Mr. Top Hat's Surgery Fund
Donation protected
I'd like to take just a moment to introduce everyone to this really sweet little boy. His name is Terrance, but his friends call him Mr. Top Hat.
We found Mr. Top Hat in the middle of the highway on Sunday, when we were home for the holidays. My girlfriend saw him laying in the road- just in time to watch him pop his little head up and look around, terrified. We turned around and grabbed him, hoping it wasn't too late.
When I picked him up, he was very much in shock and was bleeding from his mouth. We weren't sure what the extent of his injuries were, we just knew that he was definitely hurt. I called for Animal Control to pick him up, but his life was essentially left in my hands. I was told that they could not have anyone come out, so my options were to 1. Find an emergency vet if I thought he would live (and there are none within a reasonable distance), or 2. Have a deputy from the Sheriff's Office sent out to put him down if I thought otherwise.
I knew that if he was suffering, the humane thing would be to allow him to be put down. I sat, trying to make a decision, prolonging what I assumed was the inevitable. But as I held and comforted him, something started to change; he slowly started coming out of shock. His breathing became more regular, his pupils started to go back to normal and he was even trying to stand up in my lap. We got a good look at him for the first time at that point, and realized that his injuries might not be as bad as we had originally believed. He had an obvious facial deformity, but that was it! No broken bones, no open wounds, nothing.
We decided that, as long as he didn't appear to be suffering, we would wait it out. We knew that there was still a potential for internal injuries, so if he made it though the trip home and then through the night, he would go to the vet first thing Monday morning.
Not only did he make it, but he is doing better than anyone expected. By the time we got him home he was fully alert, awake and trying to figure out what was going on. I gave him some soft food, hoping that he would at least try to lick at it- even with his hurt mouth. He purred, and happily ate every bite (with some difficulty). He then explored the house, tried to play with the other animals and rubbed and loved all over me (putting to rest any fears we had that he may be feral).
We found out the next morning that Mr. Top Hat did all of those things after sustaining not 1, but 2 jaw fractures- one on the top, one on the bottom. We were given a referral to the closest vet who could handle such an injury- a few hours away in Alabama. I called to speak to someone there, and was told that no doctors would be in until January 5th and that the receptionist was not able to give me any kind of cost estimate. The vet who took the x-rays, however, informed me that the surgery he would need to repair his injuries would easily be in excess of $1000- not including travel and other expenses.
If I could afford to get Mr. Top Hat the treatment that he needs, this page would not exist. Unfortunately, this kind of expense is well outside my budget. He is such a sweet little animal, and I really think he deserves a fighting chance at a quality life. He is affectionate, playful, and has so much personality- it was impossible not to fall in love immediately.
I know that not everyone will understand this, and that's ok. I know there are people who will think this is crazy and say, "It's just a kitten, why all the fuss?" That is their opinion, and I understand where those people are coming from. My opinion though, is that this is a living, breathing, loving creature who has an opportunity to get a second chance. I might not pull it off, but I feel a responsibility to him to at least try my hardest.
If you are able to donate, words cannot express our gratitude. If you are not, sharing this story and allowing other people the chance to give is appreciated just as much. We are asking for this amount in the hopes that by the time we are able to seek treatment for him next week, we will have enough to go through with the surgery and not have to wait any longer. If for some reason this amount is more than is needed for his medical care, we intend to use any extra donations to put toward the care of another animal in need.
As soon as they are made available to me I am going to post Mr. Top Hats X-rays here. I can also provide proof of medical need to anyone who desires it, or further information about his injuries.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about this awesome little guy. Hopefully, you'll soon be reading about his road to recovery!
We found Mr. Top Hat in the middle of the highway on Sunday, when we were home for the holidays. My girlfriend saw him laying in the road- just in time to watch him pop his little head up and look around, terrified. We turned around and grabbed him, hoping it wasn't too late.
When I picked him up, he was very much in shock and was bleeding from his mouth. We weren't sure what the extent of his injuries were, we just knew that he was definitely hurt. I called for Animal Control to pick him up, but his life was essentially left in my hands. I was told that they could not have anyone come out, so my options were to 1. Find an emergency vet if I thought he would live (and there are none within a reasonable distance), or 2. Have a deputy from the Sheriff's Office sent out to put him down if I thought otherwise.
I knew that if he was suffering, the humane thing would be to allow him to be put down. I sat, trying to make a decision, prolonging what I assumed was the inevitable. But as I held and comforted him, something started to change; he slowly started coming out of shock. His breathing became more regular, his pupils started to go back to normal and he was even trying to stand up in my lap. We got a good look at him for the first time at that point, and realized that his injuries might not be as bad as we had originally believed. He had an obvious facial deformity, but that was it! No broken bones, no open wounds, nothing.
We decided that, as long as he didn't appear to be suffering, we would wait it out. We knew that there was still a potential for internal injuries, so if he made it though the trip home and then through the night, he would go to the vet first thing Monday morning.
Not only did he make it, but he is doing better than anyone expected. By the time we got him home he was fully alert, awake and trying to figure out what was going on. I gave him some soft food, hoping that he would at least try to lick at it- even with his hurt mouth. He purred, and happily ate every bite (with some difficulty). He then explored the house, tried to play with the other animals and rubbed and loved all over me (putting to rest any fears we had that he may be feral).
We found out the next morning that Mr. Top Hat did all of those things after sustaining not 1, but 2 jaw fractures- one on the top, one on the bottom. We were given a referral to the closest vet who could handle such an injury- a few hours away in Alabama. I called to speak to someone there, and was told that no doctors would be in until January 5th and that the receptionist was not able to give me any kind of cost estimate. The vet who took the x-rays, however, informed me that the surgery he would need to repair his injuries would easily be in excess of $1000- not including travel and other expenses.
If I could afford to get Mr. Top Hat the treatment that he needs, this page would not exist. Unfortunately, this kind of expense is well outside my budget. He is such a sweet little animal, and I really think he deserves a fighting chance at a quality life. He is affectionate, playful, and has so much personality- it was impossible not to fall in love immediately.
I know that not everyone will understand this, and that's ok. I know there are people who will think this is crazy and say, "It's just a kitten, why all the fuss?" That is their opinion, and I understand where those people are coming from. My opinion though, is that this is a living, breathing, loving creature who has an opportunity to get a second chance. I might not pull it off, but I feel a responsibility to him to at least try my hardest.
If you are able to donate, words cannot express our gratitude. If you are not, sharing this story and allowing other people the chance to give is appreciated just as much. We are asking for this amount in the hopes that by the time we are able to seek treatment for him next week, we will have enough to go through with the surgery and not have to wait any longer. If for some reason this amount is more than is needed for his medical care, we intend to use any extra donations to put toward the care of another animal in need.
As soon as they are made available to me I am going to post Mr. Top Hats X-rays here. I can also provide proof of medical need to anyone who desires it, or further information about his injuries.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about this awesome little guy. Hopefully, you'll soon be reading about his road to recovery!
Organizer
Mallory Gore
Organizer
Panama City, FL
