SOS! Sputnik needs your help again! This sweet, sassy girl needs urgent surgery to repair a broken femur. She is a medically complex cat. You've supported us through her initial care, her allergy journey, and even a bad reaction to antibiotics that led to hospitalization. Will you help us get her the surgery she needs?

How did we get here? Well, Sputnik has quite the story! She has been with us for four years(!) but it hasn't been long enough to undo the eight years of neglect she experienced prior. Her backstory is heartbreaking: Severely neglected by her owner, she suffered so badly with itchy skin due to allergies that she is literally covered in scars from scratching and biting herself, trying desperately to get relief. Finally, she was dumped at the shelter. When we first got her, she couldn't be left without a cone because she would immediately tear at her own skin with her teeth. Most concerning of all was a large, deep, infected wound on her side that would not heal. With a regimen of several medications and a strict allergy diet, we were able to stop Sputnik's itching for good. And after multiple biopsies and cultures, we found the right treatment to heal her wound 99%. But it never healed 100%. A persistent staph infection lingered.

Wound healing progress over time

Still, the wound is small, and with daily care and pain medication to ensure her comfort, Sputnik has been able to live a normal life in her foster home. She's been happier and healthier than she has in many years! Until now, when her foster mom found her unable to bear weight on her right rear leg. X-rays showed that Sputnik somehow fractured her femur. Since she's the kind of cat who prefers to spend time napping in her heated bed, with leisurely walks to the food bowl, water fountain, and litter box, we are all baffled at how Sputnik could have injured herself so badly. But somehow not surprised, because this girl always manages to bring the drama!

Current X-rays

The good news is that this fracture is an excellent candidate for a simple repair with wire and a screw. Still, the cost for this is $3,020 for the operation itself, with an additional ~$500 for the anesthesia, monitoring, and medications. Since Sputnik will be under anesthesia already, we have opted to have the surgeon repair her non-healing wound as well, for $500 dollars more. This has the benefit of removing the staph-infected tissue on her side so that her leg surgery site will be safe from infection spreading, which would be a disaster, so we are very glad they can do this at the same time!

Sputnik has always been a rollercoaster, but we wouldn't trade her for the world. She deserves every ounce of love and care that we can provide after so many years of neglect. We are determined to make sure her golden years are lived in the comfort that she deserves. We are counting on you to help us in our mission. It's a rough time out there for rescues and people all around, but if you are able, please consider making a contribution for our special little lady. 🖤

Surgery for Sputnik

By Operation Press Paws, Inc.

Surgery for Sputnik

Help us fix her broken femur & non-healing wound.