12/2/08 PM: Dr. Parra admits Berlin for initial assessment and treatment plan.
Weight: 3.75 lbs
Age: ~6 months
Sex: Female
Temperature: Low
Heart Rate: High
Respiration Rate: Low
Gum Color: Pale
Appearance: Weak, Depressed, Afraid
Skin: Many fleas, multiple abrasions on face and rear limbs
PLAN: Oral Capstar and topical Advantage to treat flea infestation; Fluid therapy to treat dehydration; Comprehensive labwork to evaluate internal health; start on pain medication and bathe lightly.

12/3/08 AM: Dr. Para continues to perform lab analysis to evaluate the effects of fluid and drug therapy.

12/3/08 PM: Dr. McKenna continues care by sedating kitty and providing much needed cleaning and care to the skin and rear limb of Berlin. Due to dehydration, fecal matter has become stuck in the colon and must be manually removed while under anesthesia. Recovery from anesthesia is unremarkable and afterwards the kitty is observed as resting quietly in a cuddle bed. At this point Berlin is eating and urinating well and is still on IV fluid therapy.

12/4/08 AM: Dr. McKenna reports that kitten is sleeping quietly and comfortably. IV fluids continued. Kitten continues to improve clinically and eating well on her own. Spoke to Dr. Anderson from DAS in AM and updated to status. Agreed that kitten will stay at CCPEC for next few days and then will be transferred to foster care.

12/4/08 PM: Dr. Parra reports kitten is looking good and weight has increased to 4.5 lbs. Hydration improving, but will continue fluids. Still not using litterbox, but is grooming herself. Continue antibiotics and pain medication. Performs bandage change of affected leg; wound looks good. Plan to let kitty rest quietly throughout the evening.

12/5/08: Dr. Parra reports kitty is looking well, but still urinating in place. Concerned kitty may have incontinence. Will continue to monitor closely and change bandage as needed.

12/6/08: Dr. Brown induced kitty around noon and changed bandages as planned. Replaced IV Catheter. After recovery from anesthesia, kitty ate with much enthusiasm. Later in the day she developed a slight fever. Continue to monitor.

12/7/08: Dr. Kennedy anesthetizes kitty to change bandage and re-radiographed RR leg to check for fractures-none noted. Wound looks on track to heal, kitty seems comfortable, eating well.

12/8/08: Dr. Brown reports Berlins weight has increased to 5 pounds and she is more active in her recovery ward. IV fluids will be discontinued. The wound on the leg is healing well, but there is some exposure to one of the bones in the area and this complicates things somewhat. Close observation of the healing process will continue with daily cleaning and bandage changes.

12/9/08: Dr. Parra was able to change the bandage using only sedation. The wound continues to heal and the bone exposure is still being watched closely. Additional investigation suggests that Berlin may have had a previous injury to the same leg as it is surrounded by significant scar tissue and range of motion seems to be limited. It appears this is not the first time Berlin has had a close call. Also, it would appear that Berlin has continued urinary incontinence (can't control urine release) and this may also be attributed to the prior injury.

FREEDOM! on 12/10 Berlin was released to a foster care parent who will continue the bandage changes and maintain the needed medical care and attention. The foster parent will be working closely with the Central Coast Pet Emergency and the SLO Department of Animal Services as needed. Berlin appears to be feeling much better, gaining weight and eating well, but will need much love and support to travel down the road of recovery.

We will collect some pictures and post updates as we learn more. Thanks for all your support! We have received numerous emails and calls and we really appreciate the care that so many have expressed. Special thanks to our friends in cyberspace who sent well wishes from around the nation!

• Joy in Twinsburg, Ohio

• Tavi, Cody, Camie and Miss Jade

• The Drummonds in Virgina (cats and fish included!)

• Bosco & Robert D.
• Mary H.
• and a lot more who did not leave their names, but did leave their hope!

Thank you!

The Team at CCPEC

Send your comments to us, we are glad to hear your feedback!

Other Berlin Stuff...

 Story: Tribune 1

Story: Tribune 2

Story: Cats Meow

SLO Animal Services

Lost Pet Info

PetSmart Irish Hills

CCPEC & SLO Department of Animal Services
The Central Coast Pet Emergency Clinic and the SLO Sheriffs Department Animal Services (DAS) have had a professional working relationship for many years. Animals that are recovered by the sheriffs department are brought to CCPEC for veterinary evaluation and treatment. DAS compensated CCPEC for all services provided. DAS has been very supportive of the medical advice of our clinicians. For more information on how you can support DAS and it's effort to help provide care for lost and injured county animals, please contact them at:
(760) 781-4413
or visit their website at:
http://www.slosheriff.org