UPDATE 1: I have been asked to post a paypal account for this in case people don't want to make the call.
canyon53ss @ y ahoo.com (remove spaces) is the addy for paypal. Be sure and click the PERSONAL tab at the top of the send box, then click gift as that will not deduct costs and the entire amount will be sent.
I cannot thank you enough.
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UPDATE 2, 12-25, 10:30AM: With my match, we are over half way there! Total is at $694.00.
I will be posting a photo and update later this afternoon when I return. Off to the vet then down to see my mom at the care home. Have a GREAT day, everyone, and thank you for your help!
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UPDATE 3: Surgery was done, and see the glass from kitty and kitty at the end of the post. Kitty is no longer anon... his name is Buttons! He is doing well, on an IV. He has not eaten or pooped yet, but that will come. Vet is going to see if she can get him to eat when she visits this afternoon. Meanwhile, he is recovering well.
UPDATE 4: Alllllmost there!
PayPal donations, at this time, with my match are $636.02.
Checks Pledged, and matched, $100.00
Add. Pledges $300.00 (with match).
Total so far: $1036.02
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UPDATE 5, 4:15PM 12/26: Saw Buttons today at the vet, he is doing much better, though was running a bit of a fever, so given meds for that. We have a replacement vet in today, so will get more info tomorrow. Still has not eaten (not unusual) or pooped (not unusual). Blew his catheter last night, so the gadget was "reinstalled" this A.M. He is much more alert and aware than yesterday! Replacement vet thinks he will be okay! More info tomorrow!
Wrote a prelim. check to the vet for $750.00 today, and again, thank you so much to you who sent a (matched) paypal donation. For those of you that called, I understand they ended up just asking you write a check since there is no signature on file. Sorry for that problem. I don't work in the front, so did not know! Thanks to everyone that called to pledge!!!! I think we are still about $140 off the $1200.00, but if the donations do not cover it, I will pick up that extra amount.
UPDATE 6: With my mom passing away this morning and me in the hospital all day/night yesterday, I did not get a chance to check on Buttons. But the news is GREAT... Buttons went home! He still really only wants to eat his dry food (a no-no for now), he IS eating and everything seems good! More when I talk to the vet tomorrow. I'm really too tired to be doing much today.
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Who knows why they do it. They eat ribbon, string, tinsel and fudge. They chew through electric cords and manage to find the tiniest turkey bone.
Apparently, they haven't read all the holiday warnings.
But today was a first; a cat actually ate the LIGHTS on a Christmas tree. You know, colored glass.
The owners are seniors, both over 70 years of age, the husband is 74.
The cost of the surgery and days of care and medication and support is $1200 and change.
The cat MUST either be put down or operated on immediately. He is not only in pain, but cannot eat and is throwing up. He's going down hill rapidly. A decision cannot wait. They don't know what to do... they cannot afford it.
My veterinarian does a LOT of unappreciated free work that even the clients don't know about. She knows who to help. She is as compassionate as they come and she is a butt-kicking vet when it comes to cats, especially. That is why I work there, and why she will be my vet forever. She is, in short, one helluva human being. But like all businesses, times are tight. Instead of laying anyone off, she tightens things up. Believe me, they can't get any tighter.
I get on the phone (I work for the vet, but did not work today and had gone in today only to care for my own cats there) and begin to call funding groups. But, given it is Christmas Eve, no one answers. NO ONE. I leave messages.
Many groups are closed through the first of the year. Others won't fund until after January 1 (per messages or online notification).
I NEED YOUR HELP!
I will MATCH every dollar donated for this cat
Because the office is closed, if you are willing to help, please message me here at DK. You can also leave a message at 714-544-3124, the veterinary office, and make a pledge and leave your telephone number... we won't open officially until Monday.
Just tell them that you are pledging for the Christmas Light-Eating Cat.
If you chose to send a check, it can be addressed/mailed thus:
Dr. Laura Weatherford
Tustin Santa Ana Animal Hospital
741 W. First Street
Tustin, CA 92780
Because the vet leases the business, please make the check to Pouxbelle... one of the vet's beloved cats who has gone to the bridge.
Yep, I am begging for this cat and his senior owners.
Meet Buttons (taken on Christmas Day)
Partial of the glass removed from Button's stomach and intestines. Some has moved into the colon but will likely pass. Note that the size of the large piece is about as big around as my pinkie finger and about 3/4" long. It looks much smaller in the photo. These are not the typical "mini lights".
Thank you so much for reading and for helping. Love you all!