-Vintage Canuck- Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Kitten Gets New Legs and Lease on Life: Corky, a stray cat born with a rare congenital birth defect was set to be euthanized in Fargo, N.D. He was given a new lease on life when he was picked up at a local shelter, Cat's Cradle, at the end of March. Corky was born with a genetic deformity called bilateral arthrogryposis of the tarsus, where his legs were backwards and overlapping. Cat's Cradle co-founders Gail Ventzke, Amber Schaffer and Carol Stefonek fell in love with the kitten when they were scheduled to pick up two others. They took him immediately to get radiographs to see what they were dealing with and realized they needed to operate right away. They called around to a "couple different vets and they didn't want to touch him," said Ventzke. They took him to the Casselton Veterinary Service where Dr. Dan Burchill agreed to operate on the 8-month-old kitten. Unaware of his condition, Corky was a "happy, healthy, engaging, fun cat who dragged his back legs around," said Burchill. After considering all options, like amputating him and putting him in a wheel chair, Burchill determined he would be able to surgically fix his legs. A rare disease in cats, the condition was more common in cattle, said Burchill. After practicing for 17 years, he had performed the surgery before on dogs, but never cats. "Dr.Burchill is our hero…he customized the surgery for Corky," said Ventzke. The operation took four hours and cost roughly $1,000 an hour including medication and surgical fees. It was successful, and Corky's more severely affected right leg is doing "fabulous." The left leg had a few anatomy problems and was stabilized with a pin. Estimated to cost only $2,500, the surgery costs have not affected Ventzke. She says "We'll fund raise until we cover it. He's such a great little guy, he's such a great spirit and he has a great purpose and we'll do whatever we can to get him back up on his feet." Corky's rehab, which includes acupuncture and hydrotherapy, is slow and steady. An hour per day is spent on his rehabilitation. The shelter's co-founders drive 50 miles round-trip every day to visit the kitten. "It's like training a person's who's never walked to get up on his feet. We stand them first for 5 or 10 minutes," said Burchill. He thinks the kitten should be fully recovered in six months and describes his progress as "encouraging." Burchill is the only doctor who treats Corky and comes to see him on his weekends off to dress his wounds. Corky, the little cat who couldn't walk, is already standing on his own and is able to take several steps. The shelter's Facebook page has already garnered donations for the cat's rehab from almost every state as well as countries around the world. Ventzke updates the page daily for all of Corky's fans. Despite requests for adoption, the shelter has decided that after his recovery he will spend the day at the shelter and the evenings at Ventzke's home. They hope to have him certified as a therapy pet and comfort people recovering from surgery. http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/kitten-gets-legs-lease-life-191830946--abc-news-topstories.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vigneault's Timeout Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wizard of AZ Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 He left a "Thank you" Mouse on his owners pillow the next morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanev's Smirk Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 That kitten looks like a bandwagoner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurn Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 While very touching there are people starving to death for want of food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill-House Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 He left a "Thank you" Mouse on his owners pillow the next morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucklehead Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 If they had just taken him to this kitten faith healer he'd be romping around ages ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armada Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Looks like line-up formation at an Olympic sprint event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heretic Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 While very touching there are people starving to death for want of food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columbo Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 While very touching there are people starving to death for want of food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurn Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Hit a sore spot did I? Do you find my statement false? Be assured that despite how much I like my cat I would donate $4,000 to the united way before dropping it on vet bills. Also I do drop stuff off at the food bank,thanks for asking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columbo Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Hit a sore spot did I? Do you find my statement false? Be assured that despite how much I like my cat I would donate $4,000 to the united way before dropping it on vet bills. Also I do drop stuff off at the food bank,thanks for asking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrels.Gone.Wild Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Too bad it's going to turn into a cat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baka Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 While very touching there are people starving to death for want of food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurn Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 "You didn't hit a sore spot, you're just an idiot. " I am somewhat surprised that somone capable of using the word "you're" properly resorts to name calling. I am unsure if I should give you a plus for english ability or a minus for the other bit.? My computer was nowhere near that kind of money and I never donate to the united way as I am not impressed with the executive salary and admin costs.Keep it local or Salvation Army. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.K. Chesterton Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 "You didn't hit a sore spot, you're just an idiot. " I am somewhat surprised that somone capable of using the word "you're" properly resorts to name calling. I am unsure if I should give you a plus for english ability or a minus for the other bit.? My computer was nowhere near that kind of money and I never donate to the united way as I am not impressed with the executive salary and admin costs.Keep it local or Salvation Army. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denguin Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 So why are you paying for a computer and internet instead of donating that money to the food bank then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columbo Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 "You didn't hit a sore spot, you're just an idiot. " I am somewhat surprised that somone capable of using the word "you're" properly resorts to name calling. I am unsure if I should give you a plus for english ability or a minus for the other bit.? My computer was nowhere near that kind of money and I never donate to the united way as I am not impressed with the executive salary and admin costs.Keep it local or Salvation Army. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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