Ringo the Cat

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derbyjim

Original Poster:

35 posts

86 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2018
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Ladies... Gents....

Our 2 year old cat, Ringo Starr got hit by a combine harvester last Monday. It was an absolutely traumatic experience.

His front leg got ripped off just above the elbow, his back leg (on the same side) was fractured in 3 places and you could see the bones in his tail.

Despite these injuries, he managed to crawl across the fields and very nearly made it back home! How on Earth he did this, I don’t know but he obviously desperately wanted to get back home.

You can read the full story here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ringo

He is being well looked after by Fitzpatrick Referral’s, the same ones on the Supervet TV show and the main surgeon has confirmed that Ringo confirmed that Ringo is a viable candidate (for a prosthetic) in terms of age and type of fracture of the leg.

Rachel and I have debated what to do, quite heatedly I must admit, since seeing Ringo this afternoon.

Part of me thinks the poor chap has gone through enough however I have been given some reassurance from the vet around the pain relief he is getting and what the potential future ops and rehabilitation will mean for him.

I don’t do ‘social media’ with the exception of some of the other car forums and a long-term reader on here. The vet costs are simply unbelievable but we don't want to put him down if there's a chance of him living a fulfilling life after all this.

Someone on the Lotus forum suggested a justgiving page, which I felt uneasy doing at first ("it's our issue" I said) however the vet costs are ever increasing; the initial vet bill of £9,400 of which only 3k will be covered by our insurance will rise significantly. The prosthetic and surgery alone will be a cool £10,000

If you feel like donating, that's fine, if you don't then feel free not to - but please don't send any abuse, I don't think either of us can take that right now!

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ringo


We've also uploaded a few videos here:

https://youtu.be/U-L6T9AGyaQ

I did say he was a determined bugger!
Https://youtu.be/mXn-VCeStAA

Https://youtu.be/4xtZbk4iy14

P.S. Not sure how to rotate the pic?!!

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2018
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Poor mite, lucky to survive!!

He is in good hands that is for sure!

Prosthetics in animals is still new and developing and there have been successes. It can have its complications as well as I am sure they have explained.

If you think he can cope with the many visits and the time it will take for it all to be finished (though I have no idea re long term care of these type of prosthetics ie further vet visits) and can find the money then go for it!!

Such a traumatic experience but I think it is fine to keep going whilst he is fighting and making progress, wishing Ringo all the very best and I wish you the best in your fundraising.


Edited by bexVN on Tuesday 3rd July 01:13

derbyjim

Original Poster:

35 posts

86 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2018
quotequote all
Thank you Bex.

He was indeed lucky to survive and we feel weirdly honoured that he decided to try to get all the way home rather than go somewhere to die as some cats do.

We’ve done a helluva lot of reading on prostethetics in the last week plus we found the Tripawd UK support group to be very helpful indeed. There will be at least a 6-8 week rehabilitation period according to the vet (seems short...?) but the other half isn’t working atm, and is an ex-theatre nurse so will do Ringo proud I’m sure!

Jim

derbyjim

Original Poster:

35 posts

86 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2018
quotequote all
P.S. Not sure if it was you who donated last but if it was, it’s much appreciated - thank you! ;o)

garythesign

2,056 posts

87 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2018
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Sorry to read about this.

Hope Ringo recovers well.

He looks really sweet

telecat

8,528 posts

240 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2018
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Small Donation on behalf of our Tripod Minnie. She made it home with her front leg hanging off. Now happily bounds around the local area and able to catch the odd unwary Mouse and bird.

solo2

858 posts

146 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2018
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I've made a donation to Ringo, will be checking back on progress.

I have 8 cats of my own and foster for the Ginger Cat House Rescue and have asked if they would kindly post your link on their Facebook page.




derbyjim

Original Poster:

35 posts

86 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2018
quotequote all
telecat said:
Small Donation on behalf of our Tripod Minnie. She made it home with her front leg hanging off. Now happily bounds around the local area and able to catch the odd unwary Mouse and bird.
Thank you Telecat, donation received and much appreciated.

Sorry to hear about your Tripod 'Minnie' but glad to see that she's not let it hold her back! ;o)

derbyjim

Original Poster:

35 posts

86 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2018
quotequote all
solo2 said:
I've made a donation to Ringo, will be checking back on progress.

I have 8 cats of my own and foster for the Ginger Cat House Rescue and have asked if they would kindly post your link on their Facebook page.
Thank you Solo2 - that's brilliant of you and absolutely no problem at all with you sharing the link, that should be valuable to Ringo's cause indeed: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ringo

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2018
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Wow, can't believe how much has been raised so far, I hope it continues to grow, some very generous donators, I wish I could do more but I know every little helps as well, Keep us posted on how he does.

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Wednesday 4th July 2018
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Will donate later, this is a reminder

Can’t do it now as they don’t accept PayPal

everything crossed for Ringo

addz86

1,439 posts

185 months

Wednesday 4th July 2018
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Poor chap, it got a bit dusty in my office reading his story!

Our little st/monster managed to break his leg quite badly last year before we’d got him insured and some of the prices that were mentioned were terrifying so know the feeling of worry you’re going through, I’ve stole a bit from his treat fund and sent a small donation, it’s not much but hope it helps a bit towards getting him fixed up!

Stan the Bat

8,842 posts

211 months

Wednesday 4th July 2018
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Donation on its way.

geeks

9,121 posts

138 months

Wednesday 4th July 2018
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Donation done, the pic of Ringo in the pink bandages reminded me of after Lola was shot by an air rifle! She is very much over the incident now (although the pellet is still in there, it was too risky to remove) and jumped onto my lap just as I was reading the story out to my wife. Got awfully dusty in here!

EDIT - P.S Get well soon Ringo!

Edited by geeks on Wednesday 4th July 22:48

derbyjim

Original Poster:

35 posts

86 months

Thursday 5th July 2018
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Ali-Kat, Stan, Geek, Steven

Thank you all for the best wishes and donations, mich appreciated.

The ‘dust’ must have blown from here (at last). We’re just back from seeing him and he looked really, really well! Considering he’s just had the front leg amputated (properly this time... sorry, need to get some humour back in my life) then he looks remarkable.

His back leg is still not good. Thoughts are he will lose it from the knee (elbow ?!) downwards as it looks pretty dead to be honest.

We’ve put a couple of updates on last night (link below if you haven’t seen them). He looks even brighter and very chatty tonight. Will try and do another update soon.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ringo

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Thursday 5th July 2018
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Good videos, thank you for the update, he is looking good, no reason to not continue the line of tx so far. Will be keeping my fingers crossed

tallstevef

162 posts

171 months

Thursday 5th July 2018
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Donated too, Ringo looks a lot like our 2 year old tabby - can't imagine how you felt seeing him in such a bad way... Glad he seems to be doing well. Fingers crossed for the little guy.

derbyjim

Original Poster:

35 posts

86 months

Thursday 5th July 2018
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tallstevef said:
Donated too, Ringo looks a lot like our 2 year old tabby - can't imagine how you felt seeing him in such a bad way... Glad he seems to be doing well. Fingers crossed for the little guy.
Thank you. He was absolutely amazing today. Confirmed (to me anyhow) that we’re doing the right thing. He’s become a bit of a star at the vets too. They love him! smile

Stan the Bat

8,842 posts

211 months

Thursday 5th July 2018
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Keep us up to date with his progress. thumbup

geezerbutler

523 posts

141 months

Thursday 5th July 2018
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Donation done. Such a handsome boy - Good Luck Ringo!