So, I am trying to help my friend get into contact with an NC vet that can do the tendon repair surgery for cats or just information or help in general. Has anyone here done been through this? thoughts?


and we set up a gofundme, because that shit is expensive, but it would help her cat sooooo much


https://www.gofundme.com/xa8bfxs4

11/3/2015 1:51:31 PM

what the fuck? nope.

11/3/2015 3:38:17 PM

huh

11/3/2015 4:20:18 PM

Quote :

"Serabi is a rescued Bengal with previous owners that did not understand the breed or general cat care. She is now much happier in her forever home with a patient and loving cat lover. Stacy has a deep passion for helping cats of all sizes and ages, and the more difficult they seem to be, the more she loves them. Stacy takes on so many cats every year, and has adopted the most difficult ones because they couldn't find a home that could take care of all their needs. Most of her living space is dedicated to cats. That is how Serabi came to her. Serabi was a cat that had many goes in the foster system, but she kept becoming increasingly stressed in each home and would pull out her hair. ^The above photos were taken the day Serabi came to Stacy. She was in dire need of a patient foster, she was declawed at a young age, and unfortunately, like many declaw surgeries, it causes her pain and moody behavior. She doesn't socialize with other cats, in fact, she stays mostly seperate from the other cats because she is easily initimidated. She cannot jump and play like other cats because of the pain. She cannot even use her paws, her arthiritis is severe believed to be exclusively caused by the botched surgery. There is a tendon surgery that is quite expensive and painful, but comes with great results that leaves the cat a completely different cat. The surgery would likely require some traveling in state as well. This is her friend writing this, and I made this campaign because she loves her cats so much she would give them everything if she could. Stacy talks about winning a million dollars and spending it firstly on serabi's surgery and then on establishing a cat rescue. Yes, this is how much she loves animals, and yes she is a cat lady. I wanted to show Stacy that we need people like her to be passionate in this world. I was hoping if you are reading this you could show her your support as well."

11/3/2015 4:32:46 PM

For a cat?

What the fuck? NOPE.

11/3/2015 8:40:14 PM

put 'er down and start over with a new cat. I hear Australia has a surplus.

11/3/2015 9:34:21 PM

Jesus H. Christ... a fucking cat.

11/3/2015 10:36:01 PM

Hells to the no.

11/3/2015 11:47:04 PM

I know some people consider their pets like their own children but spending anything over a few hundred bucks on a pet just seems crazy to me.

11/4/2015 8:59:54 AM

aw thanks guys

11/4/2015 9:51:08 AM

my pets have mad BILL$ coming up too

11/4/2015 9:56:21 AM

the xrays alone are freaking retarded expensive

Quote :

"put 'er down and start over with a new cat. I hear Australia has a surplus."

and this is why there are rescues in the first place

[Edited on November 4, 2015 at 10:06 AM. Reason : .]

11/4/2015 10:05:33 AM

even outside of the outrageous cost, putting a cat who is old and has arthritis and is suffering through another orthopedic surgery is cruel

11/4/2015 10:22:45 AM

^this.

11/4/2015 11:44:39 AM

Get the fuck outta here, PETA. This is the lounge and you don't shit on people's stuff in here, you have the rest of this dying website for that.

11/4/2015 12:06:06 PM

it was cross posted and linked from chit chat, so i'll take a shit on this terrible idea if i want to

11/4/2015 12:14:46 PM

ok well lets chop off your fingers and see how much you would value a corrective surgery, are you over the age of 30?40? hmmm probably not worth it, and since it causes you pain, let's just put you down. Obviously your life is not worth the pain, but neither is the surgery. And no, you don't have any say in the matter, even though you show many behaviors indicating how much you can enjoy people and life. These cats easily live over the age of 20 and other than her toes being fucked up, she is completely healthy. But still totes not worth it. The campaign it is targeting people that value all life equally.

You don't have to donate, obviously it's expensive, so thanks for repeating that sentiment even though it has already been expressed, your service is invaluable.


next troll please


[Edited on November 4, 2015 at 12:52 PM. Reason : .]

11/4/2015 12:49:36 PM

I'm down with your cause. The cat didn't do this to him/her self. I don't care for solicitation of funds, but that's just me. Good luck.

11/4/2015 12:53:06 PM

I completely understand that viewpoint^ and thank you for pointing out that the surgery was never the perfectly healthy cat's choice.

11/4/2015 12:54:37 PM

^^^ I'm a fucking human not a cat, you cat-crazy nut-bag!

