Home Luke at the Vet making Happy Paws

Luke came from an area that has 3 different large colonies within a couple blocks of each other.  After he was trapped and brought to me, I noticed his breathing right away - totally congested.  So he did not go for neuter but went to GEAH.  We started with Convenia & Baytril and he went into a crate.  No reduction in symptoms, so tried nebulizing.  Poor guy shredded his claws in desperation to get out, so two days (4 treatments) of that was enough - and the symptoms seemed to get worse.  Back to GEAH, no visible sign of polyp, worried about sedating when his breathing was so bad, another Convenia since it had been 7 days, started on fenbendazole in case he had a lung parasite and doxycycline in case the other antibiotics weren't the right ones.  Some improvement but when animated had a tough time breathing.  Back to GEAH for sedation (breathing improved enough to risk it), xray, more intense look down throat & ears, sample of fluids for testing and since sedated, neuter & the works.  With care, his coat improved, he was much less tense but still needed Convenia every two weeks to keep eye & nose discharge at a minimum. 

Time to go to Veterinary Specialty in Buffalo Grove to get a CT scan on 8/13.  This is his summary:

Problem List:

• Congenital nasal/sinus malformation
• Bilateral chronic rhinitis
• Nasal stertor
• Nasal congestion
• Bump on nasal planum

Assessment:

Home Luke had further evaluation for his rhinitis. It was elected to proceed with a CT scan today. His CT scans that he has significant nasal congenital malformations. He has no nasal sinuses on the left side, and he has a fluid-filled area with significant bone malformation of the right sinus. He has some otitis interna. He has right septal deviation. The nasal passage shows moderate congestion and likely rhinitis in his nasal passages. He likely has chronic inflammatory rhinitis with recurrent secondary infections. The infections are likely from the inflammation and the sinus congenital malformations. We discussed following up with rhinoscopic/blind nasal biopsies and cultures.  Unfortunately, there is no direct cure for his current condition. Home Luke will likely need chronic intermittent antibiotics long term. He will also need anti-inflammatory therapy for the inflammation (oral steroids/inhalers).

Although this is not a life-threatening condition it will likely be chronic and need chronic management.

Due to the chronic needs of the patient, no curative options, and congenital abnormalities the rescue elected to not pursue further treatment and diagnostics and to have Home Luke euthanized while under anesthesia post-CT. We are very sorry for the loss of Home Luke. Please share our condolences to all that cared for him.

Luke was born with malformed sinuses and it was amazing that he survived long enough to be almost a year old when he came to us.  This story may seem very dry and technical but I cared for him for over two months.  He was always kneeding, always licking your hand and loved the feather wand toy!  It was great when he learned to play.  Flaked tuna foods were his favorite.  Unfortunately, his quality of life would not likely improve, expected to decline, there was no way to change that, so had to be let go. 

We thank everyone who donated to our As If They Were Our Own fundraiser.  This enabled us to provide the testing and care for Luke that he needed.  That came to almost $3,000.  We always try to make the best, most rational use of the funds from our donors and we are very grateful to be able to do so.

Another 49!

On a lighter note, we’ve neutered another 49 cats so far in August! 

• On August 1st we sent 20 cats to DCAS, 7 ferals and 13 friendlies, with 9 females and 11 males.  On that same day we sent 10 friendlies to ADOPT, 2 females and 8 males.
• On August 8th 16 cats went to ADOPT, 2 ferals, 14 friendlies, with 10 females and 6 males – one of the friendlies was an already neutered male that ADOPT kept to put up for adoption!  Yea!
• We had three kittens that had heart murmurs and irregular heartbeats when they went in previously so on 8/15 we sent those 3 to GEAH for their neuters and they all did very well – 3 male friendlies.
• We tried to take 8/15 off from TNR but we still got one male friendly that showed up – he went to ADOPT and they kept him after his neuter for adoption, too!

This brings us to 49 so far in August, 413 for the year and 11,384 since our start!

 Thank you all for your help!

