One of our fabulous volunteers, Laura B. from Helena, brought out a new cat tree last Saturday for the gang in the cat house, and it immediately became a big hit. On Sunday morning we found little Tibby, the cat with the deformed back legs, upside down in the swing playing with cat toys. I think that would make me a little light-headed but she was thoroughly enjoying herself. That's wobbly Claire next to her.
-----
On a more serious note, here are some medical updates:
-- Dusty was able to get up and walk last night on his own, and was mobile this morning, so we are thrilled with that progress!
-- Blind Helen, who was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago to have a fatty tumor removed, is back for more surgery. It turns out the pathologists found a fibrosarcoma inside that fatty tumor, and it has spread through her leg. After consulting with a cancer specialist at Colorado State University's veterinary teaching hospital, our vet Brenda Culver learned that the only thing we could do to keep the fibrosarcoma from spreading further is to remove the leg. This is not the first time we have found benign fatty tumors harboring real cancers inside them, which is why we routinely have biopsies sent in for evaluation. Just in case.
-- Blind Carmel the Beagle is also back in the hospital this week for eye surgery. After further consultations with our veterinary ophthalmologist in Spokane and with ophthalmology specialists at Colorado State, Brenda found that our only real option to eliminate Carmel's chronic and terrible ocular pain was to remove her eyes. Because it was a corneal dystrophy, we couldn't do the intrasclera implants -- like we did with blind Briggs -- since the cornea needs to be healthy for that procedure. It's what holds the implant in place.
I had dropped both Helen and Carmel off yesterday morning when I took Dusty in. For right now, Dusty's the bright spot in the picture!
Thank you for all you are doing for Carmel. Please keep me posted on how her surgery went. You are wonderful people and your care for each and every animal shows.
Posted by: Kathy Soden | June 26, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Tibby is just showing all of us that you can play no matter what your limitations are. I love that picture!
I send good thoughts to Helen. I'm glad they caught the cancer before it spread further.
And good luck to Carmel as well!
Posted by: Shelli Smith | June 25, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Our thoughts are with you all... good luck and health Helen, Carmel & Dusty!
Posted by: Margaret | June 25, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Claire looks like she has not missed a meal, love it.
Posted by: Angie | June 25, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Hi,
What's the update on blind Lena with her basket and blind Penny? Glad to know they all get such great care!
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa | June 25, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Tibby definitely has a flexible spine...I love the cat postings!!
I'm sorry Helen will have to loose a leg but it sounds like that's the best option for her survival.
We'll keep Helen and Carmel in our thoughts as they both go into surgery.
We're so glad that Dusty is up and moving around...yipppee!!
Posted by: Boundforglory | June 25, 2008 at 09:19 AM
I'm glad you started the blog light hearted. Good to hear the news about Dusty --so sorry that Helen has to lose a leg and Carmel her eyes but I know it's only for the best. Thank you for taking great lengths to make the right choice for these wonderful creatures.
VOTE FOR ANIMAL HERO OF THE YEAR on the animal planet website--Steve and or Alayne---you two are amazing!
Posted by: Shirley * James * Portland, OR | June 25, 2008 at 12:18 AM
I hope the surgeries take away Carmel's pain and that Helen can adjust well to another adversity that life has thrown at her. So glad you found the tumor though!
Posted by: Suzanne | June 24, 2008 at 05:58 PM