2010.06.18
Cause 4 Pause Feline Rescue has 3 cats in its jurisdiction that have what we are calling `tilting head syndrome'—the head is on an acute tilt, they are disoriented, lose their appetite, and move around in circles. A fourth, a lovely gray tabby male named Maru, only 8 months old, has already died from complete organ shut-down. The lives of Smokey and Marianna, however, are at risk. The fourth is Meaghan who, touch wood, is progressing a little better. We suspect a middle or inner ear infection, but are not sure. We seek financial help to cover the bills for the intensive hospitalization of the two who need this level of care, and to run diagnostic tests to discover the cause of this mysterious problem.
Allow me to introduce the lovely ladies who are affected by this problem. First is Smokey, a smoke gray long-haired female, spayed and declawed front, who has a hole in her eardrum. She may require surgery down the road, but has been hospitalized for the symptoms, as the cause remains a mystery.
The cat most at risk is Marianna. She was rescued from a "rescue" group in which the cats are warehoused in a large shelter and spend their lives in cages or small rooms with little or no hope of adoption. We took her over from them to offer her the hope of a better life. She is at present hospitalized, being given IV, antibiotics, and Cortisone treatments. She is undergoing extensive blood testing. If all is well, she will be sedated so the vet can better examine her inner ear. She has stopped eating and has drastically lost weight. Her lovely silky fur (she is a Main Coon type)is dry and sticky, but she is not clinically dehydrated. We seek funding to contribute to the costs of their diagnosis and treatment. If you are more comfortable, donations can be made directly to one of the clinic that helps us with our rescued cats: Sources Animal Hospital (514-684-5443) This is where Marianna is hospitalized. Donations can also be made via the PayPal button on our website at cause4pawsrescue.com (Help Out tab) or by contacting the founder at 514-684-4810.
When these lovely ladies are better, we will continue to seek permanent, loving forever homes for them. We also seek foster homes where, upon release from the clinics, they can receive more individualized attention than our overwhelmed foster homes can offer them. Remember, it is high season for kittens, births and pet abandonments. We are swamped, not only with abandoned animals, both baby and adult, but with vet bills. We are, like the cats, going around in ever decreasing circles trying to figure out the cause. We have 2 vets working on it. Ear infections as such are not contagious, so something else must be going on. We do know of similar situations in other rescues. The problem is not unique to us. Please help us help them by offering your money, time, home and love. Thank you. Bear in mind hat you will be helping more than these 2 cats since we are sharing information with other rescues.