No doubt this was due to the excellent line-up of cats and kittens in attendance at our event.  We had 20 kittens (Kelly, Kenny, Keaton, Arnie, Arlo, Sammy, Sawyer, Callie, Josie, Max, Sealy, Seltzer, Clover, Daisy, Columbine, Ossie, Gatsby, Galena, Gallagher, Gabrielle) and 3 adult cats (Corazon, Tomas, Muffin) at the event.  Everyone did a superb job of interacting with our guests.

6 kittens were adopted at the event:

• Arnie, our Abyssinian mix, stole the heart of a couple from Chicago.  He is their 2nd fur child.  He now has a 3 yr old Siamese mix brother.
• Sawyer, one of our handsome black boys, was the pick of a couple from Naperville.  They adopted another male kitty in February and were looking for a buddy for him.
• Kelly, our Russian Blue mix, had drawn a lot of attention prior to the event.  The gal in Oak Park who was first in line for him arrived at the start of the event and immediately felt a connection.  Fortunately, her allergies did not bother her, so she took him home to be a companion for her two sons (ages 12 & 15) and her 8 yr old male cat.
• After much careful deliberation and visiting with several of our kittens, Sealy and Seltzer were the choice of a couple from Oakbrook Terrace.  These are their first fur children on their own, although the gal had volunteered with cats at a shelter during college.
• Arlo won the heart of a couple from Chicago.  He has a 1.5 yr old female cat to keep him company and show him the ropes.

On Monday following the event, Galena was chosen by a couple from Lombard who had recently lost their senior dog and cat.  She will soon be paired up with a puppy to keep her company.

A couple additional applications were received, which are under review.  All in all - a very successful event!

Thanks to Pet Supplies Plus for hosting the event and providing gift bags to our adopters.

Having closed out the month of July with 50 adoptions, we have started the month of August equally strong.  7 kittens (Alameda & Allysa, Thyme & Trillium, Twizzler, Artie & Arielle) and 1 adult (Angelo) were adopted in August prior to our event.  Adding the 7 adoptions noted above, we have a total of 15 adoptions this month so far!

It was especially rewarding to see Angelo find a loving home.  He was adopted by a single gal in Montgomery who had recently lost another orange boy.  He will be her one and only and is sure to receive lots of love!

Many thanks to the volunteers and fosters who made this event a success - Sara, Steve, Bernie, Candy, Diane, Laura B, Lucy, Karen B, Marilyn, Kaitlyn.  Thanks to Sara P, Steve, Bernie, Debbie and Candy for the smooth and efficient set-up and clean-up.  Thanks to Sara, Bernie and Candy for your outstanding help with adoption counseling and adoption paperwork.  Thanks to Diane, Laura B, Lucy, Karen B, Marilyn and Kaitlyn for bringing your foster kittens to the adoption event and  helping promote them to our guests.  

Thanks also for all of the other valuable contributions to this event - to Steve for arranging the event with the store; to Candy for the excellent photography & videography during the event; to Connie, Stephanie and Ted for promoting the event on our Facebook page and web site; to Steve for the professional-looking cage cards and volunteer name tags; to Debbie and Mike for the on-going updates to the Adoptable Cats & Kittens board and binder; to Sara P for helping with the laundry; to Steve for coordinating our lunch run and donating the proceeds to Feral Fixers.

We are an amazing team!

We have 4 events scheduled for the remainder of August, September and early October:

• Saturday, 8/24, PetSmart at 63 Rice Lake Square in Wheaton, from 11am-3pm.
• Sunday, 9/15, PetSmart at 63 Rice Lake Square in Wheaton, from 11am-3pm.  This is the 3rd PetSmart National Adoption Weekend of the year.
• Saturday, 9/28 - please stay tuned for the location.  Steve is working it.
• Saturday, 10/5, Two Bostons at 2523 W. 75th St. in Naperville, from 12noon-3pm.  This is the annual Two Bostons Adopt-A-Rama.

Please mark your calendars!

