CZ1.jpg


IMG_1189-CZ2.jpg



While we have a long ways to go still with behavior, health and getting everyone to get along - we've come a long way in a nearly a year. We have miles to go but we are here in a large part because of all of you. Yes, great, great vet care too but the advice and support here did more than I can say.

So if you ever think you're advice, all the time spend with us, your help, encouragement, virtual hugs or love falls on deaf ears , or isn't helpful - please re-read this long thread (Yeah I tend to write long threads - sorry) and know there is a girl and four cats that will forever be thankful for you for everything you've done for us and I am sure - for others.

You saved my sanity - and I have no doubt a few lives too. This place is invaluable and the people here are the best in the world that I have ever had the privilege of being in a community with.

With more love and gratitude than we can express...

Feral Hearts and Family.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOX

PS - I feel so much more competent taking care of the wee ones now thanks to you all and the last few days is the first time in nearly a year I've slept through the night. I feel like I can start to breath again and relax - a little. :-)
 
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FeralHearts

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What an amazing story all told in one place like this :heartshape:

:yess:

Bless your heart :bouquet:
Thank you :-)...And your heart too XOXOX :bouquet:

I'm glad you understood the post in spite of all the miswording and the many typos. I'm still pretty exhausted tbh and surprised I can string two words together. A sentence takes much effort lol

I know sometimes people come on and post issue and we never hear from them again and wonder "Are they okay?" and still others read - like I did at the start - and never join.

So I thought you all should know what a profound, positive, and amazing impact you've had. Plus see how the wee ones are doing nearly a year later. :-)

XXOXOXOXO
 

Furballsmom

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So I thought you all should know what a profound, positive, and amazing impact you've had. Plus see how the wee ones are doing nearly a year later. :-)
This is so appreciated, truly, and thank you for thinking of everyone. You cats are so fortunate to have you!!
 

Kflowers

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I'm so glad that Charlie's new sisters have distracted him enough that the food trails are nothing. Getting rid of the allergin will probably make your beautiful boy feel better about everything. Then he'll be able to enjoy having his adorable new sisters with him.

You are one totally good person, who makes life on this planet less horrible.
 

tarasgirl06

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The insanity began last June, before I had the best luck ever and found you all!

If it wasn't for you all the past year I don't know if all the kitties would have survived, or that I would have made it through in one piece either.

Saying thank you is such an understatement. The love and support here has been beyond amazing and I am truly in a state of aw and gratitude for everything.

These are the stories for those interested - or you can just look at the pretty pictures and know this site had a had in getting us all through the year. :-) They are hear, n a large part - because of all of you.

The first Emergency - Mia:

A week before I was to leave across the country to my nieces Wedding and just after I started to rip apart the house in prep for a full renovation, including wiring, badness stuck. One of my girls from a feral colony I care take had an emergency.

Mia's anus was massive, there was puss and blood coming out, she could barely lift herself up. I took her into ER. Her sedated her and manually looked at her. She was in such pain that she woke up and had to be fully put under. X-rays were taken and it appeared she had something small trying to come out that wasn't. The vet tried to manually move it out, but it was a no go. She was septic too. Lots of meds were given.

Eventually I was sent home with her with much medication and food and instructions to wait and watch.

She stopped eating. She was so lethargic. I was so scared.

I thought I was going to have cancel the trip - I thought I was going to lose her- which I was fine with - but some kind people who normally don't board feral took her in gave her round the clock care. (Vet techs to whom I am grateful for.) They talked to me daily on how she was.

When I came home - she still had not passed what ever it was and barely eating - but she was at least somewhat stable.

She became worse and many ER and normal vet visits later we had a plan. Getting her to poop and keep her strength up was exhausting.

By this time I had found this site and read and read and read and the help was so invaluable. I finally joined and the help was amazing.

Mia finally started to eat and eventually pooped out a very small skull that had torn her insides pretty bad. She has to stay inside forever now but she is alive and a nearly a year later is slowly adjusting. She's on a diet atm as now she's a little chucky. opps.

This is her today:



View attachment 285219

View attachment 285221

Emergency Number 2 - White Label:

Just as I began to catch my breath with Mia and slowly introduce her to the resident kitty (Charlie) which was going quite badly since he's a dominate fellow - White Label was accidentally poisoned by the neighbors.

They had been trying to deter a skunk family and place a cocktail of disaster down... mothballs, apple cidar vinegar, bleach and ammonia to name but a few.

White Label was in big trouble - she couldn't breath. I finally was able to get her when she was too weak to run and brought her to the ER vet. X-rays, shots, meds - her lungs had filled up with fluid. Much medication later and home we went.

She also stopped eating.

I rush her more than once to the ER. There was one point I thought she was going to die in my arms.

Many a moon later with support, love and advice from here, and good medical care - her she is:


View attachment 285222
View attachment 285223

The third wasn't an emergency - thankfully - but I could leave their sister BH (BraveHeart) out all alone and she was so unhappy without them ...that in she came around the end of August / September:

BraveHeart:

View attachment 285225


Here are the three together:
View attachment 285229

So there I am trying to mange all these issues, introductions, house renovations, lack of sleep etc and then the third Emergency came - Resident Kitty Charlie:

Charlie already had a heart condition, Asthma, a food allergy he would never let me help him with and some behavior issues.

