Midnight calls from the ER vet are never good news.
Dr. Apolo called from Capital Vet at midnight about 2 kittens in critical condition that came in near the end of her shift. She asked if we know any cat rescues who could help. We know some great cat rescues, but we couldn't call them at midnight, and we didn't think they'd have funds available to take on another emergency.
Brianna and Melissa rescued the 2 kittens earlier from a bad situation. The guy who had them originally had 5 kittens, and these 2 were the only survivors. He was feeding them cayenne pepper because he read somewhere online that it would get rid of fleas.
We had seen Brianna's post, where she said "I rescued them earlier in bad shape and took them to the Humane Society where they vaccinated them and put in a microchip. They’re both unresponsive but breathing so we MUST give them a chance at life!"
They raced to Capital Vet, where Dr. Apolo ran bloodwork. Their PCV was just 4% and 6%. (Normal is 25-45%). Between the extreme anemia, the cayenne pepper and the vaccinations when they were already very young and in very bad shape, they were both unresponsive and in critical condition.
They each needed a blood transfusion immediately, but the initial $2,000 estimate was much more than Brianna and Mel could afford. There wasn't time to post a fundraiser... these kittens needed help immediately.
Funds are low, adoptions are slow, and it's very tough in rescue these days, but we knew we had to help. With FUR covering the ER vet bill, Dr. Weiner started the transfusion immediately.
Pumpkin (the orange boy) and Bellatrix (the tabby girl) are getting the best care available with Dr. Weiner and the staff at Capital Vet. All we can do now is pray.
11/1 Update: The kittens made it through the night, but they are not doing as well as we hoped they would be. They are both eating, Pumpkin more than Bellatrix, but they are both very fragile. They are tiny, probably only four weeks old. They definitely should not have been vaccinated this young, especially when they were already in bad shape.
Dr. Londano wanted to give them another transfusion and hold them at least one more night, so our estimate has gone up to $3,400.
Brianna and Mel were at Capital Vet holding them during their second transfusion when we arrived with another puppy emergency, so we got to spend a couple minutes with these kittens and their rescue angels. Please keep these little ones in your prayers!
11/2 Update: The kittens were doing better and they were released yesterday at lunchtime. They quickly had a setback, and Bellatrix had seizures, so she's back in the ER. Here is the complete update: https://bit.ly/3sk1CMj
11/3 Update: Update: Bellatrix is still in the ER. Her PCV dropped to 8%, so she's getting her 3rd blood transfusion. Please keep this little one in your prayers!
𝗙𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗟𝗬 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠 Sick and injured animals like Bellatrix and Pumpkin need help fast. Every donation helps, but Monthly donors give us flexibility to respond immediately when there is an emergency. When there is a hoarding case or a hurricane, a dog with a gunshot wound or a cruelty case, we have to act quickly. We don't have time to do a fundraiser, and wait for those funds to get to us. Your monthly donation can help us save lives again and again. To learn more, please visit: https://www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donatemonthly To Foster: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/foster To Adopt: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/adopt To Donate: — Credit Card: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donate — Venmo: @FloridaUrgentRescue — PayPal: floridaurgentrescue@gmail.com — CashApp: $FloridaUrgentRescue — Mail: Florida Urgent Rescue 7643 Gate Parkway #104-27 Jacksonville, FL 32256 Florida Urgent Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and FUR earned a Four-Star Rating on Charity Navigator, the highest possible rating. FUR also received a 2023 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency by Guidestar, and is a 2023 Top Rated Nonprofit on Great Nonprofits. Learn more about FUR at: www.floridaurgentrescue.org