Man Goes Viral For Spending $10K For Surgeries On His Rescued Cat With Severe Limp
A rescued kitten with a severe limp ended up becoming an expensive surprise, and the man who took him in did not hesitate when the bills started piling up.
The cat, Teddy, was found with a badly broken leg and more medical issues than anyone expected, but his rescuer kept showing up for him anyway. What started as a foster situation quickly turned into a full-on commitment, complete with vet visits, surgery, and a $10,000 price tag.
Then Teddy’s recovery took a few unexpected turns, and the story only got more memorable from there.
One day we got a call, about a small orange kitten
He was so young and had a broken arm
The cat, Teddy, was rushed to the vet where they found out that "his jaw was fused shut from a badly healed jaw injury, and they couldn't intubate him to perform the major surgery." The vet suggested no brace because it was Teddy who would understand what position was best for his arm.
They discovered his jaw was fused shut from a badly healed jaw injury
He slept a lot that first day
He slept a lot that first day, and since I was on Christmas vacation, I spent a lot of time with him. I was terrified... What if he was in pain? What if he couldn’t eat?! He cuddled a lot while recovering.
The following day, Teddy was strolling around, alert and searching for something.
The next day he is walking around, alert and looking for something
Teddy meets Joey
He makes a whimpering howl, which means that he’s obviously troubled. Then, our other male foster cat, Joey, strolls in, and he’s a dark little cat.
Teddy sees him and jumps while squeaking in euphoria, and begins to play with Joey. Then, the rescuer realizes that he was only searching for a companion.
Teddy leaps and squeaks with joy, and starts to play with Joey
Later on, Teddy finds his rescuer and lies next to him, beginning to purr. That was when his rescuer decided that Teddy would be a permanent occupant.
He’s going to have lifelong medical challenges. Whatever he needs, I’ll make sure he gets.
He's cuddling with a foster kitten from another litter named Anya
Teddy monopolizes his owner's arm while Tink enjoys the heated blanket
The rescuer says that their pet cats have a mom, Tink, who was named for a bell she had while abandoned and pregnant outside.
Tink gave birth outside before my fiancée managed to catch her and the kittens and bring them into the house. This was a couple of years before I entered the scene.
Check out all these cats
Can you tell which is Teddy, and which is Tink?
Every morning he would hop on my desk to make a mess
He needs wet food that he basically SMASHES into his mouth
"Some weeks later, and his fur comes back in nicely. Here he's slowing down D&D prep..."
"Dinner time boys? Ok, let me get you something!"
Why are they like this?
It's a lot of work but everything is fine
"Teddy even gets close to 'my' cat"
"Teddy, why are you getting closer?!"
Wait, what!
She's getting some cuddles
Then, the story changes...
"Teddy is growing up a fine boy, but his adult teeth shrink his mouth opening even more. Feeding is harder, and he often sticks out his tongue to be more comfortable."
It's cute, and he's kind of a gross cuddler sometimes
"I mean, sometimes it seems like his tongue gets stuck, and we have to help him get it back in? What if something DOES happen, you know?"
The cat was taken to a dental specialist in order to get a CT scan. It was then confirmed that he has "ankylosis TMJ (meaning his left jaw joint bones have grown together into a single mass, so his jaw can't hinge)."
Options were given, and they were told that "unless there is an emergency, we shouldn't get surgery because it might make things worse." Obviously, they didn't do all that traveling, depositing $2K only "to be given shrugs and told about rumors you've heard."
It also echoes the girlfriend versus financially controlling boyfriend who got furious over expensive cat surgery after a urinary blockage.
Taking him to a dental specialist for a CT scan
Then a few Sundays later... disaster. Teddy cuts his tongue while eating some of the hard food downstairs. He does NOT stop. It's like a murder scene. He's happy enough, but the potential for blood loss scares us. I make the call, we pack up, and start the two-hour drive to Cornell, the only emergency vet that may be able to do anything.
Disaster happens a few Sundays later
That appointment is MUCH better
That appointment is MUCH better, and the specialist REALLY knows her stuff. I'm not being talked down to; we actually talk about the joint, real options, how things will be affected, and how the side effects will play out.
Then comes the estimate - the total cost of surgery, which includes the previous $2K, is actually $10,000. Well, they went ahead to set up the appointments.
Teddy gets the surgery
Teddy gets the surgery and recovers amazingly! The very next day he's eating hard food and recovering faster than anyone expected.
The picture above is him resting "with his strangely shaved face, protective cone, and feeding tube."
Cone off and his tube is held by this cloth velcro collar
The "Nut Bar" episode is his favorite
Here it goes
"He actually loves the Model T episode"
"Eventually the other cats stop fearing the cone once they're used to it."
Two weeks later, the tube is out, and the cone can come off. Look at my tiny-headed son! Adorable goblin boy. He eats well, and it seems like he'll be okay.
Teddy is kept up with physical therapy. In his rescuer's words - "He'll live. HE BETTER, or I'm going to be a ruin."
"Look at my tiny-headed son!"
That's the story of Teddy
The rest of the images are dups
It's a happy ending
The story of the man who spent $10,000 on surgeries for his rescued cat serves as a poignant reminder of the deep commitment that comes with pet ownership. This couple's dedication to helping cats in need reflects a growing awareness of the responsibilities that come with caring for animals, particularly in communities where many cats are abandoned or neglected. Their mission highlights the importance of community support for animal welfare initiatives. As they strive to aid those felines who have been overlooked, it underscores a broader conversation about the necessity of compassion in our treatment of animals. This narrative is a call to action for others to consider the impact of their choices and the vital role they can play in nurturing a more humane society.
That $7,000 “teeth or euthanize” fight is wild too, read the woman whose husband said she should have euthanized the cats.
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