Clooney's Saga
Past visitors to this webpage will surely remember Clooney. He is the cat found bloody on the side of the road, who had many serious injuries. He went through a long period of healing and rehabilitation, and is almost completely back to his old self. And the news gets even better - HE HAS BEEN ADOPTED. The whole saga is below. Thanks to all who helped Clooney!!
This sweet guy was found covered with blood at the side of the road Sunday, March 19th, 2006 by a brave and caring teenager, who brought him to ICS. We rushed him to the emergency veterinary clinic at North Central Veterinary Emergency. The vet discovered that he had badly broken legs, one of which was so badly shattered that they were not sure it could be saved. Two days later, on Tuesday, he underwent surgery at Vale Park Animal Hospital to repair the right (worst) one. The required reconstruction was so extensive that surgery lasted two hours. Thus, they had to put off repairing the other one until Thursday. Despite his painful ordeal, Clooney was friendly and loving to all his rescuers, purring and giving "head butts", as if to say "Thank You!" Update: Wednesday 3/22/06 (per Sandy from Cat Care)Dr. Jerry gave me additional details on the right leg surgery. He said it was like putting a jigsaw puzzle together, the pieces of bone were scattered and some of the smaller ones were not useable or shattered so badly they couldn't be found. He was able to piece the tibia back together with the pieces of bone he could find using three internal wires and four external pins with a vertical rod to hold them in place. He said we're lucky Clooney is a cat, that they have a remarkable ability to heal. He said if this break were in a dog, it would be twice as scary. Plus, Clooney is young and that will help. He expects the tiny gaps to fill in with bone as healing takes place and that Clooney will have full use of his right leg once he is completely healed. He also mentioned what a great cat Clooney is. He said he wasn't just saying that to be nice, that he feels Clooney is exceptional. Dr. Jerry is going to let Clooney rest today and plans to do the left leg and neuter him Thursday. The earliest Clooney would be released is Friday evening, but more likely, it will be Saturday morning. Clooney will require a brief surgery once his right leg is healed to remove the 4 external pins. The wires in his right leg are permanent as will be the pin he'll be putting in the left leg tomorrow. Update: Friday 3/24/06 (per Sandy from Cat Care)Clooney's left femur was successfully repaired yesterday. He has also been neutered. Teri (at Vale Park Animal Hospital) wasn't sure if he has been tattooed, but if not, it will be done when he goes back to have the surgery to remove the pins from his right leg. I will ask about a rabies vac (vaccination) before I bring him home. They may not want to stress his system any further at this time; it can always be given when he has the pins removed. I'll also ask when I should start his other vacs. He is resting comfortably. He is on two antibiotics, an anti-inflammatory and pain medication. He stood by himself the day after his first surgery, but has not stood yet since his second surgery. It's not that he can't, it's just that he hasn't realized yet that he can. He does not have casts or heavy bandages; he can use his legs when and as he chooses. He will not be released today - perhaps tomorrow. BTW - when I called, Carol at the front desk answered and asked whom I was calling to check on. When I answered, "Clooney", she exclaimed, "oh, that one's a real sweetheart, I just love him"! I think we named Clooney well! Update: Friday 3/24/06 (from Cate)I just got back from VP (Vale Park Animal Hospital). I asked them if he could have visitors, and they said to please come over, because he'd love the company. He's just as cute as everyone says. Clooney is easily the most popular guy there; everybody loves him. He answers when you talk to him, and soaks up attention like a sponge. He likes to "hold hands" and while doing so kneads very gently without sticking his claws into your hand. He is going to make somebody a wonderful pet! Update: Saturday 3/25/06 (from Sandy)I spoke with Con at VP, she was so excited! When she and Dana had Clooney out of his cage this morning to do his therapy, he wanted to stand so they helped him into a standing position and he was able to stand mostly on his own for a short time, leaning against Dana just a little bit. Con said he's amazing and very courageous!!! I will be picking him up Monday night on my way home from work. Update: Tuesday 3/28/06 (from Sandy)Great news - Clooney stood up by himself Saturday night and went potty in the litter box! He has steadily improved and can stand up and walk quite well now without assistance. I brought him home from Vale Park last night for foster care. As we left, I was told several times what a wonderful cat he is and how much they love him! He has a Friday afternoon appointment for a check-up with Dr. Jerry, so many of them will get a chance to see him again soon. Clooney is relaxed and content in a large cage in our spare bedroom. (He must be caged for several weeks to restrict his activity and prevent possible injury to his healing legs.) It's lined with a 9" high cardboard "bumper" to prevent him from snagging his external pins and possibly damaging his right leg. He can easily see over it and I think it makes him feel cozy when he snuggles next to it on his thick fleece bed. We're not sure if he's comfortable bending his legs to step into a litter box so we're using a 1" high cardboard tray with a plastic bag liner and he's doing very well with it. Clooney is eating great and is very easy to medicate. I opened his cage door and sat on the floor next to him for quite a while last night, talking to him and petting him so he could get to know me. He stretched out both arms across my legs and laid his head in my lap and purred like crazy. Our cats ventured into the bedroom to meet Clooney. Spencer, our blind kitty, is especially intrigued. He visited several times, sitting near the cage and talking to him as if to say, "I'd like to be your friend." Clooney seemed to appreciate the company, but I don't think he understands yet that Spencer can't see him. My husband, Art, works at home and will check on Clooney throughout the day while I'm at work. We will take very good care of him during his recuperation. Update: Sunday 4/2/06 (from Sandy)Clooney went to Vale Park Animal Hospital last Friday afternoon for a check-up. Dr. Jerry was thrilled with how well he is walking! I saw the "after" x-rays - his surgeries were amazing, especially the right tibia reconstruction. Wires and pins are holding pieces of tibia bone in place and I could easily see the gaps that are expected to gradually fill in with new bone. This could take 12-13 weeks or longer. Clooney is to continue on his two antibiotics and the anti-inflammatory/pain killer until his next check-up with Dr. Jerry this coming Wednesday afternoon. Clooney has settled in well here at home. He's eating great and uses his litter box like a perfect gentlemen. I've given him several toys but what he loves to play with the most are my fuzzy bedroom slippers! He attacks them when I let him out of his cage for morning exercise/play time. He has at least three, but usually more, supervised play/exercise periods each day. Walking is good for him, but he is not allowed to stand up on his hind legs or jump up or down from anything. After he strolls around checking the room out and plays for a while, he likes to crawl into my lap for hugs and snuggles before going back into his cage for a snack and a nice long nap. 
Update: Monday 4/10/06 (from Sandy)I took Clooney to Vale Park Animal Hospital Wednesday afternoon 4/5/06 for another re-check of his leg surgeries. Both incisions have healed well. Dr. Jerry removed the staples from his left leg so easily that Clooney didn't even notice. Removing stitches from his right leg was more difficult. The stitches were tiny and close to his skin, so we had to hold Clooney very still. This frightened him and he began to struggle. Rather than stress him further and risk possible injury to his right leg, Dr. Jerry suggested we postpone removal until Friday 4/7/06. I dropped Clooney off at the clinic on my way to work that morning. After he settled in, Dr. Jerry gave Clooney a mild sedative and then removed the stitches. This worked great and Clooney was his usual cheerful, loving self when I brought him home Friday evening. He will continue on two antibiotics until the end of this week. His pain medication has been reduced from once every other day to once every third day and he's doing fine at the new dose. Clooney will see Dr. Jerry again Monday 4/17/06. | 