(also, I'm in favor of better palliative care for humans and think that PS and physician-assisted suicide is ethical and should be legal)

11/4/2015 1:19:28 PM

I can appreciate the cause since I support animals and such, but I also don't agree with the solicitation method, particularly since they could just give the cat morphine to relieve the pain (I know you can't give cats Tylenol and such, but there are pain relievers that don't kill their livers). its a bad situation to be in, and as others have said it isn't the cats fault, but this seems a bit excessive.

11/4/2015 1:23:34 PM

well the cat cannot put her full weight on her front claws, some of it is because, yes pain, but it would also worsen her arthritis and it can cause paw infection. With the way her feet are now, she can cause more damage to herself if she were to put most of her weight on her front paws (which is how a cat's body is designed)

also lifetime of medication is also expensive and this is the cat that will no longer eat wet food since there have been attempts to give her medicine before. She even has an amitryptalline that can applied to her ears. This results in biting and she is a 30 lb cat. Ideally this will eliminate the dance of trying to get her medicine.



[Edited on November 4, 2015 at 2:13 PM. Reason : and again, I get it you don't like beggers, you really don't have to donate or explain yourself]

11/4/2015 2:05:05 PM

^^ if there was a real tangible cure to help you be pain free and live a normal life you would go for it

11/4/2015 2:14:05 PM

Have the cat destroyed instead.

11/4/2015 2:20:47 PM

also this was my idea, she assumed people would think it was bogus and/or troll her, wonder why.

But when I convinced her that if there is a willing donor, just not willing to hand YOU the money, then they can always contact the vet and donate the money through the vet.

so if you are concerned about crowdfunding scams, I will get the vet's information and you can request it in a pm or email

11/4/2015 2:21:40 PM

Quote :

" The campaign it is targeting people that value all life equally."

what kind of person values the life of a cat equally to the life of a human? how many humans who can't afford routine health care could benefit from 5000 bucks?

Quote :

"also this was my idea, she assumed people would think it was bogus and/or troll her, wonder why."

because it's ridiculous and people stating how obviously out of touch some people are with reality are not "trolling"

11/4/2015 2:33:31 PM

The hope is that we could find a vet that can donate their labor for some part of this, hopefully the $$ we need to raise is reduced. It is a huge number, that the owner never anticipated, and a lot of the costs comes from the fact that there are hardly any vets that have experience doing this type of surgery.

And again, you can donate directly to the vet if you are skeptical. If you don't want to give money for a cat's surgery, then don't.

thank you for your input

[Edited on November 4, 2015 at 2:43 PM. Reason : .]

11/4/2015 2:43:01 PM

Quote :

"put 'er down and start over with a new cat."

11/4/2015 2:50:58 PM

How much does the surgery cost?

11/4/2015 3:01:19 PM

right now we are operating under the only number anyone has told us ~$4000 for the surgery and and few hundred for the xrays. The surgery is intensive and will take many hours to be sure that bone fragments are cleared and that all the tendons are in a suitable place

The intention is to lower the goal if there is a credible vet that is willing to reduce the cost.


here is a organization dedicated to this service for large zoo cats. And there is a lot of research that has been done on this topic http://pawproject.org/



[Edited on November 4, 2015 at 3:20 PM. Reason : we have been contacting vets for a while, so hopefully we can get some good news that it is less $$$]

11/4/2015 3:03:26 PM

my understanding of this surgery is that it is for bone shards, and it sounds like you haven't even taken x-rays yet to find out if that's actually the problem.

maybe the cat just has arthritis and is moody

11/4/2015 3:09:02 PM

she has been evaluated and her posture and behaviors are indicative of a major problem near the front of her paws. The vet outright told her that was the cause and that her health otherwise is great and that the arthritis comes from her paws being poorly amputated. The cat has a shakey leg when she puts her weight on it and the vet also confirmed that she physically cannot spread her paw because of how her paws are right now.

Once the campaign gets enough money for xrays (~$275) she is going straight to the vet and will post the xrays

^and that is a completely reasonable point to make, but given her excellent health and all of the blood work that has been done on her to evaluate her hormones etc those have been ruled out.

[Edited on November 4, 2015 at 3:19 PM. Reason : .]

11/4/2015 3:15:10 PM

I mean as others have said we aren't trying to be rude, but very few people are going to spend anywhere close to $5,000 on a pet. I would stick to trying to find someone willing to do it cheaper or just let the cat live out its days or if it seems that bad have it put down.

11/4/2015 3:25:43 PM

why is this person rescuing animals if they can't even afford an x-ray on their own without asking for donations?

11/4/2015 3:25:45 PM

I'd really like to understand the thought process here. If a person wants to spend $4,000 of their own money on surgery for their beloved pet, then more power too them as I understand peoples' emotional connection to their pets. However, if you can't afford it then why is it okay to post a sob story on a crowdfunding website and expect others to foot the bill? Has she considered the scenario in which she won't be able to raise the required funds?

