Posted on 07/30/2004 9:20:26 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows
Some of you know the story of Zia, my new kitten. Well, Wednesday night I found myself in custody of another kitten - poor thing just strolled up to me in my carport, mewing piteously. I took it to the vet, and it turns out the poor critter has good reason to mew - it has feline leukemia and a nasty upper respiratory infection.
This kitty is in trouble - I can't take her becase Zia would be in danger of infection, and no normal shelter would take her for the same reason. I have a call in to Waccamaw Animal Rescue Mission (the local no-kill animal shelter), but haven't heard from them so far. I'm currently boarding her at the vet. If I can't find a home for her by Monday, she'll be euthanized.
The respiratory infection is curable, and she could potentially live a long life. The problem is that she could not be in a house with other cats because of the feline leukemia, and in about seven years she'll probably start to develop other health problems. (So says the vet, I'm no expert.) I also expect she'd have to be an indoor cat because of the leukemia.
The kitten is female, about 6-8 weeks old (possibly a littermate of Zia's), brindled tan coat, and has no fear of dogs. I'll happily drive her to anywhere within a few hours of the Myrtle Beach area, but I doubt an air cargo company would take her without a clean bill of health (and she does have fleas). Sorry, no pics - maybe later.
I know this is a long shot. If anyone is interested in taking her, please post or freepmail.
Get a sedative from the vet to make it just a blurry dream she won't remember, and transport her if possible during the night so she doesn't overheat on the tarmac. Make sure someone will be there to pick her up promptly.
It wasn't me who sent the dog by air recently, it was dutchess and markv840 - I just did some pinging in the ordeal!
Here's the thread: OT- I need your Help, ASAP (I included some pictures)
SC to Utah is a long ways..... have you tried just running an ad in the paper for someone willing to take her to a no-other-cat indoor home?
No, but I've tried everything else - contacting shelters, advertising on the net, etc. The problem is that Aimee is FeLV+ - she has to be an indoor cat, and has to be in a house with either no other cats or only FeLV+ cats. This makes her very hard to place.
Got it. Thanks for the advice, pings, and link.
Well, they have a ways to go yet. :-)
Thank you very much. Update imminent.
Good news! I found a family for Aimee!
If all goes well, on Saturday Aimee goes to live with a couple in Charlotte, NC. The family in question has a felv+ 10-month old male kitten male, and they've been looking for a buddy for him since April. (Don't worry, both kittens will be neutered.) I spoke to the wife on the phone, and she impressed me as both knowing how to care for cats, and overjoyed to be getting another kitten.
The handoff hasn't happened yet, so keep your fingers crossed, but I'm really looking forward to it. I'm so glad she'll be going to a good home!
I hope that this goes through for little Aimee. She deserves a good home after the rough start she's had. You deserve blessings for working so hard to find a home for this little innocent creature.
I am glad you were able to find a home for the kitty closer to you. She certainly does not need the trauma of traveling which could lower her resistance. Blessings to you for all the work you did to provide care and a good home to Aimee.
Thanks for the update. That is good news. Keep us informed.
That's fantastic! Glad to hear it!!
I wish I had seen this days ago! I recently had 8 cats shipped from California to Maryland on Northwest. With the airlines, the criteria is that the temperature must not exceed 85 degrees at any point where the plane lands. You can check out the requirements at the airlines' web sites. Several airlines ship pets. We used Northwest because their hub in Minneapolis, where the kitties would change planes, rarely exceeds 85 degrees.
As it turns out, though, it's not going to be necessary. I've got some bad news and some good news...
Bad news first: On Friday, Aimee's leukemia became acute. Her body temperature dropped to 88 F, she became dehydrated, couldn't walk, and lost interest in food. The folks at the vet's office didn't let her go, though - they injected fluids subcutaneously, put her on a heating pad, force-fed her, and cuddled and encouraged her at every opportunity. When I visited at 3:30 PM she had recovered a bit - her temperature was up to 91.7 F and she was walking, albeit very shakily.
It's too early to know if she'll pull through, but she has a fighting chance, and Aimee is nothing if not a fighter. One very encouraging sign: When I visited, despite her condition she climbed onto my shoulder, cuddled up against me and started purring, and stayed there until I had to leave.
Now the good news: I've found a family for Aimee! A couple looking for a kitten to keep their FeLV+ kitty company responded to this ad. I spoke to the wife on the phone; she definitely knew cats and what FeLV meant, and she was absolutely bubbly over the chance to adopt Aimee. If Aimee hadn't gotten sick the handover would have been today; as it stands, she'll be going to her new home as soon as she can travel.
Please keep Aimee in your prayers.
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Kitty Ping List alert!
[Freepmail me to get on or off the Kitty Ping List.]
I hope little Aimee makes it. I'll keep her in my prayers.
Thanks!
Poor little Aimee. She is so fortunate to have you to look after her. I will keep her in my prayers, as well.
Prayers for Aimee!
Thank you both. She really got a hard deal in life; I hope things get better for her.
I get the feeling they will. ;)
bttt
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