Warning: The following shows depictions of medical procedures
Local resident, Pumpkin, got the shock of his life last Thursday when he was discharged from the Ten Lives Cat Centre Hospital. His life changing surgery may have gone without a hitch but the shock that followed nearly landed him back on the operating table with a kitty heart attack.
‘As I left the hospital the staff handed me an envelope which I presumed was some information about my follow up care’, Pumpkin told reporters.
‘But when I opened it I found a bill for over $1,500!’
Pumpkin, who is currently unemployed, is unsure how he will be settling the bill with Ten Lives.
Okay, that’s not quite how the story went, and just to clarify, Ten Lives has not been handing out invoices to our feline patients!
So what does happen when a cat like Pumpkin arrives at Ten Lives needing specialist care?
8 month old Pumpkin has had a rather rocky start to his life. He was found at the front of a house with a horrific injury to his back leg.
The kind people that discovered him promptly took him to AHVEC where he was treated after hours. Without a microchip and no owners coming forward he was transferred to our hospital here at Ten Lives.
Although we will never know what happened to Pumpkin, when our vet staff inspected the injury they found his back foot had been degloved, possibly from getting tangled up in some wire. The injury was gruesome and horrific.
Pumpkin was in a great deal of pain. Despite all we could do there wasn’t any hope in saving the limb so the Ten Lives Vet Team had to intervene.
Though, this is a story with a happy ending.
Pumpkin was administered anaesthetic drugs before being intubated. His leg was then prepared for surgery by shaving the area and applying antiseptic.
He was then transferred to the operating table where the Vet Team started the procedure.
For Pumpkin this is a life changing moment. When he wakes up he will finally be able to start to heal and get on with his life without pain.
Though for our amazing Vet Team, it’s just another day in the life – another procedure of the countless life changing operations they perform every year.
The Ten Lives Vet Team is equipped to deal with cases like Pumpkin’s onsite. This means that the costs associated with a procedure like this is limited to the vet time, anaesthetic drugs, theatre costs such as sterilisation equipment, oxygen, and suture material, and also post op medications and care.
Though, for more complicated procedures we have to bare the costs of sending patients offsite.
For a procedure like Pumpkin’s the surgery costs can quickly surpass $1,500. That’s why we created the Vital & Emergency Treatment Supporters Club. Members of our V.E.T.S. Club help provide ongoing medical care for the thousands cats and kittens who come to Ten Lives each year.
The Vet Team successfully removed the leg and Pumpkin was brought out of anaesthetic.
Pumpkin was placed in foster care with Angela where the little trooper took everything in his stride. Angela soon discovered that Pumpkin just loves his pats and belly rubs, and of course some big sloppy kisses!
After a week in foster care Angela returned him to the centre for a follow up examination.
Pumpkin had recovered well. His stitches were removed and he was cleared for adoption.
And, after just one day in the Ten Lives adoption rooms he found his furever home. Someone clearly knew that having only 3 legs was not going to hold this kitty back!
No, we didn’t hand Pumpkin the bill at the end of his stay!
At Ten Lives there is no limit to the time or cost we invest to ensure a cat gets to live a happy and healthy life in their furever home.
Members of our Vital & Emergency Treatment Supporters Club help provide medical care for cats just like Pumpkin.
V.E.T.S. Club members also receive member benefits such as exclusive access to life in the Ten Lives vet room, monthly updates and feature stories, shop discounts, and a behind the scenes tour.
Because Ten Lives receives no government funding we count on contributions from people just like you.
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Ten Lives cares for thousands of cats every year. We rely on support from people just like you continue to provide care to cats in need.
What you can do to help…
Open your heart and home to become a foster carer.
Bring your skills to Ten Lives and become a volunteer.
Check out our current cats and kittens awaiting adoption.
Support us by making a donation to the centre.