Bucks for Blizlet
Donation protected
This is Blizlet, like the Dairy Queen treat only smaller, but just as sweet. He is a 4 year old tabby mix who just had a very sudden life change when a few small cuts turned into a massive infection that took his leg.
*He also has a weird way of sleeping on people's homework.
Just 2 weeks ago Blizlet was living a normal healthy life, mostly as an indoor cat. Even though he lives in a multi-cat home he is well behaved and doesn't pick fights. My parents came home one afternoon to find that he had gotten into some trouble and hurt his front right leg. They quickly realized that an infection was setting in and he was rushed to the VCA Midpark Animal Hospital to have it taken care of.
During that first visit, Blizlet was checked over by a vet and prescribed an antibiotic, my parents were told that Blizlet was probably going to be alright as long as he was given the medicine every day and the wound was kept clean. The vet did a normal exam, and even tested for more severe illnesses like Feline Leukemia and FIV, however the vet did not do a culture to identify the infection, or do anything extra to flush it out before he went home. Not knowing the severity of the infection, my parents trusted the vet and followed instructions to keep the wound clean and get the antibiotics working.
In the 5 days following that first visit Blizlet continued to get worse, with what started as a small infection continuing to grow even with regular cleaning, changing of bandages, and application of antibiotics. After calling the vet back and informing them about Blizlet's worsening state, they insisted that it was okay and to continue with the treatment; to give the antibiotics time to work. They insisted that Blizlet did not need to come back in before his scheduled follow up. My parent's didn't take that advice. Instead of waiting the full 2 and a half weeks, they brought him in 9 days after the first visit, noting that his leg was now very swollen and the initial wound was not healing and was now showing soft tissue.
It was during this second visit that the original vet at the VCA Midpark Animal Hospital found that the infection had really taken a toll on Blizlet's leg. At this time they gave two suggestions, either have the leg amputated... or abandon Blizlet at the Animal Protection League and let them figure out what to do with him.
This is when I stepped in. My name is Angela. I don't live with my parents, but I did get Blizlet for my mom right when he was old enough to be adopted out, and so I offered to take him to my vet at the Animal Clinic Northveiw for a second opinion. By the time I got an appointment it had been 12 days since his first visit. My parents continued his antibiotics but this time they kept his leg premanantly wrapped to keep the wound from opening more in hopes that we could find a surgeon that could save his leg. I had no idea what my vet would say when I brought him in; I also had no idea how bad things had gotten when I took him.
After telling my vet everything he had gone through, they took his bandage off to inspect Blizlet's leg. By now he hadn't had the bandage off since the follow up appointment with the last vet, and none of us expected what we saw when the bandage came off. The antibiotics were doing nothing, and the infection had begun eating away at all the tissue in his leg, exposing one bone entirely, and his paw was just hanging there with little keeping it held on. This all progressed in just a few days, and by now amputation was the only option. I gave my consent and they prepared for surgery.
I asked what kind of infection would cause him to worsen so quickly, and they said that if an infected wound isn't flushed out and treated with the right antibiotic it could lead to what we saw. What Blizlet needed was the right kind of care at the first visit to save his leg.
From here things actually began to look up. Even though my vet couldn't save his leg, they did save his life. They did a culture to identify the type of infection he had. It turns out it was an E-coli infection, and it was a strain that was resistant to the drugs Blizlet was originally being treated with. The infection was so bad that he lost his entire right front leg, and he was still at risk of it resurfacing in another part of his body. Thankfully he handled the surgery well and was put on the correct medication to get him healthy again. Right now he's recovering and learning how to get around on only 3 legs. He hasn't gone home quite yet, instead staying in my apartment so that he stays inside and avoids things like stairs while he heals.
Warning, the below picture if from the night after his surgery, it may be a little hard to look at!
The sad thing about all this is that if the original vet at VCA Midpark Animal Hospital had flushed out the wound when it wasn't severe, or did a culture to identify the infection and get Blizlet the proper antibiotics, it's likely he would not have had to lose his leg. My mother feels terrible for trusting the vet over her instincts, and I was embarrassed when I took him to my vet. I truly had no idea just how much he was suffering before his surgery. Blizlet should not have had to learn to live like this, the care that he received at the first visit should have included necessary tests, and he should have received the correct treatment. My family and I would have never learned this if we didn't seek help elsewhere. I'm so grateful for the work my regular clinic did, and how good they were with keeping us informed. The only thing I am worried about now is the bill. Blizlet's emergency surgery and the cost of his care now is steep, but all we are asking if for help covering the cost of the surgery, anything that can lighten the load at this time is greatly appreciated.
I promised before that I would help take care of him, and I won’t forget that promise now. Blizlet will continue to live with a loving family and get the best care possible. We will also be reporting the original vet, as we believe it was negligence that ultimately cost Blizlet his leg. Right now though Blizlet’s recovery and care are the most important things to us.
Blizlet will be with me for the next two weeks while he finishes healing from the surgery, during this time I will keep everyone updated on his progress. If you can please consider donating to help cover Blizlet’s medical bills, we just want to be able to provide everything we can for him now.
