Please read...

Update: I couldn't shake it

Something didn't add up. I took the bloodwork to Dr. Campos. He said he was surprised the cat was alive by the time I got there. He said it clearly was rat poison.

********

How does one fall in love with a cat in just a few minutes? I named him Bretzee, in honor of the gentleman who discovered him under his vehicle. He had been there for two days, crying. The man called so many rescues for help, but none came. (not even PCAS). Bret was beside himself, not knowing what to do. This afternoon, I got the call. I sped to Odessa, where I found the most gorgeous young intact male - clearly in pain. He nibbled on the can food I used to try to coax him out - but he wasn't able to move well. Using a fishing net and towels, I managed to get him out from under the (low-riding) vehicle and into the open top carrier. I sped to Best Friends Animal Hospital & Surgical Center in Palm Harbor, where Dr. West assessed his condition. He was bleeding internally - his gums where white. He was in pain. Bloodwork showed his hematacrit to be seven. They give blood transfusions a 13. Normal is in the 30's range. Bretzee was very weak. We don't know what happened - x-rays showed no broken bones, but there was so much swelling one of his legs had no reaction. Was he hit by a car? Kicked really hard? Stepped on? Only Bretzee knows.

We discussed our options. Bretzee was fading. Exploratory surgery could reveal whatever was causing the internal bleeding, and hopefully it could be repaired. Dr. West had no way to know what she would find once she opened him up - that is, if he survived the surgery. He would need blood transfusions. His recovery would be difficult at best. Because his condition was so frail, it was likely that he wouldn't survive the anesthesia needed for the surgery. Dr. West and her tech, Alex and I made the painful decision not to prolong his suffering, but to help him cross over. I spoke softly to him, gently rubbing his head, our eyes locked on each other. He made biscuits in an effort to self-soothe. I told him to go find TyTy and Mufasa and the others at the Bridge and they should wait for me there. And as quick as a blink of the eye, - Bretzee was gone. Gone from his Earthsuit, but never forgotten. I will catch up with you, little buddy. Through all of his ordeal, not once did he hiss or show any aggression toward me or the staff at the vet. He was an angel wrapped in fur.

If someone intentionally hurt him., may Karma strike you 1000 fold.

I've included a link to the vet bill for today, in case you'd like to contribute to the costs involved ($543.80) so we can use those funds for another cat in need (like Snow, who is going to the vet yet again tomorrow)

https://acrobat.adobe.com/.../urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:8069675c...

Here's the link to donation options: https://linktr.ee/thelittlecatsrescue