Needless to say the introductions were very, very, very slow and steady. Charlie is a high stress, high energy, high maintenance cat with issues. So I was always worried this would give him crystals. So every step I took with the new kitties and him was very, very slow.

Then one day he attacked someone like a rabid dog - for no obvious reason.

It was suggested here that I take him to the vet - even though there were no other symptoms. I did - reluctantly and in full honesty thinking it was a waste of time and money and as you can image with all the other vet bills it was hard financially as well. by now though - I had learned to trust the experience here. So I took him.

Turns out his urine was full of blood and her had e-coli. Shocked the helk out of me since his home conditions are so clean! Bad luck the vet said. In my head I'm thinking - bad luck - yup understatement of the year.

In the process of getting him fixed, his stress level hit the ceiling and by his second test - he had crystals. ^%$#& My worst fear.

2 months of antibiotics, lots of care and love ....and finally this week he is clear!

If that's not enough good news - after 3 years of trying to get him to do a food trial - thanks to the help and support here - we did it! He's successfully completed a three month trial and he is on the mend! His fur is great. Tummy is doing great. No e-coli or Crystals either!

Here he is in his most favorite lounging spot:

View attachment 285230

View attachment 285231


While we have a long ways to go still with behavior, health and getting everyone to get along - we've come a long way in a nearly a year. We have miles to go but we are here in a large part because of all of you. Yes, great, great vet care too but the advice and support here did more than I can say.

So if you ever think you're advice, all the time spend with us, your help, encouragement, virtual hugs or love falls on deaf ears , or isn't helpful - please re-read this long thread (Yeah I tend to write long threads - sorry) and know there is a girl and four cats that will forever be thankful for you for everything you've done for us and I am sure - for others.

You saved my sanity - and I have no doubt a few lives too. This place is invaluable and the people here are the best in the world that I have ever had the privilege of being in a community with.

With more love and gratitude than we can express...

Feral Hearts and Family.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOX

PS - I feel so much more competent taking care of the wee ones now thanks to you all and the last few days is the first time in nearly a year I've slept through the night. I feel like I can start to breath again and relax - a little. :-)
May you be many times blessed, F FeralHearts for putting your caring into action for your beautiful furmily! They are magnificent and show the love and excellent care you are giving them.
IDK if it would be helpful in Charlie's case but my Elvis had two incidents of almost blocking. I now give him a chicken-flavored cranberry tablet daily. It's Drs. Foster & Smith brand, CranHealth tablets, available at petco.com. Just in case.
Keep doing what you're doing -- they are obviously thriving!:vibes::goldstar:
 

shadowsrescue

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Thank you so much for this wonderful update. I just love reading stories like this. I have had my fill of former feral cats with health issues. Just this year one of the formers, had a complete urinary blockage. This was after a very expensive surgery 2 years prior for the same issue. He is still a work in progress!

You have done so well with these kitties. Keep up the good work!
 

di and bob

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You will be blessed for going through all this, thank YOU for letting us know how things are going! You have much determination and grit to keep going when others would have given up, thank you....... PS now YOU are an expert, we hope to see more of you on this site, giving hope and encouragement to others who are going through what you haev already gone through, good luck!
 

calico man

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What a pleasure to read such a wonderful story, not only for your success but also for your praise to The Cat Site and the help you received. It's wonderful to belong to such a "paw"sitive site (I just thought of that as I was typing...!) where everyone is friendly and wants to help one another. You're doing a fantastic job and keep up the great work!
 

Maria Bayote

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You are a hero. Bless your heart. The world needs more people like you.

Let me share photos too of some of my favorite rescues:
0E69EB1F-508A-4AA0-B08D-E84A12262B18.jpeg


All ferals from top left: Sunkist, Bailey, Whiskey, Luna, Mystika, Ash, Oreo and Bagic.

Have managed to find forever homes.

Bagic was the reason why I started adopting cats of my own. Although she was not the first one I helped, she was the love of my life. She was too feral but ended up the sweetest kitty in the world. When I managed to have her adopted out, I fully regretted it. I did not know I was already too attached.
 

tarasgirl06

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You are a hero. Bless your heart. The world needs more people like you.

Let me share photos too of some of my favorite rescues:
View attachment 285626

All ferals from top left: Sunkist, Bailey, Whiskey, Luna, Mystika, Ash, Oreo and Bagic.

Have managed to find forever homes.

Bagic was the reason why I started adopting cats of my own. Although she was not the first one I helped, she was the love of my life. She was too feral but ended up the sweetest kitty in the world. When I managed to have her adopted out, I fully regretted it. I did not know I was already too attached.
I am so sorry about the situation with Bagic. This has happened to me as well. It takes absolutely no time at all for me to bond with a cat. Always I must do what is best for the cat. But it is very tough at times. You are many times blessed and a hero for cats! Thank you so much.
 
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