11/4/2015 3:26:47 PM

You people are pathetic for coming to beat on someone who isn't even here. if you aren't interested in helping to pay for someone else's pet, that's fine. You are in the majority and your non-participation is all the criticism you need to display. You're literally wasting your life coming in here to blow hard about people asking for money for their own personal causes. It's not even Klaty's damn cat.

11/4/2015 3:34:17 PM

^^yes, she has. And rescued animals get put into any willing household, because there are not many well off cat people that want to put money into a rescue, they tend to spend their money on a full breed kitten.

some declawing facts that may answer some questions

Quote :

"Declawing Facts Contrary to what most American cat owners think, declawing does not “save” cats, training time, money, or sofas. It frequently does the exact opposite. Declawed cats can be expensive and dangerous to own because declawing is the number one cause of litter box problems and biting problems. Declawing is an amputation of the cat’s toes to the first knuckle of each joint. Declawing removes claw, bone, tendon, and ligament. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (“Risk factors for relinquishment of cats to an animal shelter”, by Patronek, Glickman, Beck, et al., JAVMA, 1996:209:582-588) found that declawed cats were at an increased risk ofrelinquishment to animal shelters. Among relinquished cats, 52.4% of declawed cats were reported to exhibit litter box avoidance, compared to 29.1% of non-declawed cats. From CourierPostOnline.com, February 1, 2003: “Eighty percent of the cats that are surrendered that are declawed are euthanizedbecause they have a behavioral problem. . . . Declawed cats frequently become biters and also stop using litter boxes . . . one or the other.” —William Lombardi, shelter director, Gloucester County, New Jersey. A study of 163 cats that underwent onychectomy (declawing), published in the July/August 1994 Journal of Veterinary Surgery, showed that 50 percent suffered from immediate postoperative complications such as pain, hemorrhage, and lameness; long-term complications, including prolonged lameness, were found in nearly 20 percent of the 121 cats who were followed up in the study. A study published in the January 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) found that 31 percent of 39 cats that underwent onychectomy or tendonectomy developed at least one behavior change immediately after surgery, with the most common problems being litter box problems and biting. A national survey of shelters from the Caddo Parrish Forgotten Felines and Friends indicates that approximately 70 percent of cats turned in to shelters for behavioral problems are declawed. From the Summer 2002 issue of PETA’s Animal Times: “A survey by a Delaware animal shelter showed that more than 75 percent of the cats turned in for avoiding their litter boxes had been declawed.” According to a study published in the October 2001 issue of JAVMA by Dr. Gary J. Patronek, VMD, PhD, “declawed cats were at an increased risk of relinquishment.” In three years of experience as a cat owner consultant, Annie Bruce (author of Cat Be Good) received 95% of calls about declawed cats related to litter box problems, as opposed to only 46% of calls about clawed cats—and most of those were older cats with physical ailments. Only declawed cats cost their owners security deposits, leather sofas, and floorboards. And it’s mostly declawed cats that have been prescribed painkillers, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and steroids. Declawing is illegal or considered inhumane in many countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Norway, Austria, Scotland, Wales, and Portugal. In 2009, eight California cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco outlawed declawing. Note: “…behavior problems… relinquished … euthanized…” are all the things that the American Veterinary Medical Association claim that declawing is intended to stop. [emphasis added to quotes] The above data is printable at http://www.catbegood.com/declawing/important-facts. I heard declawing wasn’t approved by some organizations and many countries and cities have made it illegal, who? Those opposed to declawing include the the Humane Society of the United States, The Animal Protection Institute, San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Cats International, The Animal Protection Institute, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, the Cat Fanciers Association and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The British Veterinary Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons members refuse to perform the operation. The RCVS guidelines specifically states: “A veterinary surgeon must not cause any patient to suffer by carrying out an unnecessary mutilation.” Declawing is either illegal or considered inhumane: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Wales. These countries do not have shelters full of cats because they have claws or litter box problems. Eight California cities (included Los Angeles and San Francisco) have made declawing illegal thru the diligent efforts of the Paw Project. October 2006 the USDA made it a federal offense to declaw any large cats or wild animals such as bears, ferret and rabbits."

And without putting too much personal info out there, she was in a different city and had a different financial situation when she officially adopted her. Before it was final she was sure to be aware of any medical conditions because she does know the danger of adopting a chronically ill cat. She did also drop $1000 of her saving 3 months ago when her Savannah went into heart failure.

