Twiggy update.

I want to post a sincere thank you to everyone who has supported Twiggy's recovery and need to find a home. From New York to California, I've had kind people online who have donated their love, prayers, and even money. Every day there are cases of animal cruelty, many of which are seen on T.V. If you watch enough episodes, it becomes hard to imagine there's anyone left who really cares about the welfare of animals.

The world is a big, scary place. I belong to an online community that has more than once been accused of being harsh and flat out bitchy. There are no punches pulled when it comes to discussions. Everyone says how it is, whether or not it wants to be heard. Other communities have labeled the members as selfish, immature, cruel, etc. This is simply not true. No where else have I seen people who only know each other by expressed opinions and screen names rally together in order to help someone they do not know, and a cat that very well could not exist. It would have been easy for them to think that I were a scammer, pass off Twiggy's story as made up, and go about with their lives. Instead, they've reached out to help me find resources, given me excellent advice, and because of the quick thinking and actions of the members, a disaster was prevented.

Yesterday Barbara and I gave Twiggy a small portion of Children's Tylenol. It was suggested by a lady who was a veterinarian technician. She said that the Tylenol would reduce the swelling of Twiggy's damaged leg (which she believes that was indeed kicked or stomped) and help manage her pain. I reported this to the community who has been helping me with the situation. Immediately one of the users pulled up recent research that showed Children's Tylenol, despite being prescribed frequently to both cats and dogs with pain, is in fact very deadly to cats. This was a couple of hours after having given it to her. In a panic, I called the first reasonably close emergency vet I could find to be told that I had to bring her in immediately or she would die. I broke down while on the boards, meanwhile calling Adam and almost dreading checking on Twiggy for fear she would be dead. The users talked me down while I sought a second opinion. The next vet I called reassured me, telling me that if Twiggy was not symptomatic after so long then chances are that it had already been absorbed and passing through her body.

I was up all night monitoring her, waking up every 45 minutes. She was perfectly fine through the whole night and still shows no sign of having any ill effects. Yet it could have ended very badly for her if the users hadn't done some research for me and found the studies that show Children's Tylenol is toxic to cats.

Because of these caring people, we now have $250 towards Twiggy's medical care. The vet I called this morning (same gal, incidentally), said that it would be enough to cover her basics: check up, deworming, vaccinations (limited because of Twiggy's pregnancy), and ear mites. However, in order to do a payment plan for x-rays, leg cast/splint, and ultrasound, I have to have at least half up front. It seems like a long way to go, but yesterday there was nothing except the $5 in my billfold and Bob and Barbara's kindness taking care of Twiggy. Today there is $250, which is a world of difference in her physical care.

As long as there are people willing to lend aid to a small cat in need through a person they don't know, the world might not be completely doomed.