Testimonials: Cats

Mason

"Hello, my name is Mason. I am a little scrapper rescued from Sepulveda Boulevard in Sherman Oaks after miraculously crossing the street in the dark. My mama saw me and after a few minutes, scooped me up from my hiding spot behind a tire of a vehicle. Other than being scared, starving (only weighed barely 4 pounds at 6 months old) and cold I showed no signs of injury. After being given the OK from the vet that I was not carrying anything contagious, I met my new brothers and sisters. I chased after anything that would move and enjoyed pulling myself up the 7’ tall cat tower. I couldn’t jump up but still had all around good times.

Then my “unknown” injury was discovered. I started to have a bit of a limp and was x-rayed while I was at the vet for being neutered. It turned out that I had a very wicked acetabular fracture on my right side. What that means is my pelvic bone was broken all the way across the bone near my hip socket and my leg was held somewhat in place by sheer luck. If you saw the x-ray you would cringe. My mama took me to a surgeon to have my bones plated together and the head of my femur removed (as the hip socket could not be repaired) and the procedure was mostly a success. There was a risk that the nerve to my leg may be damaged. After I was able to get up and walk around, I did so on only three legs. My right rear leg just dangled and I had no sensation between my toes. I had issues with the nerve.

Enter my wonderful friends at C.A.R.E.
I started my sessions (twice a week) with only hope of regaining at least some use of my leg back. Every time we showed up we were greeted warmly by all the friendly staff. I was really little and somewhat nervous everyone put me at ease and made my visits a comfortable, wonderful experience. Between the acupuncture and natural diet choices, thanks for the sweet potatoes, with Dr. Jessica (a silent meow to you) and all the manual therapy (didn’t like it, but had to do it) with Dr. Amy (even though she wore doggy socks) I started to use my leg a little. Only problem was I wasn’t walking properly. I was walking with my toes curled under and would not lift my foot/leg over obstacles. Well as time went on I showed some more improvement and began to have some sensation between my toes and lift my leg over very low obstacles about 60% of the time.

My mama was happy, but I wanted more. With the help of all my friends at C.A.R.E., I pushed myself and soon was working on the “big dog” therapy items, including the underwater treadmill. Yes, in the water and everyone survived unscathed. By the time I graduated, I had gained 3 pounds, increased the muscle mass in my injured leg and I was taking the stair/ramp obstacle like a pro, the underwater treadmill…no sweat and now I walk properly 100% of the time and have full feeling in my foot. I am so fast now that I almost trip my mama many times as I run from one room to another. I have discovered the hammock in the window which I can now jump high enough to enjoy. I can climb the cat tower properly and fly off of it to the bed which I promptly bounce off of to run after my brother Howard. I also chase him into the bathtub and do not care if I get wet as I do not fear the water.

Going to C.A.R.E. helped me be a true kitten and now I run around at home like nothing is wrong or ever was. The only down side to my healing success is that I no longer see all my new friends out there in Santa Monica.
THANK YOU EVERYONE!! I MISS YOU, BUT THANK YOU!!!"

November 2008

Mocha

"Ever since I was a kitten, I've had a luxating patella (dislocating
kneecap). I used to be able to shake my leg and kick my knee back into
place. At some point, I injured myself, rupturing the cruciate ligament in
my knee. Then my kneecap got stuck in a dislocated position, and scar tissue
formed. I started limping, and my muscles atrophied in my left leg. I was in
pain some of the time, and I didn't move around very much. I stopped going
upstairs. On some days, my mom had to practically beg me to eat.

My mom took me to several veterinarians who all recommended lateral suture
surgery. She didn't like the potential trauma and risks involved with
surgery, and she knew there must be a better way to help me. She started
researching alternatives on the Internet, and found CARE's amazing website.
There was a testimonial from a woman with a Labrador who had ruptured her
cruciate ligament-just like me! CARE had helped her dog without surgery.
Plus, there were testimonials from other cat moms, so they worked with cats
too. CARE was an answer to my mom's prayers. She could hardly believe her
luck, and she couldn't wait to call. My mom braced herself because so many
doors had been closed on her. She called and spoke with a kind woman named
Adriana who said they could help me. My mom was cautiously optimistic.

