Miles needs Pet talk Prayers Update on miles

**Catty1** · 03-02-2006, 10:11 AM

Gina - you go with what is best for Miles, even the plate and pin. Many people here will chip in a bit, and will get you covered!

Hey - Miles can be the Bionic Cat! And set off metal detectors at the airport!
(Just trying to give you a smile, hon.)

The Emerg Vet info is in this thread. So np. Hope you got something to eat!

hugs
Catty1

**kuhio98** · 03-02-2006, 12:02 PM

Gina ~ I'm so sorry for all that you and little Miles are going through. I have mailed you a donation for whatever treatment is decided upon.

I'm still not clear on whether IMOM has denied your application or if after reading their instructions, you decided not to apply because you believe you don't qualify. If they did deny you, what reason was given?

I'll PM you with my contact information. Unfortunately, I'm away at work (in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska) until March 19th. So, I won't be on as much but I can access my home e-mail. I'll send you that info.

Here's a list of other organizations that may be able to help. If anyone knows of others, please post them. Let's help Gina and Miles!
I got this list in an e-mail, so I can't verify the legitimacy of these places-and I know some are listed in the other sources page of the IMOM site, but figured I'd post for you.

Add www.omaspride.com as they help rescues.

American Animal Hospital Association
www.aahahelpingpets.org/home/
"The heartbreak happens all too often a pet owner is unable to afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the cost of care may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook. Perhaps they have been victimized by crime, property loss or a job layoff and are experiencing a temporary financial hardship ? making it too difficult to afford pet care. And some animals, brought to clinics by Good Samaritans, don't have an owner to pay for treatment. Whatever the situation, the fact remains the same: When sick or injured animals are unable to receive veterinary care, they suffer. Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship."
Maybe would help rescues?

Angels 4 Animals
www.Angels4Animals.org
"Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners should not have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our work is accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across
the country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need."

Help-A-Pet
www.help-a-pet.org/home.html
"Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the
working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged
individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more
than a diversion."

The Pet Fund
thepetfund.com/
"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal
medical care need never be made on the basis of cost."

United Animal Nations
www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html
"The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued
animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require
specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care."

**furrykidsmother** · 03-02-2006, 01:01 PM

Just heard from Gina. She has a 1:00 p.m. consultation today, she is there now waiting to see what options are available for Miles. She'll update as soon as she knows the choices they have. Fingers crossed that something can be done for him soon.

**catnapper** · 03-02-2006, 01:22 PM

How'd I miss this????

First off, being that I have Flutter, I can tell you100% unequivocally (sp?) that 3 legs will not stop a cat. They get around just great and don't even know they have any problems.

Second - the surgery with plates and such. Angel went through that. She came through with flying colors but will always have problems with her leg for the rest of her life. She will most likely need additional surgeries and the vet said she will most likely get terrible arthritis in that leg. She will be in a lot of pain as she gets older thanks to the broken leg that needed surgery. I was determined to save her leg, but now that I see Flutter doing as well as she is, I realize how much happier Angel might be if she could live completely pain free. Her new parents report that she still does not walk on that leg, and she'll occasionally act sore on rainy/cold days.

I have to be honest and say I'd prefer amputation if I had to face it with any of my cats. Its one surgery, one healing and he'll never feel pain associated with that leg again. I would not want to impose a life of pain associated with that leg just because I feel he needs his leg. Truthfully, that a selfish wish on us humans. We want to see complete animals. When we all know animals adapt well to physical changes. I honestly forget she's even 3 legged.

Good luck in whatever choice you make and I'll be praying that he comes through with flying colors. ((((hugs))))

**Lizzie** · 03-02-2006, 01:38 PM

I was on this site:

http://kenpope.com/index.php

and read about a cat that can only use her front legs but plays happily with the other cats. She has a cart for her back end but refuses to use it, preferring to haul and slither. There are lovely pictures of her on the site. Actually the whole site is inspiring.

I've been very inclined to think that Gina should go for the extensive reparative surgery, simply because I don't like accepting compromises myself. But these new posts have made me think about what that can mean to Miles; I didn't realize that the surgery could mean more pain and distress. My vet's office has two dogs that are three-legged, and they romp around all the time. I hope Gina gets a really good consult with her vet so that she fully understands the results of both options.

**furrykidsmother** · 03-02-2006, 08:00 PM

Gina, could you update us please. I know everyone is wondering how things went. More ((((Hugs)))) to you and Miles!

**Lizzie** · 03-02-2006, 08:53 PM

I just wrote to Corinna, asking if she has heard anything but she hasn't. She said Gina was having problems with the internet, so that may be why we haven't heard - I certainly hope that's all it is.