Written/posted by: Denver Leigh
*Warning: Graphic images accompany this blog post regarding Angel's injury and care.
We are reaching out to you with an urgent plea for help. Recently, we welcomed a brave little soul named Angel into our sanctuary. Angel was found in a dire state, with a severe head wound infested with maggots, emaciated, and barely clinging to life. Thanks to the immediate care and compassion of our Little Rascals team, Angel has begun her long journey to recovery, but she still has a long way to go.
On May 13, 2024, Carol Pasco received a distressing call from Bear Lake about a dire situation. A kind woman and her daughter had found a young cat, possibly an older kitten, with a massive head wound infested with hundreds of maggots. The cat was emaciated and barely moving. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t find immediate assistance because it was a Saturday, but they were referred to Carol at Little Rascals.
Upon seeing the cat, Carol was shocked by the severity of the wound (as pictured at the bottom of this page). She promptly contacted Dr. Brown at Manistee Veterinary Hospital for advice. Dr. Brown suggested thoroughly washing the wound with copious amounts of water to remove the maggots. Carol and one of our volunteers, Judy (a retired nurse), diligently cleaned the wound, gently removing the maggots, then applied a generous amount of Neosporin and bandaged it tightly to prevent infection and suffocate any remaining maggots. They took the cat home for the night, fearing the worst as she seemed lethargic and unresponsive, almost in a comatose state.
However, the next morning brought a pleasant surprise. The kitty, previously unresponsive, suddenly perked up at the sound of food being opened and eagerly ate a few bites (as seen in the photo). Carol and Judy named her Angel.
Dr. Brown and her staff examined Angel the following day and were very pleased with the level of emergency care Carol and Judy provided. Although the head/ear injury was unique, Dr. Brown was cautiously optimistic about Angel’s prognosis.
During Angel's examination, Dr. Brown noted that she weighed only 3.8 pounds and estimated her to be about a year old. Angel received an injection of antibiotics and was sent home to Little Rascals to continue the medications and wound care that Carol and Judy had started.
Over the next two weeks, Angel's progress has been slow but steady. She gained a pound and now moves herself to the bowl of food in her isolation care crate to eat. Although she still appears quite lethargic most days, she loves to be held and cuddled. We believe this extra TLC is also medicinal.
At Angel's two-week checkup with Dr. Brown on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Dr. Brown was amazed at how well the wound was healing. She took x-rays and was happy to report that everything is looking good so far. Although Angel has developed a slight cough, her healing and progress towards recovery seem to be moving in the right direction.
Why We Need Your Help:
Angel's recovery journey is far from over. She requires ongoing medical treatments, medications, regular vet check-ups, and specialized wound care. The cost of her medical care and daily needs is substantial, and we cannot do it without your support.
How You Can Make a Difference:
Your generous donations will go directly towards:
Medical Treatments: Covering vet visits, medications, and any necessary procedures.
Nutritional Support: Providing high-quality food to aid in Angel's recovery.
Daily Care: Ensuring Angel has a safe and comfortable environment, with all the love and attention she deserves.
Every dollar makes a difference in Angel’s life. To donate, please click on the link below or send a check to:
Little Rascals Cat Sanctuary
798 Parkdale Ave.
Manistee, MI 49660
Your contribution, no matter the size, will help us give Angel the second chance she so desperately needs.
Thank You!
We are immensely grateful for the support of our community. It is only through your kindness and generosity that we can continue to rescue and care for cats like Angel.
Together, we can help her heal and find the loving forever home she deserves.
Photos below: Progress of Angel's healing during her two week recovery and care journey. The first photo was taken on the day Carol took Angel into her care. The third photo was taken at Angel's 2-week check-up.
This article is written with a collaborative effort between human creativity and AI assistance.