Thanks,

Sue

We had 29 sweet and adorable kittens at the event (Suzuki, Subaru, Sudoku, Suzanna, Sully, Trillium,Tansy, Apricot, Sealy, Seltzer, Seagram, Alameda, Alyssa, Sandy, Salty, Monroe, Montana, Sammy, Sawyer, Clover, Columbine, Daisy, Osage "Ossie", Violet, Bahama, Gatsby, Galena, Gallagher, Gabrielle).  Despite all of the commotion and dogs barking, everyone did very well, greeting and interacting with our guests.  We truly have a very social and friendly group of kittens available - many thanks to the excellent foster care!

2 adoptions occurred during the event to pre-approved adopters:

• Bahama was adopted by wonderful former Feral Fixers foster who now lives in Chicago.  She previously adopted a kitten from us in 2017, so Bahama will have a playmate.
• Violet was adopted by a nice family from Addison.  She will be a special companion for their 15 yr old daughter.  Violet will also have a resident 1.5 yr old female cat as a playmate.

We also conducted meet n' greets with several other potential adopters in the back rooms of the store.  This resulted in 5 applications being submitted of which one has already yielded the adoption of a pair of kittens and another adoption is scheduled for Friday.  Discussions are underway with the other applicants.

• Suzuki & Sudoku were adopted by ma great gal and her family in Elmhurst.  Her prior cats had passed a few years ago.  So the kittens are likely to bring lots of joy and excitement to her home.
• Apricot won the heart of a nice family fro Glendale Heights.  She will be their first cat, long awaited by the the 2 young sons in the family.  The boys were enjoying playing with the cats in friends' and family members' homes, so everyone decided it was time to get a kitten of their own.  The meeting and likely adoption from the foster home is scheduled for Friday.

Adoptions have also continued to be strong outside of our events.  17 kittens (Blackberry & Blarney, Santiago & Sagan, Mora & Moesha, Sebastian & Sebrina, O'Keefe, Archy, River & Ripley, Delta & Dexi, Tippi, Seagram, Ariel) and 2 adult cats (Ace, Cerena) have been adopted since our event just two weeks ago on 7/13.  It was especially rewarding to see Cerena find a good match.  Kim M's cousin, who owns a small shop in Chicago, was looking for a cat to be her companion in the shop during the many hours she spends there.  She and Cerena hit it off well, and Cerena is settling in nicely.  Many thanks to Kim M for the referral!

This brings us to a total of 50 adoptions in the month of July!!!  Truly amazing!!  This is our highest single month total ever!  Much cause for celebration :-)

Many thanks to the volunteers and fosters who made this event possible.  A special welcome to Whitney, our newest volunteer.  Thanks to Sara P, Steve, Whitney and Candy for the smooth and efficient set-up and clean-up.  Thanks to Sara and Candy for your outstanding help with adoption counseling.  Thanks to Jen & Amanda B, Amanda S, Erika, Marilyn, Sara P, Monica, Laura/Rick B and Kim/Hunter M, for bringing your foster kittens to the adoption event and staying as much as your could to help promote them to our guests.  Shout out also to Gillian & Nora for stopping by and bringing some delicious brownies.

Thanks also for all of the other valuable contributions to this event - to Steve for arranging the event with the store; to Candy for the excellent photography & videography during the event; to Connie, Stephanie and Ted for promoting the event on our Facebook page and web site; to Steve for the professional-looking cage cards and volunteer name tags; to Debbie and Mike for the on-going updates to the Adoptable Cats & Kittens board and binder; to Steve for entering 30+ adoptions into the PetSmart iPad; to Sara P for helping with the laundry and coordinating our lunch run.

We have 3 events scheduled for August and early September.  Thanks to Steve for arranging these with the stores.

• Saturday, 8/10, Pet Supplies Plus at 720 E. Ogden Ave. in Naperville, from 11am-3pm.
• Saturday, 8/24, PetSmart at 63 Rice Lake Square in Wheaton, from 11am-3pm.
• Sunday, 9/15, PetSmart at 63 Rice Lake Square in Wheaton, from 11am-3pm.  This is the 3rd PetSmart National Adoption Weekend of the year.

