Saving the Brain-Damaged Kitten
Donation protected
Meet Mr. Stubbs, aka “Stubby.” She is our brain-damaged, partially blind kitten that we rescued from feline infanticide.
Stubby was born to a neighborhood stray. We heard the cries and when I found the kittens, the mother had committed feline infanticide on one of them (one of the most traumatic things I’ve ever seen). On Stubby, she’d bit the tail off all the way down to the muscles on its little backside. I imagine that she would have done more, but I took the kitten away from her before she could.
Because Stubby was so little (6 grams) and wounded (the bleeding lasted for quite some time), we didn’t expect it to live through the day. I bottle fed it some kitten formula, though, and it seemed to eat well. Another neighborhood stray had suffered a stillborn just the day before. We brought her in, gave her a comfortable box, and wound up placing Stubby with her to see if she’d take to the little feller and she did. She immediately began cleaning him off and feeding him.
When it became apparent that Stubby was a real fighter and might just make it, we took him to the vet the following morning. He was treated there with wound cleaning, laser treatment, etc. The vet feels that, with proper care, his prognosis is good.
Although Stubby is eating well and appears to be thriving with his foster mother, he will require ongoing care for the immediate future. Stubby has another doctor’s appointment in 3 days. He will require a surgery within a week’s time. He’ll also be on antibiotics for the next 3 weeks.
We already have inside cats as family pets and weren't looking to take on another. (Last summer we rescused an entire litter from outside. We kept 1 of the kittens as a famly pet and found wonderful homes for the others.) However, we wanted to give Stubby a fighting chance.
If there was anything that could be done to help him, we wanted to do that. I am a paranormal author and my family relies on my book royalties for our living expenses and bills. Due to health issues stemming from my Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, I had to take several months off last fall. During that time, I was unable to write or release any new books. As a result, my royalties took a hard hit. (When you’re self-employed, you don’t accumulate sick time.) Although my sales eventually rose again, we won’t see the benefits of that for a couple more months. As of now, our budget is extremely tight-every penny must be accounted for. Although the vet offered us a discounted price, the funds for helping Stubby just aren’t there. (Seriously, I used the water bill money for yesterday’s vet bill and now I have some of my favorite Betsey Johnson dresses up for sale to try to make the money back.)
I realize that some people might look at this and say that my rescuing of Stubby was irresponsible, and I guess it kind of was, but the little guy was in a lot of pain. I have 2 kids and after they saw Stubby, they started emptying their piggy banks in an attempt to find the money to get him treated. I really would’ve had trouble sleeping that night if I hadn’t tried my best to save him.
I did call our local shelter and the Humane Society, but neither could take him.
The funds I am asking for are approximately HALF of the total expenses. I am working hard to find the other half by selling things online.
What We Need:
$750
- 1st surgery to repair GI tract
- Additional laser treatments
- Weekly check-up visits to the vet for the first 4 weeks (since Stubby was approximately 10 days early)
- 3 weeks’ worth of antibiotics and other medications as needed
- Flea treatment for foster mama (she is not ours, but we brought her inside since she’s taking good care of Stubby. Fleas are out early this year and I can’t risk more infection to Stubby.)
- Bovine Colostrum (to supplement foster mother’s nursing)
- Artificial heat source-hot water bottle (Stubby has almost zero body fat and very little fur, despite what the pictures show)
- Premature kitten formula and extra feeding tube (we had one bottle, but we need more to supplement foster mother’s milk)
- Second surgery for fecal impaction
ETA: Stubby wound up needing an emergency vet visit due to a distended stomach and trouble eliminating waste. I have factored that cost into the new total.
ETA: Stubby's since had another emergency surgery. She is improving, though, and in high spirits. Unfortunately, we have learned that she is brain damaged. Sill, she remains playful and sweet.
Video: Stubby is Sick
Want to Adopt?
At some point, we will be accepting applications for a permanent home for Stubby, too, so if you sponsor him and wish to be considered as a perma home, that is a possibility as well. Since Stubby is only 3 days old at this point, however, that is at least 12 weeks away. Stubby will need extra loving care in his permanent home. He will also require an indoors’ home and someone who is willing to keep up with any additional medical treatments.
I love this little guy. I have stayed up with him 2 nights in a row now, making sure that he and his new mama are okay. He’s a real fighter.
Updates:
I will be providing video and pictorial updates as we go along. Stubby takes medicine twice a day right now, and I'm happy to show the process and share his journey with everyone.
New Update:
Stubby is having some neurological issues, as well as trouble walking and going to the bathroom. Next up are some genetic tests to determine whether chromosomal abnormalities.
She is still adorable!
Newer Update:
Stubby got very sick the other night. She grew bloated and had lots of watery stool. She was also in a lot of pain and her anus was swollen. She had to have another procedure done to help stimulate her bowels. She's not a big fan of her medicine, either, but she's perking up.
We've also learned that poor Stubbs is brain damaged. I don't know if it happened because of her trauma, or if the mother cat could sense the damage and that's why she was trying to eat her.
Video Update: "Not having a tail suits him."
Foster Mama Info:
Although the foster mama was techncally a stray, because she has stepped up to the plate and become the REAL MVP of this, we are going to get her the proper care she needs as well. She won't be living outside after this. She's very docile and seems to enjoy being in the house. Has also taken to the litterbox quite quickly. I've been in contact with a rescue organization about finding her a permanent home afterwards.
