Volume 9, Issue 1 of our Mewsings newsletter has just been published!
Click here to read the latest newsletter.
In this issue you will meet some adorable baby kittens. The newsletter also includes a truly heart-warming story about how one of our oldest residents, Laurel, finally found her forever home.
Beautiful Laurel
The latest issue of the Thundering Paws newsletter is available! Click here to read about Lila, some of our new kittens, dogs, and more!
Kitten Sweet Pea
Readers who have been following the story of Lila, the injured kitty rescued by Thundering Paws in October, will be delighted to hear the happy news of her adoption. Lila was adopted by Melinda, a long-time friend of Thundering Paws. You may recall that Melinda adopted Fabio from Thundering Paws several years ago; he was also a special needs kitty. And Melinda has a three-legged cat already, so she is all set up with everything that Lila needs.
We are all so happy for Lila!
We want to thank Mileyva Ortiz and all the others at FASTSIGNS at 3010 S. Lamar in Austin! Their contribution of a beautiful sign to post outside of Petsmart during our adoption events is much appreciated. Mileyva is a graphic designer who recently adopted a kitten named Eric from Thundering Paws.
Watch for the sign at the Brodie Lane Petsmart, and come on inside to visit, donate, and adopt. We look forward to seeing you there!
Clyde Kitten and his brother Milton inspecting the beautiful new sign.
The sign is just perfect for us -- FASTSIGNS did a great job. Keep them in mind for any signs, banners, or other graphic needs you may have!
Lila continues to improve. Last Sunday she was out of her cage for a long time and hid under a covered footstool, so I don't think she is quite ready for that yet. It will take her a little while to feel comfortable out of her cage with the many other cats and people around the shelter.
Lila has not been the most outgoing cat, but she is very sweet when approached. She appreciates being petted and scratched, but doesn't seek out attention. However, on Thursday evening when I was walking by her cage, she said, "Meow, meow, MROWWW!" so I reached in to pet her. She stretched, rolled on her back, solicited pets for her tummy, purred, and made biscuits! I pet her more now, and she is getting friendlier by the day. Soon she'll be ready to move to a forever home.
Any donations for Lila's care are greatly appreciated. PayPal donations may be made on our website at http://www.thunderingpaws.org/donate. You can mail donations to Thundering Paws, P.O. Box 1555, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. If you would like to make Visa, MasterCard, or Discover donations, please e-mail your phone number to anne@thunderingpaws.org, and we will gladly call you.
Lila went to Central Texas Veterinary Specialty Hospital (CTVSH) again yesterday to see Dr. Sara Gower. Dr. Gower released her, with one final request that Lila have an x-ray in three to four weeks to make sure the infection isn't recurring. Lila will be on her injectable Nexcal through Friday of this week, and then, unless something else comes up, she is released from veterinary care.
Lila still is not interested in getting out of her cage and walking. She walks when she must, but doesn't do more than necessary. Dr. Gower said to give her time. I also have yet to hear her purr... except that she gave us a rough purr when we were examining her today. She has become more vocal, talking to me more and always following me with her eyes. She seems to appreciate pets and scratches, but does not seek them out.
I believe this kitty has come a looong way! I don't think she was ever feral, but she had not had much interaction with humans in the past. She is just not used to experiencing things like regular meals, canned food, pets and scratches, being inside away from the cold (which it promises to get tomorrow night), and rain (promises -- we'll see.) My hope is that she will continue to become more friendly and outgoing. It's not that she is unfriendly; she just doesn't seek out much, perhaps because she has not been able to expect much from humans in the past. There is certainly a dignified quality about Lila.
Any donations for Lila's care are greatly appreciated. PayPal donations may be made on our website at http://www.thunderingpaws.org/donate. You can mail donations to Thundering Paws, P.O. Box 1555, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. If you would like to make Visa, MasterCard, or Discover donations, please e-mail your phone number to anne@thunderingpaws.org, and we will gladly call you.
Sweet Lila is doing well and continues to improve! She has been standing up, walking a little, and eating some kibbles on her own. Her latest achievement: using the litter box!
When Lila first came home, we padded her cage with soft towels and cleaned them when she soiled them. She couldn't stand on her remaining hind leg because of her fractured pelvis. But now, 2 1/2 weeks and lots of veterinary care from many concerned and knowledgeable vets later, Lila is using her right hind leg to walk. Yesterday we gave her a litter box and this morning her bedding is clean and her litter box has been used. She is eating, drinking, learning to walk, using her litter box, and still the most cooperative cat I have ever met.
Her E. coli infection was found to be resistant to most antibiotics and she is on an injectable one, Nexcal. It must be kept in the refrigerator and injected subcutaneously. She flinches from the cold liquid running under her skin, but -- as always -- she allows me to give her the shot. It helps if someone scratches her head while I am doing so.
Lila's veterinarian at Central Texas Veterinary Specialty Hospital (CTVSH), Dr. Gowan, also asked that we bathe her wounds in warm water twice a day. Of course, cats do not like getting wet and it is clear that she agrees with the rest of her species about water, but she never bites or scratches, nor even threatens to do so!
Some animals know that we are trying to help and Lila is clearly one of these. She will make someone a very nice pet when she is fully recovered. She is a sweetheart.
As you can imagine, her veterinary bills are pretty big. She has another appointment tomorrow. All our vets work with us to offer us discounts where they can, but treatment like hers is expensive. Donations for her care, in any amount, are very much appreciated. PayPal donations may be made on our website at http://www.thunderingpaws.org/donate. You can mail donations to Thundering Paws, P.O. Box 1555, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. If you would like to make Visa, MasterCard, or Discover donations, please e-mail your phone number to anne@thunderingpaws.org, and we will gladly call you.
Just a little update on Lila: This morning she was lying on her left side. This is a great sign! It was her left hind leg that was amputated and so her incision, which was infected, is on the left. She has not reclined on her left side since we got her, but she was this morning. She is feeling better! She is bright eyed, eating, and, as usual, cooperating fully in her care. What a good kitty!
Any donations for Lila's care are greatly appreciated. PayPal donations may be made on our website at http://www.thunderingpaws.org/donate. You can mail donations to Thundering Paws, P.O. Box 1555, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. If you would like to make Visa, MasterCard, or Discover donations, please e-mail your phone number to anne@thunderingpaws.org, and we will gladly call you.
Today Lila had a little set back in her recovery. She was taken to the Central Texas Veterinary Hospital for treatment of an infection that was developing along her incision. The vet inserted a drain and she is now taking more antibiotics. Lab results from a culture taken today are pending. We all hope this will clear up quickly and that this beautiful kitty can be completely happy and healthy soon.
Any donations for Lila's care are greatly appreciated. PayPal donations may be made on our website at http://www.thunderingpaws.org/donate. You can mail donations to Thundering Paws, P.O. Box 1555, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. If you would like to make Visa, MasterCard, or Discover donations, please e-mail your phone number to anne@thunderingpaws.org, and we will gladly call you.
Lila (photo by Suzanne Cordrey)