^thanks GJ. It's nothing I care to be worked up about though, some of it is constructive, so I think of it as part of the process. But I do appreciate that you are willing to stand up

and again we are really putting most of our hope into reaching a vet that can reduce the cost

[Edited on November 4, 2015 at 3:45 PM. Reason : .]

11/4/2015 3:40:02 PM

and the xray is not the necessary part, speaking with a few vets, they said they must have an MRI to perform the surgery and apparently those run over $2,000

11/4/2015 4:16:16 PM

Quote :

"I know some people consider their pets like their own children but spending anything over a few hundred bucks on a pet just seems crazy to me"

LOL

Doss2k...I'm guessing you've never had a dog or cat? Because a bad stomach virus could easily end up costing $400-500 at the vet. You're saying you'd put down your pet for something simple like that?

11/4/2015 4:30:06 PM

I spend several hundred on yearly checks. Though, that includes a year supply of preventative meds as well. And like ^ said, basic illnesses can run several hundred dollars.

11/4/2015 4:33:50 PM

I was curious about this and asked my veterinarian BIL, he explained the surgery to me (more than just removing bone shards), but is confused why an MRI is necessary

i think you need a second opinion

11/4/2015 5:23:14 PM

really?? who is your vet? can I contact them?

as explained to me by more than one vet, an xray is a good place to start but it will overlook tendons and if there is ingrown claws on any of the pads. It is important to see where the tendons are if you are trying to restore some function to the paw. Serabi cannot spread her paw in any way, so the vet said they is likely tendon damage.

[Edited on November 4, 2015 at 6:13 PM. Reason : thank you]

11/4/2015 6:09:37 PM

Quote :

" Because a bad stomach virus could easily end up costing $400-500 at the vet. You're saying you'd put down your pet for something simple like that?"

Hell. Just a yearly checkup can run that.

11/4/2015 8:47:41 PM

No, a yearly checkup doesn't run that. That's Banfield trying to convince you that you're saving $texas by paying them $25+/month for a plan...and I say that as someone who pays Banfield $25+/month for a plan

Also the only reason half of those services were provided is because they're part of that monthly plan...a pretty expensive one iirc. I'm guessing like $40/month.

When I used to get actual checkups at Raleigh Vets it was more like $250, but a place like North Wake Animal Hospital is far cheaper for the same services.

[Edited on November 4, 2015 at 11:32 PM. Reason : An office visit AND an exam fee? Who they trying to kid?]

11/4/2015 11:31:34 PM

$25 to express an anal gland is too expensive, groomers do that shit for like $5 or $10

11/5/2015 8:07:43 AM

Quote :

"LOL Doss2k...I'm guessing you've never had a dog or cat? Because a bad stomach virus could easily end up costing $400-500 at the vet. You're saying you'd put down your pet for something simple like that?"

I've never voluntarily owned a dog because well I don't really like dogs that much and they tend to be the more expensive pet. Never been in a situation where a pet was in dire need of any medical care so hard to say. If my dog is throwing up I ya know put him outside and let him throw up and when he acts like he feels better I let him back inside. My cat fell off the counter the other day while asleep and acted like it was paralyzed for a minute and then when it got up was walking all sorts of fucked up. Luckily, as best I can tell it must have dislocated a hip and it popped back in eventually he straightened up and was back to normal. My first thought wasn't omg I have to get this fixed my poor cat. It was oh man that sucks I assume I am gonna have to take him to the vet and have him put down. I guess people just have different views on pets. Basically my thought is if a pet is going to cause me a financial burden the option that is not going to happen is putting myself into financial hardship. For some people that means you just shouldn't own a pet period. For some that means anything more than basic care and you have to either let them deal with it, or put them down if its something cruel to live with. For rich people maybe dropping 4 grand on your pet doesn't put a dent in your pocket and good for you.

11/5/2015 8:28:54 AM

I probably spend around a grand a year on my dog's vet bills. He's got seasonal skin allergies and gets constant ear infections.

Other than my wife, he's easily the best constant thing in my life and I'd pay a shit-ton more to make sure he's healthy and happy.

11/5/2015 9:35:15 AM

^^^^ Think the one I have is $25.95/mo so about the same as yours. She was with my parents for a week and my dad thought he saw a worm so they took her. Didn't find anything but they gave her a pill just in case. Surprised they didn't give her a spa day too. Would've been a bit cheaper for just her exam and vaccinations. About the only thing I would've normally paid out of pocket would be the 6 month heart worm injection since she hates pills.

11/5/2015 10:00:05 AM

Serabi is scheduled for an initial consultation on Nov. 19, updates and xrays to come!

11/5/2015 10:28:25 AM

find a vet willing to work and/or get a big donor?

11/5/2015 12:39:23 PM