A kitten tale

06/29/2009

Zoey, the tough, little stray kitten with two casts Credit Gina Guarnare

Gina Guarnere’s husband found two tiny stray kittens behind a warehouse, and he knew who to call – his wife. She came quickly, hustling the black female she named Zoey and a tuxedo male she dubbed Tux to them into a carrier and bringing them to Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT) – Philadelphia for a free veterinary exam. Poor Zoey had a broken leg that they set in a cast. Guarnere has been fostering cats since she was old enough to trap them outside of her home in North Philadelphia. 

Guarnere got Zoey litter box trained quickly, but over the next two days, Zoey started having trouble walking even with her cast. She took the kitten back to the vet.  “She informed me that Zoey had broken her front leg and it was likely that I’d have to put her to sleep.  I was horrified!”  She told the vet that she’d carry her in a sling for the next six weeks if she had to, but that Zoey had too wonderful a personality to give up without a fight.  “Of all the animals I’ve ever rescued, and I’ve had some tough cases, Zoey is far and away the most unique. She never ceases to amaze me with how tough she is.”

Every hour, Zoey woke Guarnere up, and she would take the kitty to her food, water and litter box. Everything seemed to be progressing, but then one day, Zoey became lethargic.  “I checked her bandages to make sure everything was okay, and sure enough, her toes were beginning to swell,” said Guarnere. Whisking her to the vet again, they discovered Zoey had a fever, and said it might require amputation, or worse, euthanasia.  “I replied I was certain it had to be the cast being wrapped too tightly. “ Sure enough, as soon as they took the cast off and rebound her, she was back to normal – eating, drinking, even playing!  “I couldn’t believe the transformation was so fast!”

The story continues to have ups and downs. Just when she thought Zoey was improving, she brought her back again, and the prognosis was disheartening.  Once again the vet recommended amputation if the hind leg doesn’t heal properly. “I asked for two weeks to work on her bone structure.  I’ve placed her on a strict diet that promotes bone development and growth.  That means lots of ground up chicken bones, Nutri-Cal out the wazoo, and kitty milk – lots and lots of kitty milk.  So far she seems to be adapting well, and now that she’s past all the fevers and URIs, my bet is her body can start working on healing itself. 

Regardless of what happens with Zoey, Guarnere says the story shows a valuable lesson she wants to pass along. “I think it’s important for people to know that no matter how broken an animal seems to be, with the proper love and care, she can be good as new. Even though a stray might look broken or dirty or mean, they’re really scared and full of love… waiting to be unlocked by whoever is patient enough to find the key,” says Guarnere. “Let’s keep our fingers and paws crossed that Zoey gets her happy ending.”

Once Zoey heals, Guarnere would love to adopt her out to a family who completely knows and understands the special care she will need, especially if one of her legs must be amputated. If you’re in the Philly area and interested, contact her at gina.guarnere@gmail.com.

It also may be news to many, and I must admit myself, that foster animals get free veterinary care in shlters across the country. Some even offer free spay and neutering services, and medication.

Comments

[Marina]

Aw, this is such a sweet story. What a fighter!

[Ray]

1st famous kitty from the block! Great job nursing baby back to health!

[Dave H.]

Cool to see this posted!

[John]

She's the toughest cat in the world! :)

[Latia]

She is a fighter. Great story about her

[Mary]

Officially the most adorable cat in the Philly area. What an amazing trooper.

[Rob Johnson]

Two broken legs does not equal a broken animal. Go Zoey!

[Donna]

Way to go Zoey, and thank God for people like you Gina who love animals enough to nurse them back to health and find them good homes!

[Marie]

I'm praying for you, Zoey! You're a tough little cookie and you're gonna be perfect soon!

Please update us on Zoey's story so we know she's OK!

[Margaux]

Such a great story! Zoey is such a cute little fighter!

[Jan Barnett]

I've known Gina all of her life and am not surprised that she would be so kind and compassionate. All living things need love and attention. I know because of Gina's care and concern, baby Zoey will be just fine!

Jan

[Nicole]

This is such a sad and great story. Strays needs love too!!! Please update this story so we know where Zoey ends up!

[sue]

Poor little angel. Bless you Gina, and all the good people out there working for the animals.

[Drew Walker]

I rescued a kitten two days ago that looks EXACTLY like Zoey. She got stuck in the vending machine outside the front door of my job. I took her to the vet yesterday and she has two broken back legs. My guess is the exhaust fan in the machine caught her, and thats why she was separated from the rest of her family.

I was told to confine her to a carrier for 3 weeks. Other than the broken legs, she was given a clean bill of health (no leukemia, aids, mange, fleas, worms etc...) We have her on deworming medication just in case she has the worms and isn't passing eggs yet.

I was wondering if you had any advice for me to help with her healing legs. She wasn't put in any casts. I was just told to keep her confined. No running, jumping, playing etc... She's completely content just sitting in my lap and purring for hours, but I still feel horrible about keeping her in a cat carrier for 3 weeks. Any suggestions?

[Wendee Holtcamp]

Drew - I forwarded your comment on to Zoey's owner Gina so hopefully she will get back to you! I wish I could help but I don't personally know how to help kitty's broken legs but Zoey's story was inspirational wasn't it?

[Gina]

Drew (and Wendee),

I am SO sorry to have just seen this now. I've been on maternity leave for the last several months. Please feel free to e-mail my personal account for future questions. clineg1@gmail.com

As for the lack of casts, I'm surprised they did that. How are the bones supposed to heal if they aren't set properly? I hope everything turned out well anyway.

I only kept Zoey confined to the carrier at night because I couldn't keep an eye on her and her brother otherwise. But she was in casts for almost two months.

You probably don't need any advice at this point. But if you do, or need help locating a family for the kitty, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Gina

P.S. - Kudos to you for taking on such a tough case. You are one in a million and we need more people like you in the world. Please let me know how your story turns out! And again - I'm SO sorry I'm so late in getting this. I wish so much that I had gotten it sooner.

[Wendee Holtcamp]

Thanks for the update Gina!!

[Cele]

Got an e-mail link with this and can't believe it! So glad she's doing well. Want to adopt her myself!