For Cole

Organized by Kim Carnochan

Cole's journey ends peacefully....
So it is with a very heavy and sad heart that I write this update for my black cat named, Cole.
After his first surgery to repair his leg, he rebroke the leg and the vet did some additional bloodwork to see what else might be going on..... Cole's red blood cell count was low (anemia) and there were a few other minor abnormalities (a lot due to the infection in his leg). The Dr. held off on any additional surgery for Cole until he felt better about his condition. Well, as the week carried on Cole didn't want to eat and so I ok'd having a feeding tube put in to get him fed and nourished (anesthesia but not as big as major surgery)....while he was under the vet noticed that Cole's abdomen was a bit distended and aspirated some fluid which was a bright straw yellow and that Cole quite possibly has FIP/Corona virus (of which MANY cats are carriers and never manifest the disease, and they don't know why this is)...but it is incurable and deadly!
More blood work to confirm if FIP or not.....I went to see Cole when they did the feeding tube but he was still knocked out....
I went to see Cole on Saturday morning and had to make a difficult choice with his infected leg.....Cole's body was using all of its resources to fight the infection in his leg (despite the help of strong antibiotics). I chose to have the vet amputate his leg with this really the only choice for him to fight this off and get better. I spent an hour with Cole just petting him and talking to him and told him what a good cat he is. I knew doing the surgery was risky but Cole and I had no choice. The doctor did the surgery within the hour and called me around 3 and Cole was just starting to wake up and he was doing ok. I was so relieved.....
Easter Sunday......
Dr. Chapman called me this morning to let me know that Cole passed away in his sleep Saturday night around 11 pm and that he was sedated (pain meds) and that he was in absolutely no pain but that his body just couldn't survive. I am pretty devastated...life can change so quickly and so horribly.
I know most people think, "oh, it's just a cat, or it's just a dog"...but when they are a part of your family, they are a part of it no matter what and their death can be just as devastating. These are my kids "with 4 legs and fur"....and now I am one less kid.
Cole, may you run in green fields and always have the sunshine on you at rainbow's bridge. I know many are there to comfort you and show you the way. I am so sorry for what happened and I know you know how much you were loved and how much we will miss you. But now you are safe, in no pain and forever young and healthy!
Until we meet again beautiful, Cole!
xo your human mom, Kim
Cole's Story
Cole is still in the hospital...April 6
and was in the hospital when he somehow re-broke his leg. So he has been in the hospital since Friday, April 3.
Just so everybody knows.......he hasn't been home and didn't re-break his leg at home.
Dr. Hohne said he has never had this happen before. Leave it to Cole.....
Dr.Hohne said that because of the tissue damage they have to be carefulputting any kind of cast on the leg as the leg needs to be cleaned andmonitored to prevent any infection from occurring (because of thetissue damage around the break) and if you put a cast on it makes itdifficult to access the leg everyday....on and off with a cast won'twork too well.
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The broken leg......rebreaks!
Poor Cole! After having a successful operation to pinhis leg on Saturday morning.....Cole somehow rebroke his leg during thenight on Sat/Sun am.
I spoke to Dr. Hohne this morning and they arewaiting to stabilize Cole a bit more before they redo his surgery. Colehas a lot of tissue damage around his leg and this is complicating hissituation. Cole was a little depressed this morning so he is on fluidsand they did some bloodwork to double check anything else....theresults will be back tomorrow.
So I am just in a holding pattern now and am hopeful, still, that amputation is not part of the conversation for Cole....
Thank you again to everybody for helping....just have a little ways more to go so I can finish off paying the bill for him.
East Valley Vet/Dr. Hohne have been EXTRAORDINARY!!!
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Cole.....and his broken leg
Cole the morning of surgery....
Hereisa picture of Cole in his carrier when I dropped him off at the vetthismorning. His surgery will be this afternoon or early Saturdaymorning.
Check out that huge splint!!

Thankyou to everybodywho has contributed!! I still need to raise $$ to payof the balance ofthis bill....so I will update the chip in page.

with gratefulness,
Kim &Cole

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc274/kimszoo/Coletheamofsurgery4309-1.jpg
  • April 3 1:59pm
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April 2 Update
Hi Everybody....
Just want to update Cole's surgery status....
Paws crossed, I will be taking him in tomorrow (Friday) funds permitting.
So far I still have another $745.00 to raise. Thank you to all who have donated! It ALL helps!!
Coleiseating and drinking but just hates having his leg splinted (so wouldI)but hopefully that will be short lived. I know there is a recoverytimeeven with surgery but that is ok.
I will try to get a picture posted of Cole with his splint....I am not a techno wizard but I will try!

xo Kim & Cole
  • April 2 2:26pm
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Cole's Chip In.....=^+^=
Aftermanyyearsof rescuing and assisting many others in rescue, I amreaching outtoeveryone to help me with my own cat, Cole, whom Ilovevery much.Time isof the essence because he needs the surgeryquickly.
Update as well. I am going to a less expensive vet (just as qualified) to try and get this done.
Coleisa9 year old cat that is as black as coal....his brother is Will(Irescuedthem off the street corner of Willamin and Colegate,hencethenames). Ihave had both of them since they were 6 weeksold......
Colewasattackedon Saturday by two of my dogs (because I did not cratethemwhile I wason my porch talking to someone and because dogs can bethatway.....and Iwas stupid). Now Cole suffers from a"transversefractureof his righttib/fibula" and needs surgery to pinhis leg backtogether.I spent fourhours at the Animal EmergencyCenter onSaturday...his legis splinted, heis on a narcotic painreliever,antibiotics and needsthe surgery ratherquickly.

I am working onfundraising withActors and Others, ThePet Fund (Iwas notified has nofunds to help),UAN (for a lifeline grantif possible), fveap.org (alsocurrently nofunds to assist) and ofcourse,this fundable site. If just100 peoplegave 15.00, his surgery ispaid.The $500.00 emergency visithas beencovered by a generousdonation.This is a time to ask friendsand allfor a little help.
Trust me I know how difficult things are right now.....I would never ask if I didn't really need the help to help my cat.
Grateful to say the least.
Thank you!


PSThethreepictured cats are Cole (the black cat), Will (theTabby) andmyVictoriawho passed away at the age of 16 in Sept. 07.Cole loved herasyou cansee.
  • April 1 1:05am
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