Update on Pumpkin (now Spencer)

I just knew you guys would all like to see these new pics of Pumpkin (now called Spencer) that his mom Caren sent me the other day. The little kitten in the pics is named Tyler, he's a fellow tripod from GA. He was severely abused; some kids cut one of his feet off with a pair of hedgeclippers. Fortunately he, like Pumpkin, will be able to live out the rest of his life in happiness. Look how happy they look :)

More Pumpkin pics

Look how happy! :)

Pumpkin is home!

I'm thrilled to say that Pumpkin arrived safely at his new home in NYC :)
















His new mom Caren (Misspostit to many of you) sent me these pics. The first two are the little fellow (now named Spencer...what a great name!) lounging on the couch, the other two are at the vet's office.
















He got a clean bill of health, and glowing praise for what a nice job Dr. Veale did on his surgery.
















Don't you just love happy endings? Thanks so much to everyone for making this happen!

Wow, look at Pumpkin!

As you can see, Pumpkin is doing great in his foster home! Thanks so much to Judy Chapman for fostering him, and for allowing me to post these adorable pics that she has taken. He's ready to go to his adoptive home in NYC as soon as we can arrange transport. Yay, Pumpkin!

And yay to all of you who supported him. He wouldn't be lounging on a couch with his friends today if it wasn't for each and every one of you!

Pumpkin is doing well :)

Just got the word that he's healing up well and is ready to go into foster care. We have a great foster home lined up for him, and a great adoptive home as long as he does okay with the foster's cat. Hooray for Pumpkin!

And thank you all so much for caring for this sweet little guy. Someone saw him as a target, but hundreds of other people saw him as the special and unique being that he is, and I can't thank you enough for that.

Dawn

Pumpkin update 10.16.8 (with pics)

I had the pleasure of visiting with Pumpkin today. He *really* wanted me to pet him, so much so that I was afraid he was going to fall out of the cage trying to get to me (I'm allergic to cats so couldn't love him up, even though I *really* wanted to!). I've attached a couple pics. I do have pics that show his whole wounded side if anyone wants to keep tabs on how he's healing....he actually looks pretty good. I won't post the pics here b/c I know a lot of people don't want to see that sort of thing. Anyways, just wanted to let you all know that's he's progressing nicely :)



Thanks!
Dawn

Pumpkin update 10.15.8

I finally got a chance to talk to the Health Care Director at the shelter directly today. She said Pumpkin is doing well and has a good appetite, Hopefully they will be able to take the drains out of his wound soon, and then he'll be able to go into a foster home. I'm going to the shelter tomorrow so I'll get some pics then, and I'll say hi to him for all of you :) Thanks to you all for caring so much about this sweet little cat!

Dawn

Pumpkin update (such as it is)

Hi everyone. I don't have much to report but I know people have been looking for an update so I thought I'd let you know as much as I know, which is that he's continuing to improve, but not out of the woods yet. I'll keep posting updates as I have them.

Thanks!
Dawn

Pumpkin update

Got a brief update on Pumpkin...he's doing well and eating :) That's all I know, but it's good news! Figured I should let you all know after my downer post last night..

Thanks everyone!

Dawn

Pumpkin had emergency surgery

I visited Pumpkin this morning at the vet's. They said that the infection in his leg and shoulder was getting worse, and that over a cup of fluid had already drained out so far that morning. He was still eating and alert and asking for attention. I did get some pictures which I've attached and which can also be seen at http://withoutqualification.com and http://ashtabulaapl.blogspot.com I have some that show the wound more closely but I'm not posting them here for the more sensitive viewers. I'm happy to share them with anyone who is interested. As of this morning the plan was still to do the leg amputation on Monday, but I just got a call that they had to do emergency surgery this afternoon to remove his leg because he was going rapidly down hill. The surgery went well. Currently is on IV meds and is being kept as comfortable as possible.

That's all I know at this point. I'll keep you guys posted. I'm sorry not to have better news.

Thanks so much for caring about Pumpkin. I sent him love from all of you when I got to visit with him this morning. He needs a lot of good thoughts right now, so please keep sending them his way.

Dawn

I messed up the link for Pumpkin's MySpace :(

Sorry about that! Here's the correct link:

http://www.myspace.com/helppumpkin

Morning update on Pumpkin, 10.9.8

The APL Health Care Director stopped by the vet's today to check on Pumpkin. She said he looks pretty scruffy but is doing as well as can be expected. Eating a lot, meowing a lot. They are still removing some maggots from the wound, but it does not look as though he will require emergency surgery. If things continue as they are he will continue to recuperate until Monday and have his leg removed then. This will give him a chance to get his some of his strength back and will increase his chances of surviving the surgery.

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated so generously. At this point, if all goes as planned, we have enough to cover his care. Any donations received that are not needed for Pumpkin's bills will go towards the other special needs animals at the shelter. Currently they have about half a dozen heartworm positive dogs who need treatment, several dogs with mammary tumors, a dog with a very severe inner ear infection who needs specialized antibiotics and pain meds, and many many more animals with medical needs. I am going to continue to donate all proceeds from my Etsy shop to Pumpkin.