Looking forward to continuing to help our cats & kittens find loving homes :-)

Thanks,

Sue

Still, we managed to take 11 feral cats and 2 friendly cats to DCAS on 5/9, composed of 6 female and 7 male.  On 5/16 we sent 10 ferals to DCAS, one male was already neutered and one female was discovered to have a mass located in such away that there was no way to save her and was euthanized, she would have suffered greatly if we had not intervened.  Of the remaining 8, 6 were female and 2 were male.

This brings us to an additional 21 in these two trips, 33 for the month, 128 for the year and 11,099 since our start in 2007.

While we are doing TNR, we are also collecting moms & babies which we keep crated together until the kittens are old enough to be separated from their moms, we need nice, cool, quiet garages for this purpose so that the moms can be stress free and raise happy kittens!  So far this year we have brought in a whopping 11 moms and 41 kittens.  There is another family in my garage, going to foster tomorrow that will bring the total to 12 moms and 43 kittens.  One of our volunteers is trying for another set tonight that are housed in a boat in a garage – owner would like to take his boat out for use J.  In addition, we have 12? kittens who came in without their moms – I think I’m missing a set, and a group of 5 is supposed to come into foster tomorrow.  Ye gods!  And we’re just getting started!  Every day brings more, but we actually are seeing fewer than previous years, SO FAR.

Please Come Out And Support Us!

Tomorrow is our Chipotle event – 33% of your purchase goes to Feral Fixers between 4pm and 8pm.  Come eat some great food and after, walk over to 5 Below and get some great stuff – t-shirts, toys, Father’s Day gifts, they have a huge variety! and 10% goes to Feral Fixers!

Help us neuter all these kittens!!!!

Update On Cat Trips

37 cats in Tammy's garage!

On 5/2 we took 12 cats to DCAS, 8 female ferals and 4 male ferals, plus a male that had been neutered in 2017, just a few blocks away.  There was also a female that had 4 wk old kittens at a grade school – a staff member scooped up 4 of the kittens and whisked them off to County before we could get there, the mom was trapped – you do not release an unneutered cat once you have them, leaving a 5th kitten still out there alone til the mom was returned on Saturday.  We’re pretty sure the kitten is still there but the mom keeps getting back in the trap – we do dish up good food.  This is 12 for the month of May, bring us to 107 for the year and 11,078 since our start in 2007.

Look for these kittens at WSHS for adoption in 4 months - 1 day old here!

Next Few Weeks

We have a lot planned over the next few weeks:

• 5/20 to 5/26, shop at Five Below in Finley Square, Downers Grove – intersection of Finley and Butterfield with one of our flyers and Feral Fixers will receive 10% of your purchase price!  A whole week in which you can benefit the cats and further our spay/neuter efforts!!!
• On 5/22, stop in at Chipotle, also in Finley Square, between 4pm & 8pm and a whopping 33% of your bill goes to Feral Fixers – everyone really enjoyed their meals there last year!  Then go next door and get those toys, crafts and beach items that will keep the kids busy this summer at Five Below!
• Beginning 5/26 you can drop off garage sale items in Warrenville for our 6/1 Fantastic Garage Sale!  No electronics but just about anything else will be welcomed!  And shoppers, we have so much coming our way – you never know what you will find at a Feral Fixers Garage Sale!  We have another fundraiser coming up – As If They Were Our Own -  funds from the garage sale will be directed towards the medical bills that we have for the ferals that no one “owns” yet still require care for wounds, dentals, so much to maintain their quality of life
• The Shred4Rescues event is on June 8th – get motivated, go thru your files, come shred your stuff at this yearly event at Citadel Information Management in Westmont.  Visit with Feral Fixers and the other organizations benefitting from this great fundraiser!

Plenty to do, plenty of ways to benefit Feral Fixers!