Bear needs a coloplexy! Danny and Ron's Rescue

Hi, my name is Amanda! I found a kitten under a work truck at Lowe's. He was freezing and bloody. He had tried to get warm in the engine, and his tail was ripped completely off. I have exhausted my savings taking him to my family vet several times and to a surgeon today! The tail wound opened up, and he needs surgery to close the wound.

Update 12/19/2024

Bear is HOME from SURGERY!

Bear is a 4-6 week old kitten that I found under a work truck at Lowes in Camden. He had tried to get warm in the engine of the truck, and a fan belt ripped his tail completely off. Little Bear was crying, freezing and bleeding pretty bad when I found him. Of course, I couldn't leave him there, so I brought him home! I took him to Mill Village in Camden the next day where we received great care and information from Dr. Cunningham. Bear was put on Antibiotics(oral and topical) and we received wound care instructions. At his first visit his name was Lowes.

After a few days, we noticed that he was having some trouble going to the bathroom. Dr. Hamilton Tetterton had to manually express Bear's bladder and put him on a laxative to help him poop. He also recieced a vacination and dewormer. Bear kept having issues over the next few days and we noticed the area between his missing tail and his rectum had started to open! We took him back to Mill Village and they promptly referred him to a surgeon for his open wound which was draining fecal matter. Dr. Tetterron and his wife are awesome people with hearts of gold. They truly love animals and have helped take care of my family pets for at least the last 15 years.

Blue Pearl in Columbia saw Bear for his initial surgical consult. Dr. Waschak was amazing! After a thorough exam they came to review prices with us. The quote was $3,100-$4,300. I immediately started crying. I had pretty much spent my savings on Bear at this point and we had just bought Christmas gifts for our kids and family. We told her we would need some time to try to figure out the cost. She was so nice and took her time with us even after hearing that we may not be able to afford Bear's surgery. She made personal phone calls to see if she could find someone cheaper, and suggested I try calling some Cat Rescue groups around the area to see if I could get some help with Bear. She texted me personally that same day and let me know that her personal contact could try to do the surgery for half of the price, but that they did not feel confident.

I started looking up and calling every Cat Rescue group I could find. I also made a Gofund me for Bear. The Rescues that replied could not help with such a significant amount, and were already caring for so many cats! I called Danny & Ron's Rescue and left a message even though I thought they only rescued dogs. Not even an hour later they called me back and said they would help!! I was so happy. They verified my information and got records sent from my family Vet. They have an account with CVETS in Columbia and told me to take Bear there for an exam/consult. I asked how to make payment arrangements with them, and she said, "I don't think you understand, Danny and Ron are paying for his surgery!" I started crying again! I am NOT used to asking for or receiving help. I have been on my own since I was 17. I was a single mom at 20 and worked two jobs and went to school. I COULDN'T belive it!

I took Bear to CVETS that evening around 6pm, he stayed overnight and had his surgery the next day! Dr. Wolfe and Dr. Rosa operated on Bear. I was nervous for him to be put under Anesthesia(weighing 1.4 lbs), but he did great! They were able to clean and close his wound and basically make Bear a new booty! He will be able to heal and be in less pain, he will have a chance to live a more normal life, and lower risk for infection! They did explain that he was missing some of the muscles that control his bowels, and that it was a possibility that Bear may be fecally incontinent forever. I got to pick him up yesterday afternoon. He has pooped in the litter box a few times and also has had some accidents. Only time will tell how much control he will have of his bowels. I check and clean his wound twice a day, he gets 2 medications every 6-8 hours, he has to eat a special diet, wear a cone, recieve stool softner, and stay crated for 2 weeks. Lots of love and lots of puppy pads, paper litter and fragrance free wipes!

While Bear's surgery is paid for, I will still accept help with medical supplies, food and kitty diapers(if he needs them in the future). I will be making a donation from the gofund me to Danny and Ron's Rescue. They are amazing people and have helped rehome over 11,000+ dogs since hurricane Katrina. Please check out their documentary called, Living in the Doghouse! And follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

Tail pull injuries can cause a range of damage, including:

Nerve damage: The nerves in the tail can be stretched, torn, or severed.

Spinal cord damage: The sacral spinal cord segments and cauda equina can be injured.

Bladder and anal sphincter dysfunction: The nerves that control urination and defecation can be damaged, leading to incontinence.

While many cats regain urinary continence, some cats remain incontinent. Tail function and sensation can take longer to return.

There are so many stray/unwanted pets! Please spay or neuter your pets! The shelters are overrun. Over 4 million pets are euthanized every year!! A lot of them for absolutely NO reason. Adopt a shelter or rescue pet!