Donations can continue to be sent via PayPal to ashtabulaanimaladvocates@gmail.com (gmail.com) or via this donation button:

or called in to Country Doctor vet clinic at 440.576.9440

Thanks so much!
Dawn

Pumpkin on MySpace

Thanks so much to Ashtabula Animal Advocates volunteer Theressa for creating a MySpace page for Pumpkin! Check it out here.

Morning update on Pumpkin

I just got an update on Pumpkin. He made it through the night. He is reportedly very hungry for affection and *food*! Both of which are excellent signs.

He was featured in the local paper and on a Cleveland news station this morning:

Although both stories indicate the leg might be saved, they must have gone to print earlier in the day yesterday. I confirmed today that his leg will be amputated...apparently the bone is completely shattered. For anyone who's never had the humbling experience of watching an animal learn to survive with a missing leg, it's actually quite amazing how quickly they adjust. So assuming Pumpkin makes it through his current ordeal he will be able to live a very fulfilling life as a tripod. We even have a great home lined up for him if everything works out!

I was incorrect however when I said the leg would be removed today. It *may* be if they are unable to clear out the remaining maggots from the wound any other way, but ideally he will have a chance to regain his strength for a few days before having to undergo further surgery.

We're so grateful for all the donations that we've received for Pumpkin's care. At this point there is no way to say what his expenses will be. Any funds that are donated and not used for Pumpkin will be used for the next APL animal in desperate need...unfortunately there is always a next animal in desperate need.

I also wanted to mention that proceeds from all items in my Etsy shop (with the exception of one that was already going to a dog in need) will be going to Pumpkin's care: http://fashionsplatter.etsy.com

Please also watch my blog at http://withoutqualification.com for an updated list of other Etsians who have items for sale for Pumpkin. It's a great way to do some holiday shopping while helping to save an animal in need!

Donations can continue to be sent via PayPal to ashtabulaanimaladvocates@gmail.com (gmail.com) or via this donation button:

or called in to Country Doctor vet clinic at 440.576.9440

Disturbingly, the vet believes the Pumpkin was shot intentionally, since the person shooting would have had to be above the cat...like in a tree. My gosh.

Thanks *so* much to everyone who has helped Pumpkin to get the care he deserves. I will continue to post updates at http://ashtabulaapl.blogspot.com and http://withoutqualification.com

Thanks!
Dawn

Correction to update on Pumpkin

I misunderstood the vm I got earlier. Pumpkin's leg *will* have to come off but it will only be done tomorrow if there is no other way to get the remainder of the maggots out. Ideally he would recoup for a few days and then have the amputation. I'll continue to post updates here as I get them!

Dawn

Update on Pumpkin

I'm happy to be able to post a guardedly optimistic update on Pumpkin. He survived the removal of the arrow, which was one major hurdle for him to cross. Judging by the extent of the infection and the size of the maggots living in the wound, the vet estimates that he was actually shot at least three days ago. It's actually quite amazing that he is even still alive.

He will still need to have his leg amputated, but is still too fragile for that surgery. If the maggot infestation clears up, they will do emergency surgery to remove his leg tomorrow.

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated and spread the word about Pumpkin. Unfortunately we are nowhere near what it is going to take to cover his bills, so please do keep passing Pumpkin's story along. PayPal donations can be sent to ashtabulaanimaladvocates@gmail.com or via this donation button:

Donations can also be called in to Country Doctor vet clinic at 440.576.9440

Thank you!
Dawn

Cat shot with arrow -- Emergency donations needed (warning: disturbing pics)

Crossposting is appreciated!

Poor Pumpkin was brought in to the Ashtabula County APL with a hunting arrow through his side. He was found down the street from the shelter. A local vet will treat him, but we need to raise money immediately for his treatment. He will need surgery to remove the arrow, and supportive care for the infection and maggots that have already set in. He is eating and appears alert, so the odds of his survival are good.
























Donations can be sent via PayPal to ashtabulaanimaladvocates@gmail.com or via this donation button

or called in to Country Doctor vet clinic at 440.576.9440.
















Estimates for Pumpkin's treatment range from $200 to $500, but it's hard to say without knowing the extent of his injuries. Although the arrow entered and exited on the same side, it is still possible that there could be internal damage. Any funds collected over the amount needed for his care will be applied to other APL animals in great need.

This comes at a time when the APL is already at more than double its capacity for cats, so if we're not able to raise the money for Pumpkin's care he will be euthanized. Any amount you can spare will help *so* much!

Again, donations can be sent via PayPal to ashtabulaanimaladvocates@gmail.com or via this donation button

or called in to Country Doctor vet clinic at 440.576.9440. Please indicate that your donations should be used for Pumpkin's treatment.
















Thanks for all you do to help the animals!

Dawn



--
"The only thing good without qualification is extended vision,
the enlargement of one's understanding and awareness
of what reality is ultimately like." (Huston Smith)
withoutqualification.com