From the moment we walked into CARE, every member of the staff treated us
with so much kindness, compassion and warmth. They all wanted to meet me,
pet me and comment on my cuteness. I must admit I'm not a huge fan of vets,
but Dr. Jessica has really good energy. She's warm, kind and gentle with
me. She measured my joint angles, range of motion and observed my movement,
recommending an 8-week program of rehabilitation. When I met Dr. Amy, my
physical therapist, I really bonded with her. She is soothing, gentle and
loving with me. She treats me as if I'm a member of her very own family.
Sometimes I get scared and try to hide, but she's so patient with me. Dr.
Amy has a gifted touch, and I melt into her massages.

My mom and I have been driving to CARE from Orange County (more than 100
miles roundtrip) twice a week for 8 weeks. It's well worth the drive.
They've been treating me with acupuncture and a variety of physical therapy
modalities. I have made tremendous progress. At home, I'm happier, more
active, less painful. I run up and down the stairs, and I've even climbed to
the top of the tall cat tree a few times.

CARE is the perfect name because everyone who works there sincerely cares.
I've never met so many kind-hearted people in one place. They are sensitive
to my catlike needs.
My mom and I are so grateful for Dr. Amy, Dr. Jessica and every member of
the amazing staff at CARE! They are defining the cutting edge in animal
rehabilitation with compassion. It's a place where pets and their parents
come in with issues and come out with hope, love and peace-of-mind. In my
opinion, it's the cat's meow."

Purringly Yours,
Mocha and T.H., October 2008

View a video of Mocha Getting Accupuncture at CARE.

Ben

"My Mom and I want to thank you for taking such good care of me. My Mom was so sad when my leg broke at my hip - especially since I am just two years old. My doctor told my Mom after I had surgery that I would be better in six months. Well Mom worried and worried as I just wasn't myself. Alii felt like doing was lay around. My leg hurt and I could no longer have any fun chasing my sister Belle or climbing my cat tree to watch the birds.

My Mom looked on the Internet for help for me and consulted with my doctor. The same day they both found CARE in Santa Monica. Mom called their phone number and spoke to Dr. Amy. Dr. Amy told her about CARE and what they did for animals and decided I should go there and get treatment. She was told I was to be their first cat - imagine that!

Well, I was welcomed with open arms. All the staff was just wonderful. My friend David met me at the door three mornings a week with a smile. Dr. Jessica worked with Mom on my diet, gave me acupuncture and developed my programs. Dr. Amy put me through my paces and also worked with me on the water treadmill. As you can imagine, I discussed with anyone who would listen .... AT THE TOP OF MY VOICE. ... how much I disliked that. But, everything they did made me stronger and stronger.

I came to CARE very weak and unable to walk straight and true. My Mom had even bought portable stairs for the house so I could get into my favorite chair and to help me get up on the bed. I despaired at ever being able to run again, much less climb my cat tree. After finishing my treatment at CARE I am a new cat. I can run, I can jump, and I can walk straight and best of all, Saturday I RAN up my cat tree for the first time and felt very proud. I owe the new me to CARE. I heartily recommend these wonderful caring people. They do terrific things for dogs, but now they can say they do wonderful things for cats, too. I am living, walking, and jumping proof. Thank you. Thank you."

Love,
BEN "the cat" and his mom C.B.

Small

"Small fell from the 6th floor in our apartment in India. He broke his 3 legs. He could not walk or move, he could only move his head. We treated him in India, but it did not work out. That is when we came to the US to try to fix him. We heard about CARE and we came. We thought the therapy looked cool.  Eventually, he started doing much better, and now he can walk on his own. I am so thankful to CARE and the surgeons at the other hospitals that helped him. We are going back to India but we will definitely keep in touch!"

Thank you CARE!
N.J.

Small's Journey to Recovery (Video)