*Blizlet is already doing well on the road to recovery. All updates will be posted below. Thank you all for being here and being a part of Blizlet's story.
*He also has a weird way of sleeping on people's homework.Just 2 weeks ago Blizlet was living a normal healthy life, mostly as an indoor cat. Even though he lives in a multi-cat home he is well behaved and doesn't pick fights. My parents came home one afternoon to find that he had gotten into some trouble and hurt his front right leg. They quickly realized that an infection was setting in and he was rushed to the VCA Midpark Animal Hospital to have it taken care of.
During that first visit, Blizlet was checked over by a vet and prescribed an antibiotic, my parents were told that Blizlet was probably going to be alright as long as he was given the medicine every day and the wound was kept clean. The vet did a normal exam, and even tested for more severe illnesses like Feline Leukemia and FIV, however the vet did not do a culture to identify the infection, or do anything extra to flush it out before he went home. Not knowing the severity of the infection, my parents trusted the vet and followed instructions to keep the wound clean and get the antibiotics working.
In the 5 days following that first visit Blizlet continued to get worse, with what started as a small infection continuing to grow even with regular cleaning, changing of bandages, and application of antibiotics. After calling the vet back and informing them about Blizlet's worsening state, they insisted that it was okay and to continue with the treatment; to give the antibiotics time to work. They insisted that Blizlet did not need to come back in before his scheduled follow up. My parent's didn't take that advice. Instead of waiting the full 2 and a half weeks, they brought him in 9 days after the first visit, noting that his leg was now very swollen and the initial wound was not healing and was now showing soft tissue.
It was during this second visit that the original vet at the VCA Midpark Animal Hospital found that the infection had really taken a toll on Blizlet's leg. At this time they gave two suggestions, either have the leg amputated... or abandon Blizlet at the Animal Protection League and let them figure out what to do with him.
This is when I stepped in. My name is Angela. I don't live with my parents, but I did get Blizlet for my mom right when he was old enough to be adopted out, and so I offered to take him to my vet at the Animal Clinic Northveiw for a second opinion. By the time I got an appointment it had been 12 days since his first visit. My parents continued his antibiotics but this time they kept his leg premanantly wrapped to keep the wound from opening more in hopes that we could find a surgeon that could save his leg. I had no idea what my vet would say when I brought him in; I also had no idea how bad things had gotten when I took him.
After telling my vet everything he had gone through, they took his bandage off to inspect Blizlet's leg. By now he hadn't had the bandage off since the follow up appointment with the last vet, and none of us expected what we saw when the bandage came off. The antibiotics were doing nothing, and the infection had begun eating away at all the tissue in his leg, exposing one bone entirely, and his paw was just hanging there with little keeping it held on. This all progressed in just a few days, and by now amputation was the only option. I gave my consent and they prepared for surgery.
I asked what kind of infection would cause him to worsen so quickly, and they said that if an infected wound isn't flushed out and treated with the right antibiotic it could lead to what we saw. What Blizlet needed was the right kind of care at the first visit to save his leg.
From here things actually began to look up. Even though my vet couldn't save his leg, they did save his life. They did a culture to identify the type of infection he had. It turns out it was an E-coli infection, and it was a strain that was resistant to the drugs Blizlet was originally being treated with. The infection was so bad that he lost his entire right front leg, and he was still at risk of it resurfacing in another part of his body. Thankfully he handled the surgery well and was put on the correct medication to get him healthy again. Right now he's recovering and learning how to get around on only 3 legs. He hasn't gone home quite yet, instead staying in my apartment so that he stays inside and avoids things like stairs while he heals.
Warning, the below picture if from the night after his surgery, it may be a little hard to look at!
The sad thing about all this is that if the original vet at VCA Midpark Animal Hospital had flushed out the wound when it wasn't severe, or did a culture to identify the infection and get Blizlet the proper antibiotics, it's likely he would not have had to lose his leg. My mother feels terrible for trusting the vet over her instincts, and I was embarrassed when I took him to my vet. I truly had no idea just how much he was suffering before his surgery. Blizlet should not have had to learn to live like this, the care that he received at the first visit should have included necessary tests, and he should have received the correct treatment. My family and I would have never learned this if we didn't seek help elsewhere. I'm so grateful for the work my regular clinic did, and how good they were with keeping us informed. The only thing I am worried about now is the bill. Blizlet's emergency surgery and the cost of his care now is steep, but all we are asking if for help covering the cost of the surgery, anything that can lighten the load at this time is greatly appreciated.
I promised before that I would help take care of him, and I won’t forget that promise now. Blizlet will continue to live with a loving family and get the best care possible. We will also be reporting the original vet, as we believe it was negligence that ultimately cost Blizlet his leg. Right now though Blizlet’s recovery and care are the most important things to us.
Blizlet will be with me for the next two weeks while he finishes healing from the surgery, during this time I will keep everyone updated on his progress. If you can please consider donating to help cover Blizlet’s medical bills, we just want to be able to provide everything we can for him now.
*Blizlet is already doing well on the road to recovery. All updates will be posted below. Thank you all for being here and being a part of Blizlet's story.Organizer
Angela Delsanter
Organizer
Cleveland, OH