April 2018 Pictures:
Stubby was born to a neighborhood stray. We heard the cries and when I found the kittens, the mother had committed feline infanticide on one of them (one of the most traumatic things I’ve ever seen). On Stubby, she’d bit the tail off all the way down to the muscles on its little backside. I imagine that she would have done more, but I took the kitten away from her before she could.
Because Stubby was so little (6 grams) and wounded (the bleeding lasted for quite some time), we didn’t expect it to live through the day. I bottle fed it some kitten formula, though, and it seemed to eat well. Another neighborhood stray had suffered a stillborn just the day before. We brought her in, gave her a comfortable box, and wound up placing Stubby with her to see if she’d take to the little feller and she did. She immediately began cleaning him off and feeding him.
When it became apparent that Stubby was a real fighter and might just make it, we took him to the vet the following morning. He was treated there with wound cleaning, laser treatment, etc. The vet feels that, with proper care, his prognosis is good.
Although Stubby is eating well and appears to be thriving with his foster mother, he will require ongoing care for the immediate future. Stubby has another doctor’s appointment in 3 days. He will require a surgery within a week’s time. He’ll also be on antibiotics for the next 3 weeks.
We already have inside cats as family pets and weren't looking to take on another. (Last summer we rescused an entire litter from outside. We kept 1 of the kittens as a famly pet and found wonderful homes for the others.) However, we wanted to give Stubby a fighting chance.
If there was anything that could be done to help him, we wanted to do that. I am a paranormal author and my family relies on my book royalties for our living expenses and bills. Due to health issues stemming from my Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, I had to take several months off last fall. During that time, I was unable to write or release any new books. As a result, my royalties took a hard hit. (When you’re self-employed, you don’t accumulate sick time.) Although my sales eventually rose again, we won’t see the benefits of that for a couple more months. As of now, our budget is extremely tight-every penny must be accounted for. Although the vet offered us a discounted price, the funds for helping Stubby just aren’t there. (Seriously, I used the water bill money for yesterday’s vet bill and now I have some of my favorite Betsey Johnson dresses up for sale to try to make the money back.)
I realize that some people might look at this and say that my rescuing of Stubby was irresponsible, and I guess it kind of was, but the little guy was in a lot of pain. I have 2 kids and after they saw Stubby, they started emptying their piggy banks in an attempt to find the money to get him treated. I really would’ve had trouble sleeping that night if I hadn’t tried my best to save him.
I did call our local shelter and the Humane Society, but neither could take him.
The funds I am asking for are approximately HALF of the total expenses. I am working hard to find the other half by selling things online.
What We Need:
$750
- 1st surgery to repair GI tract
- Additional laser treatments
- Weekly check-up visits to the vet for the first 4 weeks (since Stubby was approximately 10 days early)
- 3 weeks’ worth of antibiotics and other medications as needed
- Flea treatment for foster mama (she is not ours, but we brought her inside since she’s taking good care of Stubby. Fleas are out early this year and I can’t risk more infection to Stubby.)
- Bovine Colostrum (to supplement foster mother’s nursing)
- Artificial heat source-hot water bottle (Stubby has almost zero body fat and very little fur, despite what the pictures show)
- Premature kitten formula and extra feeding tube (we had one bottle, but we need more to supplement foster mother’s milk)
- Second surgery for fecal impaction
ETA: Stubby wound up needing an emergency vet visit due to a distended stomach and trouble eliminating waste. I have factored that cost into the new total.
ETA: Stubby's since had another emergency surgery. She is improving, though, and in high spirits. Unfortunately, we have learned that she is brain damaged. Sill, she remains playful and sweet.
Video: Stubby is Sick
Want to Adopt?
At some point, we will be accepting applications for a permanent home for Stubby, too, so if you sponsor him and wish to be considered as a perma home, that is a possibility as well. Since Stubby is only 3 days old at this point, however, that is at least 12 weeks away. Stubby will need extra loving care in his permanent home. He will also require an indoors’ home and someone who is willing to keep up with any additional medical treatments.
I love this little guy. I have stayed up with him 2 nights in a row now, making sure that he and his new mama are okay. He’s a real fighter.
Updates:
I will be providing video and pictorial updates as we go along. Stubby takes medicine twice a day right now, and I'm happy to show the process and share his journey with everyone.
New Update:
Stubby is having some neurological issues, as well as trouble walking and going to the bathroom. Next up are some genetic tests to determine whether chromosomal abnormalities.
She is still adorable!
Newer Update:
Stubby got very sick the other night. She grew bloated and had lots of watery stool. She was also in a lot of pain and her anus was swollen. She had to have another procedure done to help stimulate her bowels. She's not a big fan of her medicine, either, but she's perking up.
We've also learned that poor Stubbs is brain damaged. I don't know if it happened because of her trauma, or if the mother cat could sense the damage and that's why she was trying to eat her.
Video Update: "Not having a tail suits him."
Foster Mama Info:
Although the foster mama was techncally a stray, because she has stepped up to the plate and become the REAL MVP of this, we are going to get her the proper care she needs as well. She won't be living outside after this. She's very docile and seems to enjoy being in the house. Has also taken to the litterbox quite quickly. I've been in contact with a rescue organization about finding her a permanent home afterwards.
April 2018 Pictures:
Organizer
Rebecca Patrick-Howard
Organizer
Irvine, KY
