Shiloh’s Little Paw
This tiny kitten somehow got separated from her mother. Alone and frightened by all sorts of scary noises, she found a quiet place where she felt somewhat safe. She woke up to a terrifying rattle and simultaneously to a horrendous pain to her right front paw. The kitten’s screams alerted the driver who stopped the car engine and retrieved the animal. In tears, this lady brought this tiny life to the closest veterinary clinic. At that point a rescue group was contacted, and they graciously accepted Shiloh into their program.
The vet gave her emergency wound and pain medication and X-rayed her little paw. The fan belt had nearly severed part of her leg. Her prognosis was poor. Her leg would probably have to be amputated. Her operation was delayed due to her poor physical condition. So, her limb was bandaged, and she went to a foster home with pain medicine and antibiotics. Her dressing was changed daily until her scheduled surgery. It consisted of sugar and iodine wraps to accelerate the healing of the wound and help eliminate skin infection. She was given A/D recovery canned diet for malnutrition, sub-cutaneous fluids for dehydration and was dewormed.
Shiloh had her surgery four days later. But a miracle happened in the surgery suite! The veterinary surgeon was able to save her leg. He amputated two of her digits and sutured one of her phalanges which was broken. With a tiny wire, he managed to tie the two bones together. She has one little paw pad remaining. The ultimate goal is for Shiloh to have a paw with a foot pad, though half the normal size, on which to walk and run on. This thoughtful vet was thinking about Shiloh’s quality of life. He gave her a chance to keep her leg.
Her foster mother describes Shiloh as an affectionate and playful kitten who hates to be alone. She follows her foster mom everywhere with her big bandage. She tries to climb on everything. As soon as you look at her, she purrs. She is simply unperturbed by her trauma.
Shiloh has been very fortunate so far. Had it not been for the nice lady who brought her to the clinic, the dedication of the medical staff and the veterinarian’s empathy for this little animal, Shiloh would either have lost her leg or worse, died from this unfortunate accident. Shiloh must have a fairy god mother who sprinkles her daily with fairy dust for her good fortune!
But Shiloh is still in a precarious situation. Her post-op care will continue for another six to eight weeks. Her leg will be examined every four days with bandage changes, medications and Xrays. Hopefully her wound will heal without complications.
Please help us pay the kindhearted vet for her emergency surgery. This delicate procedure was much more expensive than an amputation, as will be her continuing care and recovery. Shiloh has come so far! Please help sprinkle a little more fairy dust on her here to ensure her complete recovery and happiness?